Packers 24 Rams 12: Game Balls & Lame Calls
Battered Rams don't put up much of a fight.
By KenLass
Winning is hard in the NFL, especially this season for the Green Bay Packers. So I don’t denigrate any game in which the green and gold walks off the field victorious. Winning feels better than losing. That said, Monday night’s 24-12 conquest of the Los Angeles Rams was probably more about the haplessness of the opponent, than the quality of Green Bay’s play. The Pack made enough mistakes to lose several games, and seemed to repeatedly leave the door open for a Rams comeback. But by the fourth quarter the visitors from the west more resembled a group of lost soldiers who just wanted to get out of the cold, evidenced by their passively allowing Green Bay to run the final eight minutes of the game off the clock.
Which is not to say there weren’t some things to get excited about. For the first time, we got a glimpse into the future of the Packers’ passing game, as Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson functioned effectively as receivers one and two. Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon led a rushing attack that compiled 138 yards, without David Bakhtiari playing left tackle. The defense sacked Baker Mayfield five times and held the Rams to 72 yards on the ground. Keisean Nixon is a revelation as a kick returner. Lots to like in this game.
But there were troublesome moments as well. Twice in the second half the Packers began drives on the Rams’ 47 yard line, with a chance to put the game away, and got nothing out of either possession. There were defensive lapses and foolish penalties, wrong routes run, miscommunications. In the end, the win likely accomplishes not much more than pushing Green Bay a little further down the draft order, and sustaining this silly talk of remaining alive for the playoffs. Still, it’s always nice to enjoy a victory. Now, if Green Bay can beat the Dolphins in Miami on Christmas day, then it starts to get real.
GAME BALLS
Offensive Line
The line-up of Zach Tom, Elgton Jenkins, Josh Myers, Jon Runyan and Yosh Nijman had an up and down evening to be sure. Leonard Floyd trashed the tackles a few times, and the Rams were able to shut down the run game in the third quarter. But for the most part, the unit took advantage of the absence of Aaron Donald to blow major holes in the Los Angeles front to the tune of 138 yards rushing. Honorable mention to Aaron Jones who carried 17 times for 90, and Aj Dillon who ran for 36 and a pair of scores, until he left the game in the 4th quarter with a possible concussion. Aaron Rodgers did get sacked three times, but he was holding the ball a lot, and often had all day to throw for 229 yards.
Keisean Nixon
Not since the early days of Randall Cobb have we seen a return game as good as Nixon provided. The stat sheet shows three kickoff returns for 95 yards, but he had another big one called back for holding on Jonathan Garvin. He also returned two punts for 36 yards. He has a deceptive burst of speed and great vision to the gaps in coverage. What an advantage to start drives in enemy territory.
Kenny Clark
Somebody woke up the sleeping giant. Clark was a force in the trenches all night. He stopped Cam Akers in the backfield in the first quarter, and then followed with a no-gain tackle. He was the one who brushed Baker Mayfield’s arm, causing the interception by Rasul Douglas. The huge nose defender has had his fill of hearing how his play has declined, and had his best game of the season.
Preston Smith
Two sacks and two tackles for loss, and a presence in the backfield on nearly every pass play. It’s hard to understand why Preston runs so hot and cold. Why can’t he have consistent games like this? When he’s dominant in this way, it makes a huge difference for this erratic defense.
Quay Walker
Five tackles, a sack, a forced fumble, and a quarterback hit. He probably should have had an interception as well. His sack came on a speed rush from the outside, even though he began the play in the middle. Makes one wonder if he should get more opportunities to rush from the edge. He’s not big, but he’s quick enough to get under the pads of offensive tackles and turn the corner to the QB.
Honorable mentions to rookie Kingsley Enagbare who had a sack and a TFL and several other good plays, including almost intercepting a screen pass. Also to Romeo Doubs (5 catches for 55) and Christian Watson (4 for 46). It’s a tribute to Watson that all pro corner Jalen Ramsey often followed him all over the field. That’s a lot of respect for a rookie receiver.
LAME CALLS
Rasul Douglas Lateral
What in the name of heaven was he thinking? Mayfield’s lame duck pass plopped right into his hands. All he had to do was sit down, and the Packers would have the ball around the Rams’ 35 yard line. Instead he tries to make a big return and, as he’s being thrown to the ground, pitches a wild lateral in the direction of Adrian Amos. It cost Green Bay over ten yards of field position and Douglas was lucky the Packers recovered the loose ball.
