Game 2: Commanders at Packers - Thursday, Sept 11 7:15 PM

[Joseph Zarr]

Hard to complain about much given this 2-0 start to the season. BUT, if we are going to be great there are a couple nagging issues amd why not nitpick toward greatness :

- Run Game (could be due to shuffling injured O-Line)

-J Love and the long ball - come on, Jordan. Let's dial it in.

- What the heck was that 3 and out sequence when we could have gone for a dagger drive?

- ST coverage was pretty poor but we were missing two key gunner guys in Anderson and Melton

[Joseph Zarr]

Also it has likely been touched on multiple times but what a game by Keisan. Incredible performance.

[BrewerFan]

28 minutes ago, endaround said:

Rookie WRs just don't really do much, even 1st round picks, even ones that end up great.  Its why you need to have some ready to step up over time and not go 8 years without investing in the position.

I think that used to be the case... but the last several years, there have been quite a few rookie WRs who've had big years. I'd say since 2020 there have probably been 15-20 Rookies who've made pretty significant immediate impacts. 

I think we need him to step up... and I think he will. I think 1000 yards is still well within reach. That Washington secondary is pretty solid. 

[Fear The Chorizo]

With Golden, it's just as much on Love and on the offensive playcalling to get him enough opportunities to make plays.  Will be interesting to see if Reed has to miss extended time with the shoulder (on top of his broken foot), and how that should give Golden more chances.  

There's only 1 ball to distribute, though - and sometimes it feels like this offense gets lost in itself trying to get too cute (or trying to prove they can do a whole bunch of things well instead of forcing a defense to stop them at what they can do best), combined with Love missing a few throws and drive-killing penalties.  Crazy to think the Packers probably left about 150 yards of offense on the field tonight, and definitely at least 10 more points.  Good problem to have knowing there's alot they can improve on offensively following 2 convincing wins against NFC opponents that made the NFC Divisional round of the playoffs last year.

[Joseph Zarr]

28 minutes ago, Fear The Chorizo said:

With Golden, it's just as much on Love and on the offensive playcalling to get him enough opportunities to make plays.  Will be interesting to see if Reed has to miss extended time with the shoulder (on top of his broken foot), and how that should give Golden more chances.  

He is out 6-8 weeks and was moved to IR, fyi.

 

[HarryDoyle]

It’s hard for Golden to get involved when he only gets two targets a game. With the reports out of trading camp and preseason practices of being the highlight, you would think he’d get more targets. Perhaps he will now that Reed is out for a couple months.

[True Blue Brew Crew]

Some people just have to find something to complain about apparently

[True Blue Brew Crew]

Golden is playing a role right now. Remember how Watson didn't come away from a game with many targets but would have an impact because defenses had to respect him deep? And how that opened up everything underneath? That's the role Golden is playing right now. It's a starting point, not a finishing point. The good news is that Golden will be soooo much more than that in time. Whereas it was what Watson might always be limited to. Which is fine because it's an important role in a LaFleur offense.

Golden might have his role expanded as early as next week with Reed out. Patience

[True Blue Brew Crew]

Being down on Golden is particularly odd when he had his man beat twice for long TDs but was overthrown on one and underthrown on the other

[adambr2]

11 minutes ago, True Blue Brew Crew said:

Being down on Golden is particularly odd when he had his man beat twice for long TDs but was overthrown on one and underthrown on the other

No one is really “down” on Golden. The truth of the matter is that Jordan Love just might be a mid-tier QB. That isn’t complaining, it’s just entirely possible that he isn’t going to improve his deep ball accuracy enough to take the step to being an elite QB.

That doesn’t mean we can’t win a Super Bowl with him and isn’t a knock. Not every QB that comes through Green Bay is going to be a Hall of Famer.

[LouisEly]

Jordan Love has an average deep ball completion percentage according to this source.  Ranked 17th in 2024, 16th in 2023:

https://www.playerprofiler.com/nfl/jordan-love/

It's far from a predictor of success.  According to that same source, Patrick Mahomes ranked 34th in 2024 (26.5%), Josh Allen ranked 26th, Lamar Jackson ranked 27th.  

[kestrel79]

Another great W against a good team, and we can clean up a lot still like others have said.

The things that drive me nuts are Love seems to throw the ball away way too early if something isn't there. He doesn't seem to be rolling out to extend the play longer and find someone open down field. He just goes down, takes the sack, or throws it away while back peddling. I'd like to see him spin and rollout and try to make something happen. THEN after that, throw it away if it's not there or run. That part of what made him so good end of 2023 still isn't there.

Also the third and fourth down decision making. We only need to get the first down, and he's throwing these bombs. I get it if the WR is open take the chance, but some of these throws weren't even close or the person was well covered. Maybe that's the play calling, but I'd like to see them just try to move the chains instead of these home run bombs to well defended WRs. 

Defense has looked great, wow. So much better than in years past. It's fun to watch. 

