Cory's Corner: Don't Count This Team Out

Glancing at the final injury report for the Packers this week, one has to wonder how this team can do it.

Davante Adams, Geronimo Allison, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Robert Tonyan and Jimmy Graham barely practiced, if at all, this week. That would be your top three wideouts and top two pass-catching tight ends.

Those five guys represent 57 percent of the Packers' targets and five of the eight receiving touchdowns.

Yet, I'm not counting this team out. It's been a crazy year. The same year that the Packers said goodbye to their all-time sack leader, Green Bay's quarterback pressure actually gets better. Or Bryan Bulaga. I really thought that it was time for the right tackle to see a dip in his production after he turned 30 in March. He has actually gotten better and solidifed the right side of the line. Or Allen Lazard. He played 13 total snaps at receiver before playing 12 vs. Detroit where he caught four of five targets for 65 yards and a touchdown. All it took was Aaron Rodgers to believe in him and fight to get him in the game.

I'm not counting this team out. The age-old narrative is that teams find ways to win. This team just laughs in the face of adversity. Green Bay isn't just finding ways to win, it's almost like it is the way to win.

Many people were upset that the Packers didn't go after a big name wide receiver; instead signing Ryan Grant, and not even the Ryan Grant that all Packers fans recognize. It's the Ryan Grant that has been a middling receiver for three teams. However, he has been praised for how well he has learned a playbook and his 61 percent career catch percentage. Which is exactly what the Packers need. I used to beg my mom for Lucky Charms as a kid, but I always got Cheerios. We always covet the bright, shiny object but it's usually not necessary.

Sunday's game probably isn't going to be pretty. The Raiders appear to be a tanking franchise, but a running game has been this team's krytonite all year and Josh Jacobs, who is projected to get over 1,300 yards this year, is that green stone.

But no matter what the stats and matchups say, the Packers continue to find a way. The Packers may lean on pass catchers that the majority of the NFL likely doesn't even know, but this team will go out and do it.

I still cannot figure this team out, but maybe some things are better left misunderstood.

 

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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn

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4 points
 

Comments (28)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
4thand1's picture

October 19, 2019 at 06:18 am

Aaron Rodgers should be in the MVP conversation but isn't, why? Because he isn't putting up huge fantasy stats and passer ratings. This proves that stats are for losers. He is playing team 1st football and still is far and away the most important player to his team.

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Leatherhead's picture

October 19, 2019 at 12:07 pm

I think these games have been total team efforts.

Was he more important than Lazard's catch? Or the one MSV made? More important than the guys on the line who protected him AND opened holes for 170 rushing yards? More important than a defense that overcame 3 turnovers and held Detroit to 5 field goals?

Of course he's not.

And I think it's kind of insulting to the team, frankly. It's like when Rodgers is good, it's because he's good, and when he's not good, it's because the guys around him are no good. Or that the guys who are having statistically better seasons, like Wilson and Brady, and Jackson, and Mahomes are somehow not having better seasons than Rodgers. Wilson has 14 passing TDs and 0 interceptions and his passer rating is 30 points higher than Rodgers.

Take Dak Prescott for example: He's completed more passes, for a higher percentage, and more yards and more TDs. His QB rating is 20 points higher. I don't suppose there's a single person here who would dare to say "Prescott is having a better year".

I'm sorry you think facts are for losers. Just because you call a fact a stat, it doesn't make it not a fact.

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4thand1's picture

October 19, 2019 at 12:39 pm

More important than Lazard ans MVS's catches? He dropped dimes in on both of them and neither got separation. He has 2 int's that bounced off of both receivers. He's had a ton drops by receivers and still has bought into the team first. And yes the defense is important and he has had nothing but praise for them. I didn't say facts, I said stats. It's one of the oldest lines in sports. The Packers wouldn't be 5-1 without AR.................FACT.

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Samson's picture

October 19, 2019 at 04:32 pm

Remember, 4th&1, Leatherhead (alias OS) doesn't even watch the Packer games... He doesn't even know the reality of what you are talking about. -- He only checks the numbers at PFR.