Ford Late Hit
There was absolutely no reason for Rudy Ford to make that extra shove on running back Cam Akers, well after the play was over and well beyond the sideline boundary. The fifteen yard penalty paved the way for an eventual field goal.
No Whistle on Jones Fumble
Give me a break. After Aaron Jones shot through a nice hole for a substantial gain, the officials allowed the Rams to stand him up and rip away at the ball for what seemed like minutes without blowing the play dead. This is a trend in officiating this year, and not a good one. They are going to get running backs seriously hurt by allowing them to get ravaged by multiple defenders.
THREE AND OUT
-- Don’t ever tell me personal streaks don’t matter to players. The Packers were desperate to keep Christian Watson’s streak of scoring touchdowns in four straight games alive. On the final drive, with the game already decided, Rodgers still threw twice to Watson inside the ten yard line in an effort to get him into the end zone. The rookie was stopped short on the first one, and never looked back for the ball on the second.
-- Good to see Matt LaFleur decide to go for it on the last drive at 4th and 2 from the four. Settling for an easy field goal there would have put the lead at just fifteen and enable the Rams to have a glimmer of hope. Instead, sending Jones into the line for the first down nailed the coffin. Second game in a row LaFleur has shown more aggressiveness in his play calling. Keep it up.
-- The Pro Bowl rosters will be announced Wednesday night. The league announced in advance that Jaire Alexander has made it. He isn't having his best year, but his four interceptions, and his reputation, got him a lot of votes. Will any other Packers join him?
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Ken Lass is a former Green Bay television sports anchor and 43 year media veteran, a lifelong Packers fan, and a shareholder.
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Comments (68)
BradHTX
December 20, 2022 at 07:43 am
“Battered Rams…”
I see what you did there, Ken. Nice one.
RCPackerFan
December 20, 2022 at 07:47 am
Game Balls:
I agree with the Game balls above.
Jones/Dillon - Watching Dillon absolutely truck the safety and plow into the endzone brought me so much happiness. My favorite part about that was watching Lazard getting out of the way. They had 28 carries for 126 yards. 2 TD's. They also added 7 receptions for 71 yards and 1 TD. Combined they had 35 touches for 197 yards and 3 TD's. Not bad at all.
Quay Walker - He forced a fumble. Had 5 tackles 2 pass breakups. But watching him he makes so many plays for other people. He fills a hole and it forces the RB to go to another. His presence is felt on the field.
Nixon - He is so damn exciting! Its amazing it took as long as it did to get him on the field. He is electric!
Kicking operation - This doesn't get talked about enough but the kicking operation has been so much better this year then in previous years. The LS may not be elite. But he has been an upgrade. O'Donnell has been a great holder, and Crosby is nailing his kicks. Watching the extra points his kicks are on a perfect line. I have to think O'Donnell has a lot to do with that.
Lame Calls:
Miscommunication - The throw to Lazard to me seemed like a miscommunication throw. Rodgers thought Lazard was going to keep going, Lazard settled into the zone. There have been way to many misses like this, this year. Luckily this didn't cost them. Then the final drive Rodgers gave Watson a signal that he missed. Would have had a TD had he seen it or whatever.
Refs - I don't get how Ramsey didn't get a holding, illegal contact, DPI, tripping call on Watson in the endzone on the first drive. He could have been called for any of those things. I really don't get how the play wasn't blown dead on the Jones fumble. His momentum was stopped, he was stood up. I don't get how they didn't stop it.
Three and out -
- Wyatt is making plays. Its time to get him on the field more!
- Watching a Joe Barry led defense is so damn frustrating. There was a 3rd and 4 play, Both CB's were 10 yards off the LOS, and they had Campbell covering the Rams fastest/most shiftiest of WR's. It shouldn't be this complicated.
- This maybe the Packers best rookie class in a long time. Walker, Watson, Doubs, Tom, Enagbare have all made significant plays for the team. Wyatt has shown flashes and deserves more playing time as he is ready. Toure has made some really nice plays and has shown he could be a factor in the future. Carpenter has been a fixture on special teams. Coco doesn't get talked about but he has been a really good long snapper. At least has been a big improvement from last year. Then there are some players we really haven't seen yet, but they probably feel pretty good about. Rhyan had a bad rookie year. We don't know about Rasheed Walker, Ford, Jones, Tenuta. But they clearly like them.