[adambr2]

41 minutes ago, LouisEly said:

Jordan Love has an average deep ball completion percentage according to this source.  Ranked 17th in 2024, 16th in 2023:

https://www.playerprofiler.com/nfl/jordan-love/

It's far from a predictor of success.  According to that same source, Patrick Mahomes ranked 34th in 2024 (26.5%), Josh Allen ranked 26th, Lamar Jackson ranked 27th.  

I am not saying that Jordan can’t take that next step, but a source that ranks him as QB18 and lists his most comparable player as Dan Orlovsky isn’t super comforting.

[Joseph Zarr]

1 hour ago, LouisEly said:

Jordan Love has an average deep ball completion percentage according to this source.  Ranked 17th in 2024, 16th in 2023:

https://www.playerprofiler.com/nfl/jordan-love/

It's far from a predictor of success.  According to that same source, Patrick Mahomes ranked 34th in 2024 (26.5%), Josh Allen ranked 26th, Lamar Jackson ranked 27th.  

If I remember correctly, please correct me if I'm wrong, he improved the deep ball significantly last season? Even with the nagging injuries?

I think it's important we remember it's very early. Those deep throws he missed last night were literal inches from decent completion percentage opportunity. But, man, if he hits those with any semblance of regularity with how comfortable and poised he looks in the pocket as a whole behind this O-Line? Wr could be in for some excitement. I do find it mildly hilarious, however, he has shown he will out-throw both Watson and now Golden. Those are two absolute burners. Put some more loft on those balls and they'll go get it.

[adambr2]

I would also like to state that it’s not a bad thing, at all, to win dominantly and still have things to say “there’s a lot here that can be improved on and cleaned up, here, here, and here”.

In fact I would say that it’s a very good thing to be able to do that, and probably a major focus of the team every week. 

 

[RobDeer 45]

I think Love is just off by a few inches on some of his misses.  Because these guys don't play in the preseason and Love was out for a while, I expected some timing issues.  I'm not too worried about it.  He just needs to clean it up.  I do think on the first bomb to Golden, he tried to throw that as far as he could so he wouldn't under throw him.  I'd imagine it takes awhile to get used to that type of speed.

 

Kestrel79 - I agree totally on the rolling out thing.  I said that last night a few times.  Part of it might be that they want him to be extra conservative because we have such a good defense.  I'm not sure.  He definitely seemed like he could have gotten out of the pocket a few times when he didn't even try.

 

Great game last night.  Defense is just different.  They are flying to the ball in swarms.  QBs are having to get rid of the ball so fast right now.  They look scared.  DBs can plant and jump first moves because they know the QB won't have time.  It's impressive and so fun to watch.

[RobDeer 45]

13 hours ago, adambr2 said:

I am not really worried about Golden. He looks skilled. I am just not sure how great of a fit he is in an offense with a QB that is known for deep ball accuracy issues.

I'd love to see them hit Golden on some crossing routes.  Get him going full speed, easy pass across the middle and then let him turn on the jets.

[LouisEly]

5 minutes ago, RobDeer 45 said:

I think Love is just off by a few inches on some of his misses.

And I think some people really underestimate how difficult it is to throw a ball 40 yards with the accuracy and timing to hit receivers consistently and over-estimate what that completion percentage should be, even for the best NFL QBs.

[CheezWizHed]

My game summary thoughts:

• The entire DB was solid and covered well all night.  
  • Nixon won't play like that every night, but it seems like he continues to improve as a CB.  Funny there were still some in TC thinking he wasn't an outside CB. Very sticky tonight with a lot of breakups.
  • Bullard looked much more active too.  Really aggressive in attacking last night.
  • Hobbs looks very quick also. 
  • Of course, I don't think Washington has much of a WR core, but still.
• Walker and Cooper were excellent.  Walker had a few swing and misses, but mainly because he was being aggressive... I'll take mistakes that way.  McDuffie barely played as we were in nickel so much. 
• DL - Ok, Parsons makes an impact on everyone, but still... that was impressive.  So many people with sacks and pressures last night. 
  • Wyatt was on fire. Run D, Sacks/pressures, batted down balls... he was everywhere.
  • Wooden - where was this version of you the last couple of years?  It is like he is a different player.  Run D is so impressive. 
  • I do think that we haven't seen a good OL yet... a couple of good players (who we have made look bad), but a large group of meh players/rookies... Will be interesting to play a more established line. 
• OL - solid, but not spectacular.  Good for having 2 starters out.  
• WR - The silver lining of Reed stepping out is that his foot can heal.  And Golden will get more reps in the slot.  Everyone did great last night and in typical fashion... everyone had a part to play.  I'm not worried too much about Golden's lack of catches.  That will come for the rookie.  We have a lot of options.  He had a lot of "press" this offseason and people are focusing a bit more on him.  They will back off now to focus on others and he will bust out. 
• TEs - Kraft! What a night on national TV.  Time for some national accolades.  Nice to see Musgrave chip in this week, but he still looks like a baby giraffe when he tries to catch a football.  Just can't stay on his feet. 
• Love - really nice overall night for Love.  He does run hot/cold, but most QBs do that at times.  I'm concerned about his ability to pick up the blitz though.  It still seems to "surprise" him and he has no plan for a hot read.  The OL was part of it, I'm sure... but he has to read the blitz and make the adjustments necessary or a D like MN will eat him alive.
• Overall... way too many penalties.  That kept Washington in the game.  MLF won his challenge, so we have that going for us. Nice win all around though.

