Yes, yes they could. On any given Sunday night!

Last I checked, as of right now, the game is tied folks!

Go Pack Go!!!

There are so many excellent points in this, excellent piece Jonathon! I'll TRY not to be long-winded.

"Instead, Rodgers needs to get back under center and run a relentless regimen of play action and RPO."

We all know Rodgers HATES being under center which IMO really limits the MLF playbook. Dillon has become a complete liability in the running game. I understand if the O-Line is getting whipped, it's tough to run the ball. BUT, handing the ball to a RB like Dillon when he's 7 yards deep which would allow him to gain some momentum and see the hole better. Well, if there is a hole.

"when something is working, keep doing it. And when it stops working, have a plan for what you switch to next. And then switch."

OMG YES!!! We all heard last week the announcer suggest the Packers keep running Jones around the right edge. Washington didn't seem to have a clue how to stop it before Jones ripped off a nice run. Nope, they'd run it and then three or four 3 & outs later run it again. Unbelievable and unexcusable on BOTH Rodgers and MLF. I mean Mike Sherman even had the sense to do that!

"It’s been a mystery why Joe Barry doesn’t blitz more. Not to Wink Martindale levels, necessarily, but the Packers had some success blitzing Washington. Do it more. This probably also means assigning a spy to monitor Josh Allen and not let him get big chunk plays with his legs."

Joe Barry's Defense is a mystery...PERIOD! It's a mystery they even call it a Defense to be honest. But we have seen moments where the Defense has been good, even great (I said MOMENTS folks) like in the playoffs last season. IF, Barry tries to bitz Allen he'd better have a spy like Quay Walker watching his every movement. As much as I like an attacking blitzing defense, blitzing Allen is dangerous. Not to mention even with a spy, Allen is around 6'5, 250 lbs. If it is Walker as the spy, he better not miss making the tackle. Good thing that is one his strengths...Tackling.

"In other words, come out swinging, punch them in the nose (figuratively), and prove Robert Saleh is wrong about this team being soft."

The problem with this is the Packers ARE a soft team and have been for years. They haven't been tough since Charles Woodson left and they aren't going to change anytime soon, well at least until they get a player like Woodson. I don't mean being an All-Pro like Woodson though that would be awesome, but a player with Woods mentality.

Well shit, I guess I was a bit longwinded. Sorry guys!

I said it earlier in the week I think the Packers win this game. But should look to trade Dillon .

The Bills have the #1 Rated defense. And the #1 Rated Offense. Not to mention; home field advantage. Hyde and Kumerow are hurt. I'm just hoping the packers come out with No injuries.

Moral victory with a loss by under 21 points

“The Packers are great at playing down to the level of their competition. It’s time to play up to it as well.”
This! Others have beat us when we were favored…time to go do it to someone else.

Can we win the game? Yes

Will we win the game? Most likely not.

I agree with some points here. These are my keys to winning the game and in no particular order.

First Key- They have to be balanced on offense. Balanced means they have to run the ball effective as well as throw the ball effective. They can't rely on only one of these. They have to be able to blend the run and the passing game together. Keeping the defense guessing to what they are going to do will be huge. Probably more motion plays. I have seen numerous amounts of talk about Shotgun vs under center. I do wonder if it is hurting Rodgers hand taking snaps under center. So if it is hurting, why not go into the pistol? They can blend shotgun with having the RB behind the QB to make the play action making that more effective.

Second Key - 3rd down success. They can't be continue to have negative plays on 3rd downs. They can't be dropping the ball on 3rd downs. And to have success on 3rd downs, they really can't have negative plays on first and 2nd downs. They need to stay ahead of the chains.

Third Key - Win Turnover battle. Last week GB had an opportunity to about 4 more interceptions. When the DB's get their hands on the balls, they have make the plays. They need to come out of this game with a couple of turnovers at least. At the same time they can't have any turnovers on offense. They really need to try and play mistake free.

