Packers 27 Cardinals 23 Game Balls & Lame Calls
The Packers were five hours late off the tarmac in Wisconsin, and seemed mentally late to the stadium too.
By Kalani Jones
You never, ever apologize for wins in the NFL. Ever.
The Packers found themselves in an absolute battle in the desert, and found a way to win. Truth be told, if someone had told you that before the game had started, would you have been surprised? The Cardinals have now been the victim of 5 straight losses decided on the final drive, giving their all to some really good teams along the way. The 49ers, Colts, and Seahawks all found themselves in a similar predicament that the Packers did, all probable playoff teams who had to eek out a win against this Cardinals squad.
In the NFL, you've got to learn how to win all sorts of games. When confronted with a scrappy, play-your-heart-out type of situation like the Browns and Cowboys game, the Packers couldn't get the W. This week they did, and the Packers are 4-1-1, and could end today as the #1 seed with a Buccaneers loss (or an even bigger lead on the Lions for the division crown).
Credit to Matt LaFleur (more on him later) and the offense for that massive 4th down pickup on the final drive. If the Packers had settled for the field goal, we saw how that would have played out (another overtime game as the best possible outcome). In the words of the man himself, "Scared money don't make money." New kicker Lucas Havrisik also gets an honorable mention for the longest kick in franchise history, which ended up having massive implications at the end of the game.
Game Balls
Micah Parsons
Don't let anyone tell you that the Packers paid too much for Parsons. They're wrong. He earned his first career 3 sack game, and more than doubled his sack total on the year. He finished the game with nine total pressures, 2 qb hits and four pressures. Parsons may have slingshot himself to the forefront of the defensive player of the year conversation in this game, but as far as today is concerned, there's a serious argument to be made that the win falls on his shoulders.
He was equally as impactful in the run game. It was a complete show of dominance from Parsons, and I also loved the increased reps that he was rushing up the middle from a linebacker role. Let's also give some recognition to Rashan Gary for the strip sack that was such a turning point in the game. Kingsley Enegbarre also balled out, building on what has been an excellent year.
The offense battled
After a horrendous start to the game, the offense finally found their groove with that quick drive to get into field goal range at the end of the first half. Despite a three-and-out to begin the second, the Packers went touchdown, touchdown, punt, touchdown, and kneel down to end the game.
Love had a better game than what his stat sheet will show, and I love the increased mobility he's been showing off this season, after an injury hampered 2024. The Packers finished the day with a 100% red zone scoring efficiency, a major boost considering the Cardinals finished with 75%. In my opinion, the Packers' rushing offense really took the day. Comparing the two teams, they actually both finished with 94 rushing yards. However, the Packers dominated in average yards per rush and yards after contact. They also had more explosive runs, and less tackles for loss on runs.
Lame Calls
Nate Hobbs
Holy cow. That was bad.
All game long, Hobbs had his lunch money taken from him. Marvin Harrison Jr is an extremely talented receiver, there's no need to bury the lead on that. But Nate Hobbs was paid a lot of money by this organization to cover extremely talented receivers. Both he and the Packers made a gamble in moving Hobbs to the outside corner slot this season, after spending his entire career as a slot only guy. Part of me wonders if the team tried to fast track Hobbs down the same path that Nixon took in becoming an outside cornerback. The problem was that Nixon earned every single opportunity that he was given.
The Packers may need to re-think that cornerback rotation, considering how much better the group played when Carrington Valentine was starting opposite of Nixon, but considering the lack of snaps Valentine has received since Hobbs' return, it may not be that simple. Part of me believes that the Packers really, really want to keep Javon Bullard on the field, and he's had a good season so far! The problem is that he isn't taking any snaps at safety in the near future (injury notwithstanding), so the only spot to play Bullard is the slot. So Hobbs gets sent outside, and Valentine rides the bench? It could be that simple, but the Packers will need to get Hobbs on track, or accept that his $12 million a year salary is best served in the slot.
Penalties
We knew that this game was going to be a flag-fest going into it. Referee Alex Moore and his crew entered this game with the most penalties called in the entire league: #1 in penalties and penalties per game, and #2 penalty yards per game. So okay, fine. But...
Ten penalties. Ninety four yards.
