Agreed, the offense seemed, uh, somewhat bland.
As for pounding the middle, again I agree, why continue doing what doesn't seem to be working?
On Crosby, who would YOU rather have, can you name 5, or even 3? Ultimately, I think LaFleur has bigger everyday concerns.
I initially thought Savage had intercepted that ball, then Chase took off running and I was going WTF just happened? He needs to make that pick!
But hey, it's win, and I'll take it. Just hoping them injury bug finds a new home.

Right on spot for all you wrote.

I'll say Lucas Patrick had underachieving game. He was better in the past.

If Bohorquez need from time to time to have bad punt, this game was the one he can be excuse, because Packers D played well. It will be the problem only if those bad punts will happen more frequently...

There was some posts how Mason's problem with FGs might be caused by leaking right side protection. Because all his 3 missed kick and missed 1 point conversion was wide left, as he was worrying of possible kick blocking from the right side. That might have some influence...

Davante is Davante and we all knows for what he is capable. I would like to see him less targeted for more % in catches. For that our beloved QB has to use other receivers more often.

Both RB (Aaron & AJ) did nicely their tasks. Bengals D was finally caught on their knees for that long run by Aaron and one AJ run for 15+ yards in the 2nd half. I take all of those 1-5 yards run as preparing for longer runs later in the game...

I notice that you do not mention ESB, not even honorably. He should be mentioned. Do you have any idea why he is elevated 3 times from PS when he show next to nothing in every aspects of his game? Unfortunately, most of us, fans, expected development of ESB in the right direction, but, by my opinion he regressed heavily. He is taking place from some promising young player.

"While the punting, punt coverage and punt return game has improved, kickoffs are entirely another matter."

I would argue that the quality of the punter is improving the quality of the coverage. There's less room for a returner to do anything due to better hang time and directionality. More likely: the Packers haven't punted very much (they have the 5th lowest number of punts), of which only 6 have been returned (two fair catches and 6 inside the 20)...that's a little over one per game. Still, the Packers are surrendering 10.3 yards per return which is in the bottom third of the league.

I think opposing teams are telling their KO returners to take a shot on KOs when they can. They know the Packers are weak there and the risk-reward factor is in their favor.

"but I don't think I would have so easily given up trying to score a TD on the last drive."

As we talked about it waiting for that play to line up (after the review) we felt they had to kick it. They had to take the chance to win--Crosby is a pro, after all--and the 4th and short was something they could make, but they weren't great on short yardage and there are no guarantees (on the kick or the 4th down) and making the first only gives them a new set of downs: a penalty or two and they're playing for a tie. Take your shot at winning the game. As for the TD--I didn't expect that they would play for the TD because Cinci already had a possession. The FG wins it...playing for a TD cuts your chances of winning dramatically. It's one of the rare times where kicking the FG is the aggressive call.

It all ended up working out--roller coaster finish and all--but if it hadn't and they lost, it would be a very different vibe around here.

"The Cincy front four did a great job in controlling the line of scrimmage, and yet the Packers continued to try to pound the middle of the line without much success."

I listened to the game on Sirius--mostly with Cinci broadcasters--and they were absolutely confused by the Packers play-calling (both teams really) as the Packers seemed to be choosing to throw when Cinci was giving two deep safeties (favoring the run) and running against single-high safety looks in the first half. Later in the game, both teams switched those tendencies and the run game picked up for both. I haven't gone back to watch that part of the game, but would be interested to hear from those who have digested it whether this is right. If so, the question for #12 is: what are you thinking?

"Does Davante have the fastest feet you've ever seen on a wide receiver? Does anyone come close?"

For a receiver that you would think most teams are game-planning around, he's running free and wide open across the deep middle more than just about any WR I can think of.

The Packers offense -
"un-rhythmic" is a good word to describe the offense. When Rodgers plays within the scheme the offense is so much better. When he takes his drop and fires the ball to who ever, he is much better. When he focuses on Adams so much it does become un-rhythmic. I get it Adams is the best in the league. But to run the offense, he needs to try and keep it balanced and find other WR's/TE's as well.

Mason -
I said it the other day and then it was repeated all over. But to me it felt like he was feeling the pressure from the right side. Especially after the last couple of games, so he was aiming left. The one looked to me like it was tipped by the defender on the right side. Another question is, has the LS been good enough?

what can you say? LaFleur was going to show his loyalty to Mason until the end of time. Mason deserves it, but I don't think I would have so easily given up trying to score a TD on the last drive.

Bohorquez -
I believe his bad punt was a really low snap if I remember right? I'm sensing a theme here with the snaps.

Fast feet -
I don't have anyone I can compare his feet to. I can't remember any WR that way. The closest I can really compare him to is Barry Sanders. I'm not comparing them as players or anything. But his ability to make people miss is Barry like.

