Hello Wisconsin: Time is Running Out for a Rebound

It's now or never if the Packers want to turn things around.

The Green Bay Packers are in trouble.

Ever the optimist, I genuinely thought the loss to the Jets would be a true wake up call for this team and that they would respond with a fairly comfortable win against the Commanders.

I could not have been more wrong.

Entering the eighth week and nearly the halfway point of the 2022-2023 NFL season, the Packers are simply a bad team. Ignore the fact that they have three wins; their play in the month of October has been atrocious. They should count themselves fortunate that their record is not worse than it is.

Things get no easier this week with a primetime date in Buffalo, who opened as 8.5 point favorites, which is giving the Packers a great deal more credit than they deserve as opponents for the high-powered Bills.

In all likelihood, the Packers will be 3-5 after this week. They get a matchup against Detroit before going through a brutal stretch against Mike McCarthy’s Cowboys, the NFC-best Philadelphia Eagles and the very capable Tennessee Titans.

Woof.

This was supposed to be the easy part of the Packers’ schedule. Now they’re on the wrong side of .500 and looking at the meat grinder that is their November calendar. You can’t blame Packer fans for being pessimistic given everything we’ve seen out of this team so far.

From the way Aaron Rodgers and Matt LaFleur are talking, the problems with the team are relatively minor and should be able to be figured out.

The truth, though, is that the Packers are very quickly running out of time to do so. If the Packers do indeed lose to the Bills, one could argue they will need to win a minimum of six of their final nine games to sniff the postseason. On the safer side they’d need seven.

They don’t have a lack of competition in the division to fall back on this year. The Vikings have started hot and so far, though it’s early, have not shown their usual signs of fading away.

No, the Packers are likely going to have to go through the wild card gauntlet if they get into the playoffs, and even just getting there is starting to look like a tall task. While it’s true the NFC is struggling, it still isn’t looking great for Green Bay at the moment. They’re behind all four teams in the NFC East, the Vikings, at least two teams in the NFC West and at least one team in the NFC South. They’re on the outside looking in.

This is the product the Packers get for trying to kick as much cap down the road as possible at the very last minute, and for making Aaron Rodgers the richest man in NFL history.

Yes, it’s true anything can happen. But I am envious of those who can still find reasons to be positive about what lies ahead for this team. I simply do not see any reason to believe this team will turn it around and end up back in the postseason. It does not feel as though this team is taking any lessons from its embarrassments. The same mistakes and issues are coming up week after week. Even Matt LaFleur continues to make the same platitudes in his postgame press conferences.

At what point is enough going to be enough for the Packers? When do the results on the field begin to match the level of talent on the roster?

I’m not quite ready to call the season for this Packers team. But a loss this week, and they’ll certainly be on life support.

If they’re going to get this thing turned around, there’s no better time to start than now, when everyone is least expecting it.

Wisconsin Beer of the Week

The milkshake IPA, something of a novelty as recently as a couple years ago, has become very widespread. And there’s nobody that does the style in Milwaukee as well as Eagle Park Brewing Company.

A milkshake IPA is characterized by the use of lactose sugar, making it the IPA’s answer to the milk stout. Generally it has a thicker body and sweeter flavor profile, and will often include adjuncts like vanilla and/or various fruit flavors.

Eagle Park releases many different flavors of milkshake IPAs, and also has its standard Milkshake IPA, which has its own set of variants that come out on a regular basis.

What can you expect from the beer?

This particular version came in at 8 percent ABV. These IPAs tend to be a little higher in alcohol content due to the extra sugars, which feed the yeast a little extra sweetness. Coming in at a little over a 4 out of 5 on Untappd, this is a beer that is generally well regarded, even by those who might be afraid of a little bit of sweetness in their beverage.

If you’re interested in exploring the wider world of IPAs and sweeter beers, this is a good place to start. There’s still a little bit of hop flavor, but it’s muted by the lactose and the thickness. While it is on the sweeter side, it is not quite to the extent of a fruited sour or pastry sour, or some types of pastry stouts.

You can find the aptly named Milkshake IPA (or many other types of milkshake IPAs) on tap at Eagle Park or in liquor stores around Wisconsin.

What are the Packers doing well?

It’s a challenge that has been asked for a couple weeks now: name something the Packers are doing well, and doing well consistently. 

Even the team’s strength to this point, punting the football, has become a little more hit or miss over the last couple weeks.

Is there anything for this team to hang its hat on? There are a couple individual players that are performing consistently well, but is there anything the team as a whole is doing well at the moment on a consistent basis?

I’ve racked my brain for a few minutes and can’t think of a single thing.

That should give you a pretty good indicator of where things are at with this team at the moment.

The Rodgers Watch, Part IV

It was a very mixed bag this week for Aaron Rodgers and the Packers’ offense.

Rodgers was a little more on target than usual for this season. However, a vast majority of his passes were beyond the line or traveled very little past the line of scrimmage. In addition, he had 10 drops from his receivers, an inexcusable number. Meanwhile, the few balls Rodgers did get past a few yards beyond the line of scrimmage weren’t exactly impressive. His accuracy was still questionable at best in these throws.

