Hello Wisconsin: And They’re Off!
By TimBackes
After seven and a half months, the Green Bay Packers are finally about to play meaningful football once again!
The significance of this first game is worth noting. For one, I can’t remember a time in my life that the Packers have played on a Friday. It may well have happened, but I certainly can’t pick an instance off the top of my head.
For another, this is the first NFL game being played in Brazil and on the entire continent of South America, which is huge for continued growth of the sport. It’s not an accident the Packers were picked for this game; they have massive global appeal, and have a well-organized fanbase that already exists in Brazil. Heck, we even have a couple writers here at Cheesehead TV who are Brazilians, who I’m sure have been anticipating this moment for a long, long time.
I’ve seen a few photos of the stadium in Sao Paolo where the game will be played, and it’s a really impressive feat of architecture. It’ll be interesting to see how the field holds up; any time you’re going to a stadium not designed for NFL play, there’s reason to be concerned about the quality of the playing surface. But then again, the NFL still allows games to be played at Soldier Field, so…
Perhaps more than anything, I’m excited to see what the Packers look like in year two of the Jordan Love era.
How has this offense continued to grow and evolve? Who are the young players who are going to take their next steps forward this year as leaders and playmakers?
There’s also the promise of a new season with a lot of healthy players. For example, we haven’t seen a fully healthy Christian Watson to start the season in his entire NFL career. What difference will that make for this offense? His ability to stretch and take the top off of defenses is what got him drafted highly to begin with, but his inability to stay on the field has hampered him drastically to date. With all the work he’s done on his legs this offseason to stay healthy, I am hopeful that he’s going to be much more durable this season. He’s sure off to a good start there.
There is the unknown that is the Jeff Hafley defense. Of course, it can’t get a whole lot worse than what Joe Barry produced. But how will this new scheme and approach to defense activate the talent that already exists on the roster? And how will guys like Xavier McKinney and other new additions complement the talented pieces already on the field?
There is so much cause for excitement out of this team. It’s not a surprise that there are so many national pundits picking the Packers as their dark horse contenders, and at some point you have to figure that the Packers no longer qualify as a dark horse.
It’s been a few years since we entered the season with actual expectations of greatness. It’s not Super Bowl or Bust, but this is a team that should be bound for great things. And that starts in Brazil on Friday.
Wisconsin Beer of the Week
Everyone who’s had a beer in Wisconsin is familiar with New Glarus Brewing. They’re known for their ubiquitous Spotted Cow, but there are plenty of other beers they brew that, at least to me, exceed its quality. I particularly like New Glarus’s Thumbprint series, which are generally seasonal or rotating beers that are outside their normal range of styles.
This summer for the first time I tried the brewery’s imperial radler. A radler is a type of light lager that gets mixed with some sort of fruity beverage. They originated in Bavaria and are popular here in the United States, especially in summer.
New Glarus describes its imperial radler as follows:
“This mighty citrus flex is powered by 8.5% ABV. Brewmaster Dan harnessed a fierce grapefruit tropic blast with his own proprietary pilsner malt. Wisconsin, Yakima, and New Zealand experimental hops conspire to push back into perfect balance the brute force of this Imperial Radler. A brawny brew to quench a powerful thirst.”
I enjoyed it quite a bit. Most radlers are much lower ABV (hence the “imperial” name here) and yet this one didn’t feel like it was all that strong, which may make it a bit dangerous.
I found this at my local Woodman’s. Even though summer has come to an end, perhaps you can still grab it as well at your local Wisconsin liquor store. But if you’re outside of Wisconsin, good luck… New Glarus is famously strict about its distribution, keeping all beers in state lines.
Brayden Narveson!
I love this dude. I have no idea if he’ll be a good kicker or not, but it’s hard not to be charmed by him.
First, his wife grew up in Wisconsin as a Packer fan, so it’s sort of a homecoming. They had actually talked during the pre-draft process about how cool it would be for him to end up in Green Bay. And after a pit stop in Tennessee as an undrafted free agent, it actually happened. He said he called her as soon as he got off the phone with the Packers, and her response was along the lines of, “You’ve got to be kidding me! I’m going to be the coolest person in my home town!” Love it.
Narveson made 10 of his 11 first kicks with the Packers and nailed a booming 56-yarder for the Titans during preseason. Statistically he’s a clear improvement over the kickers the Packers had in camp. He’s still very much untested at the NFL level, but for a team that’s all about giving chances to young guys right now, he seems to fit the bill of a guy you want around.
I loved his response to a question about whether there’s pressure jumping into a team in this environment. He talked about how “pressure is a privilege,” and that people who don’t feel the pressure are either lying or don’t care enough, that it’s all about getting into the right mindset to overcome that pressure.
He’s got a big leg, a great story, and he’s saying all the right things in addition to having a strong start at practice. If he ends up performing well in games, I could see this guy really becoming loved by Packer fans quickly.
Pretty great stuff for a guy I’d never heard of until getting the notification that the Packers had signed him.
