Packers 27 Broncos 16: Game Balls & Lame Calls

The Packers are 3-0! 

 

The Green Bay Packers are 3-0 after a tough-fought win over the Denver Broncos.  It was far from pretty but the defense once again took over and iced it on the back of Preston Smith's third sack of the day.  

The Packers are banged up, but now have a short week to get ready to host the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday night.  

Game Balls

Preston Smith

Have yourself a day, sir!  Huge caused fumble at the end of the first half to set up a red zone possession and subsequent touchdown to give the Packers the lead back.  Add in three sacks on the day including on fourth down on Denver's last possession to effectively ice the game.

That's four-and-a-half sacks on the young season.  Money well spent, I'd have to say!  

Aaron Jones

Two touchdowns on the ground, both hard-earned.  Jones only had 19 yards on the day which makes his efficiency rating sky high.  Quality over quantity for Jones and keeping his legs fresh on a short week.

Jamaal Williams

For doing the dirty work and picking up tough yards all day long.  He didn't have a lot of yards, but Williams had one of those hidden good days on the field that won't show up in the box score.

Rashan Gary

His first career sack in the fourth quarter at a key time and help on an earlier sack of Joe Flacco (he wasn't credited in the box score).  Add in a fumble recovery near the end of the first half.  Hopefully these plays come in bunches for the first rounder.  Gary's presence was felt in this game.

Jaire Alexander

Alexander had a caused fumble and recovery on the same play.  The type of play we're becoming more accustomed to Alexander making, he took the ball away from Broncos tight end Noah Fant on what would have been a first down catch and run.  The Packers drove down and put it in the end zone.

Alexander added in two passes defended on the day as well.  His star is rising.

Lame Calls

Robert Tonyan

Run your routes at full speed, son.  Tonyan lagged early on a deep route and an Aaron Rodgers pass that would have been on the money was just out of reach.  

Kevin King

From hero to goat in a week.  King badly missed a tackle on a screen that went for over 30 yards.  Fundamentals 101, those types of plays have to be made.  The drive allowed Denver deep into the Packers territory and get into the end zone.

On the next possession, King was beaten badly on third down for a long completion.  The Broncos were backed up to their own end zone and the Packers had a chance for excellent field position.  

I'm picking on King a bit here as there were many defensive deficiencies today but he was showcased for the wrong reasons too many times.

The Entire Defense on the Phillip Lindsay Touchdown Run

Fourth down, ball carrier wrapped up at the point and he powers his way through a good defense into the end zone.  Phillip Lindsay is 5'8" and 190 pounds.  An elite defense can't show like that.

 

Others to mention:

  • Marquez Valdes-Scantling had the nice go route on a free play that got the Packers on the board early.  He also struggled at times.  The offense needs consistency from #83 this season
  • Elgton Jenkins did pretty well in his starting debut
  • Hats off once again to David Bakhtiari and Bryan Bulaga - holding Von Miller and Bradley Chubb without a sack.  Or any Broncos defender, for that matter!
  • I buried this one a bit on the list because I'm not here to stir up any drama, but once again, Aaron Rodgers seemed frustrated with either the play call or how long it took to get the call in.  Matt LaFleur looked just as perplexed at times.  Hopefully their dialogue about each game continues to be productive and they can get the kinks worked out
  • Short week and on to the Philadelphia Eagles Thursday night

-------------------

Jason is a freelance writer on staff since 2012 and also co-hosts Cheesehead TV Live, Pulse of the Pack and Pack A Day podcasts.  You can follow him on Twitter here

4 points
 

Comments (95)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
cheesy_buffalo's picture

September 23, 2019 at 06:43 am

Not worried about AR and ML. Remember when the world was ending because Tom Brady's body language toward Josh McDaniels? Elite QBs get pissed about stuff.

This team will get though Thursday night, hopefully with another W, and we'll see the offense hitting on all cylinders week 5 after the mini-bye. If Rodgers wants to be mad about something, he should be mad at himself for poor footwork leading to a couple of bad throws that would have been first downs.

12 points
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OldPacker's picture

September 23, 2019 at 08:51 am

That's why I don't like HC being the play-callers.. either be the HC or be a Offensive Coordinator /PC.. when the team see's the leader (AR) in disputes with HC the whole team can start to lose faith in the HC .. The most successful team in all of football ...NE ..doesn't have BB calling plays ..want to win do what winners do.. !

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dobber's picture

September 23, 2019 at 09:05 am

That's not true. Bill Belichick has really been the de facto defensive play caller for years.

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jannes bjornson's picture

September 23, 2019 at 10:37 pm

It's still Belichick's offensive scheme. Mc Daniels just refines it.

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mamasboy's picture

September 23, 2019 at 05:58 pm

I don't think AR gets mad at himself. He's too busy pointing the finger. Brady doesn't act like an angry child on the field several times a game either.

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Daren726's picture

September 23, 2019 at 07:03 am

I’m not worried about Rodgers either. I think he’s just upset that he and the offense aren’t more consistent. He’s impatient. He wants the glory days back now. No waiting. I think he’s a little jelly of the defense and their star power, the commeraderie, how they are ‘clicking ‘ and he wants the same for the offense. It’s been the other way around for years and he’s having trouble not being the main focus.

The defense has got to figure out how to stop the run. They made an average offense look too good.