Some people on the internet got mad when Rodgers said players who continually make mistakes should see less playing time. Those who found this distasteful said it felt like Rodgers was not taking any responsibility for his own poor play, and that calling out other players publicly would sour the locker room.

Personally I don’t really have a problem with it, because he’s basically right–players who continually make errors should see decreases in playing time. I mean, just look at how we all collectively act every time Amari Rodgers makes a mistake (read: every time Amari Rodgers steps on the field). 

But we do seem to be reaching an inflection point with Rodgers where people seem to be growing tired of him on a more personal level. That is very much a self-inflicted problem by Rodgers, who has certainly done nothing to avoid rubbing many people the wrong way over the last couple years.

I am interested in what public opinion would look like about Rodgers at this point. Up until 2020 or so the man could do no wrong in the eyes of the vast majority of Packer fans. Since then he’s become a much more polarizing figure.

Around the NFC North

Once again we’ll take a quick look around the NFC North at what the Packers’ rivals are doing.

  • The CHICAGO BEARS had some of their best offense of the season against the New England Patriots, and it might have been Justin Fields’ best game as a professional (or at least it was among them). Fields showed up his legs numerous times in the matchup, and while he didn’t light the field on fire with his passing game, he at least made a few big plays here and there to keep the Bears moving and scoring. Could this be a corner-turning moment for this team? Hard to say; right now Fields has been one of the worst QBs in the league up to this point, and the offense is still quite deficient of weapons. However, it could be a sign that what Luke Getsy is doing as coordinator is beginning to work. The Bears snagged a fourth round pick this week when they traded defensive end Robert Quinn to the contending Eagles. Quinn hasn’t done much this year, but could be a good veteran presence for a team eying a championship.

 

  • The DETROIT LIONS looked like they had some spunk to start the season, but it’s been pretty brutal for them lately. They’re turning the ball over and not getting the ball in the hands of their best receiving threats on offense. On the bright side, Jamaal Williams is playing good football and has earned his featured back role on that team. Good for him.

 

  • The MINNESOTA VIKINGS are coming out of a bye week and get the Arizona Cardinals, who have been as mercurial as their high-priced quarterback this season. Say what you will about Kirk Cousins, but at least he’s predictable in terms of both his personality and level of play; not so much the case with Kyler Murray. At the rate things are going in the NFC North, the Vikings could well have a stranglehold on the division by Thanksgiving. What a turn of events.

Madison on homecoming weekend

As you may remember from my column last week, I had the opportunity to go back to my alma mater for homecoming. 
It’s always a pleasure to return to Madison and the University of Wisconsin, but I had not been for homecoming once since I graduated in 2010, so this was a particularly special experience. I met up with several of my fraternity brothers from my college days and we got to catch up and also visit our old chapter.

First, the Badger gameday experience remains elite. We in the state of Wisconsin are so outrageously spoiled with the tailgate environment for our two primary football teams. The whole campus and surrounding area gets turned into a sea of red, and there are events everywhere. I hadn’t been to a game in a decade, and seeing it again was something really special.

The in-stadium experience is also always great, especially when they’re winning (as they did against Purdue this past weekend). Not a bad seat in the house, and always surrounded by a good group of fans. Singing “Varsity” at halftime took me back a decade and was a highlight of the trip for me.

There were plenty of other great things about visiting. I got to go back to one of my favorite restaurants when I was in college for the first time since I graduated. It’s called Mediterranean Cafe, and it’s a tiny little hole in the wall place on State Street near campus. The food is OUTSTANDING, and they give you a ton of it for a very reasonable price. I got to go to the Memorial Union Terrace for beers and the atmosphere, and went to Young Blood Beer Company, which has become one of my favorites in the state. I also tried a couple new eateries, including Settle Down Tavern, which had a solid burger and fish fry. 

I was stunned at how packed the place was. All the other times I’ve visited over the last decade were not on football gamedays, so this was very much a different experience. Some of the current fraternity brothers wanted to go out to bars near campus, but the lines were stretching down the block and not moving at all. At this stage of my life there’s not a bar in the world worth waiting in line for, so we older folks simply walked all the way down toward the capitol and entered the venerable establishment known as Paul’s Club (famous for its indoor tree) without any wait at all.

Overall it was a great trip and one I’m hoping to repeat sooner than later. No matter how long I’m away, going to Madison always feels like going home.

Final look: Packers at Bills and Week Eight Picks

At this moment I’m not sure there’s a team in the NFL I’d pick the Packers to beat. Of course, they face possibly the best team in the NFL on the road (where they’ve never won) in prime time. Maybe the lack of any sort of expectations will give them the freedom they need to play loose and inspired football?

More likely, though, is that the Packers are going to get absolutely stomped.