I really like this rookie class.
Victory Tuesday!
Go Pack Go!
DragonSilk
December 20, 2022 at 07:48 am
I guess Douglass watched the Patriot's game and figured that lateral worked out so well for them he might as well try and repeat it. There should be a Bonehead category for that move.
PatrickGB
December 20, 2022 at 09:33 am
😜
Rarescope
December 20, 2022 at 12:52 pm
Douglas is a very savvy player. He was trying to preserve our draft position for next year :D
Razer
December 20, 2022 at 07:51 am
Maybe it was the ESPN presentation or the actual play but the game didn't generate much excitement. The Rams made a show of caring but not much. The Packers are simply better because of health and homefield but still have a preseason vibe to their game. May be the last game we win this year so I am thankful that we didn't lose to a hapless Sean McVay team.
Packerpasty
December 20, 2022 at 10:10 am
Glad to see you enjoyed the game..
EnemyTerritory
December 20, 2022 at 12:59 pm
I got that same vibe. At least until I fell asleep at the tv. I just can’t get excited about this squad, these coaches, or this season.
splitpea1
December 20, 2022 at 01:40 pm
Same here! That's the first time I ever fell asleep during a Packers game, and I missed about half of it. The whole thing reminded me of a preseason scrimmage. And the crowd was so hushed at times (maybe because it was Monday night and they were freezing their asses off?).
I don't think there's much anyone can take away from this game, given the fact that the Rams were missing their most important impact players.
We'll be able to get a more accurate assessment of any "progress" the Packers have made during the next three games vs. hungrier teams who are vying for either a playoff spot or positioning.
T7Steve
December 20, 2022 at 07:52 am
Game Balls: Was good to see Preston wreak havoc in a backfield. He and Kenny play good in December. It was against a decimated O-line, however.
Lame Calls: You forgot to mention that as Jones was going down, the defender underneath him was grasping his face mask and I'm sure Jones was expecting that to be called as he was laying on top of him.
Three and out: Hope Dillon is ok. I hope Jones gets a pro Bowl nod. It was fun to watch the Packers actually win a game they should have against a poor opponent, but that's all that victory was.
Razer
December 20, 2022 at 08:02 am
...It was fun to watch the Packers actually win a game they should have against a poor opponent, but that's all that victory was...
This is the feeling that I got as well. I doubt that many Rams players wanted much more than to get that game over without injury.
Coldworld
December 20, 2022 at 08:36 am
Jones is the only player I think worthy of a pro bowl (if I pretend the pro bowl is a decent reflection of merit) aside from Nixon, but he didn’t get the chance early enough and perhaps Gary had he stayed healthy.
Guam
December 20, 2022 at 08:02 am
I would move Enagbare up from "honorable mention" to "game ball". When Gary went down, the Packers badly needed someone to step up and rookie fifth round pick Enagbare has in a big way. He has been steadily improving since being thrust into the starting lineup and had his best game last night. He is proving to be a draft day steal.
Some Packer fans have been grumbling about Rodgers huge contract, but the Rams are another case in point about what happens to a team that invests huge money in a few players (Stafford, Kupp and Donald) and they aren't performing (due to injury). The Rams are left with a bunch of cheap UDFAs and low draft choices to fill the gaps and they are just not competitive. The bad news is Detroit gets the Ram's first round draft choice. The Lions could become serious threats in the NFC North for the first time in my memory (and I'm old).
Razer
December 20, 2022 at 08:10 am
...The bad news is Detroit gets the Ram's first round draft choice...
I wasn't sure about the Lions getting rid of Stafford but the front office had a rebuild plan and it is well executed. Even Goff has worked out. Funny how a decent O-line can make a QB better. The Seahawks are on the same plan and they can thank the Broncos for a great push into the future. Packers are building around a 40 year old QB who plays football between gigs.
Guam
December 20, 2022 at 09:01 am
Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda Razer........I share your frustrations!
RCPackerFan
December 20, 2022 at 08:29 am
Unless the Rams trade to get a first round pick this year they will not have a first round pick in the first round for 7 years. I believe their last 1st round pick was Goff. Crazy.
jannesbjornson
December 20, 2022 at 11:36 am
They played the odds, picked up a couple Blue Chips and won a Super Bowl, christening crypto-scam stadium. The Fans are happy. The Rams made money off the fans. They're happy.
