Studs and Duds vs Seahawks

[El Guapo]

Before you all jump on me for my rant, I'll give out a few stud nods:
-Matt LaFleur for cramming the running game down the cram hole. We jumped out to a 14-0 lead behind the running game. Stick to what you are good at until someone stops you.
-Valentine and Cooper for dropping potential INTs and then staying focused enough to later get their first career INTs
-OL did a great job of run blocking and pass protecting
-WR & TEs blocked extremely well
-DL was hungry. Loved it
-Josh Jacobs is a beast. Keep feeding him the rock.

Rants:
- To everyone who got on me about my criticism of LaFleur against the Lions... watch how the Bills attacked the Lions' weak LBs and DL. Nothing changed from last week to this week except a smarter coordinator feasted on the Lions. We should have been able to do that too.
- Jacobs was great again. When the Seahawks adjusted to stop the inside run in the second half, LaFleur mostly obliged by running ineffective plays up the gut and then quickly turning to the pass. On ONE occasion he ran a jet sweep to Reed. When the other team stacks the inside, LaFleur needs to run to the outside and call plays that stretch the defense laterally. Matt seems to be losing his creativity at the wrong time.

For the record, I am a Matt LaFleur fan but I am seeing cracks in our armor at the wrong time of the season. He seems to be struggling to call effective/adaptive game plans while also managing the team as head coach, as the failed challenge flags have evidenced. Jordan Love needs every bit of support right now from Matt LaFleur and Tom Clements. Matt is generally great, but right now needs some help to get back on top of his game.

 

[El Guapo]

breaking news

David Montgomery (RB Det) is getting tested on his knee - might be out for the rest of the season

The injuries that the Lions are dealing with are making their ship list sharply to the port side. They have tremendous depth but are really challenged right now.

 

[OldSchool101]

Before you all jump on me for my rant, I'll give out a few stud nods:
-Matt LaFleur for cramming the running game down the cram hole. We jumped out to a 14-0 lead behind the running game. Stick to what you are good at until someone stops you.
-Valentine and Cooper for dropping potential INTs and then staying focused enough to later get their first career INTs
-OL did a great job of run blocking and pass protecting
-WR & TEs blocked extremely well
-DL was hungry. Loved it
-Josh Jacobs is a beast. Keep feeding him the rock.

Rants:
- To everyone who got on me about my criticism of LaFleur against the Lions... watch how the Bills attacked the Lions' weak LBs and DL. Nothing changed from last week to this week except a smarter coordinator feasted on the Lions. We should have been able to do that too.
- Jacobs was great again. When the Seahawks adjusted to stop the inside run in the second half, LaFleur mostly obliged by running ineffective plays up the gut and then quickly turning to the pass. On ONE occasion he ran a jet sweep to Reed. When the other team stacks the inside, LaFleur needs to run to the outside and call plays that stretch the defense laterally. Matt seems to be losing his creativity at the wrong time.

For the record, I am a Matt LaFleur fan but I am seeing cracks in our armor at the wrong time of the season. He seems to be struggling to call effective/adaptive game plans while also managing the team as head coach, as the failed challenge flags have evidenced. Jordan Love needs every bit of support right now from Matt LaFleur and Tom Clements. Matt is generally great, but right now needs some help to get back on top of his game.

Totally Agree. It’s not just unfounded criticism. We both watch enough football to see what successful teams are doing. They always seem to have a couple tricks up there sleeves that work in those 3rd n short situations when you’ve lost momentum. We’re not very inventive on creating momentum or putting teams away.

Once that backup QB came in this should’ve been a runaway game. Like 37-13 ; 40-13 something like that. Should’ve NEVER been a 10 point game either with plenty of time. A good backup would’ve made this a 1 score game.

Their QB couldn’t hit the broadside of a barn 2 consecutive times. There’s no way they should be running the ball for huge plays. Should’ve been 8 in the box with 4-4 alignment and no Running plays past 3-5 yards.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

The question was never presented that way. Their question was presented as which are we (Packers) closer to. Not which are we better than

Got ya. So to answer your question of who the Packers are closer to, I came up with the following.

Green Bay is much closer to Detroit (288 miles) VS to Seattle it is 1672 miles.

 

[tynimiller]

I'll say something many have said about other teams yet refuse to say about us....good teams find ways to win games.