Bills 37, Packers 10

 

RAVENS over Bucs

JAGUARS over Broncos

DOLPHINS over Lions

FALCONS over Panthers

VIKINGS over Cardinals

COWBOYS over Bears

RAIDERS over Saints

EAGLES over Steelers

JETS over Patriots

TITANS over Texans

SEAHAWKS over Giants

COMMANDERS over Colts

RAMS over 49ers

BILLS over Packers

BENGALS over Browns

 

LAST WEEK: 8-6

SEASON TOTAL: 58-50

 

 

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHEESEHEAD NATION WEEKLY NEWSLETTER HERE.

__________________________

Tim Backes is a lifelong Packer fan and a contributor to CheeseheadTV. Follow him on Twitter @timbackes for his Packer takes, random musings and Untappd beer check-ins.

__________________________

4 points
 

Comments (66)

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

October 27, 2022 at 06:45 am

I completely agree with Tim on what the Packers are doing well. Personally, I can't think of a single thing that this team is doing well. Our punter has performed well for the most part, but if I have to look THAT hard and the best I can come up with is a punter, it paints a pretty bleak picture.

I listened to the McAfee piece yesterday coming home from work. I didn't think it was possible but I think my disgust for Rodgers grew to new heights after listening to that yesterday. For him to bash teammates (who cares if he didn't mention names) and then to mention Tom Clements told him the game against Washington was Rodgers's highest-graded game was, IMO, just unfricking believable. Is Rodgers really THAT oblivious to the truth? I mean what in the hell does he see that can be construed as solid play when he watches film on Mondays and/or Tuesdays of himself? He NEVER points out his air balls, missed WIDE OPEN receivers, or the balls in the dirt at the feet of his receivers. Nope, this dude just continues to look at everyone else, and there isn't anyone he won't throw under the bus and he's been doing it for YEARS.

11 points
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pantz_bURp's picture

October 27, 2022 at 11:23 am

Thanks Nick. That is all I got, thank you.

My disagreement with #12 is how he goes about his business (which is a team business, a Packers' business). His leadership style does not resignate with me.

The eye test tells me he isn't getting it done on the field. The ear test is even more difficult to stomach. I don't really care about any off the field personal decisions he makes because it really is none of my business. If it affects the Packer team, then I will voice my opinion (right or wrong).

I appreciate everyone's passion and what I have learned from some of your opinions is; I am getting more frustrated with Mark Murphy, the enabler (if this is indeed true). Personally, I have been tired with #12s style for the last several years, even when they were winning gobs of games.

I will always appreciate his talent, being the most tenured player in Packer history, the highest paid in Packer history, winning a Superbowl for Green Bay and fans worldwide, having to fill in for a legend and ending up being one himself. Truly amazing...

I will not shed a tear when he goes. I am willing to wait for success and hoping I am proud of the team then, win or lose.

Go Pack Go!

1 points
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Rebecca's picture

October 27, 2022 at 08:05 pm

Is it possible that you seek out confirmation of your already dim view of him? Personally, I was done with him in 2018, but I see no reason to find anything more to opine about him.

-1 points
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Philarod's picture

October 27, 2022 at 06:54 am

On paper, the Packers will get stomped, but maybe "playing with house $" will ignite something previously dormant in them.

But it's likely they'll drop to 3-5, setting up a must-win versus the Lions. As unpredictable, as Packers games are (or, as tough as it is to envision wins at the moment), they should get to 4-5. And then, they need to go 3-1 in their 4 remaining games before the bye (not an easy task) and then 3-1 after the bye (more doable, if still in contention then).

3 points
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freddisch's picture

October 27, 2022 at 09:06 am

Detroit is no gimme. They play hard nosed football. If they smack GP in the month, they will fold like the new Google Pixel flip

1 points
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LLCHESTY's picture

October 27, 2022 at 11:55 pm

Their defense sure is hard nosed, only giving up 32 3 points per game! 🙄

0 points
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T7Steve's picture

October 27, 2022 at 07:04 am

The Packers have been like a preseason game for the opposition. If the team we're playing has played them in the past three years, all they have to do is look at the game film and they know what the Packers are going to do on just about every play.

The only thing the Packers can do to win is just play straight up smash mouth football and win the individual battles. They won't fool anyone, so they just have to out execute them. Remains to be seen if they can.

I actually think the D is coming around, Believe it or not. They don't give up too many points and just have to get off the field. If Alexander would have caught at least one of the passes he could have intercepted, they probably would have quit going at him and it would have been a different game. NFL #1 receivers are going to make a couple plays a game. It would have been worse if anybody else had been on that guy.

Win or lose in Buffalo, it would be a bad idea for anyone to overlook the Lions game. Everyone is saying that besides them the schedule gets rough. This is the Lions' Super Bowl. NFC North coaches and players keep their jobs if they beat the Packers.

5 points
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Razer's picture

October 27, 2022 at 08:16 am

...Win or lose in Buffalo, it would be a bad idea for anyone to overlook the Lions game...

The Lions always play us tough. They are gritty and hardnosed and that is a problem for soft teams.