Around the NFC North
As always, it’s time to go around the NFC North. This week, for week one, I’m picking how I think they’ll finish the season.
- The CHICAGO BEARS have some exciting pieces on paper with a brand new young quarterback who some consider a generational talent. They’re in a spot this franchise hasn’t been in for many years. While it’s too early to expect the team to be a playoff contender, it would be a massive disappointment for them not to be taking some significant steps forward this season. But they’ll still lose to the Packers twice. My guess: 7-10, third place.
- The DETROIT LIONS are the reigning top dogs in the division, but they have to be getting frustrated with most national media being more excited for the Packers than them. This is still a team with something to prove, especially with how close they came to a Super Bowl berth a season ago. While I don’t think they make it as far as they did last year, I do think they’ll be a formidable foe. 11-6, out in the divisional round.
- The MINNESOTA VIKINGS had a rough year a season ago and it’s probably not going to get a whole lot better. This is a team with just enough talent to win some games it shouldn’t but not enough talent to be a team that’s going to concern people. 6-11, fourth place in the division.
Response to first Brazil game has been disappointing but unsurprising
There has been a lot written and said about the NFL’s first foray into Brazil. While there’s a lot of excitement and enthusiasm as well as some understandable reservations, there has also been a lot of misinformation.
Depending on which people you pay attention to, Brazil may or may not be a crime-infested slum where the players and media are going to be at risk of robbery and muggings on a daily basis. Hint: it’s not.
The fear mongering and not-so-veiled xenophobia has been really disappointing, but also not particularly surprising.
The absurdity has gotten so out of control that one Wisconsin lawmaker, Rep. John Macco (R-Brown County) is calling for the game to have the game moved back to the United States, saying “when you look at some of the riots and some of the other issues that have gone on there, that is not a place that we should be in right now.”
Much of this has been debunked numerous times by people way smarter than me already. But it’s just unfortunate that this continues to poison the atmosphere surrounding the game.
The thing is, there are actually legitimate gripes to this game. There’s always the concern about inequity over a team losing a home game. There are the travel logistics; this is a very long flight, and while the team doesn’t have to deal with jetlag, it’s still a lot of time to spend on a plane that includes lost opportunities to adhere to a normal schedule for practice. There are the always-present concerns about whether the field and facilities will be up to the NFL’s standards.
But a lot of the concerns that are getting the most press right now seem to be coming from a place of unfamiliarity with Brazil and Brazilian culture. Remember, the country just recently hosted an Olympics and a World Cup.
My guess is that the most drama to come out of this whole experience are going to be the long flight and the unnecessarily strict rules for players at hotels.
The team that comes into the game with the better attitude will, in my opinion, be the one that wins. And that leads me into the next subject…
Packers vs. Eagles and Week 1 Picks
Alright, it’s finally returned–real football, and real picks!
Right now, everything about this game is screaming Packers W to me. The Eagles have had a number of players be vocally negative about the prospects of playing in Brazil and do not seem to relish the experience at all. It sure would seem like they’re not coming into this game with the right mindset.
In week one you can throw out what teams accomplished the previous year, but I have to say that the Eagles really started to fall apart in the final portions of last season and I was mildly surprised they brought back Nick Sirianni, who seemed to have lost the locker room. This is certainly a talented team, but I like the cohesion and the energy coming from the Packers. This is a strong young team with a whole lot of talent that’s only going to get better than they were a season ago.
It could very well feel like a home game in Brazil, and I expect a Packer victory.
Packers 27, Eagles 23
And here are the rest of my picks for this week…
CHIEFS over Ravens
SAINTS over Panthers
GIANTS over Vikings
BENGALS over Patriots
FALCONS over Steelers
TEXANS over Colts
BILLS over Cardinals
BEARS over Titans
DOLPHINS over Jaguars
SEAHAWKS over Broncos
CHARGERS over Raiders
BROWNS over Cowboys
BUCS over Commanders
LIONS over Rams
49ERS over Jets
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Tim Backes is a lifelong Packer fan and a contributor to CheeseheadTV. Follow him on Twitter @timbackes for his Packer takes, random musings and Untappd beer check-ins.
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Comments (102)
Cheezehead72
September 05, 2024 at 07:03 am
Please no thumbs up or down on this one. You might agree or disagree. Yes this is an unpopular comment but it is just a prediction.
I disagree. I am a true Packer fan and I want them to win all the time. I see the Packers losing this game and the Eagles covering.
Coldworld
September 05, 2024 at 08:33 am
It’s a new season. The Eagles have 2 new coordinators and schemes and we have one. I really have no idea how this game will go. I find it hard to believe anyone does, even more so than typical opening games. I just hope we play hard and can adapt faster or better, which may be the difference in Friday.
RCPackerFan
September 05, 2024 at 09:15 am
Why?
Just a legit question why do you see that happening?
Cheezehead72
September 05, 2024 at 10:08 am
If you look down below I made my keys to a win.
I am concerned about our defense. Hafley stated this will be an aggressive defense. Too many time the Packers were too aggressive with QBs that are strong and can run. They must keep Hurst in front of them.