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Leatherhead's picture

October 19, 2019 at 04:37 pm

4th and 1.....without the catches, those are just beautifully thrown incompletions. You should give more credit to the guys who caught them.

And here's a stat/fact for you: The Packers have dropped fewer passes than most teams this year. You can look that up for yourself, and should, before you malign the receiving group with a lie.

Would the Packers be 5-1 without Rodgers? Unlikely. I also think that we wouldn't be 5-1 without Lazard. Or Jones/lWilliams. Or Alexander. Or Martinez. Or Scott, for that matter, who was recently touted on this site as the Packers MVP?

I'm telling you in plain English: I like our 5-1 record, I like the way Aaron Rodgers is playing. This is how I like football.....use your backs to move the ball down the field and take the punishment. Keep your QB healthy because that'll be a big plus during the stretch run.

But he's not more valuable to his team than guys like Brady, or Garrapalo, or Wilson, orMahomes.

I truly believe that we're winning with a TEAM effort. You think that Rodgers is just this super-duper guy surrounded by guys who'd be lucky to be 3-3 without him. We disagree. That's cool.

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jannes bjornson's picture

October 19, 2019 at 09:37 pm

Well stated, F-1

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Samson's picture

October 19, 2019 at 04:00 pm

More of Old School's "special use of selective stats" to denigrate AR...Eventually, OS will find stats to support that nearly all NFL QBs are better, somehow, than AR.... It's difficult to believe he has ever been a solid Packer Fan...

OS was pretty much "out in left field" all off season concerning the Pack... The post above shows OS has not improved one iota.... Another fact.

3 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

October 19, 2019 at 09:38 pm

He was definitely stuck in 2017, while Rodgers sat out with an injury , etc.

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Demon's picture

October 19, 2019 at 04:00 pm

Does old school have a new user name?

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Samson's picture

October 19, 2019 at 04:02 pm

You got it... Leatherneck or whatever.

1 points
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Leatherhead's picture

October 19, 2019 at 04:41 pm

I love the way you and Demon talk to yourself like you're two different people. I mean, it doesn't fool anyone and makes me wonder if medication would help.

I implore you to talk football or shut up.

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Samson's picture

October 19, 2019 at 04:55 pm

You're the only one confused about who's who... I know who I am.
I will say... OS has had a great day... Look at all the attention he's getting for another bogus post. --- But, that's what he's here for... Attention...

Here's some football talk for ya OS.... you picked the Pack to finish no better than 8-8... Any comments about that prediction now? --- I didn't think so.

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4thand1's picture

October 19, 2019 at 05:32 pm

OK leather, I looked it up. There are 8 teams with more dropped passes than the Packers. Only one is above .500, da bearlies. Most is 10 , 9, and a bunch of 8's. The Pack is credited with 7. 3 were easy TD's.

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ALLGASNOBRAKES's picture

October 20, 2019 at 02:20 am

HUH???? They had SIX DROPS in the LAST game!

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4thand1's picture

October 20, 2019 at 07:23 am

Thats what I thought nick, maybe the stats I looked up were from before monday night?

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Demon's picture

October 20, 2019 at 10:20 pm

I havnt been on here much in the last few weeks. Its nice to see old school or emptyhead or dumb class etc whatever, hasnt lost his touch. Still doesnt watch any of the games but likes to come on here and talk like he knows something about football. The man, and i use that term cautiously , is an idiot troll who likes to stir up shit.

Remember this is the clown who stated the bears had a better QB situation than the pack. That right there should tell you how smart he is.

As far as Samson and I being the same person, i told you who I am and where I can be found.

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Daren726's picture

October 19, 2019 at 07:26 am

I think they will use Jamal and Aaron to run run run. Then Lafleur will go with shepherd, Lazard, kumerow and the new Ryan grant. I think we will be surprised how AROD carves them up.

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CoachJV's picture

October 19, 2019 at 09:46 am

Being unable to figure this team out is EXACTLY what LaF wants. It keeps D Coordinators off balance, and is FAR from the predictable crap MM was putting on the field.

So if you can't figure this team out, then GOOD!!!