Second half for sure wasn't our best and yes I think MLF at times doesn't just let the calls roll and overthinks things often times in second half, but still here we sit with three more games and at 10-4 all but a lock for the playoffs. Damn things could be not just worse but exponentially worse.

 

[OOMPA Tailgate]

The injuries that the Lions are dealing with are making their ship list sharply to the port side. They have tremendous depth but are really challenged right now.

agreed

 

[OldSchool101]

The injuries that the Lions are dealing with are making their ship list sharply to the port side. They have tremendous depth but are really challenged right now.

I like that analogy.

Well Detroit doesn’t exactly have a tough schedule, but they’d better not dismiss either Road game before the Vikings come in hungry.
2 more Road games
(Chicago and 49ers)
1 more home game
(Vikings)



Eagles have a slightly more moderate to easy schedule.
1 Road Game
(Washington)
2 Home Games
(Cowboys and Giants)

 

[OldSchool101]

Got ya. So to answer your question of who the Packers are closer to, I came up with the following.

Green Bay is much closer to Detroit (288 miles) VS to Seattle it is 1672 miles.

Now that’s where I started. Pure Brilliance. By Golly I think you’ve got it Watson!

 

[tynimiller]

I'm officially in the keep Doubs camp. This man's stoic, non-diva style to life is just something I want to CONSTANTLY have be around. At his position this is literally the exact opposite of so so so so so so many guys.

You must be logged in to see this image or video!

 

[mradtke66]

I do think that play was a fumble though. Yes, Howell's arm was coming VERY slightly forward by maybe an inch at most, but I don't think it was moving toward the LOS. It looked like a lateral to me. I'm sure that's what they saw but unfortunately there was no camera angle that could show it conclusively. To me it was worth a try.

This was actually my thought. It sure looked like a lateral. Obviously he "threw it" and the ball wasn't knocked out, but I certainly thought it was going backwards.

 

[tynimiller]

Oh and for the record Doubs with his two TDs....officially sits atop the 2022 draft class with the most Touchdowns for any position.

Watson is second, one behind him.

 

[OldSchool101]

t

 

[Heyjoe4]

We did struggle a little running in the second half.

Yeah the whole offense seemed to take their play down a few notches in the 2H. That's gotta be fixed for the playoffs. Last night one half of good offense was enough.

It was a good win. There is always room for improvement and that's good, because there aren't a lot of holes on this team (OK, other than the CBs....). I'd really like to see improvement on clock management, and not just because of last night. It happens too often where a play doesn't get called in and a TO gets burned. They have to get to the 2 minute marks with all 3 TOs intact.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Oh and for the record Doubs with his two TDs....officially sits atop the 2022 draft class with the most Touchdowns for any position.

Watson is second, one behind him.

This is a very different offense with Doubs. He's not flashy. He just makes plays.

 

[rmontro]

Green Bay is much closer to Detroit (288 miles) VS to Seattle it is 1672 miles.

But by that reasoning we're closer to Chicago than anyone.

 

[rmontro]

To everyone who got on me about my criticism of LaFleur against the Lions... watch how the Bills attacked the Lions' weak LBs and DL. Nothing changed from last week to this week except a smarter coordinator feasted on the Lions. We should have been able to do that too.

The Lions lost, but they still scored 42 points. Crazy, you really have to outscore them.

Someone here said during the past week that we needed to play with more energy. You could certainly see the Packers do that in their early drives against Seattle.

 

[tynimiller]

But by that reasoning we're closer to Chicago than anyone.

Nobody ever said Poker's opinions don't have holes in them LOL

 

[AmishMafia]

For the record, I am a Matt LaFleur fan but I am seeing cracks in our armor at the wrong time of the season. He seems to be struggling to call effective/adaptive game plans while also managing the team as head coach, as the failed challenge flags have evidenced. Jordan Love needs every bit of support right now from Matt LaFleur and Tom Clements. Matt is generally great, but right now needs some help to get back on top of his game.

Last season there Cowboys were supposed to beat us in the first round of playoffs. MLF had the team ready and with an outstanding game plan. Some of his best work of the season for sure.

Maybe we are just doing enough to win but not reveal all of our capabilities. Had we been losing in the 2nd half maybe we would have seen some different plays. To some degree this is probably true. A few wrinkles that are better saved when it matters more.

I have a lot more confidence in MLF than you. He is still growing as a coach. I trust that he is learning from his mistakes.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Last season there Cowboys were supposed to beat us in the first round of playoffs. MLF had the team ready and with an outstanding game plan. Some of his best work of the season for sure.