3 points
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frankthefork's picture

October 27, 2022 at 07:34 am

I'm here to just tell it as I see it. This is not a 500 club from the top brass down to the PS TE.
Gutey is overrated on day-one draft picks. Where is Wyatt? Savage is too afraid to cover and tackle-Ford is much better; Jenkins can't move and play right tackle; AR never takes the blame for bad throws. Crosby is overpaid, old and his leg is shaky. MLF is too soft on players, coaches, and game calls: MM is only concerned about Packerland and not winning games. I could go on and nitpick on each player but for what.

Just sign or trade for Corey Davis and Allen Robinson and get the right tackle spot filled ASAP!
Use the tight ends more in blocking and passing....PLEASE.

-3 points
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stockholder's picture

October 27, 2022 at 07:49 am

No doubt we're headed in the Direction. This Team is failing, but are they Defeated? "You can't win them all." And the consolation is a higher draft pick. So if these guys want Sympathy. Just keep Losing. I saw a draft that could have made a difference. But what we got was experiments. ( I'm referring to the OL.). When the 5 guys up front fail. It cost more "money" to fix it! Rodgers has turned into a Time Bomb. And where is the confidence? The packers have become painful to watch. Because we all believed they could do better.
Whats working and what isn't? The running game still looks stuck. The Wrs are still dropping passes. And what is the game plan @TE! Time is running out. We all know it!
I really don't want that Expired sign to come up. It won't change the Defense. But it could be life changing for Rodgers, Jones, Bahk, and several others. And when you rebuild. The Time line gets longer. Which is why we gave Gutey 3 years.

-1 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

October 27, 2022 at 08:21 pm

Abe Lucas would look good at RT, right now. Read 'em and weep, but I'm all for total attack mode as are most real football Fans. Only cowards are defeated. I have the Pack by two....

0 points
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HarryHodag's picture

October 27, 2022 at 07:53 am

I'm big into reading people and a key problem with the Packers is internal. Something is off inside the team.
Call it 'vibe' or whatever but this team doesn't have the attitude of a winner. I caught some of it with the departure of D. Adams. Adams did want to play with David Carr, but he didn't really shed a tear leaving Aaron Rodgers and Rodgers didn't show much emotion about his top receiver leaving. Never forget the Packers offered Adams more money than Vegas.

Then Alexander starts carping about the defense.

Take a look at Matt LaFleur's face. He looks like he's aged 10 years in one year.

Something is off and only victory will fix it. Probably not in the foreseeable future.

8 points
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CheesedDeadHead's picture

October 27, 2022 at 10:14 am

Last years 13-4 year glossed over the issues as winning can make even a bad work environment workable. How long did we hear the excuses for special teams? The WHOLE season. It wasn't until the dumpster fire in the playoffs was there any urgency to fix what everyone saw as a major problem. They ended their season "early" because the biggest weakness was never addresses.

Maybe the struggles this year are because the team has a coaching staff where almost every coach is out of their depth. We lost the top 2 Offensive coaches and now we have an offense that is pathetic. The clown show on the OL to start the season was an outcome of a coaching staff that can't evaluate talent, can't put the best team on the field and can't build a game plan around the talent they have.

Barry has always been an idiot. Even with the additions and better health this year they still are a crap defense. The entire defensive coaching staff could resurrect Ringling Brothers on their own.

Yes, Coaches don't make the plays, but they create the game plan and choose the players to enact that game plan and, unfortunately for the Packers, in the process put the players in a position NOT to succeed. When your boss is continually screwing up their job, making your job difficult and nodding when the CEO says it's a problem of execution you get the exact crap we are viewing week after week. None of these players respects their coaches except maybe for the special teams guys, but I think even Bisaccia is losing players by putting Amari out their as the return man.

There are no easy fixes as the entire leadership is rotten and the Players know it.

4 points
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Handsback's picture

October 27, 2022 at 08:09 am

I agree with you Harry the coaches have lost the players. Now it's become a trust issue and I wonder how many players look at AR and see him as extended coach on the field. And therefore don't trust him either.
The Pack is broken, the good news is a big win can drive them together. A big loss will drive the wedge deeper.
I'm hoping for that big win. Teams have insulted their manhood and they have yet to respond....so maybe this is that week!

3 points
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Razer's picture

October 27, 2022 at 08:33 am

Tim's optimism on a wildcard route to a playoff berth is admirable. I just don't see where this team will muster the toughness and character to compete with the top third of the league. There is such a lack of leadership on this team and in this organization. I don't know who is going to take charge of the team on the field. Rodgers is doing a nice job of distancing himself from the problems. Just as bad, I wonder how the coaches can be 7 games in and the team is confused and rudderless. The team is soft from the players to the coaches to the front office that couldn't make the tough call to move on.

3 points
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Lphill's picture

October 27, 2022 at 08:34 am

Kurt Warner said Rodgers was right about less reps for people making mistakes, 10 drops is inexcusable. call me crazy but I think the Packers win in Buffalo .

-2 points
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T7Steve's picture

October 27, 2022 at 08:39 am

Who can they replace? With whom can they replace them? Oh, to be a coach on an NFL team that's losing must be fun.

2 points
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RCPackerFan's picture

October 27, 2022 at 08:59 am

Watkins another week back should play more. We will see if Watson can come back this week.