PatrickGB
December 20, 2022 at 09:38 am
Because of his lack of speed, I suspect that Enagbare doesn’t have a high ceiling. Yet he looks decent for a fifth rounder. However The opposition line was not that great so it’s hard to project how well he would do in the long run.
Starrbrite
December 20, 2022 at 10:37 am
Maybe—but Enagbare has played well in several games.
Coldworld
December 20, 2022 at 12:09 pm
Ultimately, performance wins over testing. So far, Enagbare looks like he has the potential to be a good starter. That’s all one can ask for, especially from a 5th rounder.
jannesbjornson
December 20, 2022 at 02:48 pm
In his case, a good scouting report. He was All-SEC, First Team, as a junior. Dinged a bit as a senior. The Film tells the story, not a stopwatch.
epzenk
December 20, 2022 at 03:23 pm
He's done that the past 5-6 weeks, 'make plays' just before Gary's season ended with his injury. Having a great 40 time doesn't always translate to having a high ceiling. How many times does a defensive end use a fast 40 yard timed dash to get to the QB? Very seldom is your answer. Most of the great defensive ends sack QBs by using great techniques like spin moves, leverage, bull rushes, hand placement, rip and pull etc. The only time a great 40 time matters is when Engagbare has to chase down Fields, Hurts, Mahomes or Allen from behind. Reggie White and Sean Jones, cornerstones of the Packers 90s defenses were NOT speed demons. They had quick first steps augmented by proper technique like Gary had to learn from the Smith brothers. Enagbere has a quick first step, he's shown that many times when his playing time has expanded. And he can hold the edge to stop the run game.
Esquetoi
December 20, 2022 at 02:39 pm
Enagbare is no enagma. He's the real deal.
epzenk
December 20, 2022 at 03:12 pm
I remember the Wayne Fontes led Lions of the early 90s with Barry Sanders and Erik Kramer etc. That era was just before Wolf, Holmgren, Favre, White etc., arrived and ended up beating the Lions twice, the Favre to Sharpe TD with 55 seconds remaining in the 4th quarter at Pontiac Stadium to win 28-24, and the Reggie White led Packers defense holding Barry Sanders to 13 rushes for -1 yards gained enroute to a 16-12 win. And I'm a couple months shy of '60'. By today's medical standards, '60' is what the '40s' were back in the 1980s. :)
stockholder
December 20, 2022 at 08:04 am
Game Balls - Rodgers- 22/30 229. 1 TD I INT , Jones, Nixon, Clarke.
Lame - The brutality of team goals and slams.
Coldworld
December 20, 2022 at 08:38 am
Rodgers was just ok. Hot and cold last night.
Philarod
December 20, 2022 at 09:11 am
It wasn't vintage, but if he and Lazard were on the same page there (not necessarily Lazard's fault but probably so), add another completion and call it 30 more yards...it could've even been more with another TD, but just with that, he's at 23-30 for 259 and no INT. That would probably put his QB rating in the 110s.
If Watson was on the same page, add another completion: 24-30 for ...forget the yardage, but keep it around 260 -- with two TDs and no INT, and that probably puts his QB rating to at least the 120s. In those conditions, not bad at all.
croatpackfan
December 20, 2022 at 11:14 am
Ah, another game of ifs.
Just mention that throws from ACR in middle range and short ones did not get much zip. I wonder why.
PackerGravy
December 20, 2022 at 08:10 am
Packers draft class:
Q. Walker - hot & cold but great tools!
D. Wyatt - promising in small sample size!
C. Watson - future is so bright he gotta wear shades!
S. Ryan - a lesson learning year
R. Doubs - crisp route runner!
Z. Tom - kid is going to be a fixture in the OL for years!
K. Enegbare - a steal in the 5th!
Carpenter- should be a good special teams guy for the future
R. Walker - Red Shirt
Ford - Red Shirt
S. Torre- Has shown flashes
Conclusion: shaping up to be one of the best draft classes in a decade!
ImaPayne
December 20, 2022 at 08:18 am
Game balls to anyone on the team that clearly understood the Rams are decimated on defense and offense and have a bonehead QB so we should have beaten them good.