We can give all the credit in the world for the team battling their way to a win. But they're also consistently shooting themselves in the foot at an unprecedented and unsustainable rate. This game, especially this season, is won in the margins. The Packers have been in the bottom third in this category all season long, and trust me, there's not a lot of good company to keep down there. These issues are going to keep coming back to haunt the team, especially in the playoffs.
Matt LaFleur
Okay, look. I'm a Matt LaFleur believer, and have been for a long time. I've gotten into countless arguments defending him and the job he's done as head coach of the Green Bay Packers. I still believe that he can, and will, win a Super Bowl for Green Bay.
That being said, LaFleur should be ashamed of the product that his team put out in the first half. We've already talked about the penalties. Penalties always stem from the lack of something. It's a lack of discipline, a lack of positioning, or a lack of understanding of the rules. All of that is coachable. The lack of in-game discipline is the main point, however. The Packers consistently look under-prepared, flat footed, and ill-deserving of their status as Super Bowl champions.
Three and Out
-- The phrase of the week: "Stress". Boy did I feel it in this one. An absolute disaster of a first half will do that to you (believe me when I say I had a much angrier version of this article planned out in my head). Then came the comeback, the defensive stands, and the final couple of drives. That fourth down conversion alone is probably responsible for a couple of grey hairs that'll be popping up soon. The ecstasy of victory is only as good as the run up to it, though. True story: during the Cardinals last play, I had actually lost track of downs, since I was mostly focused on the clock. So when the offense came back onto the field, you can imagine the second or so of confusion, before the realization fully hit me.
-- Dontayvion Wicks was the only Packer to leave the game due to injury. The team might choose to be a bit more cautious with him this next week of practice, considering this is his second week in a row doing so. Quay Walker also was temporarily removed from the game, though he did return. We'll keep an eye on him through the week as well.
There's a couple of players who may be looking to make their return from injury next Sunday, including Christian Watson, Devonte Wyatt, Lucas Van Ness and Jacob Monk. They'll likely need all the reinforcements they can get, considering...
-- It's finally time. The Packers will play Aaron Rodgers for the first time on Sunday Night Football. Last week I called it the most important regular season game that the Packers have played since Brett Farve came back to town. I stand by that, though I do think the Favre game is probably more significant, considering the uniform he came into town wearing.
The Packers will have the opportunity to study some new-found holes in the Pittsburg defense, courtesy of a shootout with Joe Flacco on Thursday night. The Steelers will be at home, with a rest advantage, and an uber-motivated hall of fame quarterback. Green Bay has their hands full next weekend, but until then, R-E-L-A-X, run a table or two, and watch some Aaron Rodgers highlights. Get it all out of your system, because on Sunday, he's standing in between the Packers and a W.
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Co-Owner of the thirteen time world champion Green Bay Packers. Sometimes I write about them. Follow me on Twitter at https://x.com/kjones_in_co and on Substack for film breakdowns!
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Comments (68)
Packers0808
October 20, 2025 at 07:54 am
The Packers have a definite HOBBLEM, period!
barutanseijin
October 20, 2025 at 08:47 am
Before we begin bitching about this or that Packer or how annoying the refs have become, we need to talk about the puns.
Bitternotsour
October 20, 2025 at 10:43 am
your work is fantastic. big fan.
Packers0808
October 20, 2025 at 11:09 am
Puns are funs.Either you are jealous of not thinking them or have a rotten sense of humor.
dblbogey
October 20, 2025 at 08:00 am
He's a slot corner. That's it.
TXCHEESE
October 20, 2025 at 08:05 am
Good article! Shoutout to Quay and Havrisik also, Twice Quay took down the RB and QB with his sacks. Havrisik. 61yarder to take back 3 points before the half. Not sure GB doesn't want to try and keep in on the roster for the remainder of the season, or at least make someone give up a draft pick for him before the trade deadline.
Had one of my good beers ready for a victory celebration. I went and took a look at it at halftime, and wondered if it would have to sit there all alone in the fridge for another week.
GB made this way harder that it needed to with the silly penalties. Two defensive offsides that gave the Cards new life on drives probably destined for a punt. That and the pre-snap crap on the offense have got to be cleaned up. Was hopeful after last weekend that they had maybe turned the corner on the penalty department,
dobber
October 20, 2025 at 08:20 am
McManus has been good and there's just no room for two K's on the roster. That said, most teams have a kicker with NFL experience stashed on their PS that could be poached at any time, and it might take an injury to another team's K for anyone to try to sign him from the Packers PS to their 53.
