Not to over hype it, but…

TEAM OF DESTINY!!

Nice pick ups for game balls and lame calls, Ken.

For further discussion, I'm prepared to watch the game today again, as from time to time in the game offense looked a little bit behind the other 2 phases of the team.

Overall, nice New Year present from team to Packers Nation. I felt a lot of joy, but that was first impression.

Also, do not be fooled by number of points scored in this game. Those points were scored vs officialy the worst D in NFL (19th vs run, 31st vs pass and joint stats say 32nd in NFL).

On the other hand, Vikings are at top 5 with their O, so cudos to the all defense for dominant performance. Also congratulation to Nixon for his 1st TD as Packers.

I feels that combination of 1 yard stop and ST TD was the game changer that light up all Packers players and brought desperation in opposite team. That desperation become deeper more, followed by TD on D. Savage was playing his best game of the season, if not through his tenure with GBP.

No we don't. Defense played great despite Dingle Barry. I'm not giving Barry any credit for the game plan. I have no evidence it was his game plan. For all I know it was De'Vondre Campbell calling the defense. For over a decade we've blamed AR12 for changing every run play to a pass play. Maybe Campbell called what he wanted to call? Seems more plausible than Barry coming up with a decent game plan out of the blue after 16 weeks of incompetence.

You can give a game ball to the Defense, I have no problem with that, but to give credit to Dingle Barry for their performance is like giving Amari Rodgers credit for training Nixon to return KOs... SMH

Zach Tom played a very solid game. As he gets more reps I think he will become an excellent OL.

If we hold Detroit to 15 points again, like we did in last meeting, we win the re-match and we’re in.

And on the lighter side, I did enjoy the maestro performance by Dillon and his symphony after his TD. I know these celebrations can get corny, but it’s a sign that they are having fun and glad to see the fellas enjoying their performance. Not sure what instrument Rodgers was trying to play…maybe the bass?

Darn. The risks of having hope again, lol. What sports fans do.

The very biggest, I mean the very very biggest lame call came from me. I posted my feelings that the team would lose. I own that. (Maybe I should do that more often as a kinda reverse Voodoo?)

Two important division games in January. Need anyone say anything else? one down one to go. Let's beat the Lions and then see where we are.

A month or two ago who would have thought we'd have meaningful January football?

Love it. Lions will be a test, but it will be at home. Can't let them beat us at home.

Game: Really, this was a complete team effort, but if I have three game balls to give:

^ Collectively, to the D for the amazing goal-line stand.
^ Keisean Nixon for his 105-yard return to the house.
^ Crosby for his 56-yard FG before halftime.

Lame: STs for the blocked punt.

Game balls to everyone who contributed to this win.

Lame calls to the soft zone that gave Jefferson his only receiving yards of the game. Lame calls on the blocked punt.

Game Balls... Hey, I've been especially hard on MLF this season but I have to give him his due for keeping this team on the tracks, because after that Detroit game I figured LaFleur had totally lost this team and it had completely derailed of the tracks. No matter what MLF deserves credit for this resurgence no matter who they've played.

AR12... For actually MANAGING the game and sticking with the run. Rodgers deep ball leaves a lot to be desired, but that toss play to the right with Jones is fucking GOLD.

Speaking of Jones what a game. He's playing dinged up, no doubt about it, but that kid has so much heart! No matter what the Packers HAVE to find a way to keep Jones involved.

Alexander... He played in Jeffersons face most of the game and was TOTALLY in Jeffersons head yesterday. He chucked him at the LOS and completely took him out of his game making him a NON FACTOR! And when he did the Griddy I about fell down laughing. Not just that, he did it the RIGHT way...He did it Griddying AWAY from Jefferson.

Quay Walker...I don't even care about the penalty. He was making a statement. Not today, not in Lambeau. Walker was ALWAYS going to take time to develop and IMO he's MAYBE halfway to his full potential. I think with his speed and strength, AND how he's gotten better and better, the sky's the limit. It may not have been the smartest pick.AT THAT TIME of the draft, but I think he can be special.

Wyatt... Wyatt made a play I had to watch several times after it happened. He penetrated the LOS and grabbed Cook on a rushing attempt with one arm while battling the O-Linemen with the other. It was really an awesome play by Wyatt. I'm really liking him AND Slaton.

Lame Calls...

MLF... Sorry, I know I gave him a game ball but God Damn... When Nixon returns kicks the way he has and will probably hit 1000 yards for the season in KO returns next week against Lions, you HAVE to ask him WTF Matt? How many losses maybe turn to wins with Nixon retuning kicks and not Rodgers. The same thing HAS to be said about playing Dean Lowry so long. Hey, thanks Dean but you were BAD this season. Slaton and Wyatt should have been playing more long ago. Sad Lowry had to go to IR for them to play them.

I know, I know, they have a ST and DC Coordinators who need to making these adjustments too but it ultimately falls on MLF.