MFL tends to get away from the run. To beat this defense we will need to run the ball.
If we do that we can win.
RCPackerFan
September 05, 2024 at 11:59 am
I get the concern.
But let me kind of help ease those concerns. We don't have Joe Barry anymore. That alone makes us better.
But for real, last year our defense really improved later in the year. That was when LaFleur started getting involved a lot more in the defensive play calling/game planning. He went with a much more aggressive approach and it changed. Hafley will be a much more aggressive play caller then Barry ever was. That is one of the biggest changes we needed.
Not only did we change the playcaller an game planner, we also added some big time talent. Getting McKinney was a massive get. Our safety room was probably the weakest room on the team, and that significantly changed. Bullard and Evans flashed a ton in the preseason and looks like they will be playing major roles. At LB we don't know how they will use Cooper and Hopper, but both bring an element they have been needing. At CB, we will finally have a more aggressive approach. We won't have our CB's playing 10 yards off on a 3rd an 3 (at least I hope we don't). Also Alexander is prime to be the player to really watch in this defense.
And the other part of this defense to be excited for is the improving is the 2nd and 3rd year players. Wyatt, Walker, Van Ness, Brooks, Wooden, Valentine are all players to be excited for.
Now that being said it may take a bit for the defense to get rolling.
dobber
September 05, 2024 at 09:54 am
I tend to agree with you '72. I see the Eagles as the kind of fast, physical team that requires teams to be defensively sound and sure tacklers that has historically given the Packers fits. That's history, though...and as more history fits in, I'm looking at how they finished 2023 and find myself thinking that if the Packers land a hard punch early, the Eagles might start to doubt themselves.
Hurts is an improviser and his ability to create can make the difference in these early season games which often end up sloppy. I also see the Eagles coming out and trying hard to make people forget the end of last season.
Philly 31, Packers 27
Mister Chievous
September 05, 2024 at 10:44 am
" I see the Eagles as the kind of fast, physical team that requires teams to be defensively sound and sure tacklers that has historically given the Packers fits.". that kind of team is going to give any team fits, not just the Packers.
dobber
September 05, 2024 at 10:46 am
Thumbs up to you, sir!
LambeauPlain
September 05, 2024 at 10:16 am
Not an unreasonable opinion. Eagles were like the Packers Defense under Barry last season...loaded with talent, coaching that led to under-performance.
They could be the team that started 10-1 or still feeling the doom loop effects of the 1-5 collapse hangover.
The Packers could be the team that started 2-6 or on the flywheel 7-2 that got them within a missed FG of the NFCCG.
I see this as a game of both Offenses scoring a lot of points on the Defenses. And the Defense that gets the turnovers and key stops will win the game...with STs (especially kickoffs) being the wild card to tip it one way or the other.
Defensive challenges: Both have new systems and coaches. Both have new faces in key roles. Who has their guys most prepared to execute the game plan?
The Packers CBs are going to have their hands full...pressure on Hurts is essential.
Eagles, without Devin White, will have mediocre '23 3rd round sophomore Dean and 5th round rookie Trotter, Jr. starting at ILB (former Badger Jack Baun is backup). I guarantee they will have their hands full.
I think the Packers D does better work stopping Hurts and their O than the Eagles do stopping Love and Co.
Packers win by a TD or so.
dobber
September 05, 2024 at 10:31 am
"Eagles, without Devin White, will have mediocre '23 3rd round sophomore Dean and 5th round rookie Trotter, Jr. starting at ILB (former Badger Jack Baun is backup). I guarantee they will have their hands full.'
I think this is where the Packers will attack the Eagles: the middle of the field. I wouldn't be surprised to see Musgrave and Reed being the focal points there. I think they'll try to get the ball out fast to stymie the Eagles' interior pass rush.
T7Steve
September 05, 2024 at 07:18 am
No matter the outcome (Packers' walk off field goal) it's great to watch real football again.
Don't worry about any Brazilian dangers. They've managed to ship most all of their malcontents to the US in the last 3 years.
Packers0808
September 05, 2024 at 07:22 am
How really stupid to have to add an ahole remark at the end of your statement. Especially seeing it a Republican fault we have so many here. Maybe we got too many of your kind here way too long already. People doing politics on a FB site. Ridiculous.
Cheezehead72
September 05, 2024 at 07:28 am
So you criticize his comment about bringing in politics but then you do the same. Let's keep this to football and when it involves the Chiefs dogging Swift
Packers0808
September 05, 2024 at 07:32 am
Point was to show his no need to say that as mine wasn't! See it did exactly what I wanted it do, by you biting for it. Just so sick of this Trump vs Harris name calling!
stockholder
September 05, 2024 at 10:47 am
You should have just blown it off.
Everything ends up in court.
And that isn't going to change.
He's a cowboy fan.
TKWorldWide
September 05, 2024 at 07:38 am
I’m expecting a couple of deletions.
But regardless, GPG!
RCPackerFan
September 05, 2024 at 09:19 am
lol.
Its honestly kind of funny.
