#365 Packers Unscripted: Miss in Minnesota

this time against the division rival Minnesota Vikings. And in a lot of ways, uh, a repeat of the game in Seattle in terms of the offense starting quickly, putting points on the board early in the game, and then things just became this monumental struggle to add to what you what you had done and alter really the home

team prevails. Yeah. One of the quiet things that's sort of changed after the bye week is the fact that the Packers have gotten off to some really strong starts when you look at l A to some extent New England, but the last two weeks against Seattle and Minnesota, really firing out of the gate right away, but just not

able to sustain that. And that's almost in stark contrast to the first half of the season where it was sort of the slow starts were the slow starts were bogging the team down, and then you're trying to make these rallies in the fourth quarter and everything. It's it's been a it's been a shift in in the way

these games have gone. But certainly since the bye week, a lot of the same story keeps happening, and a lot of guys in the locker room afterwards, as I'm sure you heard with Mike McCarthy, Aaron Rodgers at the podium just lamenting the fact that they're just really can't have they haven't been able to put their finger on what they need to do to be able to sustain

that momentum throughout four quarters. Because when you look at that first quarter in a vacuum, Mike, you know, Aaron Rodgers six of eight for seventy one yards and a touchdown. You get down Davante Adams involved early on, he catches his tenth touchdown of the year, Aaron Jones had I believe,

forty three total yards. Everything seemed to be pointing up for them, and then you get to that second half and I believe the stat I dug up in my locker room report was that they had I think it was, oh man, was it sixty total yards in the next

sixth series or something like that. What I remember looking at and writing on the plane as we were coming back is they had six consecutive possessions where they did not cross Minnesota's forty yard line, basically six and none of the possession started any worse than the twenty five than your own twenty five. So sixth straight possessions not in bad field position, but nothing gets across the opponent's forty yard line. So they never really six straight drives,

never even threatened to score. And that's what's gonna happen. And you look at the Minnesota Vikings. It was so funny, Mike, because you know, I was watching that first quarter developed and you know, Kirk Cousins and the Vikings offense just, you know, it looked, it looked difficult. I mean, they just were not in sync at all. Yeah, those first

two possessions from Minnesota, they look like they were struggling. Yeah, Alexander Jay Alexander ends up blocking Adam Feeling like three yards back into Stefan Pigs on what was a bubble screen for a ten yard lost in overall, it just looked like, Okay, well, maybe this is finally the Packers day to be able to put one of these things together and get a much need to win on the road. But I give a lot of credit to Kirk Cousins

and Adam Feeling did get going eventually. Stefon Diggs has been a big possession receiver against the Packers for the last three years. I mean, that's been his game. And while green Bay did one of the things that you and I talked about in the lead up to this and being able to make sure that the thirty first ranked rushing offense looks like the thirty first rank rushing offense.

Kirk Cousins had another big day through the air three two yards, three touchdowns, dy nine point five passer rating, and with the Packers struggling to get anything going until the final drive of that game, just wasn't enough. Yeah. I mean, if you want to look at this game, in a game that there were no interceptions and no fumbles, and we had talked all week long about how the Packers really needed to win the turnover battle, and winning the turnover battle in Minneapolis is how you beat the

Vikings in their place. Neither team had a fumble or an interception. Statistically, the game came down to third down West. The Vikings were seven out of fourteen they converted, the Packers were two out of ten. You look at the first the Packers first two touchdowns, they scored on two of their first three possessions. On the opening touchdown drive, they had one third down, it was a third and one, it was converted. Then they had a third down they

didn't get and they punted. And then on the second touchdown drive, no third downs at all. Everything was either first and tent or second and short. So you have fourteen points on the board, but you've only faced two third downs. You converted one of them. The Packers then went on this run of seven consecutive third downs that they did not convert, and that has been the problem

on offense all season long. Only one of them, if I recall, was a was a third and long after they took the delay a game on a third and eight. It was third and thirteen and they took a sack. But other than that one, they were all you know in that third and seven, third and eight, you know or less, you know, those those manageable down and distances, and for whatever reason, and I can't answer it. I'm not an excess nose guy. I've never designed a football play,