9 points
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4thand1's picture

October 19, 2019 at 10:17 am

It's what the Patriots have done for years, decades.

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Favreisgod's picture

October 19, 2019 at 09:56 am

For the first time in many years, the Packers are finding ways to win instead of ways to lose. Tomorrow is a trap game - we need our defense to play like it did the final 3qtrs last week against the Lions. I sound like a broken record but this team is in the process of gelling and once it does they're going to be tough to beat. We need better continuity on offense (a 4 qtr effort) which I believe will come after the bye week.

Lovin' the Pack since 1966

5 points
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stockholder's picture

October 19, 2019 at 10:45 am

Defense Depth! A Healthy OL! Arron Rodgers! And maybe a running Game! Skeptical ? Not me. Positive Thinking is just a variety of the right combinations to score. And The packers can maximise any number of hungry players wanting to make a difference. This team is not in a desperate situation. Their best has yet to be played. Mind blowing surprises haven't happened. It's steady as she goes, and that can weather any storm. The packers are looking great. Their designed to be led by a hall of fame QB. As long as Arron Rodgers is running the offense. This team isn't hard to figure out at all.

2 points
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TarynsEyes's picture

October 19, 2019 at 12:03 pm

I commented before the seasons start that GB could steal a couple of wins if they were to play certain teams when they were hurting in some manner.We nearly got one vs Philly, we did get one in Dallas and now we can get another against KC next week.

I would hope that the looking forward to KC has subsided enough and more attention is paid to Oakland this week. A loss here erases a win over KC. This game now becomes more a must win since the KC game is now a 50/50 game and can then increase the odds of the next road trip to LA and taking much pressure off GB and any NOT making the playoffs possibility.

GB is lacking some offense but it's a home game and you must win at home.
GB 27-20

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CoachJV's picture

October 19, 2019 at 01:03 pm

I agree... but I don't believe for one second that LaF would overlook the Raiders to KC. And I don't believe he would allow the team to do so either.

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TarynsEyes's picture

October 19, 2019 at 05:35 pm

That's easier to say now that Mahomes isn't playing. If Mahomes didn't get hurt, many would be saying this is a game GB is looking past and toward KC.

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CoachJV's picture

October 19, 2019 at 08:45 pm

I have no doubt that many would say that... but the many are usually wrong. I just don't believe LaF would overlook anyone. Even if Mahomes was playing. He a professional and has demonstrated so... I don't think he'd overlook a high school team. Mahomes being out sure makes fans feel better though.

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Pierre's picture

October 19, 2019 at 04:12 pm

The Packers are a complete team this season with the defense being the main cause for the victories they are getting. This is the kind of team where Rodgers does not need to play elite, just game manage and limit the turnovers. The numerous injuries are again a concern that seems to plague the Packers more than any other team in terms of total numbers. The adversity they are going through may serve them well if they make the playoffs and get players coming back healthy in time. Having said all that, they will need to play good in all three phases of the game to get a win versus the Raiders. Pack 31-27.

2 points
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lebowski's picture

October 19, 2019 at 08:31 pm

6 games in and we only have 8 receiving TDs?? Can that be right?

2 points
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Since'61's picture

October 19, 2019 at 08:49 pm

The bigger concern for this game is that Oakland is an uncommon opponent that is coming off a bye week while the Packers have had a short week after a emotional last minute victory over a division rival. I'm just hoping that the Packers do not come out flat in this game, especially on defense. As long as our defense plays solidly we'll stay in the game and pull away in the second half. If the Packers get behind early that will take away our ground game and could make another comeback difficult.

Aside from coming out flat the Packers should take this game. Stop the Raiders ground game and we should be OK. Our offense needs to use our RBs in the passing game to supplement our WR corps. A contribution from our TEs would be nice as well. I like the Pack to win at home 28 -13.

Not that it matters yet but next week we go on the road to KC to play another team coming off a mini-bye. 3 weeks in a row the Packers will have played a team coming off either a bye week or a mini bye. How does the league allow that to happen? Who knows?
Thanks, Since '61

3 points
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