Lame calls. All on the Rams QB. This guy has three games left and career probably over me thinks,
The packers were spirited and I saw some guys who played dead all year come to life: Walker. Hopefully these clowns can do the same in Miami when reality sets in that your playing a tough football team. No easy peasy.
LambeauPlain
December 20, 2022 at 08:20 am
Any win is a good win. The NFL is so competitive. I heard the (lousy) announcers state the 12 point margin was the largest of all NFL games this week? That is incredible.
The home team is clearly better than the banged up, now 4-10 lambs who did not play with much effort. Some good Packer performances by on D by Clark, Smith, Walker, Enagbare etc.
Yet why on any 3rd down and 2, 4 or 9 are the D backs consistently in 10-12 yard deep zone? Every game. No matter what. It seems the only thing that stops a first down is a poor throw or missed catch by the receiver.
I should be happier after a W. Cannot recall when I was more apathetic after a Packer win. See what happens on Christmas.
BlueOx
December 20, 2022 at 08:33 am
This is me nitpicking but why do players like Rasul Douglas insist on wearing loose, bright white undershirts hanging below their jerseys? I know he plays defense but it gives the opposing team a target to grab, like on his interception. He probably would have gotten at least another 20 yards with no need to lateral if he was neatly tucked. Yeah, I guess I’m turning into an old school, old fart. Go Pack!
Since'61
December 20, 2022 at 08:50 am
Blue OX - Douglas was probably wearing his undershirt to keep warm and maybe more than one or two. There was a time when it was against the rules for players to have shirts untucked and/or hair sticking out from under their helmets for obvious safety reasons. However in this era of alleged player safety those rules have apparently disappeared. Thanks, Since '61
Packers2020
December 20, 2022 at 11:19 am
He needs to get some untuck it shirts. :)
Since'61
December 20, 2022 at 09:04 am
Game balls: I agree with the game balls in the article. I would add Rodgers because he executed the offense brilliantly last evening behind solid OL play.
This is at least the third time this season when I have seen Lazard stop on a route. Can't happen at any level of football but it's particularly disturbing to see it happen with a veteran receiver. I assume that among the 25+ plus coaches the Packers have on their staff that at least one of them is a receivers coach. Unfortunately that doesn't mean that coach knows how to run routes or actually play WR. Could be the reason why the same mistake is repeated throughout the season.
Lame Calls: Again I agree with the article. I would add the very poor officiating to the list. No call on Ramsey covering Watson in the end zone on the Packers opening drive ending in an FG. The Aaron Jones fumble should been whistled down before the ball came out. Even on the Douglas pick the play should been whistled dead while Douglas shirt was in the grasp of the defender. Jones and Douglas could both have been seriously injured unnecessarily by additional exposure to hits. So much for the league emphasis on player safety.
While I agree that this win comes versus an injury depleted Rams team I thought that the Packers played with more confidence and aggressiveness than they have showed in a long time. Regardless of how this season turns out I would like to see the Packers play like this for the remainder of the season. Thanks, Since '61
T7Steve
December 20, 2022 at 09:29 am
Since'61 will you have a chance to watch the game again? As I mentioned above If you watch the sky cam view of Jones' fumble play, you'll see his facemask in the grips of the defender beneath him when his forward progress is stopped. I think he relaxed because it was so obvious. I couldn't believe that when they were showing the replay Joe Buck and Troy didn't comment on it. The NFL must be telling them to hold back because they could find something egregious not called on every play, I suppose.
Since'61
December 20, 2022 at 09:53 am
T7, yes I saw the facemask. It should hav e been called but by that point the officials should have blown the play dead. It was just a terrible job by the officials for most of the game. Regrettably I'm not surprised. NFL officiating just keeps getting worse week after week. Thanks, Since '61
jannesbjornson
December 20, 2022 at 11:50 am
World Cup Soccer rubbed off on Ramsey who executed a perfect take down on Watson, exclusive of the holding. The refs all have an earpiece tuned into the Vegas line...
HawkPacker
December 20, 2022 at 02:19 pm
Finally, someone mentions what I saw on that play. I also was very surprised that neither of the announcers mentioned the facemask. I am really surprised that they couldn't hear me yelling that at the TV!