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Daren726's picture

September 23, 2019 at 07:04 am

I’m not worried about Rodgers either. I think he’s just upset that he and the offense aren’t more consistent. He’s impatient. He wants the glory days back now. No waiting. I think he’s a little jelly of the defense and their star power, the commeraderie, how they are ‘clicking ‘ and he wants the same for the offense. It’s been the other way around for years and he’s having trouble not being the main focus.

The defense has got to figure out how to stop the run. They made an average offense look too good.

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Curt's picture

September 23, 2019 at 07:17 am

Stopping the run without Daniels and now Adams was my concern coming in. the 4th down TD non-stop could have been big, but instead just extended the game. Denver lineman really scored that TD by grabbing runner and pulling him in - stronger than Lowry who had to let go with one aremwhen his hand got up on face mask.

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dobber's picture

September 23, 2019 at 07:34 am

Perhaps, but with Lancaster taking a lot of Adams' snaps in base yesterday, and his specialty is in run defense, we would've expected more from this group in base. Denver was very successful against the Packers in base, yesterday.

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JohnnyLogan's picture

September 23, 2019 at 07:07 am

Confusing how easily Denver ran inside.

6 points
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dobber's picture

September 23, 2019 at 07:37 am

Perhaps indicative of how this defense misses Raven Greene and how badly they need Burks to get healthy.

Let's not forget that Martinez was playing dinged yesterday, too. While I only got the Wayne&Larry version of the game, they said he looked tentative (despite double-digit tackles).

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flackcatcher's picture

September 23, 2019 at 09:56 am

Yes. Greene is a glue guy for the secondary, easy to overlook. As long as T Williams is out there, the back 5 will be OK, but these are the loses that cut the heart out of a team. We're not there yet, but it something to be aware of. Denver O line was so effective because they were holding from the first snap and the Packer defense was constantly overrunning their gaps like a bunch of rabid dogs. Refs let both sides play, no problem there, and being extremely aggressive is a feature, not a bug of this defense. Works for me!

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jannes bjornson's picture

September 23, 2019 at 10:45 pm

If you're hoping for a DB to be the catalyst to stopping the running game, you have a major issue.

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JohnnyLogan's picture

September 23, 2019 at 07:05 am

The decline coincides with Allison and MVS becoming starting receivers. They can't get open and it affects everything else; Adams double and triple-teamed, Rodgers holding the ball, D line stacked against the run.... MVS is a fine #3 receiver but Allison has to be benched. And Graham. No slot receiver or TE to throw to yet Rodgers gets blamed. Shepherd should be starting within a week or two.

2 points
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splitpea1's picture

September 23, 2019 at 11:34 am

I'm hoping Gute will be able to pick up a proven WR or TE somewhere along the line. I don't know who or how, but there's a definite need here, especially as the schedule gets tougher down the road. Look what Amare Cooper did for Dallas last year; kind of a high price to pay, but it was worth it in that case.

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HarlanHuckleby's picture

September 23, 2019 at 11:36 am

MVS is the future and needs to keep getting snaps to develop. He’s going to have an inconsistent year but so is the whole offense.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

September 23, 2019 at 07:12 am

"I'm picking on King"

Nah, DBs who abandon their assignment deep deserve no quarter.

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Doug_In_Sandpoint's picture

September 23, 2019 at 08:37 am

Yeah. He looked like Cutler by continually throwing the ball to guys in Packer uniforms. I still believe that any talk about the best Packer QBs of all time must include Cutler.

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dobber's picture

September 23, 2019 at 09:11 am

Cookie for you, Doug!

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Doug_In_Sandpoint's picture

September 23, 2019 at 08:37 am

That reply was to Curt below.

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Curt's picture

September 23, 2019 at 07:13 am

It appeared Rodgers was channelling his inner Cutler. Not much available so tossing the ball into the ground early, not even bothering to try to extend the play by moving around. Play calls seemed to be designed to keep him from taking any hits or having to move around. Then sitting by himself on bench. Just needed a stationery bike for him to ride and stare into the sky. At least he didn't start throwing it up for grabs!

However, was able to eke out enough to get clinching field goal and then long enough drive to seal it (even with missed FG).

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dobber's picture

September 23, 2019 at 07:38 am

Until he starts throwing the ball to guys in the other jerseys, the Cutler comparisons are premature.

6 points
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egbertsouse's picture

September 23, 2019 at 10:52 am

MLF: What did you think of my calls in the last series?
AR: Cram it up your cramhole, LaFleur!

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imnion's picture

September 23, 2019 at 02:16 pm

Those throwing it in the ground plays were probably RPO's. If he doesn't get rid of the ball the lineman will be called for being illegally downfield. Some of those plays are just not in sync.

3 points
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Bear's picture

September 23, 2019 at 02:43 pm

You understand the game......you hit it on the head. They were timing screen plays, if he throws down field he would of had OL down field.

3 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

September 23, 2019 at 10:43 pm

Thank you for being a Fan of the Game.

1 points
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JHitTheB's picture

September 24, 2019 at 02:55 pm

Whoa whoa whoa you can't just come in here posting logical break downs. CHTV is for bashing AR only. You risk being called a homer wearing Packer colored glasses and then when the naysayers can't refute your statement with sound analysis of their own, they resort to name calling. Didn't you get the memo? All negative/failed offensive plays are AR's fault and his alone. It doesn't matter if the OL blows an assignment and misses a block. It doesn't matter the WRs aren't getting open. It doesn't matter in the case of those 2 quick throws the WRs weren't even looking at all. It doesn't matter if a WR drops a ball placed right in his hands. It doesn't matter a run gets stuffed behind the line. It's all AR's fault. And when he makes a few bad throws (despite the majority being on the money) it's really really really his fault, he's washed up, and he's obviously in a decline.

