Packers 2022 Discussion Thread

[adambr2]

I actually think the Packers stand a fairly good chance of sneaking in *if* they win out. 

Seattle just needs to lose a game. They go to KC on Sunday, so that seems likely, and they'd still have a tough Jets team too. So then you'd need NYG to lose out @MIN, vs Indy, @PHI (probably not, but if Indy found a way it's certainly possible), or WAS needs to lose 2 out of their remaining games against the 49ers, Browns and Cowboys (quite plausible).

I just don't know how much I like the Packers chances to win out, games against Miami, Minnesota and Detroit all look pretty challenging to run that table. 

[CheezWizHed]

If the team still had Gary healthy, I'd be more interested in a playoff run.  Right now, we have zero pass rush and I don't see how they could really don't see how they could make any noise in the playoffs because of it. 

Kind of like the Brewers this year, they just don't seem to have "it". Anything could happen in the playoffs if the team gets hot, but just seems a little unlikely for us this year.

[Outlander]

I received free tickets from work for tonight's game last week when nobody wanted to go because it looked like it would be around 5 degrees. Has warmed up since then and looking forward to going. Honestly don't think the Rams put up much fight and the Packers win fairly easy. Have been down on the Packers all season but always fun to go to a game at Lambeau.

[homer]

I am looking forward to seeing Doubs and Watson on the field at the same time.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Packers are releasing Sammy Watkins.

Signing him was a decent flyer, but he just couldn't stay healthy, and by the time he was finally healthy, he'd been passed up on the depth chart by younger players. It also appeared that he had lost at least a step. Oh well ... win some, lose some.

[MrTPlush]

4 hours ago, Ron Robinsons Beard said:

Packers are releasing Sammy Watkins.

Signing him was a decent flyer, but he just couldn't stay healthy, and by the time he was finally healthy, he'd been passed up on the depth chart by younger players. It also appeared that he had lost at least a step. Oh well ... win some, lose some.

He made way too many mistakes too. Add that with losing a step, it was hard to watch.

[UpandIn]

17 hours ago, CheezWizHed said:

If the team still had Gary healthy, I'd be more interested in a playoff run.  Right now, we have zero pass rush and I don't see how they could really don't see how they could make any noise in the playoffs because of it. 

Kind of like the Brewers this year, they just don't seem to have "it". Anything could happen in the playoffs if the team gets hot, but just seems a little unlikely for us this year.

Wyatt could provide more pass rush, but...I'm pretty much with you. Stokes is out for the year, Savage hasn't  done anything.

Enagbare and Clark looked much better tonight, but it'll take Barry scheming up some pressures without Gary and...I don't see it.

And losing out would likely be better long term. BUT I can't help but root for this team to win and see what happens. 

Most important to me at the moment, they're still playing har and the younger players are playing good, solid, smart FB. Enagbare is looking like a really good rotational Edge(maybe a future starter). Doubs looks a little like a Jennings/Driver type WRer with his route running and how smooth he is. Wyatt is just too quick and also holding up at the point(again, needs more snaps). Nixon, Quay, Clark coming on...not that he's a young player. Tom played well, Myers is looking good. 

And Elgton is really moving the LOS and seems to be regaining some of his versatility. That's gonna be one helluva decision to make, but I'm guessing he turns into a 3rd round pick in 2024. Especially if he's not extended by the end of the regular season. 5/85 seems like a reasonable ask...but maybe too much given where we're at. 

 

[CheezWizHed]

Yes, I still can't route for them to lose.  Especially with the possibility of things clicking at the end of the season and the chance to beat the Vikings, squeak into the playoffs and knock the Vikings out of the playoffs... Forget that Super Bowl; that would be enough. ?

[CheezWizHed]

Some interesting comments made by Joe and Buck last night... MLF switched up the offensive meetings so that the QBs and WRs are in the same meetings at the same time while discussing plays and intents...

I'm stunned that it has taken him this long.  Seems like a logical way to get your team on the same page offensively.

[HarveysWBs]

Nice to win, but there’s still plenty of reasons to think we’re going to lose at least one more down the stretch (heck, I think there’s at least a 50-50 shot we don’t just lose but get dog-walked next week in Miami, especially if Tua is the good version of himself) and make this all moot.

But sign me up for spoiling the Vikings’ year. We owe those guys a playoff loss—big time.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

1 hour ago, HarveysWBs said:

Nice to win, but there’s still plenty of reasons to think we’re going to lose at least one more down the stretch (heck, I think there’s at least a 50-50 shot we don’t just lose but get dog-walked next week in Miami, especially if Tua is the good version of himself) and make this all moot.

But sign me up for spoiling the Vikings’ year. We owe those guys a playoff loss—big time.