Guam
December 20, 2022 at 12:53 pm
Since'61: You need to update your information on NFL route running. Sight adjustment routes happen every day in pro football. Both the WR and the QB need to read the defense on the fly and make the same adjustment to the defensive scheme. The mismatch between Lazard's read and Rodgers' read caused the interception, not that Lazard stopped on his route. Lazard saw the safety coming over and sat down in the hole in the zone. Rodgers either missed the safety or thought he could throw a jump ball to Lazard.
The fact that you have seen Lazard (and others) stop routes several times this year should be a clear indication that is what is being taught to them. They are reading the defense and reacting as they have been taught to. WRs just running their pre-planned routes is a college level passing attack and is frequently supplanted in the pros by sight adjustment routes.
Leatherhead
December 20, 2022 at 02:57 pm
I'm with you Guam. Lazard was open where he was supposed to be, and Rodgers threw it to the spot where the safety could make a play. And it was the last time all game Rodgers targeted Lazard.
Since'61
December 20, 2022 at 03:45 pm
The problem is that the ball was already in the air when Lazard stopped. WRs are coached not to stop. If Lazard keeps running his route it's a jump ball and yes possibly overthrown and picked. But that's the risk on every pass play. There is no need to exacerbate the risks by giving up on the play. Lazard has stopped at least two other times that I am aware of this season. Another point if the Safety comes over and runs into Lazard or grabs him maybe we get a DPI on the play.
When the season began he was supposed to be our #1 WR this season. Between stopping on routes and dropping passes he has proven he is not close to being a #1. He has been passed by both Watson and Doubs, 2 rookies while Lazard in his 4th NFL season. He is basically the Packers #3 receiver which is where he fits well. He is a good blocker but when he becomes an FA this season he will not be worth what he will expect tone paid. The Packers can move on to Toure as their #3, sign a vet FA WR and/or draft another WR or two. In either case the Packers don't need a slower version of version of MVS who runs poor routes and drops passes.
Thanks, Since '61
Guam
December 20, 2022 at 10:44 pm
"WRs are coached not to stop"
Yes, they are. Not stopping a route is old school coaching. Somewhat new coaching (15 years??) is sight adjustment routes where WRs do stop routes if the defense has the pre-planned route covered. It requires the WR and QB to simultaneously read the defense and adjust. Lazard was doing what he is coached to do - read the defense and adjust. Unfortunately Lazard and Rodgers didn't have the same read, but that is far different than blaming Lazard for "stopping the route".
Please Google "sight adjustment routes" and read the literature rather than blaming a receiver for doing something he is coached to do.
RCPackerFan
December 20, 2022 at 01:14 pm
Since'61 -
"This is at least the third time this season when I have seen Lazard stop on a route."
I'm glad you brought this up. I have noticed this as well. It is very frustrating seeing this from our 2nd most Veteran WR on the roster. He was supposed to be our #1 and you just don't see these types of things from a number 1.
I could be misremembering, but I believe one of the times he stopped on the route was a 4th down play that ended the game.
This has just happened to many times this year.
T7Steve
December 20, 2022 at 01:36 pm
I can see where he read the safety over the top and thought he should pull up for Rodgers and they weren't on the same page. '61 is right that if he continues it's at least a 50-50 ball.
PackyCheese500
December 20, 2022 at 09:18 am
Add Devonte Wyatt and Kingsley Enagbare to game balls. Wyatt flashed greatly, and Enagbare had a good night.
At this point, I think Kenny Clark, TJ Slaton, and Wyatt need to be our starting 3. Not only because they are the future of our DL, but because at this point they are better than Lowry/Reed
Lphill
December 20, 2022 at 10:15 am
I have been saying that for months and getting nothing but thumbs down, Wyatt at nose with Clark and Slayton.
PackyCheese500
December 20, 2022 at 10:18 am
Slaton is heavier. He should be at nose with Wyatt and Clark at DE.
jannesbjornson
December 20, 2022 at 11:54 am
Yes, Wyatt is a 3-5 tech. Let him stunt and game. He's a move type penetrator. When Lowry was on the field the Rams gouged the Pack on the ground. Barry is clueless. This game showed a bit of LaFleur intervention for the D ?
Coldworld
December 20, 2022 at 12:13 pm
Why would you put Wyatt at NT? That doesn’t seem like a good fit to me. Maybe Slaton, then that troika would be an upgrade.
jannesbjornson
December 20, 2022 at 01:41 pm
Ford is a guy pegged as a NT, but they cannot seem to fit him into heavy packages.