Ok sarcasm over. Thank you for understanding the game and situational football. Buy yourself a beer.

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MytQ's picture

September 23, 2019 at 04:56 pm

How is a 12 play drive that eats up half the forth quarter considered an "eke out"? Rodgers was also 6 for 6 on that drive. With the defense playing lights out that's called putting the game out of reach.

2 points
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Since'61's picture

September 23, 2019 at 08:38 am

I agree on the game balls and I would add Clark who had another solid game on defense.

Lame calls: I’ve posted this previously. MLF needs to move Adams to the slot. At least try it and see if he can get some favorable matchups. Our weakness at WR after Adams is the result of defense first drafts for several seasons which did not work out until Gute became GM. TT missed on too many early round defensive picks at least one of which could have a been a good WR opposite Adams. IMO Rodgers misses Cobb or a go to player similar to Cobb.

Also our TEs are non-existent and that needs to change, somehow.

As for Rodgers he has not cost us a game with his play so there is no reason to complain about his performance yet. His predecessor would have wasted at least 1 or 2 of these outstanding defensive performances with a poor decision and a stupid pick at the worst possible time. How soon we forget.

It will not be news to any regular here that I detest Thursday Night Football and this week’s game is no different. The Eagles will arrive at Lambeau on Thursday evening as a desperate and frustrated team. Falling to 1-3 could end their season. I hope that our young team and our new HC will be ready for the quick turnaround against a team that is better than their record shows.

Who knows maybe the short week helps our offense. One thing for sure, our defense spent 35 minutes on the field against the Broncos. Our offense needs to find a way to keep the Eagles offense off the field. This will be a game where our best defense will be a good, consistent running game by our offense.
Go Pack Go! Thanks, Since ‘61

10 points
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dobber's picture

September 23, 2019 at 09:13 am

"Also our TEs are non-existent and that needs to change, somehow."

The snaps are up for TEs in general, and down for the bottom end of the roster active WRs. You'd like to think that would correspond to more production from TEs, but they're really not throwing them the ball much...it's in support of the run game, I would say.

3 points
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mrtundra's picture

September 23, 2019 at 09:57 am

I want to see how our TE situation changes once Sternberger comes back. Graham's play making ability has been non existent, of late. Lewis is used to run block more than as a receiver. Tonyan needs to polish up his role an become the TE we thought he was.

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Rossonero's picture

September 23, 2019 at 10:13 am

Excellent points, Since '61. The defense has a "bend, don't break" feel to it that, if the offense cannot be more effective, will eventually cost us a game. You raise a great point that stamina will be an issue on Thursday -- especially against an Eagles team that is sure to pound, pound and then pound the ball some more with their bevvy of RBs.

That said, I'm expecting it could take 6 weeks for Rodgers 'n Co. to work out the kinks, especially since they did not play at all in the pre-season....which is looking more and more like the wrong decision considering how out of rhythm the offense is.

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Since'61's picture

September 23, 2019 at 01:41 pm

Rossonero - good post. I’m becoming concerned that even after 5 or 6 games our WRs besides Adams just aren’t that good. In which case we probably won’t see much better performances.

I expected Allison to be better based off of how he started out last season before he was injured, but it’s not happening. At least not yet. MVS still has a chance to emerge so I wouldn’t give up on him yet but hopefully he can pick it up soon. Bottom line is, we need some better weapons in addition to Adams. Thanks, Since’ 61

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dobber's picture

September 24, 2019 at 08:06 am

Remember how concerned we seemed to be about keeping 7 or 8 WRs out of camp on the roster and PS?

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Jonathan Spader's picture

September 23, 2019 at 01:31 pm

Moving Adams to the slot is asinine. Slot receivers take more hits. Adams has an extensive history of concussions. Do you really want to put by far our best offensive player at greater risk of injury?

Moving Adams to the slot won't stop him from being double or even triple teamed. This is just like CHTV's brilliant plan of switching from a 3-4 scheme to a 4-3 to magically cure our defense.

We needed better defensive players and Gute got them through the draft and FA. We foxed our defense at the cost of our offense. We now need better RBs, TEs, and WRs. We also need to draft Rodger's replacement. It's the talent that needs an infusion not the scheme or switching Adams.

Lets see if Gute drafts as well for offense as he has for defense. Lets see if his FA additions on offense in the future fare better than Turner and Graham. Our best addition to the offense under Gute so far is Jenkins.

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Since'61's picture

September 23, 2019 at 01:59 pm

Jonathan - first off Adams has been used effectively out of the slot before in MMs offense. Secondly, I would not make it a permanent move, just in certain situations and certain formations.

Third, Adams has suffered his concussions as a receiver on the outside after making catches and sustaining horrific hits. So based on that maybe he shouldn’t play as an outside receiver either. Also I don’t remember Cobb suffering concussions from the slot.

Finally, if you have been reading my posts I’ve been calling for better talent on the offense for the last 2 seasons and I have specifically posted recently that In the upcoming offseason Gute needs to do for the offense what he has done for the defense this past offseason. Try to keep up.