This site is for GB and I won't talk politics. But the hypocrisy is funny to me.
T7Steve
September 05, 2024 at 08:10 am
Sorry for the sarcasm. I wasn't pointing any fingers I was just going along for the ride that was started in the article.
Why did you think I was favoring one over the other? I was just pointing out what's been happening not who's responsible or ducking responsibility.
Bitternotsour
September 05, 2024 at 09:37 am
the bigger issue (beyond you not understanding sarcasm) is that you aren't funny. Also, if you're so disingenuous as to not believe that was a political statement, well then you aren't very smart either. I'd call that ducking responsibility.
T7Steve
September 05, 2024 at 09:47 am
Again, I apologize for offending your beliefs. As you pointed out I'm not smart enough to figure out why it bothers you so much, but I'm glad you've got me going in the right direction now.
Bitternotsour
September 05, 2024 at 10:41 am
Good enough for me.
Bitternotsour
September 05, 2024 at 01:19 pm
Though you didn't offend my beliefs, you just wrote stupid shit. I take that personally.
RCPackerFan
September 05, 2024 at 02:22 pm
you do realize you just responded to your own comment on this. Which in turns means you said that you wrote stupid shit.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Bitternotsour
September 05, 2024 at 02:49 pm
hang your hat on that
RCPackerFan
September 05, 2024 at 02:53 pm
Just reading through the comments. Saw it and thought it was pretty funny.
Packers0808
September 05, 2024 at 11:02 am
Of course it was political as meant to be. Who doesn't get sarcasm? The whole point was that and you fell for it all the way. Don't blame others for you being gullible.
Bitternotsour
September 05, 2024 at 01:21 pm
I don't think gullible means what you think it means. I also question whether you understand what sarcasm is.
Packers0808
September 05, 2024 at 07:03 pm
Oh yes believe me I do both. Problem is you are the one not in knowledge of what they mean. Risible.
stockholder
September 05, 2024 at 02:24 pm
ok- enough
Alberta_Packer
September 05, 2024 at 10:37 am
A major violation of the unwritten rule of this site - just Packers and football - no politics.
Packers0808
September 05, 2024 at 11:03 am
Exactly, my whole point!
Gravedigger93
September 05, 2024 at 12:05 pm
I think Vince Neil said it best..."girl don't go away mad, girl just go away."
RCPackerFan
September 05, 2024 at 02:39 pm
I really think Biff had it better. "why don't you make like a tree, and get out of here".
Now this is not directed at anyone. I just like the line.
egbertsouse
September 05, 2024 at 07:45 am
What is the over/under on crazy jingoistic comments in response to this article? About 28.5?
Packers0808
September 05, 2024 at 11:03 am
0
TheBigCat
September 05, 2024 at 08:17 am
Tim:
I'm excited about the game being played in Brazil. Instead of the usual "brats and beer" fare, we'll be chowing down on Brazilian bbq, and playing "The Girl From Ipanema" after each Packer score. Can never have enough of the tune!
All this fear-mongering about the game being played in Brazil reminds me of a workshop I attended years ago, where we had, among other things, an attendee from LA and Cartagena, Colombia. During introductions, the LA resident asked the guy from Cartagena something about "how do you stay alive in that city." To which the resident from Cartagena countered the guy from LA with the same question.
Cheezehead72
September 05, 2024 at 08:42 am
Brazilian BBQ you are making me hungry. I would love to indulge until I am too full to cheer.
Mister Chievous
September 05, 2024 at 01:14 pm
the girl from Ipanema? ha ha. you're old
Coldworld
September 05, 2024 at 08:19 am
My memories of a couple of games in London are that there were a huge number of ex-pat Americans just happy to see live football regardless of team and to showcase the sport to local friends. Another contingent was locals intrigued by the spectacle. The number of true fans flying in was pretty small. The striking experience was that after a big play (good or bad) there would be a pause and murmur and then a reaction. People would look to the ones who seemed to know what was going on and follow their reaction or explanation.
I’m not fond of games outside the US in season, but let’s see how the Brazilians and their neighbors attend and judge the enthusiasm and knowledgeability after. Let them prove there’s a reason beyond the $ that justified this. Who knows, the locals may surprise us. If it’s just an ex pat and tourist fiesta though, let’s hope it’s a short term fad.
As to Brazil, yes it’s got its favellas and issues, but who are we to preach? There are an increasing number of US cities that scare off foreigners and citizens alike. For Eagles fans it might actually be a safer place to visit than their home stadium. Thats not exactly in an earthly paradise. My only question is how well the NFL field works in that soccer stadium (designed for different field dimensions), but I’m watching on TV, so hopefully that’s not a factor for me as it could be for those attending in person. The weather looks like being in the 70s, no issue there.
LambeauPlain
September 05, 2024 at 09:19 am
"There are an increasing number of US cities that scare off foreigners and citizens alike."
Sadly that is true and the shocking recent trends are not our friends. We used to take family trips to Chicago...dinner, a show, Hotel stay, Magnificent Mile. No longer.