Maybe we are just doing enough to win but not reveal all of our capabilities. Had we been losing in the 2nd half maybe we would have seen some different plays. To some degree this is probably true. A few wrinkles that are better saved when it matters more.

I have a lot more confidence in MLF than you. He is still growing as a coach. I trust that he is learning from his mistakes.

I didn't find EG's comments as too ******* MLF.

Weak time management has been a problem of his for the last few years. It usually manifests as an early TO because of poor sideline to field communication. Lately, MLF has gotten way to fond of the red flag, and they seem to be emotional decisions on his part rather than good football decisions.

And that's gonna happen. Depending on down and distance, it may be better to take the 5 yd penalty for delay. The decision to call TO as the clock winds down seems knee jerk. In fact I don't ever remember any team taking the penalty and saving the TO.

 

[El Guapo]

In the offseason I am a big time supporter of Gutekunst and LaFleur. We're on our way to the playoffs, and rightfully so. However, I'm seeing the things right now that will eventually prevent us from winning the Lombardi trophy.

I'd like to think that Matt is holding back a few things, but it is a rare coach that gets to that level of mastery.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

breaking news

David Montgomery (RB Det) is getting tested on his knee - might be out for the rest of the season

If the Lions weren't in our division, I would almost feel sorry for them. If their is a coach that will make do with less, it is Dan Campbell. I think Campbell will win Coach of the Year, with Vikings Kevin O'Connell not far behind.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I'll say something many have said about other teams yet refuse to say about us....good teams find ways to win games.

Second half for sure wasn't our best and yes I think MLF at times doesn't just let the calls roll and overthinks things often times in second half, but still here we sit with three more games and at 10-4 all but a lock for the playoffs. Damn things could be not just worse but exponentially worse.

I feel the Packers are a very good team, but I think they are going to need to improve to go very far in the playoffs. I still think one area that the offense can improve on, is play calling and putting Love in a position to audible more as he sees fit. Breaking the huddle close to 10 seconds or less on the play clock, is not the way to do that.

I will say it again, MLF has a great mind, but I think the Packers would improve with a talented OC taking over play calling in 2025.

But by that reasoning we're closer to Chicago than anyone.

Nobody ever said Poker's opinions don't have holes in them LOL

Right, but the question was "Are we closer to Seattle or Detroit?"

I guess my joke didn't hit for some. Sometimes it just doesn't payoff to be a smartass

Green Bay is only 209 air miles from Chicago. 301 from The Queens.

 

[tynimiller]

Right, but the question was "Are we closer to Seattle or Detroit?"

I guess my joke didn't hit for some. Sometimes it just doesn't payoff to be a smartass

Green Bay is only 209 air miles from Chicago. 301 from The Queens.

Oh I got the joke and thought it was funny!

 

[gopkrs]

I didn't find EG's comments as too ******* MLF.

Weak time management has been a problem of his for the last few years. It usually manifests as an early TO because of poor sideline to field communication. Lately, MLF has gotten way to fond of the red flag, and they seem to be emotional decisions on his part rather than good football decisions.

And that's gonna happen. Depending on down and distance, it may be better to take the 5 yd penalty for delay. The decision to call TO as the clock winds down seems knee jerk. In fact I don't ever remember any team taking the penalty and saving the TO.

Like Pokerbrat says, there should be someone upstairs, preferably not nearsighted, looking at the replay. And for me, not calling that timeout is ridiculous. What's he saving it for? And he had two of them

 

[DoURant]

A little late to the party, but here goes.
Studs:
1. Edgerrin Cooper, last night he was everything we hoped he would be, after drafting him in the 2nd Rd. His speed is something we have been lacking at the position for as long as I can remember.
2. Pass rush, 7 sacks and 12 QB hits, we haven't seen that since the Tennessee game.
3. Josh Jacobs, yeah he had a fumble, but the first two series alone he led the team to a 14-0 lead, and had 9 touches out of 10 plays in the 1st series alone, plus the TD.

Duds:
A few dud plays hear and there, plus some clock management head scratchers, but overall this was a pretty well played game.

Honorable Mention:
Offense: Jordan Love, 4th straight game without an Interception.
Defense: Kingsley Enagbare, 5 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 TFL.
Brandon McManus... only one missed kick ( a FG) since he was signed 8 games ago ... we have a Kicker.