Coldworld
October 20, 2025 at 09:38 am
Good kickers are hard to find. Teams have been struggling when one goes down and one or two starters are on thin
Ice. One of our kickers might be trade bait pre-deadline, but I really doubt Havrisik would clear waivers now or, if he did, remain on our PS for long. He’s simply put in too good a cameo. He’s handled pressure and now gone a long way to rebuffing the knock on him that he struggles with longer kicks. To me Manus is proven in cold weather and under real pressure and that’s priceless . However, I think Havrisik will finish this season entrenched on an active roster.
Guam
October 20, 2025 at 08:25 am
When did dropping your hips to make a tackle become illegal? I have never heard that one before and was flummoxed when the refs called it. How long have I been living under a rock?
dobber
October 20, 2025 at 08:35 am
I think it was before last season that they made the hip-drop tackle a personal foul. In particular, it's the tackle from behind where the defender uses the weight of his lower body to pull the runner backward. In general, trying to prevent runners getting hurt when the defender falls on their legs...akin to the horse collar.
IMO, it gets let go way more often than it gets called, but apparently not for QBs.
I think Vilma on the color commentary made an astute comment when he said there's just no way to tackle a guy from behind anymore without allowing their momentum to give them 2-5 more yards.
Guam
October 20, 2025 at 09:35 am
Thanks Dobber. I agree it doesn't get called too often as this was the first time I have seen it since its adoption. Defenders can't tackle high, can't tackle low and can't drag someone down from behind now. Flag football can't be far away.........
Coldworld
October 20, 2025 at 09:54 am
A hip drop tackle is defined one where a defender grabs a runner, swivels their hips to unweight their body, and then lands on the runner's legs at or below the knee. Typically they are made side on and the tacklers weight used on top of his momentum to take out the knees, take the runner down and in doing so, swing the tacklers body onto the runners legs, which should indicate why they can injure.
To me Parsons’ was above the knee and from behind, so he didn’t need to swivel to land on the feet, it was naturally likely. He definitely sought to wrestle the 230 plus runner down, but to me that was arguably not a hip drop as defined and very close to not being oven if it were. Moreover, it’s hard to see what other alternative a defender coming from behind would have had other than letting him run or jumping on his back. You can’t seize him around the ankles (below the knee) now.
A ridiculous call regardless of the rule given what goes on every week. My clear visual impression was that that official seems to like the attention that comes with penalty calls, even basking in it, and that is something that the NFL should take a very close look at when it is displayed.
dobber
October 20, 2025 at 12:03 pm
See, I disagree: I think it was a clear hip-drop tackle. I had no problem with the call.
Blizzard
October 20, 2025 at 12:46 pm
I asked that very same question yesterday and got 4 thumbs down. Tough crowd
GregC
October 20, 2025 at 01:22 pm
The penalty is rarely called on the field. Usually it is viewed on tape, and the player is fined after the fact. This one was pretty obvious, though. I don't like the rule, but it's the refs' job to enforce the rules.
NFLfan
October 20, 2025 at 08:10 am
Game Balls: Parsons, Jacobs, Kraft, Doubs (the usuals)
Lame Balls: LaFleur play-calling.
The Secondary. is .not .starting .caliber. I've said this for months. There is no ascending team who would choose any of these guys for their starting line-up. I don't blame them as they are cornerback JAGs and shouldn't be expected to save the day when the Pass Rush (except Parsons) fails to get to 'quick-draw' QB's.
Rodgers will have his way with all 3 of them next week. I expect MLF to draw up more cute plays.
Razer
October 20, 2025 at 08:56 am
I agree that this is not a solid NFL starting secondary. We have drafted extremely poorly on this front and failed to fix it in FA. I was hoping that coaching would help cover the lack of talent but wide open spaces and blown coverages tell another story.
zoellner25
October 20, 2025 at 08:15 am
We Devante Wyatt back so so bad
NFLfan
October 20, 2025 at 08:31 am
An NFL team shouldn't rely on 1 guy
Coldworld
October 20, 2025 at 10:06 am
This week they did not. I’ve criticized Wooden in particular harshly and Brooks, but this week they got penetration. They were not really challenged in the run game fortunately, it’s true, but they actually filled in very well yesterday. Credit where credit is due and at some point essential for credibility to acknowledge it even when contrary to ones’s prior takes.
packerbackerjim
October 20, 2025 at 08:19 am
Game: Wooden. Stout in the line, good penetration.