But its time to start using the TE's more. Tonyan catches everything that hits his hands. Deguara needs more opportunities.

One guy that I think they should look to bring up off the PS is Tyler Goodson. He could be used in the Tyler Ervin Role. he has great hands and is elusive. I doubt they will bring him up but he could really help the team out.

5 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

October 27, 2022 at 08:27 pm

When the wides are hurting, the TEs should have 20 receptions. Why did they draft Deguara, to catch 3 passes every four weeks?? Stenavich is in over his head, it seems.

0 points
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Johnblood27's picture

October 27, 2022 at 08:49 am

when looking to the bench after yet another drop - I see nothing.

There are no youngsters just chomping at the bit to get into the game.

OK, I will give you Samori Toure, he deserves a chance to drop a few too.

Davis at TE is a total waste of oxygen and has been for over 2 years, yet he is still hanging around. WHY???

There might have been someone on the roster to step up, but... Amari Rodgers has been taking up a roster spot for absolutely no positive reason at all. WHY???

Lets start thinking about Rasheed Walker and Caleb Jones as OL fodder. At the very least they give the coaches a reason to bench someone that needs a kick in the ass. WHY NOT???

Where have Sean Rhyan and Zack Tom been? A 3rd round pick and a guy that earned some PT... both MIA throughout the struggles this OL has been having all season long. WHY???

In manufacturing touches for AJones, his targets in the passing game have been 99% flares behind the LOS. Get the most dynamic player on the roster involved in the entire game. Move him into the slot, motion him out wide, get him some routes with a tree instead of a stump. Absolutely NO IMAGINATION in how to deploy and use the best weapon on the team after talking about it all off-season. He was supposed to be part of the solution to replacing Davantes production, instead he has disappeared from the gameplans. WHY???

I could go on, but... WHY???

6 points
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Razer's picture

October 27, 2022 at 09:06 am

Every one of the items you point out, point right back to the coaches. Coaches teach, measure and manage. Matt LaFleur is in charge of the coaches and as he says "we have got to do better". Now would be a good time.

4 points
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Starrbrite's picture

October 27, 2022 at 07:33 pm

“Toure deserves to drop a few too,” —ha—that was excellent!

0 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

October 27, 2022 at 08:33 pm

Toure' may catch everything thrown his way. I have no doubts he is better than Amari and Winfree. The kid from Southern Miss just snagged a deep fly route, catching over his shoulder, on the move, flawlessly. A 5-7' guy with body control and hands.

0 points
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LLCHESTY's picture

October 28, 2022 at 12:02 am

Aaron Jones is in the slot and out wide quite a bit. You're bitching at nothing there.

0 points
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LLCHESTY's picture

October 27, 2022 at 11:59 pm

You crazy man.

0 points
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RCPackerFan's picture

October 27, 2022 at 08:39 am

What are the Packers doing well? -
This is a great question.
They do a lot of things well at times but then it doesn't last. The inconsistency has been bad. Offensively, Aaron Jones consistently makes plays. Tonyan consistently catches everything he can get his hands on. The problem is everyone else is inconsistent. They have key drops, have been injured, and when a big play is made there is a penalty. Its just been so inconsistent.

The Rodgers Watch, Part IV -

I have absolutely no problem with what Rodgers said. He simply is speaking the truth. He didn't call anyone out by name or throw anyone under the bus. He is also right, that the players that continue to make mistakes need to play less. We as fans have said the exact same things. Newman was a huge target by us fans, and he isn't playing now. Rodgers as a PR. Maybe he is done there too. Players that are continuing to mess up need to play less. Which players those are, only they know.

Lets be honest about Rodgers for a minute. Most people that turned on Rodgers turned last year during the whole vaccine thing. They didn't like that Rodgers went against the popular public opinion and ever since, a lot of people have done everything they can to find anything they can to criticize and bash Rodgers.
And by me making that statement I will be hated on this page for a while. Last time i made a comment like that, I was hated for a while. Oh well.

Final look: Packers at Bills and Week Eight Picks.
No one will be giving the Packers a glimmer of hope. And why should they. The last 3 games they have basically fallen apart. The offense hasn't been able to move the ball consistently. Part of that reason is that the WR's have been banged up. In the last 3 games Watkins had been on IR, Watson got hurt and missed the last 2 1/2 games, Cobb has went on IR. They haven't had their top guys back, until now. Watkins came back last week but was clearly limited. Watson is coming back this week, and hopefully can play.
I'm not saying this with a ton of confidence, but I think after everything this week, I think they start turning some things around. I think this game is a lot closer then many people think. They shuffled the OL around last week, and now will enter week 2 with that lineup. They finally got the ball to Jones more last week compared to the weeks before. I think this is an explosive Jones game. The WR's coming back should help.

Its most likely they don't win this game. But I'm hopeful that this is a lot better of a showing.

4 points
8
4
T7Steve's picture

October 27, 2022 at 08:47 am

Bravery is doing (saying) what you think is right regardless, in the face of what you're opposing. Keep plugging away.

