Packers 45 Bears 30: Game Balls & Lame Calls
Second half explosion overcomes special teams blunders.
By KenLass
The Green Bay Packers still own the Chicago Bears. What the Packers also own are probably the worst special teams units in the 101 year history of the franchise. Units that played so poorly, they should have cost the team this game.
But Aaron Rodgers is just too good to allow it to happen. The sure-fire Hall of Fame quarterback made one incredibly accurate and clutch play after another, and it was his elite level of performance that inspired his team to overcome the despicable special teams and coast to a 45 to 30 victory over their traditional rivals. Rodgers finished with a stat line of 29 completions on 37 attempts for 341 yards, four touchdowns and a rating of a near perfect 141.1.
Sure, there were many other great performances. Davante Adams blistered the Bears’ defense for 121 yards and two scores on ten catches. Aaron Jones hit paydirt twice. AJ Dillon hammered the Windy City visitors into submission. An offensive line that lost Billy Turner early on, played its guts out. The defense woke up from a first half sleepwalk and chased Justin Fields all over Brown County.
But it’s Rodgers that sets it all up. The Packers have a team full of good players, but they have a chance to be a great team only because of number 12. His ability to read a defense, combined with the poise and skill to make, not only the right throw, but the right throw with precision accuracy, makes him irreplaceable. If this is indeed his last dance in Green Bay, the franchise will face an impossible task to replace him. His game ball, along with Davante Adams, goes without saying. Let’s acknowledge a few others.
GAME BALLS
AJ Dillon
Aaron Jones scored the touchdowns, but it was Quadzilla who wore down the Bears front in the 4th quarter, performing exactly the role he needs to for this team. He finished with 71 yards rushing on a 4.7 per carry average. It’s one thing to bulldoze up the gut as he usually does, but on the final drive when bounced outside for nine big yards to the ten it showed he is not just a one trick pony. NBC commentator Cris Collinsworth remarked that Dillon was “destined for super stardom”, and he may be right.
Allen Lazard
Being a receiver in the shadow of Davante Adams, it would be easy to go under noticed and under appreciated. But the former Iowa State standout is certainly noticed by his teammates, who heaped praise on him after the game. He wound up with six catches for 75 yards and a score, and several of his grabs were in crucial situations. Oh, and his blocking continues to be outstanding.
The Collective Pass Rush
They had a devil of a time getting hold of him, but the Green Bay pass rush made life miserable for Justin Fields all night. The rookie is elusive and fast, but he doesn’t throw well on the run, and the Packers were happy to let him build up his rushing stats while guarding against the big pass play. Give those game balls to Preston Smith, Rashan Gary, Kenny Clark, Kingsley Keke, Dean Lowry, et al. De’Vondre Campbell quietly had a sensational 16 tackles to lead the unit.
Rasul Douglas
What he may lack in speed he more than makes up for in his ability to break on the ball and jump a route. His aggressiveness will get him burned now and then, but it will also result in game changing plays like his 55 yard pick six that gave Green Bay its first lead in the second quarter.
LAME CALLS
The Obvious: Special Teams
It’s one thing to be incompetent. It’s another to be incompetent and stupid. The incompetence came in their inability to tackle Chicago’s return men. The stupidity came when the unit CONTINUED TO KICK TO THEM!! Throw in a muffed punt, a kickoff out of bounds, and a botched onside kick, and it became the theater of the absurd. Maybe the impact of all the injuries has filtered down to these units. The worst part of it is, the team doesn't seem to know how to fix the problems.
Unnecessary Timeouts
The only imperfect thing about Green Bay’s impressive 13 play, 8:38 drive to ice the game in the fourth quarter, was the need to call the team’s two final timeouts. In both instances, the team didn’t appear to be ready to run the next play. It didn’t hurt them because they were comfortably ahead, but you never know when a timeout will be needed late in a game, perhaps to buy time for an officiating review for example. One day, the premature use of timeouts may come back to bite this team.