Lame: unforced errors—lining up offsides, not the line (Walker!). These were not first year starters.
dobber
October 20, 2025 at 08:31 am
The Cards accepted 10 Packers penalties:
3 Personal fouls (roughing the passer, hip drop, facemask)
2 offsides
2 D Holding/Illegal contact
1 DPI
1 False start
1 Offensive holding
Three of those are discipline penalties (offside, false start)
Four of them are guys getting beat (Holdings, DPI)
I'll leave the last three (personal fouls) to interpretation, but many times those are a result of poor positioning and/or awareness.
Too many penalties, yes.
Coldworld
October 20, 2025 at 10:02 am
At least 2 of the personal fouls were dubious and similarly for the DPI calls. I’m not suggesting we didn’t benefit from the same either. However, there were still some baffling screw up penalties at key moments. One of those is too much.
crayzpackfan
October 20, 2025 at 03:40 pm
Such as the 2 second index finger facemask called on one of our edge or DL guys? That call pissed me off. Zero intent, zero harm or potential harm to offended player. Zero impact on the play. That ref should have just looked away. Also pissing me off was the ref who announced all the flags. He was smiling from ear to ear with every mic opportunity. But, if I am being honest, we got some phantom calls in our favor too. Terrible refs though.
Boneman
October 20, 2025 at 08:33 am
I predicted that this game would be a slog and it was a slog. The gritty win here should go a long ways toward cementing the Packers confidence. Still, man oh man, can we please stop shooting ourselves in the foot? Special Teams held their own for a while then, predictably started playing poorly with penalties and missed tackles. We practically handed them great field position on that final drive by 'kicking it in the end zone!' What? The play calling at times is baffling. Delayed wide runs on third and short? Multiple times. I had flashbacks to when ARod was playing poorly that last year when we kept overthrowing deep shots on third or fourth down. Can we not do that? Also, can we not waste great defensive plays on first down by playing soft zone and giving up 8 to 10 yards before contact on second down? I know, I know. I'm nitpicking after a road win but sheesh, the PENALTIES! OK I feel better. GPG! On to Pittsburgh!
Razer
October 20, 2025 at 08:50 am
I hear you on the soft zone. 3rd and 23 is becoming our new 4th and 26. Open spaces over the middle is the trademark of Packer defenses for over a decade. I am sure that it is on Lafleur's list to clean up. Grrrr!
mnbadger
October 20, 2025 at 11:37 am
Seems like the list is always getting longer?
A serious "to do" list gets items completed and checked off at a rate at least as fast as new items are added.
This list has tasks that are 6 years old and seems to grow every week!
Great but ugly win. Wins are beautiful.
GPG!
T7Steve
October 20, 2025 at 02:47 pm
For everything I scratch off my honey-do list I see that two things are added. I wish I live in your house.
mnbadger
October 20, 2025 at 03:27 pm
I said "a serious to do list"
I only add her serious tasks to my list, which I silently call the master list.
GPG!
T7Steve
October 21, 2025 at 05:43 am
There's no more serious a list! LOL!
Razer
October 20, 2025 at 08:43 am
We found a way to win is the best I can say about that game. In large part it is due to our stars' played like stars when it mattered and it is good enough against the average teams. Still, it is concerning when journeymen QBs carve up our secondary and WR/TEs run free for big gains. Need to see way more disciplined team play from all players if we are to complete against the top third of this league.
jvole
October 20, 2025 at 02:18 pm
Rodgers is probably looking at the film for next week and saying "show me some more video on that Hobbs fella"
mjbrogno
October 20, 2025 at 08:52 am
MLF played it right on 4th and 2, playing it to win. The lack of discipline on SP teams and penalties will determine how far we will go this season. Getting back Watson will be a big difference maker for the offense, how good is Jacob ? WOW!!!. I will be totally surprised if we do not come out with a W on Sunday night, Go Pack Go!!!
Bitternotsour
October 20, 2025 at 10:51 am
going for it on 4th and 2 sends a message both to your offense (I believe in you, we're going to win and we aren't afraid) and to the league.
that, for the first time in my memory is "all gas, no brakes" - good on LaFleur.
bjb2012sime
October 20, 2025 at 09:15 am
Was fortunate enough to be in "The Birds' Nest" yesterday and, when given the occasional opportunity, Packer Nation brought the volume. Packers seemed to still be on the tarmac for most of the game, but came through when it counted. Post-game, I got chills leaving the stadium as the corridors reverberated with "Go Pack Go" chants.