I can't agree with the game ball for Joe Barry. Yes, the defense played a great game, but where the hell was this for most of the season? If it takes 14 or 15 games for the DC to figure out how to use his personnel instead of forcing them into a scheme that doesn't fit their skills, it is time to move on. And for the love of God, please don't revert to that stupid soft zone for Detroit.

Rodgers did not look particularly sharp this game and the offense scored a decent, but not world beating 27 points against a Vikings defense that is not good. With four turnovers from the defense and good to great field position all day, our offense should have put more points on the board.

Romo repeatedly made the point that this Vikings team is not as good as its record and yesterday's game certainly reenforces that notion. Was this a Packers coming out party as the article suggests or just another indicator of how overrated the Vikings are? I don't know, but I suspect Detroit will offer more opposition than Minnesota did.

Game ball to Zak Thom for playing well at right tackle. And to Lafleur for finally making the decision. We have found the best five just at the right time.

Lame call: Joe Barry going soft at the start of the second half. Got lucky that Clark made the strip sack and recovery.

Second lame ball on the first possession of the second half. Two runs by Jones for a first down. Then three straight passes and a punt. When will Rodgers and Lafleur learn. Ride the run. And then use play action passing.

Another great article,
However, I would have a real tough time giving Barry a game ball.
And, before I can commend him for helping get us to 8-8 against the Skol Queens yesterday, it's the second "8" in that record that speaks the highest volumes.
Many of those losses fall directly on Barry and his scheme, or lack thereof, not to mention it took him 17 weeks to adjust. When's the next adjustment coming, next October? I hope not, the Lions are for real!
The Packers proved yesterday what the 'experts' have been saying all year, that the talent on this defense is sufficient. We need a coordinator that knows how to use that talent weekly, not once a year.
With Jim Leonhard and (likely) Ejiro Evero both available MLF has a serious decision to make, and I'm hoping that decision calls for change. I've already seen enough re-runs.

Agree with Ken totally, especially the points of Balls & Calls. The scary thing is this team can still play better offensively and the punt block just can't happen. I would like to put a plug in for Deguara & Slaton, and the whole defensive line as well. I have been especially hard on our #3 & #4 TEs (if you throw the H-BACK role in with this lot). Go back and look at many of the key plays, BIG plays, and you will see Deguara opening holes. Look at Nixon's kick-off return alone. On this play you can throw in the whole team for blocking (Enagbare, McDuffie, Garvin, Wilson, Patrick, et. al) Deguara played a huge, unsung role in this game. Davis made a nice block on Rodgers TD run, when Aaron was trying to reward Deguara.

Slaton deserves a lot of credit for his play as does the whole defensive line. Consider this for a lame call...you sign a WR kick returner, elevate a place kicker, and an RB, then inactivate ALL of them, while leaving your defensive line with a 4 man rotation, then REED went down with a leg cramp late in the 2nd qtr. We have seen this dline wear down before despite playing well early in games. It could have been disastrous not to have another d-lineman available, but these guys sucked it up and played their tails off. D-line game ball, Goal line stand to open the game, 2 deflection interceptions, sack/strip/recovery, etc

What a satisfying win—watching Nixon hit the Autobahn to the endzone was electric.
Am I seeing things or did Tonyan look faster and more agile?
The non PI call was a certain TD for Watson; otherwise it was nice not having the officials ruin the game.
The toss play to Jones is the new version of the Lombardi Sweep—it’s our best offensive scheme.
We need a bit stronger pass rush.
Stomp the Kitty Kats!!!
Go Packers!

The worst thing that could happen to the Packers is we lose to Detroit, but Barry is retained because of this game. I give the defensive coordinator game ball to Jaire. He talked the talk all week and practically forced Barry's hand into playing tight man. Suddenly, Packer players were in receiver's faces, knocking them off their routes, roughing them up. Playing tackle football, not tag. Jaire would have loved to have said what he said this week after the first game but in deference to his DC and team unity, only hinted at the fact that Barry's scheme sucked.

To quote the great Vinnie, if "Even in a year that has been so improbable, the impossible happens"... and we win the Super Bowl, I'd still get rid of Barry. This defense was not his call and I'd bet my mother's house on that. He was forced into playing man by Jaire and maybe MLF and was forced into playing Wyatt and Slayton because Lowry was down. Lowry starting all year is in itself a punishable offense. Don't the coaches have eyes? Lowry goes down, tight man coverage, and suddenly the defense looked like we all thought it should. Coincidence, I think not.

Sure, give Barry a game ball, but fire him the day the season ends.

Oh, and when will MLF learn that Jones is a better bet than Dillion inside the ten-yard line? Dillon charges ahead like a bull. Jones finds the hole or breaks outside with speed. Again, don't these coaches have eyes?