I'm also impressed by Jayden Daniels.  He picks up the blitz better than Love does.  He has so few weapons at his disposal though...  Get him an OL, a few WRs, and a TE that isn't at his EOL and he will be dangerous. 

•  

[LouisEly]

12 minutes ago, CheezWizHed said:

Get him an OL, a few WRs, and a TE that isn't at his EOL and he will be dangerous. 

So, basically get him an entire offense.

(And he needs a RB now, too.)

[Joseph Zarr]

33 minutes ago, CheezWizHed said:

Nixon won't play like that every night, but it seems like he continues to improve as a CB.  Funny there were still some in TC thinking he wasn't an outside CB. Very sticky tonight with a lot of breakups

Sherman said, post game, Nixon had more PBU's in that game (5 Total) than any DB has in the NFL. Pretty incredible performance.

[Joseph Zarr]

44 minutes ago, CheezWizHed said:

'm also impressed by Jayden Daniels.  He picks up the blitz better than Love does.  He has so few weapons at his disposal though...  Get him an OL, a few WRs, and a TE that isn't at his EOL and he will be dangerous. 

I mean you can do far far worse than McLaurin, Deebo, Brown, Ertz, and Ekeler. Granted, Ekeler is obviously out but he wasn't for the majority of the game. Daniels is an incredible talent but I think you are short-selling just how incredible this GB Hafley defense is. That was the real takeaway last night

[CheezWizHed]

37 minutes ago, LouisEly said:

So, basically get him an entire offense.

(And he needs a RB now, too.)

Pretty much... I didn't see his RB get injured, but that just makes it worse for him. 

5 minutes ago, Joseph Zarr said:

I mean you can do far far worse than McLaurin, Deebo, Brown, Ertz, and Ekeler. Granted, Ekeler is obviously out but he wasn't for the majority of the game. Daniels is an incredible talent but I think you are short-selling just how incredible this GB Hafley defense is. That was the real takeaway last night

McLaurin and the LT Tunsil are the only players that look like you can build around. 

Deebo is an interesting player, but pretty much a gimmick player, not a route runner.  And he is almost 30.  Hasn't been truly dangerous for a few seasons. 

Ertz is very much over the hill.  at this point in his career.  Brown is a low #2 at best, probably #3 WR on a team that wants to win the SB.

I didn't watch Washington last year much so I was legitimately stunned at poor weapons they have around Jayden and he still led them to the NFC championship? Kind of reminded me of the final Rodgers years when he had Adams and not much else. 

Swap Love and Jayden and I shudder to think what would've happened to Love under that amount of pressure. 

[Joseph Zarr]

13 minutes ago, CheezWizHed said:

Pretty much... I didn't see his RB get injured, but that just makes it worse for him. 

McLaurin and the LT Tunsil are the only players that look like you can build around. 

Deebo is an interesting player, but pretty much a gimmick player, not a route runner.  And he is almost 30.  Hasn't been truly dangerous for a few seasons. 

Ertz is very much over the hill.  at this point in his career.  Brown is a low #2 at best, probably #3 WR on a team that wants to win the SB.

I didn't watch Washington last year much so I was legitimately stunned at poor weapons they have around Jayden and he still led them to the NFC championship? Kind of reminded me of the final Rodgers years when he had Adams and not much else. 

Swap Love and Jayden and I shudder to think what would've happened to Love under that amount of pressure. 

Well, the good thing is the Packers don't have to worry about J-Love facing the Packers defense behind the Washington O-Line. The Commanders have check-mated themselves into a rookie RT, in the midst of a position change no less. Meanwhile, the Packers tried their rookie lineman at RT. After one series, and a costly holding penalty on the stunt action, they pulled Him for their recently acquired trade asset. I didn't notice all that much pressure coming from Love's right side. Regardless, the Commanders have a very mobile absurdly cool and calm uber-talented QB. The Packers know their QB thrives on platform throws. Two different offenses built around two very different QB's.

[True Blue Brew Crew]

3 hours ago, RobDeer 45 said:

I'd love to see them hit Golden on some crossing routes.  Get him going full speed, easy pass across the middle and then let him turn on the jets.

They will in time. Right now he's the only one who the defense is gonna have to respect deep. I'm excited to see what they do with Golden later in the year when Watson is around to be the deep guy.