PackyCheese500
December 20, 2022 at 09:39 am
An update on the Packers' playoff hopes:
A win tonight certainly helped. I would say that the Giants winning over the Commanders was also probably good. For us, the biggest competition for the final wild-card spot will be the Commanders, Seahawks, and Lions. The Commanders and Seahawks each have difficult remaining schedules. The Commies play the 49ers, Browns, and Cowboys, and need to lose at least 3 of those games. The Seahawks play the Chiefs, Jets, and Rams, and need to lose at least 2 of those games or just against the Rams. The Lions are probably the toughest competition, as they play the Panthers, Bears, and then the Packers. We need the Lions to lose against either the Bears or the Panthers and then against us in week 18. The week 18 matchup could easily become a "win and get in" situation.
Again, this is all under the presumption that we win out, which is unlikely. However, the Rams game gave me some hope. I know it was against the Rams, but if this team could play this way in the playoffs, they will be tough to beat. The Dolphins, Vikings, and Lions are all beatable opponents. The Dolphins' offense has been hot and cold (with a bad o-line), but their defense has been sub-par. The Vikings just lost to the Lions and had to come back 33 points against a terrible Colts team to beat them in overtime. Beatable? I think so. The hardest team to beat will be the Lions, but I think it is possible.
I think this team has it in them to hang with the best of them. The question is, can they do it? Honestly, I think that, for us, the 49ers would be the toughest team for us to beat. Everyone else is beatable.
But first, this team needs to prove it by winning out.
Packers2020
December 20, 2022 at 11:28 am
Packycheese,
I believe we beat the Lions with strength of schedule as long as we win out. I thought that was also the case with Seattle if they lose 1 more game in the next 3 weeks. Washington only needs to lose 2 out of the 3 games for us to be ahead of them since they tied the Giants.
If I am incorrect, let me know.
PackyCheese500
December 20, 2022 at 01:33 pm
The tiebreaker would be strength of victory, which is an unknown, but I think the Lions would probably prevail since they have a better point differential than us.
Packerpasty
December 20, 2022 at 10:15 am
Not much whining about Rodgers, that must make some of the haters depressed....on to Miami and Tonga Tuavellona!! He's hot and cold too...
PackyCheese500
December 20, 2022 at 10:58 am
If you read my posts, you will see I am not a Rodgers hater. I just think the FO needs to know when it's time to move on. However, with the Commanders and Seahawks losing, I think there is a realistic shot at us making the playoffs. Let's see what happens against Miami, a real team. If we fall flat on our faces, then start Love from then on. If we manage to win, then stick with Rodgers. The Vikings and Lions are beatable.
pantz_bURp
December 20, 2022 at 02:01 pm
Oh P-pasty, I got nothing but Love in my heart and Love on my mind. ;)
I listened to the game on the radio, so I can only go by what the commentators said. I am happy for a Packer victory and the team did enough to win.
Lphill
December 20, 2022 at 10:17 am
A play toward the end Cobb made a catch then looked like a fumble recovered by GB but then called a no catch was clearly a catch and awful facemask tackle.
canadapacker
December 20, 2022 at 10:30 am
I was screaming - why didnt Lafleur throw the challenge flag - it was a catch and recovered by us - we would have gained a few yards and could have run the ball and tried a field goal. Dumb and dumber ( play by play announcers said that the Rams would have challenged and probably have won if they had recovered it).
jhtobias
December 20, 2022 at 10:27 am
Game Balls : the players
Lame calls: so called fans who keep saying bak is milking injuries These people truly are trash that say this.
Lame calls: Matt Lafluer for hiring Joe Berry who is the most clueless defensive coordinator in the history of the nfl and that includes last night. Matt Lafluer hiring of Joe Berry has ruimed the season and lafluer should be held accountable for this.
Lame calls: gute for forcing the team to use amari rodgers as a returner for most of the season becuase he was a precipus draft pick when you had nixon all yr. GUTE YOUR EGO COST THIS TEAM A FEW GAMES GOOD JOB THIS WIPES OUT ALL YOUR GREAT AQUISITIONS.