Happily, this is not true when you visit the Lambeau Shrine for a game in Green Bay.
HawkPacker
September 05, 2024 at 10:23 am
Yeah, I used to love staying downtown in Chicago. There was so much to do and enjoy. I no longer have any desire to go there.
Bitternotsour
September 05, 2024 at 01:13 pm
Did they take away all the things to do and enjoy while I wasn't looking? Chicago seems pretty great to me - though I wouldn't book a trip there in the dead of winter
Oppy
September 06, 2024 at 04:01 pm
Chicago is a major city (3rd largest city in the US by population) and with that comes crime. However, Chicago's violent crime rate ranks in at the 17th highest in the country. Here are some of the 16 US cities with a higher violent crime rate than Chicago:
Memphis
Kansas City (MO)
Milwaukee
Cleveland
Albuquerque
Anchorage
Nashville
New Orleans
Minneapolis
Not all of these cities are known as the best places on earth, but you rarely hear anyone say "Minneapolis? There's no way I'm taking my familiy there" or, "You're kidding me, right? You're not going to do a bachelorette party in NASHVILLE, are you?". Not too often I've heard the "Anchorage? not in this lifetime" or "The Packers are playing the Chiefs? Well, that's one road game I won't be attending."
Just sayin', Chicago has its problems, and any violent crime is too much violent crime.. but there is an active smear campaign over the last 10, 15 years to contort people's perceptions of Chicago crime in a way that is not commensurate with other cities in the US.
Alberta_Packer
September 05, 2024 at 11:26 am
As to the unknown field conditions - I wondered how many shoes and cleat sizes the equipment managers packed for this trip?
Mister Chievous
September 05, 2024 at 01:17 pm
the NFL is testing south American enthusiasm so they can add a new conference: the SAFL. the NFL learned from the big ten which has what, 40 schools now?
jurp
September 05, 2024 at 03:03 pm
At the current rate of expansion, every D1 football team will play in either the Big 10 or SEC by 2030.
/s (maybe)
Actually, if this happens, the two conferences could just absorb the smaller conferences as divisions, recreating some of the "lost" conferences along the way: The Pacific 8 division in the Big 10, the ACC division in the SEC, the Big 8 division in the Big 10 (without TX and OK, though), etc.
LeotisHarris
September 05, 2024 at 08:37 am
I think it's pretty cool the Green Bay Packers get to play a game in an iconic stadium in the fourth largest city in the world. Corinthians Arena has hosted World Cup and Olympic soccer matches. Let's all have a hot dog and enjoy the game!
stockholder
September 05, 2024 at 11:01 am
The players don't like it.
Period.
Alberta_Packer
September 05, 2024 at 12:01 pm
Your source(s) that the players (plural) don't like it?
dobber
September 05, 2024 at 12:03 pm
How could they know yet?
Bitternotsour
September 05, 2024 at 01:16 pm
You sir have clearly not witnessed Brazilian fandom in that stadium. It will quite likely be one of the best experiences of their lives. The players are going to be in heaven. It's going to be nuts.
Mister Chievous
September 05, 2024 at 01:19 pm
I like it. exclamation point.
Oppy
September 05, 2024 at 08:39 pm
Umm.. Packers players look pretty excited to be there based on their interviews and other footage of them on the ground in Brazil.
Now, would they rather be playing in Lambeau? Yeah, probably. But they sure seem to be enjoying the experience.
Do Brazilian fans toot vuvuzelas? Is that still a thing? Could get nuttier than squirrel turds up in there.
Todd
September 05, 2024 at 10:55 pm
Publicly at least, most, if not all, have been saying they are excited to be a part of the game.
jannesbjornson
September 06, 2024 at 03:24 pm
No doubt, it's Un-American. As the bircher said: "pitch the woo @ the simple-minded."
Mister Chievous
September 05, 2024 at 01:18 pm
hot dog < brat
Oppy
September 06, 2024 at 07:45 am
Shouldn't your name be Mister Obvious?
:)
RCPackerFan
September 05, 2024 at 09:13 am
Brayden Narveson! -
I'm looking forward to seeing him kick. It sounds like he has impressed a lot of players. His wife being from Wisconsin and a packers fan is pretty damn cool.
Narveson missed 1 FG in preseason. And it came after he just made the FG but they called timeout. I
I just hope he comes in and does a great job. We need a reliable kicker.
Response to first Brazil game has been disappointing but unsurprising -
The thing I keep back in my mind is this is the first time playing in Brazil. If this was such a dangerous place, the NFL would not have sent our teams there.
"The team that comes into the game with the better attitude will, in my opinion, be the one that wins. And that leads me into the next subject…"
I think there is a lot to this. Remember a couple of years ago when GB played in London. All week LaFleur was groveling about playing there. You could tell he absolutely didn't want to be there and the whole team went there and played like they didn't want to be there. This time, all i have been seeing from the Eagles is that the players dont want to be there, and want to get this thing over with. They aren't even sending their radio announcers. GB is. I feel like our attitude going into it is much much better.
dobber
September 05, 2024 at 10:01 am
Anymore, the announcers don't need to travel. My understanding is that half the Olympic commentary was done by folks in studios stateside.