Fourth Key - Play Smart. This maybe the most important. They need to take what they are giving on offense. If its short yardage to the first down, get the first down. Keep the chains moving. They need to not over think stuff. They have to catch every ball that hits their hands. They need to not have penalties to hurt them on both sides of the ball. They need to have eyes on Allen at all times on defense. They can't lose focus in the secondary. They just need to play smart football.

Will they win this game? Odds aren't great. Do I believe they can win this game? Absolutely. Do I have any reason to believe that? No, not really with how they have showed us. But a few things give me hope. The OL changes worked well. They now have a game under their belts at those spots. The OL should improve. Watkins is another week back and should be closer to 100%. Watson might be back. Doubs is coming off of his worst game as a pro. I don't think he will have 2 bad weeks in a row. If the offense can play smart, convert 3rd downs, play more mistake free, they can absolutely win this game.

Jonathan, it's a fun premiss and all possible until it gets to fantasy when you say: "provided the coaches mix in some fresh formations and designed plays that the Packers have not yet put on tape".

The Packers only show fresh formations and pre-snap motion. After that, it's basically the same four play choices. There's nothing they do that's not on tape. Remember MLF saying his plan "appears to show complexity"? It's all on tape now and even the worst Ds are feasting on it and looking in a different league. How many teams are fooled by the end around (this year run by Watson when he's healthy)? It only works when it's executed perfectly or as a play action.

People above are calling out Dillan but, he's just starting to get a line to run behind and still doesn't have a quarterback that will run a couple plays in a row under center. If it's because of "THE THUMB" they should start platooning Love in for series that need to use up the clock.

Josh Allen turns the ball over--fumbles, INTs--it's just that the offense is so prolific (and relentless) that they can overcome those mistakes most of the time. Periodically they lay an egg and get beat. The Packers need to control the clock (usually translates into run the football), capitalize on Allen's mistakes with takeaways, and score. This also means they'll need to pressure Buffalo in the intermediate and downfield passing zones. They've done none of those things with any consistency or regularity this season, though.

If LaFleur gives Aaron Rodgers less reps.

Rodgers took the money then didn’t show in off-season workouts, basically stealing money from the packers, the fans and his teammates.
What a leader.
And no the game may be close but they will break our hearts at the end……again.

I think they're going to get killed. But the formula laid out here is the most realistic one to give them a chance. I've been thinking for the past few weeks that since our QB can't throw an accurate deep ball and our WRs aren't much good at getting open deep anyway, plus the O-line can't hold their blocks for long, why not spread the field horizontally? Use quick throws to the outside and run Aaron Jones wide. Last week the offense was operating in such a small box that the Washington defense was not challenged much.

Just crank "Wind Beneath My Wings" in the locker room right before they head onto the field. That ought to get blood flowing...

At halftime, in case of emergency, break glass: "Lunatic Fringe" by Red Rider or "Hair of the Dog" by Nazareth.

Yes they can and here's how
1. Amari breaks loose on a deep ball hauls it in for a TD
2. Dillion breaks through the line of scrimmage, mows downs the bills and plows into the end zone TD.
3. Stokes intercepts Allen for a pick six TD.
4. Jones sweeps around end and go untouched for 60 yards TD
5. Rodgers tosses to Tonyan in the end zone, td.
6. Watson streaks down the field and makes a miraculous catch for a td

This team was envisioned by Gutt and the Staff to do all of the above. These people are supposed to be accomplishing these feats.
They arent were losing.

Yes they can and here's how
1. Amari breaks loose on a deep ball hauls it in for a TD
2. Dillion breaks through the line of scrimmage, mows downs the bills and plows into the end zone TD.
3. Stokes intercepts Allen for a pick six TD.
4. Jones sweeps around end and go untouched for 60 yards TD
5. Rodgers tosses to Tonyan in the end zone, td.
6. Watson streaks down the field and makes a miraculous catch for a td

This team was envisioned by Gutt and the Staff to do all of the above. These people are supposed to be accomplishing these feats.
They arent were losing.