5 points
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Johnblood27's picture

October 27, 2022 at 08:55 am

And by me making that statement I will be hated on this page for a while. Last time i made a comment like that, I was hated for a while. Oh well.

I luv ya RC!!!

Dont let the opinion of the snowflake lefty cancel culture crowd get ya down. Their opinion means nothing at all, theyre just a bunch of brainwashed sheeple bowing to false idols.

Hang tough, speak your mind and vote your conscience. Right brings Might, flex em big guy!

-2 points
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LLCHESTY's picture

October 28, 2022 at 12:05 am

"Their opinion means nothing at all, theyre just a bunch of brainwashed sheeple bowing to false idols."
.
You could say the same thing about Trumpeters and neither would be a lie.

0 points
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barutanseijin's picture

October 27, 2022 at 02:48 pm

You’d think Rodgers’ string of failures in the postseason would have something to do with people tiring of his act.

But no, it’s all the “woke mob” being so unfair to poor little Aawin. Aww.

1 points
2
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Since'61's picture

October 27, 2022 at 08:41 am

As I posted on another thread yesterday, if the Bills game goes really bad the Packers should make a move on MLF and appoint Bisaccia as interim HC. I doubt that it will save the season but it will send the players and other coaches a long overdue and badly needed message. As I also posted I doubt that Packer management would make such a move in season in which case they are sending the message that mediocrity is OK and will continue to be accepted.

Anything can happen but the Packers are not playing with any confidence right now. The number of mistakes per game keeps going up. 10 drops, Yikes!!! Do we have a WR coach? What is he and the other 25+ coaches doing?

For a long time the Packers have played to the level of their opponents. If that's still true they should rise to the occasion against the Bills and at least keep the game competitive. If not we're in for a long night this Sunday.

As for Aaron Rodgers, he seriously needs to take Paul Brown's advice, "When you win say nothing, when you lose say less." Thanks, Since '61

6 points
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Johnblood27's picture

October 27, 2022 at 08:57 am

I am certain that you have heard of QB's having "happy feet"?

Rodgers has developed "happy tongue".

He needs to enroll in graduate studies at STFU.

3 points
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Since'61's picture

October 27, 2022 at 02:25 pm

Without a doubt. I don't have a problem with what he said about players who are making mistakes should play less I just don't believe that he needs to make those comments public. If he wants to discuss with his teammates in the locker room or on the practice field that's fine.

I'm old school that way. Unless he is making a positive comment about the team he should keep the negative comments inside the "house." Thanks, Since '61

3 points
3
0
MainePackFan's picture

October 27, 2022 at 09:33 am

"As for Aaron Rodgers, he seriously needs to take Paul Brown's advice, "When you win say nothing, when you lose say less." Thanks, Since '61"

Since'61. Unfortunately, if AR took this approach he would be criticized even more for being aloof, not caring, just in it for the money. RCPackerFan nailed it with his comment above, and nothing Rodgers does will change the opinion of those that hold that view.

As Always, I appreciate your commentary.

1 points
5
4
Since'61's picture

October 27, 2022 at 02:29 pm

MainePackFan yes, I'm sure that you're correct. I just believe that he should keep negative comments "in house."

He can deliver positive comments all day long but the negative stuff should remain in the locker room. Just my old school way of thinking on that particular issue.

Thanks, Since '61

3 points
3
0
Coldworld's picture

October 27, 2022 at 04:07 pm

It’s not old school it’s simple group dynamics expressed simply

1 points
1
0
MainePackFan's picture

October 27, 2022 at 05:59 pm

Since'61. If he criticized someone by name, I would wholeheartedly agree. We don't know who is speaking about, nor do we need to know. Were those negative comments or honesty? That's the question. Thanks for the response.

0 points
0
0
Packers2020's picture

October 27, 2022 at 11:27 am

Since 61',

I have to say, I do not see ML getting let go. They just signed him to a three year extension. They did the same with Gute and Murphy. I think those three are here until 2026 when Murphy is forced to retire.

JMHO.

0 points
0
0
Since'61's picture

October 27, 2022 at 02:41 pm

Packers2020 - I'm not expecting the Packers to do anything in season. I might think that they should but would they? I doubt it.

There are numerous contracts which end at or close to Murphy's expected retirement date which I believe is actually 2025.

In any case Rodgers current contract ends in 2024. The extensions for MLF and Gute in 2025/2026. All around the same time as Murphy's exit. If the team is winning Murphy will ride off into the sunset with a nice legacy and Gute or Ball will move up to CEO and MLF will probably carry on as HC. However, if the team is losing it's a perfect excuse to clean house from Murphy down through the coaching staff.

We'll see. Thanks, Since '61

0 points
0
0
Coldworld's picture

October 27, 2022 at 04:04 pm

The Packers won’t do anything unless the season spirals further and Board members’ peers get fired up enough. Then watch Murphy start scapegoating. The reality is that until the Board gets fired up there’s nobody in Lambeau who wants it needs to face up to it. They will continue to down play, trivialize and excuse till the fires engulf them.

2 points
2
0
jannes bjornson's picture

October 27, 2022 at 08:37 pm

They let Edgar Bennett go, do the math.