Space man -
I love when they bring in another RB and have Jones out wide. I actually really liked the Kylin Hill in the backfield with him. They both are a bit more explosive. That is a combination to watch moving forward.

Swing and a miss -
"How in the world did Savage whiff at the deep ball that Chase caught before the half for a walk-in touchdown?"
I have no clue how he missed that ball. Still don't know how it got through.
I have to add Chase is the real deal. Damn is he good.

Kickoffs -
I really wonder if he just can't do it consistently. I have also wondered this myself. But I really question if his leg can handle doing it that much during the games and the season.

Tackling -
Since Campbell took over, it seems like the missed tackles have went down. Perine definitely is a hard guy to bring down. He was the only player they really struggled to bring down though.

Run Game Scheme -
This is where we really missed Myers. Patrick did ok filling in. But there is a reason why he is a backup this year. The 3 Interior players are simply better. I was hoping to see a bit more jet sweeps type of plays. Just to get the eyes moving sideways. I feel like that will be coming. Don't be surprised if its this week.

I do wonder if Crosby could kick it out of the end zone all game long (wind being neutral) if he tried. I suspect that he could not. But when the default spot for the ball on kick-offs is the 25, returns of 28 and 22 are basically a draw. It's the bigger returns that have to be eliminated.

We talk about how awesome the Oline has been playing with all of those young guys in there, but complain about the vanilla offense. Those two things are probably directly related. Someone else commented earlier this week - Tonyan has disappeared in the red zone this year. There are only so many variations of "chip-block turns into passing route" and defenses are probably looking for them at this point. The Packers are getting by with this Oline, they are not thriving with it. They are not in the top 10 for points per game. They are not in the top 15 in yards per game. This offense is handcuffed by a make-shift line and a QB who is dependent on one player.

Dillon and Jones are probably the best RB 1-2 punch in the league. Different body types, but they both can do almost anything. Thunder and lightning. It's like the Buccaneers with Alstott and Dunn, except Jones is way better than Dunn. And then you got Rodgers at QB instead of Trent Dilfer. This offense should be unstoppable. But its not. See above.

Rodger's "Davante-vision" is the root cause of Packer's offensive arrhythmia

Does it feel like Rodgers is resisting the game plan. Run, throw....take what the defense gives you.

Ir is lafleur just choosing to get away from the plan?

Al, on those runs up the middle, I completely agree with you they need to be bounced outside. As a matter of fact, they have the perfect solution on the roster to pair with Aaron Jones in floating wide and cutting up to daylight: Kylin Hill.

I think they should be recognizing opponents' Run D strengths when they draw up their game plans, and use the personnel that best fits a sound plan of attack. The CIN DL was one of the best run stoppers in the NFL last year, and not much has changed this season. All the more reason to use RBs that are adept at swinging out wide for the opening, and turning it upfield.

Kylin Hill is that guy. Watch his film. That is his specialty. Remarkable talent and instincts to find the seam, and accelerate North-South.

Great work as always, Al. Thank you!
GPG

Packers are very one dimensional in the passing game this season. Is that because QB12 wants to help Adams maximize his upcoming contract? Sure seems it. As good as Adams is, it is only a matter of time before good defenses manage to bottle him up. At that point, Mr. Rodgers will need to reacquaint himself with other WR/TE on the team.

I love the way Jones finished his long run, by pushing a defender out of the way. I think Lazard and Tonyan will eventually be heard from loudly as defenses start to forget about them while concentrating on Adams, Cobb, Jones, and now Dillon. He's only going to get more comfortable catching the ball out of the backfield and those poor little CB and S will have major turf burns and cleat marks to nurse on Monday.

On Mason. It was a windy day with both kickers missing a combined six tries. Matt's faith in his kicker was rewarded. Thankfully. I cannot imagine what the commentary would have read like had he missed.

On Davante. Had he chosen to play basketball instead of football, many broken ankles would have littered the courts of the NBA from his cross-over drives to the rim. His lateral quickness combined with his instant acceleration make him unguardable.

On Savage. It seems the Packers DB's have always had issues with timing and playing the ball. Coaching? The water? Coincidence? Who knows?

Always an enjoyable read, Al.

I’ve never seen a fan base whine about throwing to the best receiver in football too much, but this is the place. Here’s the reason why, more often then not no one else is open and he’s the best receiver in football. I know you’ll all cherry pick a play here and there, when Lazard is actually open or whatever but the reality is that we’ve haven’t invested in receivers in years and this is the result. And yes when Davante is tripled in the nfc championship game this year and whoever is bringing more pressure than we can handle, I hope Cobb still has enough left in the tank to get open quickly, Mvs and Lazard can’t do it very often. When Rodgers had 5 good receivers 2009-2016 he had no problem spreading the ball around. I’m sure he’s like all of you, wishes he could spread it around more often

Seems to me that our jet sweep action does help show what defense the other team may be in but unless that player touches the ball every now and then it will not have the effect on the defense we desire.