BTW, suggesting we try something different on offense isn’t any more asinine than keeping our best offensive player double or triple teamed all season. It’s trying to find a way to get him in a favorable matchup and hopefully get him open in space. The other factor is that unless our run game becomes a consistent threat for the defense our play action is not going to support the passing game because the defense can ignore it. Thanks, Since ‘61

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Jonathan Spader's picture

September 23, 2019 at 02:53 pm

Since 61' Cobb was constantly injured playing in the slot ever since he got paid after 2014. Adams has been used in 2019 on occasion in the slot. As for keeping up it's not hard you old guys say the same things over and over with 0 supporting evidence. Then you criticize the authors over grammar errors and trying to update their website. Sounds like you're the one who should try to keep up. The times they are a changing.

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Since'61's picture

September 23, 2019 at 04:09 pm

I have not posted a word about the website or the authors grammar. Us old guys helped make the changes possible. Fortunately for me, I’m stepping out while I’m relatively healthy.

I leave it to the younger folks to deal with the changes and to keep it going. I’ll have enough to do being retired. Be well.
Thanks, Since ‘61

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Bear's picture

September 23, 2019 at 02:54 pm

There may be a positive to the Packers playing Thursday night. They will get a longer rest & recovery than Dallas the next weeks opponent. Plus Dallas plays a late game and has to travel to New Orleans.

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PatrickGB's picture

September 23, 2019 at 07:46 am

I was not able to actually watch this game. But I did watch a lot of other games yesterday. I have watched a lot of games go down to the wire. So, I am going to lighten up a bit on criticism. Even good teams struggled these last few weeks. First, I decided that Pettine may be right in his philosophy about how to run a defense. Take aways and limit big plays through the air seems to be a winning formula. Other teams may win the TOP and stats but as long as we limit scores, that’s ok. On offense, it’s the same. Score at key moments and limit mistakes. Everyone knew that there would be an adjustment period on offense and we would no longer have 5 WRs line up on offense. So that limits production by them. Everyone knew that Graham would not be a primary blocker so why fuss when he doesn’t? The team is more than a new scheme. It’s a new identity.

6 points
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badaxed's picture

September 23, 2019 at 08:54 am

"Everyone knew that Graham would not be a primary blocker so why fuss when he doesn’t?"

If he cannot block and they do not throw to him, why keep him? better to do like Wisconsin and put in another lineman for blocking.

3 points
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dobber's picture

September 23, 2019 at 09:14 am

Badgers had TWO OL in the backfield blocking on the goal line in a couple instances on Saturday.

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pacman's picture

September 23, 2019 at 08:05 am

Ok - we are forced to agree with Nagler to give the offense more time to gel. But AR missed a couple open guys by throwing the ball too high. That is dangerous. I'm personally happy that he threw a couple away quickly rather than get slammed into the ground. He was under pressure and there was nobody with looking back to him to bother to throw to. But 2 plays like that in a row!?

I'll give a game ball to Nagler for calling the Vitale play for a while now.

What AR needs is a goto play - the back shoulder throw to Jordie. MVS has the height and speed to catch the defender off guard. Davante's catch coming back to AR could be that play. AR trusted him and threw before he stopped to come back. I wonder if the call goes like this - if defender is running with you, drop back. If you have a step, keep going. Or was the original call to drop back?

But it doesn't look like this OL is blowing holes for RBs to run threw.

2 points
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Guam's picture

September 23, 2019 at 08:31 am

Not sure that King was the goat on that deep pass. He looked like he expected help deep and his primary responsibility was for the short routes. King pretty clearly pulled up and expected a safety to cover deep. King may have misunderstood the coverage or the safety may have been late coming over, not sure which was the case. King didn't have a great game, but that deep route may not have been on him.

I thought MVS had a decent day. He had one bad drop, but was also the leading receiver with 6 catches and the most yardage. Other teams will pay particular attention to the deep ball MVS caught. He has the speed to stretch defenses which will help all our other receivers. We badly need a legit #3 to develop though (WR, TE or RB).

1 points
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jeremyjjbrown's picture

September 23, 2019 at 08:49 am

"looked like he expected help deep"

Then why not look to see if help is there before releasing your guy to cover, um nobody?

Instead he ran back and looked at the QB. There is no way he was playing the scheme as intended.

1 points
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Guam's picture

September 23, 2019 at 10:13 am

If you are playing a zone, you don't "look before releasing your guy", you play your designated area of coverage and assume your teammate is doing the same. I am not sure whether it was King or the safety who made the mistake, but neither do you unless you are a Packer coach.

0 points
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jeremyjjbrown's picture

September 23, 2019 at 10:40 am

I see guys checking their help constantly in the NFL.

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Guam's picture

September 23, 2019 at 10:01 pm

And the safety was coming over, just late. Do you abandon your assigned area just because your teammate is a bit late? Depends on how the zone is coached and how concerned they are about late check down passes or QB's breaking contain. I am not absolving King of blame, I am just not sure if it was King or the safety.

1 points
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dobber's picture

September 23, 2019 at 09:15 am

Whatever the case, the NFL is set up to burn CBs on a regular basis. They're all going to look bad at times. The question is: does he bounce back from this and play better? Your best DBs have very short memories for bad plays.

4 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

September 23, 2019 at 10:53 pm

He fell for a double move without regard to the yardage the WR would have realized on the out. He has to stay on top of the route.