PackyCheese500
December 20, 2022 at 01:35 pm
Gutey did not force the team to use Amari Rodgers, he has no say in matters like this. That is the job of the coaches. Blame LaFleur and Bissacia for doing so, not Gutey. In fact, Amari is actually turning out to look pretty nice in Houston now.
canadapacker
December 20, 2022 at 10:28 am
I just wonder what the NFL is going to do with this push the pile thingy - especially on short and one or at the goal line. It also applies to what happened to Jones - being held up and forward progress stopped type of call and the whistle should be blown. Guys are holding other players up while other guys are pulling at the ball. He definitely was held up long enough for the whistle to have been blown.
What is with our DC - hits out of bounds, get that player off of the field and sit him down - The same as the dumb PI by one of our supposedly best Dbacks. And the dumb Defensive plays continue on Douglas back lateral???? It wasnt enough to see what happened to the Patriots - but to do somewhat the same thing - Knowing what the score and game time is - I guess some players just dont have the smarts.
Nice to see the rookies on defense playing well - especially D line Wyatt and Walker on the linebacker.side of it.
jannesbjornson
December 20, 2022 at 01:56 pm
Ford had a lucky game with two picks, then it has all been downhill with this guy as a starter. He can be a viable sp teams ace, but at min. salary. The whiff on Savage having the ripple effect
croatpackfan
December 20, 2022 at 11:32 am
Interesting how, after the win vs PS players team with 2 or 3 good players suddenly many believes in play off spot.
Packers played starters vs 2nd & 3rd stringers, many called from Rams PS. Packers won by 12 points with just OK presentation, and game was won by using RBs that run over poor team. Packers D had 5 sacks, fumble, INT, but secondary looks good because lot of Mayfield passes were dropped by his receivers. Until yesterday game Rams RB has average 2.8 yards per game, and he improved well vs Packers.
For me that is cause for concern, not for glorifying this win. We all expected it. This was easy win as Rams is the worst team in NFL at the moment. They are worse than Texans.
I still think that Packers have no chance to reach the play off, but hope I'm wrong.
HarryHodag
December 20, 2022 at 11:58 am
What is significant about the win from my view is they beat a team soundly that they should have beaten. Especially during Mike McCarthy's time the Packers often played down or up to the level of their competition.
What you can see is they are finally starting to put it together, perhaps it's too late.
A significant improvement has been made in special teams. The offensive line is playing better together. The defensive line is still getting moved, but the secondary is not getting beat deep.
But all will come to a head Christmas Day. It will either be a Merry Christmas or the Grinch will have won out again.
jannesbjornson
December 20, 2022 at 01:58 pm
Never too late, as long as the right players are on the field. Who is the Leader of this defense?
pantz_bURp
December 20, 2022 at 02:03 pm
Grinch does don the Packer green...there might be another miracle on Christmas!!!
LeotisHarris
December 20, 2022 at 04:04 pm
Lame Calls: the production of NFL games for in-home viewership. These reality TV shows are nearly unwatchable for anyone who wants to watch teams play football. First we have a duo or trio of talking heads who introduce a narrative to the audience and then pound the ever-loving funk out of it regardless of whether the action on the field supports all them werdz what be spewing out their pieholes.
Next, we have the clusterfunk that are the visuals. We must have close-ups of a sideline coach between plays, preferably with a play sheet in front of his mug. We must. How else would viewers know how plays are called? We must have random crowd shots to show just how zany NFL fans can be. Look at that passion! That pasty flesh! That BMI! Crazy fans! We must have close-ups of players who just made a play; an up in the nostrils kinda shot. If we don't get that shot, what will we do? Where will viewers look? How will we watch? HALP!
As a final insult to the senses, we must cram useless information onto the ever-dwindling amount of screen space allotted to the game. Third and eight? Roll the graphic: "Packers are historically 485/977 on third and eight when temps are below 25 degrees." 54 yard field goal attempt? Roll the graphic: "Rams have never had a kicker suffering from tape worm." Opening kickoff? Roll the graphic: "First Monday night kickoff on 12/19/2022 not watched by Eileen Meissner from Two Rivers." Would it kill them to just freaking stop it?
There have been very few NFL games I've enjoyed watching this season. The quality of the play is poor for too many teams. Broadcast teams blow, for the most part. The way this reality TV series is produced is not conducive to watching a football game.
Game Balls: Romeo, Clark, Dillon, Jones, Nixon.