Parsons was a beast with 3 sacks, 4 TFLs, 5 QB hits, and 9 pressures. Although the NFL has made the hip drop tackle a dreaded "point of emphasis" this year, it's only been called a couple of times. I don't understand the call on Micah; if the defender has the player wrapped up from behind there is essentially no way to actually avoid it. After viewing several replay angles, Parsons was in an untenable position- the rule needs to be altered, perhaps to address malicious intent (subjective, I know)?
mnbadger
October 20, 2025 at 11:44 am
Actually, it was the first time called this year per McCarren.
Also, he's not biased and stated that he could see nothing about the play that would be worthy of a flag.
I didn't see it, listening while enjoying the great weather with my chain saw.
GPG!
Brewcity_BearsFan
October 20, 2025 at 02:11 pm
I thought it was a text book by the letter call. The rule exists as an emphasis on player safety. Far too many players have seen their seasons end, as a result of that tackle. Brisset was limping, albeit slightly after the play.
The problem, is that the play does not get officiated consistently, and as such, when it is rightly called, fans get confused, and feel it unjust.
J-Rome
October 20, 2025 at 09:20 am
Hobbs- When he doesn't get outright beat, he doesn't have the skill to make a play on the ball. Neither him nor Nixon has great speed, so I feel like Hafley is just trying to protect them from getting beat deep and giving up the short stuff. However, Dallas just put up 44 against Washington, Flacco and the Bengals just won a shootout against the Steelers. Maybe these offenses are better than we give credit for.
As for LaFleur, the offense coming out flat is occurring way too often. It would have looked a lot better if Love hits Doubs on that 4th down bomb. That was a good call and poor execution. It seems Love is also a slow starter. I don't think LaFleur does enough to get him in rhythm early. LaFleur really burnt his ships going for it on 4th down late. He burned a timeout too, so if they don't make it the Packers are toast. burnt toast. Maybe this is a turning point for him.
Leatherhead
October 20, 2025 at 09:48 am
Matt LaFleur.
12th all time win percentage, 3rd among active coaches.
31st all time games over .500, 6th among active coaches.
The team played poorly in the first half, but rallied to score 27. Teams that scored 27 or more points were 10-2 yesterday.
Six sacks, 9 tackles for loss, two takeaways. 23 points. The only team that won with 23 or fewer points yesterday was SF, with 20.
I know we'd like to win every game 35-0, but it doesn't work like that. We played well enough to win, on the road, against a conference opponent.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
That said, these pre-snap penalties are inexcusable at this point in the season. Lining up offsides? You teach freshmen WR in high school how to avoid lining up offisdes.
Everytime we give up a long return, or take a penalty on a return, I just shake my head. So avoidable. Ever since Devin Hester I've wondered why you let the bottom of your roster have a chance to hurt you this way,and we just keep doingit.
By this time in the season, we should be learning what works for us. What works for us is running the ball and then using the play action to throw downfield. It all starts with running the ball. We didn't do that.
I generally don't like to point fingers at players, but Hobbs was kind of disappointing. I know that we all love the aggressive press coverage, and hate the soft coverage that concedes short completions, but letting guys get behind you doesn't help the defense.
T7Steve
October 20, 2025 at 10:16 am
Where have you been, LH? Thought I lost you.
Even asked others if they'd seen any of your posts, but no one replied.
Have I just been missing your posts?
Hope everything is well with you and yours.
Have to have somebody that I can have a civil argument with. LOL.
Leatherhead
October 20, 2025 at 10:43 am
Steve, it's just hard for me to listen to all the negativity....a lot of it nonsensical, considering we're in first place with the second best record in the NFC. So I don't spend very much time here anymore.
Bitternotsour
October 20, 2025 at 10:53 am
ditto. the negativity is relentless. the stupidity too.
barutanseijin
October 20, 2025 at 12:38 pm
Affirmative. There’s even too much for this gloomy Norski.
T7Steve
October 20, 2025 at 10:59 am
At least they're negative about wins instead of losses. If we can find holes so can other teams, so find ways to improve. I think the Packers are evolving but who can figure the NFL. We play well and lose or tie and play poorly and still win. I bet the teams like AZ are saying the same thing, "we beat ourselves".