I think the Vikings' year is going to be spoiled by whoever they end up facing in their first playoff game. Their record is a lot of smoke and mirrors. They remind me very much of the 2019 Packers, but with a crappier QB. 

[Fear The Chorizo]

The Vikings have had a miraculous run of health amongst their starting players this season on both sides of the ball.  And they've been incredibly lucky in close games.  It's one thing to find ways to win close games, but to win 10 games decided by 1 score or less and lose none?

Vikings' point differential with an 11-3 record:  +2

Other teams' average point differential who have at least 10 wins so far this season:  +117 and change

 

I posted it in a thread during the 1st half of their game against the Colts - the Vikings are going to get beat in their 1st playoff game and I don't think it matters who their opponent is.

 

[HarryDoyle]

The Packers might indeed win out but it still won't be enough. Too much has to happen ahead of them for a realistic shot at the playoffs.

[LouisEly]

1 hour ago, HarryDoyle said:

The Packers might indeed win out but it still won't be enough. Too much has to happen ahead of them for a realistic shot at the playoffs.

I read somewhere (but haven't done the math to confirm) that if the Vegas favorite wins every non-Packers game from here on out "too much" will happen.

[adambr2]

3 hours ago, HarryDoyle said:

The Packers might indeed win out but it still won't be enough. Too much has to happen ahead of them for a realistic shot at the playoffs.

Its honestly not too crazy.  The Packers would need to win out, thats a given. 

But I'll say this, if Washington loses to San Francisco this weekend (likely) and the Seahawks lose to the Chiefs (likely) they're already most of the way there to the help they need. 

[UpandIn]

16 hours ago, CheezWizHed said:

Some interesting comments made by Joe and Buck last night... MLF switched up the offensive meetings so that the QBs and WRs are in the same meetings at the same time while discussing plays and intents...

I'm stunned that it has taken him this long.  Seems like a logical way to get your team on the same page offensively.

I guess maybe before it was the QB with the OL(just guessing). 

Baker Mayfield said the reason he was able to kinda fit into the LA offense so quickly was because so many of the protection calls were the same as in Cleveland. So...if that's true, maybe they think it's more important that the QB sit with the OL to go over blitz protection normally. Maybe at this point with Jenkins, Myers, Runyan and Yosh all pretty entrenched and then Bakh likely back or if not, Zach Tom who has been...impeccable when it comes to his technique and picking up his assignments, they might feel it's not as big of a priority?

 

I don't know, it does seem like the QB and WRers would be in the same room, but I also believe MLF is a pretty bright guy, so if they waited until now it seems like there'd be another reason for it?

 

This WRer room has been fun to watch and it's just getting better. I think next year you insert Toure for Cobb and those guys have a year under their belt? Not hard to see that being a really good group. 

 

Also, in going back and watching the game and I'm thinking Mercedes Lewis may be the most underrated player on this team...even with how much everyone likes him and all that, I still don't think his blocking is appreciated. I saw him double on a DE last night, move him and then get up onto Wagner and completely seal him off. Just a play that you do not expect a modern TE to make. 

That's why that really need to go out and get that Darnell Washington from UGA. 6'7 270LB who can also go get the ball at the high point....(I'd also be happy to get any one of UGA's top 3 TEs, but their top guy, a Kelce/Kittle hybrid, he's balled out the last two years, but he's still only a Soph.

And Arik Gilbert is probably the most physically talented. Not QUITE in the Kyle Pitts tier, but he'll be a day 3 pick if he's picked at all because of some...what seem to be mental health issues(red flags, character concerns, they all get chalked up to the same thing when some kids just have issues). 

He's got JerMichael Finley talent with better blocking, speed...but something's just not clicking. 

 

But, hey, Washington. A 21 year old version of Mercedes and apparently a great dude as well. 

[UpandIn]

13 hours ago, HarryDoyle said:

The Packers might indeed win out but it still won't be enough. Too much has to happen ahead of them for a realistic shot at the playoffs.

If they win out, I think it's a damn near lock they make the playoffs. 

The NFC is just so weak and these teams are exposed. 

And the Lions(Sewell, Decker, Ragnow) and the Vikings with Darrisaw and O'Neil as their bookends, we just can't matchup. So as good as Enagbare has been...for a rookie 5th, Preston Smith has been just mediocre. 

 

I guess if I was going to try and be positive, Clark looked great last week. He has not had a good year by his standards. 
Slaton made some really nice plays. Reed and Lowry were solid, but the real X-Factor is Wyatt. He's the only guy we have who's capable of getting that pressure right the face and making a few plays a game that can change the outcome, but...I'm not real confident. 

[CheezWizHed]

3 hours ago, UpandIn said:

I guess maybe before it was the QB with the OL(just guessing). 