AFTERTHOUGHTS
Aaron Rodgers: “The majority of stats don’t mean much to me, but this rivalry is important to me. I know how important it is to the fans....I don’t feel it’s my last game against the Bears. One of the factors will be can I still play. The answer is yes.”
Davante Adams (on the rash of injuries): “I’ve never really seen anything quite like it...it’s tough enough to go out there and win a game when everybody is healthy...guys like Yosh (Nijman) and Dennis (Kelly) go in there and continue to make plays and we need them.”
Matt LaFleur (on what was said at halftime): “It started with Aaron telling everyone to just take a deep breath, and then I sort of echoed that. Then I left the room and Preston (Smith) got everybody going....Everybody was on the same page. There was no panic.”
Preston Smith (on what he said at halftime): “I just told them we weren’t playing like ourselves. What we put on film in that first half was not who we are. I just told them we got to fix our stuff and show who we are.”
THREE AND OUT
• Sneaky hero: Marcedes Lewis. Along with his usual value in the blocking scheme, Lewis is becoming more and more of a receiving threat. He finished with four catches on four targets for 51 yards, and you can tell Rodgers loves to throw to him. Defenses don’t seem to respect his ability to get open. Good.
• Many tweeters and bloggers were posting criticism of the Green Bay play calling in the third quarter, especially when the Packers went ahead 38-27, and then got the ball back around midfield. Instead of running the ball, the Packers attempted three straight passes resulting in a six yard completion, a sack and an incompletion to go three and out. I had no problem with it. The Bears had lost two starters in their secondary and Rodgers decided to attack for the kill shot. Besides, the defense was playing well.
• After the game, Davante Adams was asked if he ever thought about returning punts. He joked that, although he was told by Brian Gutekunst that would never happen, he might just run out there and do it. He said he had no doubt that he could do it well. Let’s hope it never comes to that.
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Ken Lass is a former Green Bay television sports anchor and 43 year media veteran, a lifelong Packers fan, and a shareholder.
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Comments (145)
jont
December 13, 2021 at 07:35 am
I am now in agreement with everyone on CHTV: Special Teams coach Drayton has got to go.
Six truly bad ST plays in the first half alone-- at the point in the season when ST units should gel into a contributors who will help in the playoffs!
And three more in the second half!
Coldworld
December 13, 2021 at 09:17 am
I’ve heard a few say that changing in mid season is crazy. After watching yesterday I can only say that I believe that accepting the status quo is tantamount to accepting the unaccounted without even trying to turn things around. That to me, particularly this year, is beyond unacceptable.
Drayton must go. Zook is no longer our worst ST coach, and it’s not close.
Leatherhead
December 13, 2021 at 09:42 am
If the Packers would do what I’ve repeatedly suggested, there would be no returns against us.
We need a punt catcher, not a punt returner.
Coldworld
December 13, 2021 at 10:35 am
We need a kick returner as well as a punt catcher: catching would obviously be the first goal, but we also need to be able to hold discipline on kickoffs and punts.
Minniman
December 13, 2021 at 12:24 pm
While I don't dispute what you typed CW, it still pained me to read it.
.....That is such a low bar - as Since 61' said in the Gut Reactions thread - that's High School stuff.
Mason not being able to reliably kick the ball dead on an almost windless night is worrying too. I wonder if BoJo is able to handle kick-off duties?
Also, I've said this before, and I'd welcome thoughts on this - but why not have the 4.25 40 man Stokes as the Gunner? When JA returns he'll possibly get his snap count reduced a little.
On the upside - the field-goal unit blocked, snapped, held and kicked better in this game.
Barnacle
December 13, 2021 at 12:28 pm
We need an effective ST coach. The players are good enough if someone would coach them. I like Lafleur, but someone needs to tell him that his misguided loyalty should also consider the fans. We deserve better from special teams. Drayton learned from a loser and unfortunately he is a nice guy loser.