A good team figures a way to win when playing poorly so as I've posted elsewhere, it's another step forward for this team. I also asked when the last time the Packers with Love have come back and won a game that they were behind the whole way? I can't remember. They've lost leads and come back but I don't remember them coming from behind all the way.
GregC
October 20, 2025 at 11:51 am
I've dialed back my participation as well. It gets silly when wins are discussed as if they were losses.
dobber
October 20, 2025 at 12:08 pm
Overall, I comment less than I used to. Mostly during the watch party and shortly after.
So much of the commentary is about making games fit narratives and not the games themselves. See three threads down.
BritPack
October 20, 2025 at 01:30 pm
27 is the magic number. All our wins this season have come when scoring exactly 27 points.
Starrbrite
October 20, 2025 at 05:42 pm
Good to hear from you LH. We agree on nearly everything but special teams.
Last year you made a joke when I was discussing North Dakota— you said, “you can watch your dog runaway for three days.”
I laugh over that again and again.
Take care ol’ friend
Doug_In_Sandpoint
October 20, 2025 at 10:14 am
WE GOT A TURNOVER!!!
That is all…
LambeauPlain
October 20, 2025 at 10:46 am
I felt the game in the desert was a trap game. When the inactives were announced, what I considered the best 5 OL were all going to play...optimism grew. Then hearing the team had a 5 hour airport delay...more trap thoughts.
The traps were snapping most of the game. What was most disappointing was the poor run blocking after a good showing last week. I expected far better. Morgan is an enigma. Dr. Jeckell then Mr. Hyde.
Pass blocking was fairly stout. Doubs and Kraft continue to carry the pass O. Golden is not running crisp routes and seems very susceptible to man coverage. Wanted: Watson and Reed!
Still, 27 points on the road turned out to be a gritty performance. Love continues to impress me with his calm, cool, under fire leadership. Convincing LaFleur to go for it on 4th and 2 showed confident leadership as well.
The theory the pass defense fell apart after the loss of Wyatt continues to be supported. Wooden had a nice game and having Wyatt back will make Wooden so much better. Hafley has morphed into Joe Barry and looks to remain in his "zone." I have to assume the DB expert DC has concluded he does not have man coverage players. So pick them apart and grind the D down with 70 snaps a game. Rodgers is drooling.
Run D continues to be stout but the Pass D wastes it. I think I read the Packers are one of the worst teams facing 2nd or 3rd and long...that is a Hafley decision. Give up yards and prevent quick TDs. A once thought dominant D was in the making has become a very predictable group. Dangerous development.
Crazy year in the NFL. If the lions beats the Bucs, the Packers will be the #1 seed in the NFC nearing the halfway point. Crazy business.
NFLfan
October 20, 2025 at 10:54 am
I think the frustration among many fans is the 'Ground-hog Day' aspect to this team. It's the same ineffective play-calling, the same penalties, the same flat-footedness.
I would jump for joy if there was one meaningful change in MLF's approach.
-Perhaps, for now, he could collaborate with someone new--a really good offensive mind both in play-calling and in-game?
-Perhaps the tolerance for penalties could drop.
-Perhaps he could hire an OC?
Ben Johnson said something that never left me-a team has to recognize problems in a timely fashion, then they have to correct them. MLF just does the same thing over and over and I don't see who is holding him accountable.
I'm trying to hang on but my biggest fear is that he will win just enough games to be retained and Ground-hog Day will continue for several more years. So sad.
I don't blame Hafley-he doesn't have the horses in the secondary. I remember when Nixon announced he was CB-1.
Just saying it doesn't make it so. I like him, he has heart but he is too slow.
mnbadger
October 20, 2025 at 11:52 am
Agree with everything, including the Nixon quote.
But his man to man coverage has been excellent. Even when passes are completed on him, he's competing.
I think he leads all cb's in pbu's.
GPG!
LambeauPlain
October 20, 2025 at 12:24 pm
Most of those pbu's happened in the first two weeks. Now Nixon is miscast in zone. He is just not quick enough make up the space...Hafley's "Vision and Break" has become "Vision to Prevent Explosives".
Nixon is better in man being so scrappy with his assigned receiver and he rarely gets fooled on routes at the snap. He still has upside. I did notice in man, he has his back to the QB too often.