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RCPackerFan's picture

September 23, 2019 at 08:25 am

Game Balls:

Brian Gutekunst -
I don't think anyone has had as good of a offseason as Gutey has had. First he is involved in bringing LaFleur in. (Credit Murphy as well). But they bring in a coach that has brought a lot of energy to the team that we simply haven't seen in years. Then he goes out and brings in 4 Veterans. The Smiths, Amos and Turner. All of which have improved our team. Then he drafts Gary, Savage and Jenkins with his first 3 picks. 2 are impactful starters now and Gary is a situational/rotational guy!
Lets not forget the trade he made in his first draft last year. Where he trades back with the Saints to get their first pick in this years draft. He then maneuvers back up and takes Alexander with the first pick last year. This year he uses the Saints pick and others to move up and get Savage. Essentially he traded Marcus Davenport for Jaire Alexander and Darnell Savage! I would make that trade 10 days a week!

The Smiths, Gary, Savage, Alexander-
All of which produced game changing plays. The difference a year makes. Alexander is becoming one of the best defensive players in the league, Per Field Yates. Savage has been amazing! The Smiths have been a couple of the best FA's we have signed since probably Woodson. The impact they have made is just astonishing. Gary is starting to come on too!

Blake Martinez -
He doesn't always gets the love but he is just really good. He really needs a running mate next to him. Hopefully Burks comes back soon and can make an impact!

Lame Calls -

Run Defense-
I guess my biggest complaint about the defense is the run defense. They need to start shoring it up before it becomes a problem. Maybe once Goodson gets a better feel for the defense or if Burks comes back it will help a ton. But they need to stop giving up big runs!

Offensive Lulls-
Lets be honest. Our offense is a work in progress. And to be honest, I don't think the offense will fully hits its strides until next year. Like the defense last year, it takes a while to learn the new system and through trial and error it takes time for the GM to figure out what the team needs. After last year they knew what they needed on defense and what Pettine wanted to run the defense he wants. This year I think will be similar. It will take the year for Gutekunst to figure out what types of players the offense needs. Which at this moment I think they need to invest high draft picks and/or FA into WR's and TE's. Get better scheme fit players.

Notes-
I think this offense will be greatly improved in the next 4+ weeks. I think players are still learning it, LaFleur is still learning the players. I don't think they are far off. I think they will be better next year, but I think they can still be really good this year. I truly believe that. Also, they just faced 3 tough defenses. I'm not worried about the offense, just takes some time. And Rodgers usually takes a little while to heat up. I'm not worried about the offense.

7 points
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pacman's picture

September 23, 2019 at 08:33 am

Sorry - no game ball for bringing in MLF - yet! Pettine - double yes and for focusing on D development. Killer D generally beats a killer O.

0 points
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dobber's picture

September 23, 2019 at 09:20 am

"Like the defense last year, it takes a while to learn the new system and through trial and error it takes time for the GM to figure out what the team needs. "

I can imagine that, prior to FA and the draft, the coaches and BG sat down, looked at their roster, and projected that they could make the offense work with what they had. In practice? We'll have to see. I think it gets better, perhaps just by getting Jenkins used to playing with the other OL and against NFL-caliber DTs. But I think you're right: we're headed for an offensive draft in 2020 as they patch holes due to FA, and look at their assumptions and recognize the holes that were exposed by playing the games.

1 points
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Rossonero's picture

September 23, 2019 at 10:15 am

Great points RCPackerFan. Aaron Nagler recently said on CheeseheadTV that he thinks Martinez will be too expensive to keep? What do you think? I really hope not -- our depth is razor thin after Martinez, and I'd love to retain him. He's a tackling machine!

1 points
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lucky953's picture

September 24, 2019 at 11:13 am

I really like your post. Smart, realistic analysis. I would only add that receivers seem to need 3 years to “hit their stride”. MVS will be a real difference maker—next year. Allison has been very disappointing to me. He has no suddenness and doesn’t use his body position to shield off DBs. This offense is lacking one more talented receiver. I am irrationally hoping Gutey pulls a receiver out of the hat before the trading deadline.

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lecko's picture

September 23, 2019 at 08:48 am

Great start of the season. And this despite playing in top form on offense. I hardly remember so domiant packer defence, maybe the one form Fritz Shurme raround 1995 ? But I am a bit skeptical about Rodgers Play. Maybe like in that Superbowl year they need to sign outside free agnet WR like Rison to imporve passing game ? I hound this list of QBs ranked by QB rating after 3 weeks :

Patrick MahomesKC
Dak PrescottDAL
Russell WilsonSEA
Tom BradyNE
Lamar JacksonBAL
Jacoby BrissettIND
Case KeenumWSH
Gardner Minshew IIJAX
Deshaun WatsonHOU
Marcus MariotaTEN
Philip RiversLAC
Matthew StaffordDET
AaronRodgers 96.5

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badaxed's picture

September 23, 2019 at 09:03 am

Surprised Rodgers is that high on the list. LOL. He is the same as last year. Does not throw on rhythm, holds the ball to long, makes inaccurate throws, and is a diva. Anyone else would be benched (See the Giants).

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flackcatcher's picture

September 23, 2019 at 10:20 am

But it's Rodgers or bust. That's just the way it is....

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dobber's picture

September 23, 2019 at 09:31 am

The main contributors to high QB ratings are completion pct., yd/att, TD thrown, and INT thrown. So far, the offense hasn't really been able to get him much except low INT numbers.

Keep in mind, too, that the Packers have played 3 very stout defenses. Chicago and Minnesota (after the 1st qtr) did a good job of collapsing the pocket. Even though Denver has surprisingly struggled to get to the QB this season, they're not weak.