For many Olympic sports (e.g. swimming) that's not such a big deal, but I can see where games like soccer or football where it helps to see how the whole field is developing rather than what's on a couple monitors would make this a little harder to do credibly from a remote site.
RCPackerFan
September 05, 2024 at 11:29 am
like you said some sports you can do that just fine remotely and from a tv copy. However with football especially you can't go based on the TV copy. There are so many things that they look at, you simply can't do that from a remote location.
To me it sends a big message that they don't feel safe there and they don't want to be there.
GB has not taken that approach. I heard Wayne Larrivee the other day talking about going and he was excited and excited about exploring Sao Paulo.
It just feels like a completely different approach from each team.
And listening to LaFleur's presser this morning it seems some people down there are very offended by it.
Mister Chievous
September 05, 2024 at 01:23 pm
I agree it will be safe. still, would be smart to leave your gold chains and rolexes at home. players in San Francisco apparently didn't get that memo.
RCPackerFan
September 05, 2024 at 02:23 pm
I think what happened in San Fran should tell everyone that they should always be aware of their surroundings, regardless of where they are at.
Oppy
September 05, 2024 at 09:14 am
Don't know how the game will go, just hoping for the win.
Just as important, that we don't see signs of backslide from the offense- I don't count rust in that appraisal, but it would be nice if none were apparent.
Very interested to see the defense. I have no expectations. I assume it will be mid season before they start to show what they are really capable of. Enough to win and some promise in the opener would be enough for me.
The unfortunate thing about this opponent as an opener- even if the Packers handle the Eagles with relative ease- the narrative will likely be that the Eagles are in big trouble, their slide continues, the run is over. If it's close, the narrative might be questioning if the Eagles are back or if the Packers have cooled off. If the Packers lose, the narrative will center around the Eagles are back to form, looking like contenders, or the Packers were frauds in 2023.
I guess what I'm getting at is, I want the win, but the game itself will not be a very good indicator of what 2024 holds for the Packers because the narrative will likely be driven by the opponent as opposed to formulated based on the Packers play.
Bitternotsour
September 05, 2024 at 10:44 am
regardless of what happens there will be overreaction and hot takes. it's week one. narratives must be constructed for tv gabfests
Leatherhead
September 05, 2024 at 04:14 pm
Try to picture the season as running a mile on the high school track. You have to go around it four times, and it keeps getting harder. I usually divide the season up into 4 game blocks, and any combination that has us at 2-2 or better after the first four games is fine by me.
Really big road trip against the Eagles
Home Opener against Indy.
At Tennessee
Home against the Vikings.
The two that I'd most like to win? Vikings and Indy, because they're home games. And if we could win one of the road games, I think our chances are better at Tennessee than against Philly.
Secretly, I expect we're going to start 4-0.
D_Dave_Wittmann
September 05, 2024 at 09:26 am
booming 59-yarder
Bitternotsour
September 05, 2024 at 09:42 am
Tim, thanks for calling out the stupid xenophobia
Cheezehead72
September 05, 2024 at 10:03 am
Keys to a win.
Offense run the ball and quick throws. Take what they will give you.
Defense aggressive but restraint. Rushers need to not get behind Hurts. Keep Hurts in front of you. Man on the backside most of the time.
Leatherhead
September 05, 2024 at 10:16 am
Well, we changed our DC and added a bunch of talent to the defense that was 10th in scoring defense. There's been a bunch of talk about turnovers, so if we go down to Brazil and get some takeaways, then that's what we were hoping for.
And a kicker who never misses. We wanted that.
This team has ample talent at all the skill positions on offense. Unless the blocking isn't there, this team should not have a great deal of trouble moving the ball and scoring points. We scored on almost 40% of our possessions last year, good for 9th place (one ahead of KC). We were 5th in 3rd down conversions. The 2024 team should be improved over last year.
dobber
September 05, 2024 at 10:28 am
Sadly, the Friday Night Lights thing here in the states will mean I need to "Wayne and Larry" this one from the bleachers while the local kids play their ball. This Packers game should be easy to find on replay on NFLN later, though.
We frequently send our students to all parts of the world for study abroad and short-term experiences. Every country--including the U.S.--has its high and low points, and individuals making bad decisions is what puts you in jeopardy as much as anything else. I'm not any more worried than if they were going to any other major U.S. city.
What I don't like is the travel to play a strong conference opponent overseas in week 1. Actually, the league has moved to playing divisional games in the last three weeks to try to ramp up playoff drama--I'd like them, if they're going to keep trimming preseason, to make week one strictly an interconference week (AFC vs. NFC) as teams are still shaking off rust. It's a game that counts (of course), but has the least impact on playoff positioning. Playing. week 1 game against a team you might be jockeying with for playoff position at the end of the year seems punitive.
Around the NFCN--
The days of the weak NFC Norris are long past. This is a much stronger division than we've seen in recent years, and might be right up there with the AFCN as one of the strongest divisions in the league.