0 points
0
0
LLCHESTY's picture

October 28, 2022 at 12:11 am

If they fire LaFleur mid season after three straight 13 win seasons good luck getting a decent coach to be interested in the job.

0 points
0
0
Rick5952's picture

October 30, 2022 at 01:14 pm

Your suggestion to replace MLF is a bit extreme.

0 points
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0
HawkPacker's picture

October 27, 2022 at 09:25 am

I keep hearing that the Packers are a bad team. The are not a bad team. They are a very good team playing bad football. Were they a bad team last year? Of course not. If you take last year's team and subtract Devante Adams and add the new draft picks, some newly signed players, add in Alexander then you have the current team that is just not playing well. They are playing poorly right now in all phases of the game.

In analyzing the play of the Packers, you can't point to one or two things that is causing the bad play. It is almost everything. This, to me, means that there is some type of internal issue going on such as players not getting along with each other or with the coaches in the locker room or secondly there is an issue with coaching.

I have read in other articles, as I know some of you have as well, that there are some players complaining such as Rodgers, Alexander, etc at certain times this season that points to players not getting along. However, I have just read this morning that some of the players are speaking out in support of Rodgers most recent complaints about players not playing up to par. So you have to scratch your head and try to figure out if it is a problem with the players internally.

Myself, I am leaning towards a coaching problem and it , to me, is one of two things and possibly both. We lost a couple of coaches in the offseason and basically promoted within. Were the coaches that left that great? Are the new coaches that have been promoted over their head? Maybe both? Secondly, I am not sure that MLF is the man for the job. I have pointed out his poor planning and poor in game adjustments but it looks like it is more than that. He apparently cannot get his coaches to coach, players to play and that includes Rodgers as well.

I have also read above where if the Packers to finally win, that should ease the problem or take care of the problem. I hope these commenters or correct but I doubt it.

4 points
5
1
Roadrunner23's picture

October 27, 2022 at 10:25 am

Sorry, the Packers are a bad football team. They are not well coached, they are not well led, and they are soft.

1 points
2
1
HawkPacker's picture

October 27, 2022 at 10:59 am

So, if they win at Buffalo and continue to win with the same team, are they still a bad football team? Or are they a good football team that is now playing well?

0 points
0
0
Coldworld's picture

October 27, 2022 at 04:10 pm

If? If they don’t, will you just ask the same next week?

0 points
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Coldworld's picture

October 27, 2022 at 09:37 am

Of course they talk about little things. To do otherwise would be to admit one probably shouldn’t be here with this roster and the other shouldn’t be a head coach at all.

I see a lot of angst and a lot of symptoms agonized about and a widespread, though not universal, refusal to look up lest the big picture has to be faced, with all that it means.

Sometimes tough love is needed. Sadly there’s about as much chance of that with this organization as there is of us winning the Super Bowl this year. In fact, it’s absence is a large part of what got us here.

4 points
4
0
PatrickGB's picture

October 27, 2022 at 09:46 am

Be where you are supposed to be. Catch the football. Block or tackle the guy you are supposed to. Throw to the open receiver. Call the right play. Rinse repeat.

Oh, and don’t drink and drive.

5 points
5
0
Roadrunner23's picture

October 27, 2022 at 10:40 am

THE PACK WILL SHOCK THE NFL!

But not in a good way; unfortunately, this is a team on a downward spiral similar to the Steelers hanging on to Roethlisberger too long.

Therefore, in the off-season many changes will be made to try to write this leaky, Old sinking ship.

The captain and crew will remain the same because quietly in the off-season, Matt LaFleur, Russ Ball and Bryan, Gutekunst all received raises and extensions. And this is what we got? !!!!

Some of the first officers will feel the Lash as Joe Barry needs to walk the plank and Steno Needs to be demoted back to the offensive line To straighten up his scurvy crew.

And before a major mutiny occurs, some of the old guard need to be put in a lifeboat, and set a drift. Including Rodgers, Cobb, Crosby, Louis, Bakhtiari and Watkins.

It will cost a chest of gold in the salary cap ramifications, but it needs to be done. The Packers must bite the bullet for a year or two and find out if love is a true Sea dog, or just a dog. 

The pack must draft so much better than they have been looking for new crew members. Heck, this old pirate has drafted much better on a mock simulator over the past five years than Gutey.

Yahargh 🏴‍☠️


2 points
4
2
LLCHESTY's picture

October 28, 2022 at 12:12 am

Who is Louis?

0 points
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TarynsEyes's picture

October 27, 2022 at 11:00 am

The problems or issues that are being witnessed, less the obvious having no #1 WR, has been evident but denied through the lens of 13 win seasons. This self-imposed blindness, by the team and fans alike, with one having a real impact was verified in the playoffs multiple years, and is now accepted because of the game play, and Media exposure of it.

Yes, the season isn't over, but the heartbeat is slow and low, and the plug will likely be pulled this weekend depending on how this team plays, even in a loss, against the stampede of Buffalo coming at them. This game will tell the fans and the team whether they can still be in the mix with hope, or out without a prayer.