Baker Mayfield said the reason he was able to kinda fit into the LA offense so quickly was because so many of the protection calls were the same as in Cleveland. So...if that's true, maybe they think it's more important that the QB sit with the OL to go over blitz protection normally. Maybe at this point with Jenkins, Myers, Runyan and Yosh all pretty entrenched and then Bakh likely back or if not, Zach Tom who has been...impeccable when it comes to his technique and picking up his assignments, they might feel it's not as big of a priority?

 

I don't know, it does seem like the QB and WRers would be in the same room, but I also believe MLF is a pretty bright guy, so if they waited until now it seems like there'd be another reason for it?

Per the Aikman/Buck discussion, there seem to be two camps: One where the offense (minus OL) meets at the same time and one where each group meets separately.  Probably isn't quite that black and white, but that was the discussion.

Norv Turner was referenced as one that did the group thing.

I think the point is more about making sure the passing game, expectations, and adjustments are all on the same page. The Lazard sit or keep running adjustment is a good example of that. I think Rodgers didn't see the safety, but otherwise they both have to read the play and expect the same adjustment.  A few weeks back Toure made an adjustment based on where the safety played him and caught a TD.  Expecting back shoulder throws when the CB is on top... Stuff like that. 

OL protections (at least as far as the QB communications standpoint) I think tend to have fewer subtleties. The QB does call certain protections, but the OL does most between themselves. 

Back in the days of Nelson, Cobb, and Jones, they played together so long, the communication was natural.  This year there were simply too many new WRs and it was clear they were not on the same page. I think Watkins biggest failure (evidenced from various articles about him and seeing him play) is that he never got those adjustments and simply ran the route as called.  

[OldSchoolSnapper]

I think they'll make it if they beat Miami. I think they'd win the other two at home in the cold. Minnesota will be marginally motivated and Detroit is another average team they can definitely beat. Miami is kind of game they've lost all year so I kinda think they'll lose again, but if they gut it out I think they'll squeak in.

 

[bjkrautk]

 

[OldHeidelberg]

On 12/21/2022 at 2:04 PM, OldSchoolSnapper said:

I think they'll make it if they beat Miami. I think they'd win the other two at home in the cold. Minnesota will be marginally motivated and Detroit is another average team they can definitely beat. Miami is kind of game they've lost all year so I kinda think they'll lose again, but if they gut it out I think they'll squeak in.

 

An issue they may run into is if they need a Dallas win over Wash in week 18. Dallas will be locked in, they almost already are, and you know MM won't want to do Rodgers any favors. Miami is sliding but Vikes would love to end our hopes and are always motivated against us.

[UpandIn]

On 12/21/2022 at 2:04 PM, OldSchoolSnapper said:

I think they'll make it if they beat Miami. I think they'd win the other two at home in the cold. Minnesota will be marginally motivated and Detroit is another average team they can definitely beat. Miami is kind of game they've lost all year so I kinda think they'll lose again, but if they gut it out I think they'll squeak in.

 

Yeah, I'm inclined to agree. This is a game where losing Stokes really hurts as well. 

Those two players, Stokes and Gary...were expected to be part of the #1 secondary in the NFL and a top 5 front 7 in the NFL(per PFF position rankings). 

Stokes was a legit #1 last year in man coverage last year. Long, elite speed. And he ranked...I THINK #1 in press man coverage last year giving up an opposing passer rating of 79.5(just going off memory). THAT version of the defense we all envisioned, with Gary as a difference maker--which he absolutely was when he was healthy, and then Clark who's having the worst year of his career(IMO because he's just not a DE/3 tech, he's a NT who can dominate Centers who tend to be smaller with his first step and hands vs lining up over the Guard, inside the OT). 

Anyway, Jaire, Stokes...could have made for a better matchup vs Hill and Waddle. 

Packers need to create pressure. The two rookies can do it in different ways(Wyatt can beat anyone off the ball, but that can also open up running lanes). 

But I just have trouble seeing this defense matching up with the weapons the Dolphins have. The offense? I actually have confidence in them, but that D...I'm struggling to see how they can match up or play well enough to sustain this run they're hoping to go on.

[UpandIn]

10 hours ago, OldHeidelberg said:

An issue they may run into is if they need a Dallas win over Wash in week 18. Dallas will be locked in, they almost already are, and you know MM won't want to do Rodgers any favors. Miami is sliding but Vikes would love to end our hopes and are always motivated against us.

I don't think anyone who's a fan of the Star wants to see the Packers in the playoffs. THAT is a team I'm pretty confident we can and would beat again. SF, Buff, Philly, KC...no. But Dallas?

[homer]

 

 

[wallus]

1 hour ago, homer said:

 

 

Thank you for your service DB. No chance we can trade DB instead of cutting him can we?