Lions--plenty of depth questions with them (as with most teams), but their starters are very good and they play hard. How long they can continue on the hot burn Campbell seems to relish is the question. Teams can't play that way forever, and we've seen them get had a couple times by teams that punch them first and pressure Goff. Staying healthy--esp. in the trenches--will be the key for them. I think they win the division, but they only win 10.
Bears--lots of hype and speculation, given how many new faces there are and the investments they've made, but there are questions surrounding whether they know how to win, and whether Williams not only can hold up to the pounding his play will expose him to and really is fully invested in being the face of the team (there's a lot of talk of his self-adoration). I think they're a volatile commodity, but third at 8 wins and in the conversation for a wild card up through the final week feels right.
Vikings--if Sam Darnold can't put up numbers with this unit, he never will. He's not a big-armed guy, but he's got the pieces--especially when Hockenson comes back. I think the offense in MN will be above average in aggregate, but they're going to surrender a lot of points. I'm going out on a limb and predicting that Aaron Jones has one of his best seasons as a pro catching the ball...mostly outlets. Six-to-seven wins feels about right for this group, but if Darnold finds a groove they could challenge for a WC.
LeotisHarris
September 05, 2024 at 10:40 am
"-...if Sam Darnold can't put up numbers with this unit,"
"...but if Darnold finds a groove..."
Uh huh huh huh huh, you said "unit" and "groove" uh huh huh huh.
dobber
September 05, 2024 at 10:49 am
IT's not a groovy unit....
RCPackerFan
September 05, 2024 at 12:03 pm
"Sadly, the Friday Night Lights thing here in the states will mean I need to "Wayne and Larry" this one from the bleachers while the local kids play their ball. This Packers game should be easy to find on replay on NFLN later, though."
I really hate that this game is on a Friday night for that reason.
I am lucking out as our school has a road game so I don't have to be there tomorrow night. That being said, if I was at the game, I'd be watching it on my phone.
HawkPacker
September 05, 2024 at 12:13 pm
Purchase Peacock for $6 per month. You can then drop it if you like.
Where there is a will, there is a way!
Leatherhead
September 05, 2024 at 01:59 pm
dobber, you can get Peacock on your phone for like $4.
I don't like having to start the season off with a road game against a strong conference opponent, either. I have argued that everybody should play their 4 out-of-conference games first, and then everybody would be 0-0 in the conference going into Week 5. That gives everybody a couple of weeks to get in rhythm before the real season starts.
RCPackerFan
September 05, 2024 at 02:34 pm
While they are starting out on the road against a conference team, there are some really good things with this game.
-They aren't losing a home game to play on the road.
-They are playing this one 2 days ahead of the start of the season. There will be 2 extra days to recover before they play again.
-They are playing this in a country that (supposedly) is very Pro Packers. Which means this very well could be almost like a home away from home game for the Packers.
"I have argued that everybody should play their 4 out-of-conference games first, and then everybody would be 0-0 in the conference going into Week 5. That gives everybody a couple of weeks to get in rhythm before the real season starts."
I really like this idea. Especially since they are trying to remove the preseason as much as possible, why not start the first couple of games at least with non conference opponents. For a marketing standpoint they already have the opening weekend rush. If they did conference begins rush a few games in they could market it well.
Leatherhead
September 05, 2024 at 04:20 pm
I hadn't considered that benefit. Sometimes, I wonder why they don't block out the season with 4 non-conference, then 3 in your division, then 7 games in the conference, then 3 more in your division.
I agree that this Brazil trip isn't a horrible situation for the Packers. It's a road game against a pretty good opponent that we might see again in January.
moxiedog
September 05, 2024 at 10:51 am
As a bonafide cheesehead and resident of Brasil, I can't wait for Friday night's kickoff. Sadly, I'll be watching the game from here at home rather than in Sao Paulo. Tried to buy tickets online when they went on sale here but, after waiting 3 hours online was notified all the tickets were gone. Ticketmaster is a scam and the scalper sites are worse...
One thing I will say is, if the NFL is serious about expanding into international markets, they need to adopt some awareness of these new markets' economics-- professional futebol (soccer) tickets can be had for as little as $15 here in Brasil. Comparable (nosebleed) seats for this Packers game were originally more than 6 times the price of homegrown futebol (and are a lot more now in the scalper markets).
So I'll be cheering the Pack on from the comfort of my couch this Friday night and saving my money for future Cruzeiros games...
Go Pack Go!!
Vai Cruzeiros, Vai!!
Alberta_Packer
September 05, 2024 at 11:18 am
It will never be a fan friendly outcome when the NFL and Ticketmaster are in partnership.
HawkPacker
September 05, 2024 at 12:14 pm
Ticketmaster sucks big time. Too much profit for them when purchasing tickets!
BAMABADGER
September 05, 2024 at 02:41 pm
I haven't heard a certain someone talk about the gross profit/price gouging by TM. Where is she when we need her????
GPG!!!!!!!