1 points
1
0
blacke00's picture

September 23, 2019 at 09:07 am

My issues with this game

1. I understand the scrum. The league has been much more tolerant of this in recent years and especially this year. But what happened with Lindsey's touchdown was not "the scrum", it was the offensive lineman who grabbed Lindsey while he was being held up and pulled him into the end zone. When did this become a legal play?

2. Rodgers continued throwing off his back foot. On a couple of his errant throws, if he would have stepped into the throw which he could have but didn't that resulted in his over throwing his receiver. Horrible technique when he just didn't have to. He needs his ass chewed.

3. The OL's rush blocking stinks although he pass blocking improved.

4. MVS had at least 2 drops. He really needs to clean that up. Allison is not really ready for prime time. He's essentially a none factor. i would give the rookies and second year players a chance.

5. Jimmy Graham is another non factor. If he doesn't come around give the younger tight ends more playing time. You have nothing to lose, you're certainly not getting it from JG.

3 points
4
1
Rak43's picture

September 24, 2019 at 04:12 am

On your point in regards to Dalton Risner basically suplexing Lindsey into the endzone, I brought this up on another thread and no one else seemed to catch it. So I went to Broncowire to see if they mentioned it in Denver.
And lo and behold there was an article entitled "Broncos OL Dalton Risner used cattle wrangling experience to get Phillip Lindsay into the end zone".
Idk if it's legal but it sure as hell happened.

2 points
2
0
PeteK's picture

September 23, 2019 at 09:13 am

The offensive performance is looking very similar to last season with not enough sustained drives. If this continues our great defense will wear down. What is our identity on offense? Rogers had two poorly thrown passes , but the main problem is a lack of rhythm. The receivers are just not getting open and defenses are gearing up to stop the run. I'm surprised that Allison and Graham have so far not been the possession receivers that I expected. Graham has regressed and just looks foolish out there, what a waste of valuable cap money!

4 points
4
0
dobber's picture

September 23, 2019 at 09:23 am

"The receivers are just not getting open and defenses are gearing up to stop the run. "

We need to be careful with some of these assumptions. Yes, defenses will gear up to stop the run, but remember that last week against a better MN defense, the Packers were regularly getting 5-7 yards on the ground on first down. As for receivers getting open, that's been proven false by film work over the years...what we're really saying is that the ARod who, early in his career, spread the ball around to the open man, has done this less and less as the years have gone by.

0 points
2
2
t-wrecks's picture

September 23, 2019 at 12:14 pm

We all knew the offense might start off slow this year, but I'm also seeing the same exact issues from previous seasons still plaguing this team: Can't convert 3rd downs, can't throw a check down pass, can't throw on time, can't hike the ball on time...

Is it just me or is blaming 'new scheme/coach' quickly becoming a dishonest excuse? It's still early though, lets see what happens in the next 3 games!

1 points
1
0
jannes bjornson's picture

September 23, 2019 at 10:59 pm

Zimmer playe d mostly Cover Two. He wanted them to run.

1 points
1
0
LambeauPlain's picture

September 23, 2019 at 09:20 am

At least Rodgers was pleased with the pass blocking. He said he couldn’t recall when his Packer uniform was so clean....that he was untouched except for one QB hit.

But ML, Hackett and especially AR have to realize Adams, MVS, Allison, and Graham are not Nelson, Jennings, Jones, and Findley.

Forget the glory days when you had your choice of 2 or 3 open receivers on most pass plays. Get back to the 2 to 3 second quick pass plays and get Shepherd in the slot and Kumerow on the field more. I think the short quick hitters will make run game better.

Allison and Graham are non factors. Allison can’t run or get open and usually you hear jimmy’s name due to ANOTHER holding call.

But the pass blocking has been good...especially with Jenkins at LG.

4 points
4
0
dobber's picture

September 23, 2019 at 09:25 am

Isn't part of the point of running the ball a lot more to pull up the safeties and open up things downfield? If you're pulling up the safeties, the quick-hitters are going to be covered or turn into tip-drill balls.

-1 points
0
1
Leland's picture

September 23, 2019 at 09:40 am

What I humbly think they should try. J. Wms #1 rb with A. Jones (1b) as the change of pace. Its not a demotion, it may even help free him up. Wms is more powerful and a better blocker. Jones has the speed. Try Shephard and Kumerow at slot, Allison is just ANG. Rotate TEs till one stands out.

2 points
3
1
jlc1's picture

September 23, 2019 at 09:54 am

Elsewhere someone noted Jones will be fresh on Thursday and that seems right. Another smart move by the coaching staff, along with the scripted plays they've been coming up with. I think we should see a lot of Jones on Thursday.

3 points
3
0
Handsback's picture

September 23, 2019 at 10:09 am

3-0 with wins over the Bears and Vikings is something to be happy about. Yeah, the offense is marginal and the defense has allowed too many yards on the ground, but they are still 3-0! Eagles could be a game where the offense breaks out and controls the flow and scores some points.
The big test will be the Cowboys and that will tell you how good this team can be.

3 points
3
0
croatpackfan's picture

September 23, 2019 at 10:58 am

GAME BALLS: I'm ok with your selection, but I would add Savage to the category

LAME CALLS: Remove Kevin KIng from the category and put "FIRST DOWN KILLER" Geronimo Allison in. He was targeted 3 times and have 1 catch for -1 yard. Not to mention that his 1st drop was deflected ball waiting for interception. Horrible game for G-Mo...

Kecin KIng made some very important tackles on RB preventing few first downs. So, he might not have his best game but there was many players playing worse than Kevin (e. g.
Will Redmond).