I've never coached the game. I don't know what is wrong on third down, but it's what is killing this offense because you can't just rely on scoring touchdowns by never getting in third down. They've done it a couple of times. They've had some nice drives where you don't even get the third down. You're moving smoothly, but if you cannot convert at least on a semi consistent basis

on third down in this league, you will lose. Yeah, it's tough, and I think the thing that stood out to me the most in this game was the fact that it was in more third and manageable situations, much like the Seattle game right, and prior to that, it was that, Okay, you're getting in third and deep and you know the probability as as you go a yard back it continues to fall. So, I mean, it's too

somewhat understandable. But when you get into those third and fourth, third and five situation, yes they're not you know, I don't want to say automatic, but typically those are where you have to find a way to be able to push the football. The thing I think that surprised me the most about this performance is seventeen carries for seventy two yards with Aaron Jones four point two yards per carry against the fifth point run defense in the league.

Aaron Jones had been effective and they fed him. Davante Adams, while he did have a lull in the middle of that game, had some big plays, ends up going over a thousand yards late in the fourth quarter. Equinimius st. Brown steps up in the first half, had three catches for fifty three yards. They had individuals rise to the

challenge in this game. But I just think of that second and third quarter in particular, especially in the third quarter when they got the ball and a chance to potentially march down the field and reclaim the lead after Dan Bailey had two mess field goals of the second quarter and they just they weren't able to get to execute them. Yeah, I mean, obviously the game the game turned on the possession in the third quarter where the Packers are on their own forty four yard line. They

have third and one. Aaron Jones gets stuffed on third and one. Packers decided to go for it. It It was that he actually got what three quarters of a yard or whatever on third and one, so it's fourth and inches. Packers decided to go for it. There's a little bit of a of a snaffoo with the play clock, and McCarthy thought the officials should have reset the play clock,

and they didn't do it. So the Packers burn a time out, but they still stick with going for it there on fourth and one, and and Aaron Jones gets stuffed. Minnesota has a short field and that actually then becomes the first of two consecutive short fields, two possessions in a row from Minnesota that started in Green Bay Territory. The second one then because of a you know, the sack on third and thirteen, the good pump return a

special team's penalty adds five yards. Minnesota, with those two possessions in Green Bay Territory, gets ten points, a field goal and a touch down, and um, you know it's a it's a two score game at that point, and and the Packers just they never closed it within one

score until there were two minutes left in the ballgame. Yeah, it was interesting listen Aaron Jones talk in the locker room, because it almost sounded like he lamented more, uh, you know, the fourth down play than the third down one, even though he did have some positive yards on third down. The fourth down one, it just was the one where he felt like there was a chance to be able to penetrate that line and just wasn't able to get there,

whereas the third down one. You know, he just you know, he credited them for making a good defensive play to be able to bottle that up. Be that as it may. Yeah, when when you look at being able to give the short field there to the Vikings, what they're able to do off of it, I thought the Packers defense responded pretty well to adverse situations once again. Certainly they still have not been able to get that takeaway or at

least that string of takeaways. And I think, you know, you and I were discussing are almost required to be able to beat the Vikings in that venue. But you know, they got a couple of three notes early on, They got one after the break and halftime. Uh, Kenny Clark had a big sack on third and seven. Then obviously

there was the muff punt. They get the ball back and actually hold their ground there with the Vikings going you know, on fourth down instead of kicking the field goals, so there were in Dean Lowry also had a sack that knocked him out of field goal range as well at one point, so in a vacuum, the defense was able to step up again in the face of some injuries. But you know, it is what it is. You know, the Vikings are playing in their venue. They have those

perimeter weapons that they have. I think Jr. Alexander did an exemplary job for the most part against theland, but there's still things that they're gonna be able to scheme up with him to free him up. And and obviously him and Diggs both had a big day for them and Kirk Cousins through the air. Yeah, already, West, a little bit of sponsored business here quickly the Green Bay Packers get ready for game day with the powerful noise

canceling technology of Bows Quiet Comfort thirty five headphones. To learn more at www dot bos dot com. Slash Packers Bows the official headphones of the Green Bay Packers. We'd be remiss here, West if we didn't mention a little bit of history being made by Packers wide receiver Davante Adams in this game. As disappointing as the final result was, but as you mentioned earlier, he goes over a thousand

yards for the first time in his career. Um He also gets his tenth touchdown reception of the season, which gives him three consecutive seasons now with double digit touchdowns, and he becomes the first Packers receiver to do that since Sterling Sharp back in the early nineties ninety four, those first three years with Brett Farve at quarterback and