Alberta_Packer
September 05, 2024 at 03:16 pm
This is a football only fan site. Take your political geivances elsewhere.
BAMABADGER
September 07, 2024 at 06:06 pm
Watch the CFL
Alberta_Packer
September 05, 2024 at 11:12 am
It's a pity that both the Packers and Eagles have to travel so far - only to spend the great majority of their time on planes, buses, turf and hotel rooms. I understand that it is a business trip but some recreational time should have been allocated for players to experience the color, vibrancy and multi-culturalism of Brazilian life. Then the NFL has never pertended to support any culture other than capitalism.
As for the game - Packers by 10-14 points. My thinking is that Green Bay will be just a little more efficient and enthusiastic than Philadephia.
Mister Chievous
September 05, 2024 at 01:38 pm
while the idea of giving the players recreational time sounds nice in theory, the team is, of course, on a tight schedule. multi-millionaires have the means to travel anywhere on the globe during the off season.
Alberta_Packer
September 05, 2024 at 02:12 pm
The game could have been scheduled on Thursday - giving the team(s) an extra day for cultural interaction with a new market - while still returning to GB in time for ample rest and recovery. Very doable at the beginning of the season.
moxiedog
September 05, 2024 at 11:23 am
Agree, Pack by at least 10.
The probem with the players having more time here to experiece the color, vibrancy, multi-culturalism and FOOD of Brasil is that the NFL knows that many of them would not return...
mnbadger
September 05, 2024 at 12:37 pm
I feel a little better about this pick every day.
Empacotadores 34 - Águias 26
GPG!
WD
September 05, 2024 at 02:55 pm
You failed to mention that the NFL itself has advised families not to go to Brazil because of the high crime.
PatrickGB
September 06, 2024 at 09:27 am
Is it worse than Chicago?
Oppy
September 06, 2024 at 03:21 pm
Chicago's crime rate isn't that bad for a city of its size.. at all. You seem to have fallen victim to what is commonly referred to as "narrative"
Gross numbers should not be confused with per capita rates.
Bitternotsour
September 06, 2024 at 04:01 pm
Take people who are afraid of their own shadows, add narrative and suddenly they're hiding under their beds and missing out on one of the great cities in America, the American city with the best architecture, great culture and pretty darn good food. They also have pretty decent public transportation, and a fairly historically important football team. The lakefront is pretty spectacular too.
11Bravo1p
September 06, 2024 at 10:09 pm
Bitternotsour, I lived in Chicago for 25 years, but left because crime skyrocketed during the last 5 years. I am a Veteran and am not afraid of my own shadow, but chose to move to a much safer city because personal security is a necessity. Please stop continuously injecting your politics into what should be a comments section about the Packers.
Oppy
September 06, 2024 at 03:26 pm
For what it's worth, WD, Sao Paulo's crime rates are almost identical to the crime rates in St. Louis, MO.
Now, I'm not going to pretend that St. Louis is the safest city in the US- it's certainly got its neighborhoods that are very dangerous.
The only point I'm trying to make is when is the last time you've heard of the NFL advising the families of NFL staff and players not to travel to St. Louis because of crime (when the Rams were still there, obviously) .
So often, Americans are very concerned with the crime in other countries, and when you look at the numbers, generally speaking the places they're concerned about aren't much worse than many of the major cities here in terms of violent crime rate.
TKWorldWide
September 05, 2024 at 03:30 pm
I hope they are prepared for the ball to rotate in the opposite direction; southern hemisphere and all.
If you’ve never flushed a toilet in the southern hemi, be prepared to freak out.
LeotisHarris
September 05, 2024 at 04:13 pm
I'm pretty sure they had Grey Ruegamer spearheading that effort. He leveraged his contacts at NASA to help create whatever they did away from prying eyes in the Hudson Center. Some of the fellas got dizzy at first, I guess, but most of their brains adapted (except poor Anders) by yesterday.
Do you think cleat length will be a factor with the different gravity down there? Also, I read a lot of the foreigners that live in Brazil don't speak American. That's gonna be a major hassle, right?
Leatherhead
September 05, 2024 at 04:24 pm
It is a known fact that if you want non-American speakers to understand you, you should speak louder and slower.
TKWorldWide
September 05, 2024 at 09:47 pm
YOU GOT THAT RIGHT, LH!!!
TKWorldWide
September 05, 2024 at 09:44 pm
I’m hearing from my back channel contacts on the dark web they are experimenting with inverted cleats. Kinda like two mini beds of nails inside the footwear. Lisfranc be damned, baby, we gots ta git that grip! As an added bonus, it’s a great exfoliator for those calloused heels.
PatrickGB
September 06, 2024 at 09:21 am
As far as the field conditions, soccer pitches are usually great.
Bitternotsour
September 06, 2024 at 10:59 am
Not in the US they aren't
MitchAnthony
September 06, 2024 at 11:22 am
I'll take Geoff Muldaur's version of "Brazil" over the "Girl from Impanema". It was the theme song from the very quirky dystopian black comedy by Terry Gilliam (Brazil 1985).