Someone PLEASE send Coach LaF images/video of former player/coach Forrest Gregg and his snarl! If Coach LaF gets it down before his pregame speech, we have a chance...

I don't think that the Packers have played what I could call a perfect game since their 8-0 run during the 2016 season. But that version of the Packers was a better team than what we have now.

First things first, it appears that Rodgers thumb is still injured. He did not practice Wednesday and had only a light light practice yesterday. If his thumb is still hurt it's unlikely that he will be able to go under center. but 'we'll see where he is at on Sunday. I do agree that Rodgers going under center would be better for the offense.

I don't think that the Packers have had a balanced offense since the Holmgren era!! But yes, that would be the best approach.

Trickery?? Really!!! Our FG holder can't throw a pass or at least I don't think that he ever has so a fake FG is not realistic and our punter is our FG holder. We could try a short snap to one of our blocking backs on the punt team if the yardage to make a first down is reasonable. Direct snaps might be worth a try.

Get. the basics right. Another good point but if this team had been getting the basics correct we wouldn't be talking about the fact that we have almost no chance to win this game or that we need trickery to possibly win. Also to pull off a trick play the OL needs to be playing in sync and that is not a phrase (in sync) that I would use to describe how our OL has played so far this season.

As for our defense, Walker should be the spy on Josh Allen and yes we should blitz more often in this game. Definitely avoid stupid penalties.

Yes if something is working we should stick with it but then again, on offense, that too would be a first for this season.

Also if the Packers win the opening toss they should take the ball and hopefully drive down the field for a score and take the lead. That would take the crowd out of the game at least early on and would give our defense an opportunity to play with a lead. If we defer we give the Bills the chance to drive, get a score, get the lead and keep their crowd in the game. I vote for taking the ball and taking charge of the damn game for a full 60 minutes.

I will never give up on a game until it's played and I won't give up on a Packers season until they're eliminated and even then I'll still watch the games. But I am losing any confidence that I once had in MLF and the coaching staff to get this team properly prepared to make the mental and physical effort that they will need to pull off the upset against the Bills. Stranger things have happened during the time that I have been watching sports and hope does spring eternal.
"It ain't over 'till it's over." Yogi Berra. Thanks, Since '61

They can. They were waking all over the Bucs until they let the fumble unravel themselves. A common argument I’ve read here is the Bucs were a shell of themselves but that was only the offense. The D was only missing 1 starter and was rated the best D in the league at the time.

Packers 27 Bills 24

Most you have good ideas. The "trickeration" plays don't seem likely, however. After all, if Rodgers won't throw to WR's he doesn't trust, how likely is he to throw it to an OL? And fake punts/FG attempts? Ugh. This would simply give Buffalo better field position, and take the possibility of scoring points off the board. The other problem is having a "Plan B" ready. So far, in three years, LaFleur has never had a backup plan if his initial plan fails. It would be nice, and would make sense, and would seem to be one of the basics of being a HC. But it doesn't happen. Lastly, these ideas would mean that Rodgers would have to change his way of playing the game, becoming more of a team player, rather than playing "hero ball". Because, ultimately, Rodgers will decide what will happen on the field. LaFleur and Stenavich can draw up whatever they want. Doesn't matter; this is Rodgers team, period.

Miss the flight to buffalo is the only way GB does not get hammered......or bench Rodgers. I do not see either happening so we see who Rodgers can blame for this loss.

I will be there. So that, in and of itself, will be enough to pull out a win!

I can't pretend.

I haven't a pretentious bone in my body.

from The Impossible Dream (with minor modifications):

To dream the impossible dream
To fight the unbeatable foe
To bear with unbearable sorrow
To run where the brave dare not go

To right the unrightable wrong
To love pure and chaste from afar
To try when your sore thumb is too weary
To reach the unreachable Bart starr

This is my quest, to follow that Starr
No matter how hopeless,
No matter how far
To fight for the right
Without question or pause
To be willing to march into hell
For a heavenly cause

And I know if I'll only be true
To this glorious quest
That my heart will lie peaceful and calm
When I'm laid to my rest

And the world would be better for this
That one man scorned and covered with scars
Still strove with his last ounce of courage
To reach the unreachable Bart starr.