Davantae Adams still has five games to go. I'm I'm very interested to see because of where his numbers are and with with five games remaining to play and knock on what he remains healthy this year so far, certainly where this season for him as a Packers receiver might end up in the team's record books, because it's got a chance to rank way up there. Yeah, it's gonna be up there, you know, assuming he stays on the field one way or another. He's just been that consistent

out the course of the season. The Packers have needed that too, you know, with Randall cob now missing six of the last eight geron way Allison ended up on I R and then having a lot of rookie receivers and Jimmy Graham dealing with the thumb injury. Davante Adams has been the constant through all of that. Seventy seven catches now on the season, a d and twenty two yards, ten touchdowns. As you explain, Mike, but I know it's gonna be a very little consolation to him. If you

know him, he is an incredibly competitive individual. The wins and the losses are ultimately the thing that are going to drive him. But what he's doing to try to give this offense a chance. You go to that fourth quarter, Mike, the thirty six yard catch along the sideline against Savior Roads. That's what gave them that explosive play they needed, got him over a thousand yards on the season. Aaron Rodgers also had him open in the end zone on the play that they ended up having to settle for the

Mason Crosby field goal. Just not able to connect. His footwork, ability to gain separation and any portion in any version of the road tree is impressive. And seeing where he takes this thing in the final month of the season. He's just such a big part of this offense. Now he is the playmaker of this offense. He saw Jordy Nelson do it for a number of years. Davante Adams is the guy now, he is the man and for him now to be one of nine guys I think

over a thousand yards on the season. I believe the only receiver in the NFL with ten touchdowns in each of the past three seasons. Now, if I have that correct, it's impressive what he's done in all facets of the game and all you know, areas of the field. Yeah, you mentioned the thirty six yard catch down the sideline

in the fourth quarter. That could end up being an incredibly costly play for the Minnesota Vikings because we saw Xavier Rhodes, a great cornerback, really impressive player, and a guy that that I have a lot of respect for and I enjoy watching him. I enjoyed watching that Davante Adams Xavier Rhodes matchup. They were going head to head all game long, but Rhodes came up with what looked like a pretty bad hamstring injury, you know, not really

able to walk off the field. Um, all that smoothly after that happened, and I talked about it last year West, I mean, I really felt in the playoffs for Minnesota. I know they got the great miracle play to beat in New Orleans, But in that NFC Championship against Philadelphia, when Xavier Rhodes was kind of in and out of the game with an injury, and then ultimately when he left that game, at like, Minnesota's defense just didn't look

the same. And you just wonder. Minnesota is six four and one, they're right in the thick of it here for the playoffs. But if Rhodes is out for any extended period of time, that's gonna make it a lot tougher on this defense because he he really really is a top notch player. So I used to cover preps, you know what the press is that I did too, And I was young at that time, and I didn't really fully understand what it felt like to have a

soft muscle injury. So, you know, somebody in track and field or something like that would sustain a hamstring injury, and I would always be like, oh, you know, they'll people look tape it up and wrap it up and go. And over the years, as you get older and as you but you're around more of these things, you understand how difficult those injuries are particularly in the lower body.

The thing that's scary as far as Rhodes, and this is obviously just speculatory at this point, but speculator of is the fact that his how much he struggled to get off the field. Guys can have a strainer, tear their hamstring and walk fine off the field. They just can't explode when they're trying to get in and out of the routes or when they're trying to come off a break as a cornerback. Rhodes really looked rough in that moment, So we'll have to see exactly what he did.