The road will be hard, but to have any reasonable hope for the coming season lies in the don't quit, or we quit seen in this game Sunday. I think Rodgers' brutal but truthful words will burn a fire. How much fire depends on those, who remain nameless, have burning inside them or if easily doused by criticism, and retreated to a safe space.

5 points
6
1
PatrickGB's picture

October 27, 2022 at 12:51 pm

I agree. Not having a true #1 WR is a killer flaw. And I think that Rodgers words are spot on.

0 points
1
1
LLCHESTY's picture

October 28, 2022 at 12:15 am

In the words of the immortal Lenny Bruce-whew, you sure can talk some shit!

1 points
1
0
Leatherhead's picture

October 27, 2022 at 12:42 pm

We have 10 games remaining in the regular season. Four of them are division opponents, and IMO, they're all winnable. That would get us to 7 wins.

The other six games have Dallas, the Titans, and the Rams coming to Green Bay, while the Packers travel to Buffalo, Miami, Philadelphia. If the Packers can win the three home games it would get us to 10-7.

We're not the only team that's struggling. People are giving up too soon, IMO.

GBGBGBGBGBGBG

Losing in Buffalo this week isn't the end of the world, particularly if we show some life. But losing to Detroit is going to put us at 3-6, where we'd basically have to run the table. The season would be on life-support at that point. So yeah, we've dug a hole.

3 points
3
0
TarynsEyes's picture

October 27, 2022 at 03:29 pm

I'd agree, if the Packers actually have a home field advantage, and winning all 4 Division games are not likely. Playoffs are a possibility, though a beating this week decreases such, but the obvious quick dismissal from them makes it feel fruitless, especially for next year.

0 points
0
0
PatrickGB's picture

October 27, 2022 at 12:56 pm

Florio has us losing to the Bills by 40 something to ten. I despise his so called reporting. I will be at the game and expect it to be close game.

2 points
3
1
LLCHESTY's picture

October 28, 2022 at 12:18 am

Ignore that Vikings fan.

0 points
0
0
Dragon5's picture

October 27, 2022 at 01:10 pm

Tomlin was on a podcast last year that, when you compare the way he carries himself to MLF, you just shake your head. Highly reco the listen. A few of his quotes still stick with me:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsJ2Pq8L1-M&feature=share&utm_source=EJG...

"look forward to living out what you believe in"
"treat everybody fair, but not everyone the same"
"M.O.M. motivator of men...if you want to lead men, know them"
"don't seek comfort, resist comfort...train yourself to be comfortable with being uncomfortable"
"get excited with being uncomfortable"
"can't do ordinary stuff and expect unique results"

and my fav...

"sharp dudes don't care what ya sayin, they just watchin"

6 points
6
0
FAN24583's picture

October 27, 2022 at 02:02 pm

Meanwhile BG is making calls… in hope of another team gifting us a #1 WR for a 7th round pick in 2024. I wonder if BG actually watched the Packers games??? He and MM are totally incompetent.

Could possibly have made a trade to help the team Sunday night against a powerful Bills team but it’s likely not going to happen. I hope I’m wrong. Time will tell. Let’s go BG.

1 points
1
0
LeotisHarris's picture

October 27, 2022 at 02:38 pm

You covered a lot of ground very well, Tim, thanks. Madison on game day is such a special place.

I appreciated your description of the Tennessee Titans as "very capable." Made me think of Verne Gagne's old AWA Professional Wrestling where Kenny 'the Sodbuster" Jay was always described with those two words. I don't think he ever won a match, but, damn, what a gamer.

3 points
3
0
Johnblood27's picture

October 27, 2022 at 03:05 pm

was kenny "the sodbuster' or was it kenny "the sodomist"?

I honestly dont remember.

-1 points
0
1
LeotisHarris's picture

October 27, 2022 at 05:28 pm

May Butcher Vachon put you in the hangman for writing such sacrilege.

2 points
2
0
Johnblood27's picture

October 27, 2022 at 05:29 pm

just don't slap a figure four on me and I will never tap out!

1 points
1
0
SinceLombardi's picture

October 27, 2022 at 03:52 pm

Minor problems don’t take 3 games to figure out. It’s not a tough hard nosed team… and that’s not just this year. Something goes wrong—they fold. The $50 million quarterback looks like Matt Ryan. The head coach looks outwitted and overmatched, even in some of the narrow wins.
The choke job against the 49ers after Lewis’ fumble last year clearly showed the lack of heart they have. In three straight losses this year no veteran has stepped up. I wonder about locker room chemistry. I wonder how much Rodgers has left. I wonder if LaFluer can win without a QB playing at MVP level.
This is going to be a tough season and off season. $75 million between Rodgers and DBak… something hopefully a new GM will look at. Did the team lose its heart when Zadarius Smith moved on?

2 points
2
0
PatrickGB's picture

October 28, 2022 at 09:44 am

I read that Rodgers makes 50 million. Yet I have read other reports that it’s much less this year but will rise to that amount down the road. It must be a cap thing.

0 points
0
0