“When a player contemplates retirement, he’s already retired in his mind.” MI

Should’ve traded Rodgers

Even before the season started, you'd have to think this would be one of our toughest games of the season, and the Bills are as good as we thought they'd be, and the Packers are not, so it hasn't gotten any easier.

The Packers can beat the Bills, if the Packers can stop beating themselves. That's been the big opponent all year, the execution. We simply make too many mistakes. I think Aaron Rodgers observationthat we're making critical execution errors on about 20% of the plays is accurate, and that averages out to at least one critical error on most possessions.

So we can't stay on the field. If we could keep the offense on the field more, we could get more touches for everybody, but the penalties and drops are killing drives.

I think running Dillon out of the shotgun is a disservice to him. He needs to be the dot in the I like Adrian Peterson was. If Rodgers can't be under center then start running the pistol offense like they did when Rodgers was playing on a bad wheel and lacy was in the I. Jones can handle either because of his quickness, but Dillon needs momentum to be effective. Defensively, the bills are probably going to play similar to WAS where they're just rushing 4 or 5 and covering with the rest so short and medium routes with rubs and crossers is the smart way to go. Death by a thousand paper cuts. However, this means that not having dumb penalties is even more important. If they can get play action bootlegs working there may be a shot or two. Defensively I like the idea of walker spying Allen, and ja is gonna have to man up on diggs the whole game and prove he is that shutdown corner they paid him to be. Maybe keep rasoul on the field in base and bring in Stokes when in nickel.

Might get laughed at but that's OK.

Sustained drives . You can't keep the defense on the field for 40 minutes . Can they do this so far they can't maybe they will.

Most important defensive player is quay walker he was drafted for these types of games. An all world qb who can run throw lasers etc spy him and cause him to make mistakes. If Berry actually let's him do this I would be more shocked than anything.

Buffalo is the closest thing to a spread offense he k can't remember the last time they had a 100 yard rusher.

Excellent article, but we all know it won't happen. LaFleur will sleepwalk in with a lame game plan and try to have Rodgers sling it all over the yard with a bad thumb to rookie WRs. No trick plays, none of that.

You'd think with Watson, Cobb and Lazard injured, that the LaFleur would run the ball more, but no. The minute this team gets down by so much as a touchdown, it's amazing how LaFleur panics. Has anyone else noticed that ?3rd & 1? Throw it! 4th & 1? Throw it!

What worries me the most is Time Of Possession. If the defense is on the field as much as they have been, they will simply get gassed and start making mental mistakes, penalties or give up big plays.

The offense needs to start holding up their end of the bargain and convert a 3rd down for once.

Bills 38, Packers 13

Can the Packers beat the Bills? No. Can the Bills beat the Bills? Maybe. Plus three in TOs should be a Pack win. Plus two makes it close. Anything else makes it a laugher.

prediction: Bills 270,000 Packers -191

it is going to be an ugly night for us, folks.

The Packers D actually matches up with the Bills offense if they play up to their abilities. The Packers offense does not match up well with Bills D though. It would have to be at least +2 in turnovers for them to have a chance along with the offense playing better than it has all year.

They “could “ beat the Bills… but that wouldn’t change much. They are still a soft team.. have been for years. That’s why they got dumped as the #1 seed twice.
Even if by the wildest chance they snuck in the playoffs, they would go nowhere. The window closed when Mercedes Lewis fumbled against the 49ers. They obviously still haven’t recovered.

Do you see Buffalo having to punt? I don’t…the over under is one and I’ll take the under 😢

It could happen, but it won't. Packers will run the same predictable offense that's starting to resemble MM's offense more and more because that's what AR likes.