The DBs are playing lousy zone the last few weeks. How do receivers (McBride for example) get so wide open in unguarded zones? That's poor coaching, lack of communication, and glaring individual mistakes on too many plays offsetting good efforts by the other 10 guys.
mnbadger
October 20, 2025 at 03:29 pm
Agreed.
GPG!
Since'61
October 20, 2025 at 11:28 am
Game Balls: Jacobs, Doubs, Love, Parsons and Walker
Lame Calls: Too many penalties, OL in the first half, penalty on Parsons.
The penalty on Parsons is the lamest penalty call that I have seen in 64 seasons of watching NFL football. Ridiculous and unnecessary.
Packers won on the road which was critical particularly with another road game coming up against the Steelers. The Packers secondary needs to take a huge leap to be prepared to defend against Rodgers. Packers game plan needs to be based on keeping Rodgers off the field. this will require better execution by the Packers OL. They cannot afford a repeat of the first half against the Cardinals. GPG! Thanks, Since '61
Starrbrite
October 20, 2025 at 01:59 pm
Excellent summary ‘61.
Completely agree on the Parson’s penalty.
PhantomII
October 20, 2025 at 11:29 am
AZ is not a bad team and lost several games by a few points...just like this one. I thought their DL was pretty stout and OL not too bad either. The backup QB was as good as our #2 has been and threw a bunch more. AZ knows how to use their TE better than GB does. We need a better DL and CB before the trade deadline. We still need a lot more parts to compete for a championship and here they are:
Stud DL
Stud CB
healthy OL so we don't HAVE to run out 2-3 TE's on run plays. Then we can trot out Kraft and more WR's also.
RB with more twitch and speed than #8
mnbadger
October 20, 2025 at 11:55 am
I was with you right up to the comments about #8.
What he lacks in twitch and speed he doubles in toughness and competitiveness.
He and Parsons are the face of this team in my opinion.
GPG!
PhantomII
October 20, 2025 at 01:44 pm
Yea, I'm not down on Jacobs...just a legit change of pace guy that as of yet, we have not shown. Jacobs is a dog and our dog is playing hurt. If he goes down, we will cascade in losses, without a better plan B guy. It's really to take a load off a long season. I like how they are using him in the pass game more. Our best playmakers right now are 1.Jacobs 2. Doubs 3. Kraft 4. Golden
bjkdad44
October 20, 2025 at 08:54 pm
Me too
LambeauPlain
October 20, 2025 at 12:32 pm
JJ doesn't have speed or twitch? That's not at all true. His quick feet and ability to get yards during unblocked plays is precisely because of his quick twitch jump cuts and the speed to get by second level defenders. He doesn't have Ahman Green speed but how many RBs do? Speed without blocking is wasted. Jacobs has good speed to go with his quick feet, balance and strength. He's a great package for a power RB. Too bad he does not have Ahman Green's OL.
The two candidates for Packers MVP right now are JJ and Parsons.
Starrbrite
October 20, 2025 at 05:45 pm
Well said Lambeau. Couldn’t agree more.
I would also add Kraft to the conversation.
BRinMilwaukee
October 20, 2025 at 11:58 am
Wow, props to Kalani Jones for a banger of a Game Balls, Lame Calls. What a great read.
LambeauPlain
October 20, 2025 at 12:36 pm
Kalani's analysis is excellent.
Kalani Jones
October 20, 2025 at 05:47 pm
Thank you!
NFLfan
October 20, 2025 at 12:45 pm
I agree-Kalani's reviews are top-notch
Starrbrite
October 20, 2025 at 01:56 pm
I rang the Village Bell the loudest to acquire an All-Star pass rusher—thank you Parsons— 3-sacks; when is the last time we heard that?
The NFL must take a hard look at these over officious, self important, game-changing officiating crews. Us fans have to tolerate a flag on every series—it’s nauseating.
Parsons continues to be held on every pass rush, but it’s completely ignored; call it or frikin ignore it for everyone.
I thought LaFluer’s game plan was dull—uninspiring. The team looked unprepared and sluggish. IMO we overcame MLF’s poor preparation and lack of discipline.
Maybe it gets better—hope so—!
Go Packers!!!
Nobuttkiss
October 20, 2025 at 07:47 pm
Love and Parsons pulled this game out for the team , overcoming MLF's poor play calling .