2 points
3
1
Barazinho's picture

September 23, 2019 at 01:26 pm

On GMo's short catch, it was Chubb who wrapped him up and threw him backward. You can't fault GMo for catching the ball, turning upfield, and then getting brutalized by one of the best DE/OLB's in the game.

1 points
1
0
Rak43's picture

September 24, 2019 at 04:31 am

I think Kevin King was mentioned due to 2 big offensive plays the Broncos had that he was involved in. One was on a play to Lindsey , a screen if I recall that King had an open shot to bring him down and whiffed on the tackle. The play went for 40 something yards I believe and put the Broncos deep in Packer territory. The second play was with the Broncos backed up on their goal line and Courtland Sutton caught a bomb from Flacco to completely change field position. But that last play ties into your other point that Will Redmond is horrible. On the play to Sutton the announcer, I believe it was Darryl Johnston was saying Kevin King was playing zone and passed Sutton off to his safety help which was supposed to be Redmond who ended up getting torched badly but it made it look like King was at fault on the field. If they were supposed to be in zone it was on Redmond if it was a man to man coverage it was on King. So to be honest unless anyone knows what the call was it's impossible to pin that on King.

3 points
3
0
croatpackfan's picture

September 24, 2019 at 06:25 am

On that mentioned play (man or zone) Redmond was juked twice by Sutton and still Kevin King got Sutton down. If there was only Redmond Broncos would score easily!

0 points
0
0
scullyitsme's picture

September 23, 2019 at 11:08 am

Lame call? Will Redmond. That guy looked bad in pre season. Looks bad in the regular season. Here’s hoping Greene or Campbell make it back sooner rather than later. Other than that 3-0 is the game ball.

4 points
4
0
dobber's picture

September 23, 2019 at 01:27 pm

He's your 4th safety/ILB hybrid. I don't know what people expected,

-1 points
0
1
croatpackfan's picture

September 24, 2019 at 06:25 am

We expect Redmond to play his assignments, not to be burned on 99% of the plays he was involved at.

0 points
0
0
scullyitsme's picture

September 24, 2019 at 01:40 pm

Better dobber, I expected better. Your right he’s the 4th safetybut wow, couldn’t cover or tackle. At that point your better off playing dine or base just to get him off the field.

0 points
0
0
Rak43's picture

September 24, 2019 at 04:29 am

I posted after last week that Redmond was horrible and that when Campbell is activated Redmond will be shown the door. I got a bunch of thumbs down for it, lol.

0 points
0
0
scullyitsme's picture

September 24, 2019 at 01:51 pm

I saw that guy miss so many assignments and tackles in the preseason he should of been cut 4 times,

0 points
0
0
GVPacker's picture

September 23, 2019 at 11:20 am

The Seahawks have the 12th Man,.the Packers have the Invisible Man......Jimmy Graham!

4 points
4
0
ILPackerBacker's picture

September 23, 2019 at 12:55 pm

Great comment Jason on tonyan. Naturally most fans and bloggers blame rodgers for a bad pass.

Yet I wish you had put the 'completion' in the mix on stats. Nobody as a TE or WR really helped Rodgers. A few years ago the free play TDs confused a lot people about the difference between an offense that works and one that was pulling rabbits out of holes.

At 6-0 denver highlighted the differnce, yet to most people that is "RODGERS" hold the ball/refuse check downs crap.

-1 points
0
1
JohnnyLogan's picture

September 23, 2019 at 01:14 pm

I have been honored with dozens of dislikes in the past week for daring to blame Allison, MVS and Graham for the offensive problems. Been battered even by the "voice of reason" Since '61... and now everyone is saying basically the same thing, like this from Since '61:

"MLF needs to move Adams to the slot. At least try it and see if he can get some favorable matchups. Our weakness at WR after Adams is the result of defense first drafts for several seasons which did not work out until Gute became GM. TT missed on too many early round defensive picks at least one of which could have a been a good WR opposite Adams. IMO Rodgers misses Cobb or a go to player similar to Cobb.

Also our TEs are non-existent and that needs to change, somehow."

What happened to suddenly make you see the light?... that this week Allison had one catch for -1 yard?... after no catches or even targets in the Bear game?

All I've said for two weeks now was stop blaming Rodgers! Allison and Graham can't get open and Adams is double and triple-teamed. As a result, the enemy D line is stacked against the run (Jones with 19 yards)... and thus no offense.

Question is do Matt and Gute want to "be like Mike" and TT and sacrifice games before they come to the inevitable conclusions that everyone else has already arrived at? Sit Allison or at the very least give Shepherd and Kumerow meaningful minutes to see if there's an improvement. This team can win it all this year with this powerful new D... let's fix the offense as quickly as possible and not wait for the big receiver we'll be drafting next year.

-1 points
0
1
JHitTheB's picture

September 24, 2019 at 03:27 pm

*slow clap*

Man I've been saying this since last season. GB simply doesn't have the talent after Davante and it's showing. Imagine being able to put 3-4 guys on the field at once that run 4.3 like the Chiefs. How do you defend against that? Just about every Mahomes highlight is him hitting a WR with a good 5 yards separation. They regularly take 5-10 yard passes to the house by just out running everyone on the field. Speed kills.