Game Balls: Nixon, his return ignited the team and the crowd. The entire defense effort. Finally the defense played with a nasty attitude, confidence, aggression and rallied to the ball. Game ball to whoever made that happen. It was a championship level effort. Alexander, Clark, Slaton, Walker and Amos were outstanding.
On offense Jones, Rodgers, Lazard, Lewis and the OL. The OL dominated the LOS supported by Lazard and Lewis. Crosby for his key FG before the half.

Lame Calls: Blocked punt.

It was an excellent effort by the entire team. The Packers finally played a complete game in all phases of the game. The final score should have been 41-0 without the blocked punt and the final 7 minutes of garbage time between the 2nd and 3rd string units on both teams. This could be the beginning of the Packers getting hot at the right time of the season. Great time for the team to peak. Bring on the Lions and Go Pack Go! Thanks, Since '61

Let me give two game balls to lesser unknowns

1. Zack Tom. A rookie playing his 3rd or 4th position on the oline and performing at a high level again. This young man might be the steal of the draft not only this yr but in the last 10 yrs. 4th round compensatory pick . He is amazing .

2. Quay walker. Dingle berry finally is usuing this man correctly or campbell is putting him in position 6'4 250 sideline to side line freak of nature has really outshined all rk linebackers including devin llyod .

You need a whole bag of game balls so you can give one to every starter. I loved seeing some of the dazed and confused looks from the Vikings while they were standing on the sidelines.

Add a lame call to Romo, who had a bad case of motormouth at times during the broadcast. I had to turn the channel briefly a couple times to get relief from his incessant babbling.

As impressive as this win was, 2010 vibes are still a bit of a stretch. First we still have to keep the Detroit offense under control, and once we do that, we have to contend with a stronger NFC playoff field than we did back then. SF, as usual, is going to be extremely tough should be get the chance to play them.

Ken,

You'll need to keep picking against the Pack! LOL

You know who can defend the short middle? Devonte Wyatt did it at Georgia. Kirby Smart had him do it because he is that much of a freak athlete.

I believe we had to beat the Lions in the early 90s to get into the playoffs, and then played them again in the playoffs. Of course winning both before losing to the Boys.

Tom might not have the size of a prototypical RT, but his agility makes up for it.

Slaton might be the road block NG that this defense needed.

I would give Barry credit for a strong first half. Once the Packers had a big lead, he seemed to go into that terrible "prevent" defense that meant huge cushions and, as noted, allowing easy passes in the middle of the field. I do agree, Barry needs to be sent packing at the end of the season. Second huge agreement: this season also reminds me of 2010. Which I've stated before, and got a lot of "thumbs down" as a result. But if the Giants could do it twice, and Cincy did it last year, why not the Packers this year? Let Rodgers go out with a second SB MVP.

I was looking for a penalty on Jaire's PD celebration. For the rest of the game, Jaire was in his head. I did notice later in the game that Jaire was no longer shadowing Jefferson. At least the few plays that I started watching for it.

The game was a tale of two OLs heading in different direction. Packers OL getting healthier and Vikings OL losing 2 guys.

I do not get a 2010 vibe. I think the 2010 defense played much better, and the 2010 offense was better. This offense can be good too, but it goes into identity crisis and forgets that balanced run and pass is the only way it functions. AR misses some easy throws and sometimes thinks it's 2011. Too many 3 passes and out.

Is it me or does it appear we run the toss play much better when running it right? One would think it might be the other way around considering Bahk and Jenkion the left side…
Love that toss play—I keep looking for Kramer and Thurston.
Go Packers!!

I’m eating crow today. I thought the GBP were dead and just missing last rights. It is exciting to see the playoffs as a potential but I cannot get overly amped about this win or playoff chances. The Vikings came into Lambeau with a plus five point differential. They won most of the 12 games by a single, often last minute or play score. And they did that while avoiding major injury bugs. Their only signature win was against the Bills when they had a highlight reel catch and a Bills goal line fumble. They came back from a record deficit to beat a very bad Indianapolis team. They got blown out by the cowboys, the Eagles, and they lost to Lions. That the GBP lost at the shopping mall indoor stadium week one was no surprise. Vikings are a one and done or at best divisional round fraud.

Game ball to Nixon and Alexander. Lame calls to MLF for not giving Love more than the last few minutes. Game was well in hand by fourth quarter. He’s not going to likely play v Lions so why not plays against the division rival in a game that’s over? Blocked punt gets a LC allso

Game balls to everyone except the punt protection unit! Notable ones for me are Adrian Amos, Quay Walker, Justin Hollins, and Zach Tom.

Also, Tonyan looks more fluid now, and he had a great performance, and had some terrific blocks. Deguara had some nice blocks too.

Also, I do agree with the game ball to Joe Barry. I know he has been bad, and when he is, he deserves criticizing, but it goes in the inverse as well. He had a great plan vs the Vikings, and it showed. Kudos to him; people can always change. If he keeps this up, perhaps he deserves to return in 2023.