I have a lot of respect for him. He was phenomenal on the conference call talking about that match up with Davante Adams last week. The excitement there for both of those parties matching up with each other basically every single play. So yeah, you definitely don't want to see a go down like that. Yeah, alright, West, Well at Homer here in the stands, we all know that Green Bay fans give it their all and then that takes a lot of energy. So grab a warm bowl of

Campbell's chunky soup. It's meaty goodness fuels the greatness of Packers fans everywhere tried the delicious classic chicken noodle soup. Just visit your local supermarket and ask for Campbell's Chunky Soup. Official sup partner of the Green Bay Packers. Okay, West, Here's where the Packers are four six and one after eleven games. The Chicago Bears, after their win on Thanksgiving with their backup quarterback, give them credit. They are eight

and three. So for all practical purposes, the division is out of reach. Your three games back in the lost column to the division leader. With with five games to go, the Packers essentially to have any shot at the playoffs, they have to win out. They have to win all five games. They have to get to nine six and one, And the math is pretty simple in the sense that if you look at it right now, there are four second place teams, including the Vikings, there are four second

place teams in the NFC that have six victories. If two of those teams get to ten victories, it's over for the Packers because that's two wild card spots that the Packers can't break into. With the nine six and one record, now, it's crazy to talk about winning five straight with a team that hasn't won on the road, and they haven't won two games in a row all season long, let alone thinking about trying to win five

in a row. But the reality is, that's all as Packers fans that anybody has to hang onto right now. That's all the locker room has to hang onto. It is one week at a time. But if that's all you have to hang onto, then you might as well hang onto it and look at the situation for what it is. And the Packers have to run it here and they're gonna have to get some help so that nine, six and one will be good enough. I did if you go back a couple of weeks ago, I actually

did say. I thought, with the way that this wild card was shuffling out with and how much parody there is, that nine and six and one could potentially, you know, get in over a nine and seven team. I think it's possible there's a nine win team in the playoffs. But the problem for the Packers right now is coming off of that loss to Seattle, then you lose to Minnesota, take away the division implications. That's a team right now that's the fifth seat. If the playoffs ended today or

the playoffs started today. The season ended today. Um, the Cowboys have pulled themselves back into this thing. At six and five, you have the Carolina Panthers at six and five, the Eagles scratching and clawing their way past the Giants to go to five and six on the season. So

there's a lot of bodies in front of them. At the point, I thought Brian Brian Blaga was phenomenal in the locker room after the game, and it took a lot of ownership and you know, I thought, really explain where this team is at and that you know, there's still belief, there's still hope, there's still confidence in locker room. But it is what it is. And the focus for the Packers now, as much as it hurts to not have a win on the road, yet everything goes into

the Arizona Cardinals. The reality is your four zero and one at home, whatever the record is on the road. If you don't win these two games over the Cardinals in the Falcons and keep that momentum going going forward, it doesn't matter what the outlook of the season is going into Soldier Field in two weeks, so three weeks. But be that as it may, Packers are what they are. The record is what it is, and now they need some help and they need to find some victories. They

need to get on a winning streak. Yeah, they need to put together a winning streaky back to back home games. Now, this is the opportunity to do it. And if you win these back to back home games, then the next time you go on the road, you still got a fighting chance. And to make another point here, and we'll talk about the Cardinals later this week. But as I said before, the frustrating thing for the Packers as they've been in every single one of these games, six road losses,

four of them within one score. The Cardinals got blown out of the water on Sunday by the by the Chargers. And that's not the first time this year that's They've been really battling this season with some you know, some big things. So for the Packers perspective, you've got to be able to flush it here these next two days, see who you have available from a health perspective, and pick up a win over Arizona Cardinals team that you

should beat. Yeah, that's where things are right now. Yeah, and there are some injuries to deal with with the Packers, and we'll get to those if we get some updates for our next show. But with that, we're going to call it a day on this edition of Packers un Scripted. Be sure to follow all of our coverage of the team on packers dot com on Twitter. He's still at west Hod, I'm still at Mike Spofford, and at Packers is still the team account. Thanks for tuning in, everybody, See you next time.