0 points
0
0
LASVEGAS-TOM's picture

September 23, 2019 at 02:28 pm

Whoever it was that was responsible for letting Jarred Cook go, & signing that Black S.O.B. Biggot Bennet is the guy responsible for the lack of the GB Passing Offense. If you think this Passing Offense is ever going to be any better than what you've seen, "You're Only Dreaming". There is 1 Above Average Receiver (Not Great) on this team. No #2, & No #3, and NO TIGHT END!! GB will get it's share of pass completions because of AR, but No Where's Near what they need. They will have to run the ball to win. As good as they've looked at times running the ball, I don't think they are good enough. They have a Decent Defense that can keep them in games, but not one Good Enough to win when the chips are down. They do have a relatively easy schedule, but the offense is what will determine of how we wind up. As I've posted twice previously, AR doesn't have anyone to throw to. Graham is a Joke. Allison isn't much better, & the rest are 2ond & 3rd string. How do you expect to win with that core of receivers. We're 3 - 0 but Chicago, Minnesota, & Denver are nothing to Brag about.
LVT

-3 points
3
6
croatpackfan's picture

September 24, 2019 at 06:33 am

Yeah, Packers played against 3 D who are legit top 10 D in this league and have 3-0.

It is interesting how thing go on offense when Aaron Rodgers throws fast from Pocket, and how offense stale when he holds the ball looking for big plays. Indicative is that he is keeping ball longer at 20 to 40 yards of own territory than in opponent territory out of red zone!

0 points
0
0
ThxJackVainisi's picture

September 24, 2019 at 09:28 am

"... Black S.O.B. Biggot Bennet ..." Really?

In addition to that comment your "logic" is faulty. Since you believe Adams is only above average and the addition of Cook alone is the difference between a good and bad passing game, opponents would just double or triple team him.

Also, it's no mystery who was responsible for letting Cook go (which was a mistake): Ted Thompson was GM/VP of Football Operations and Russ Ball was (and is) the salary cap guy.

0 points
0
0
MITM's picture

September 23, 2019 at 03:20 pm

A couple of three things.

1) If anyone is wondering why we haven't seen more wheel routes or similar usage out of Vitale, it is because so far Josey Jewell is the only ILB we played against that Vitale could have gotten a step on. Would have never worked against guys like Roquan or Kendricks.

2) BJ Goodson has been pretty much useless. I know he hasnt been here long, but we arent asking the world of him. He is here for run fits which is linebacking 101 - and is supposed to be his specialty regardless of scheme.

3) We miss Cobb. And call me crazy, but im not too sure if Jordy Nelson came back tomorrow that he WOULDNT be our 2nd best receiver right now. I wont even bring up Jared Cook.

The thumbs down button is ready when you are.

4 points
4
0
LASVEGAS-TOM's picture

September 23, 2019 at 05:33 pm

I agree with you 100%. I got Ripped 2 weeks ago for saying basically the same thing, only I added James Jones to Jordy, & mentioned Jared Cook. I'm probably biased where Jones is concerned, He's one of my all time favorite Packers, but I don't see anything too much better out there.
LVT

-2 points
0
2
LASVEGAS-TOM's picture

September 23, 2019 at 06:42 pm

After Re-reading your post, Here's what I would like to do. I'd like to bring in Jordy & give him a Try-Out. Lets see if he can make the team. I gotta believe he can. As long as we're at it, the last time I saw James Jones, he looked like he was built like a Brick S@#T H@#SE. I like to bring him in & see how he does at Tight End. Cut our losses on Graham, & get someone there who can play. Without question, Jones would make a better Tight End than Graham. Whatever we lose, we lose. We'll be better off in the long run. While we're at it, let's cut Tramon Williams. He can't catch, can't cover, can't tackle, & he's still too small. Why he still has a Uniform is beyond me. Ok, I expect to get ripped, so let's hear it.
LVT

-2 points
0
2
4thand1's picture

September 23, 2019 at 03:24 pm

Jason glad you mentioned Tonyan slowing down. Also I thought Vitale catch and run was a score also. AR could have had 3 td passes. Also AR looked really frustrated in the 3rd quarter, I rewatched it a few times and it looked like routes being run wrong 3 times. He threw 4 passes away low so they wouldn't be intercepted. LVT pointed out how the receivers aren't helping, and it shows. JG gotta go.

2 points
2
0
stockholder's picture

September 23, 2019 at 06:43 pm

The only reason Adams isn't in the slot ; is because they can't afford to get him hurt. He's outside to protect his nut. Kumerow is inactive. St Brown done. MVS can only play outside yet. The problem is the slot. Either Allison gets his act together, or they dump him. You don't stretch the field with TEs. It's just that simple.

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

September 23, 2019 at 08:22 pm

I can name you half a dozen NFL TEs right now who stretch the field with regularity.

3 points
3
0
croatpackfan's picture

September 24, 2019 at 06:35 am

E. g. Noah Fant?

0 points
0
0
Doug Niemczynski's picture

September 23, 2019 at 08:17 pm

Robert Tonyan
Run your routes at full speed, son.  Tonyan lagged early on a deep route and an Aaron Rodgers pass that would have been on the money was just out of reach.  

When I watched the play I was like is that designed that way? If he hadn't stopped then its 6 pts.

Rashan Gary!! Kudos young man!!

Jamaal Williams- Gotta love him.

Kevin King - Uhm, can we get Jalen Ramsey please.

Smith Brothers-- Incredible!!!

Kenny Clark and Dean Lowry? I watch that TD over and over and I'm like, no way. How? Maybe Lindsey Jersey was wet?

-1 points
0
1