Leatherhead
December 13, 2021 at 09:42 am
If the Packers would do what I’ve repeatedly suggested, there would be no returns against us.
We need a punt catcher, not a punt returner.
albert999
December 13, 2021 at 09:49 am
Why are you only now in agreement? He’s needed to go for a long time. Nice guy but has to go
jont
December 13, 2021 at 01:18 pm
Because the players have a lot to do with it; it's not as simple as just changing the coach.
ST too often makes do with the bottom of the roster. GB has got players from other teams' practice squads in the starting line-up so Drayton is working with a constantly churning group of players on the bubble of even staying on a 53. That might be overstating it a bit, but we can't just lay it all on one guy and expect any sudden improvement if he's replaced.
That said, from my seat I haven't seen ST getting better. On the O-line it's been a bloodbath but that position coach has held it together pretty well, while the ST is not succeeding in the 'next man up' challenge.
PatrickGB
December 13, 2021 at 03:33 pm
I agree. It’s on the players to execute the plan. It’s been a few years since we have had a special teams standout. One exception is Tylor Irvin. He was ok but got hurt playing offense and not brought back. Remember when we had guys like Janis who sucked on offense but was a killer gunner? Right now anyone who is any good at all is filling in for starters.
Coldworld
December 13, 2021 at 05:09 pm
It’s not just on the players when the cracks permeate every aspect of activity as they have this year. All ST units have to address turmoil. We may have had more key players injured than many, but, as noted, not so many of them play STs.
When a group is in melt down across the board, blaming it on individuals is missing the wood for the trees. There is not one unit on STs that is improved over last year, except that Bojo is a better punter, but that is down to Gute not Drayton.
At some point, leadership is accepting that what isn’t good enough to keep one afloat means one will drown and, rather than just saluting and preparing to sink, one tries any option that might stem the leaks. That starts with removing Drayton after yesterday. This isn’t the first ST disaster, it was the worst and it was in December. Drayton is dragging us down. Jettison him and try something new. It may not save us, but it might give us a chance.
jurp
December 13, 2021 at 10:10 am
I started a new drinking game around our special teams. "It's a muff!" DRINK! "It's a shank!" DRINK! "They've returned a punt more than 10 yards!" DRINK! "They're turned a punt more than 20 yards!" DRINK! DRINK! "They're returned a kickoff more than 20 yards!" DRINK! "We kicked off out of bounds!" DRINK! "We did something incredibly stupid!" DRINK!
The only problem was that I don't remember any of the game after the beginning of the second quarter...
bjkdad44
December 13, 2021 at 12:01 pm
😂😂😂
jeremyjjbrown
December 13, 2021 at 04:13 pm
It's not that I think Drayton deserves to keep his job, It's just that there has to be a better plan than fire Drayton. I would sign Swerve and severely shrink that SP playbook. Those guys need to earn back the right to do anything but basic coverage of deep kickoffs and out of bounds punts and basic securing the kick and punt with no returns. They can earn that by just not fucking up for a couple weeks.
Coldworld
December 13, 2021 at 05:18 pm
How many bone head decisions and fumbles have we excused on that basis this year. It’s now December and players are still making the same type of errors. If it’s the same players, why, and why are they still there? Of course it’s been many different players in all facets. That tells one that the coaching is inadequate and leadership too.
Time to stop trying to pretend it’s not laughable, that teams aren’t targeting it and fire Drayton or just accept that not trying to prevent STs scuppering the last dance us acceptable (in which case fire yourself).
Lphill
December 13, 2021 at 07:37 am
Need to have kickers in this week and need to call Tyler Ervin , Packers dodged a bullet last night , Game balls, Rodgers ,Adams, Dillon, Lewis, the second half Defense , Lame calls , every special teams play .
dobber
December 13, 2021 at 07:47 am
We don't often agree, but Tyler Ervin at this point makes too much sense...
Free agent? Check.
Cheap? Check.
Knows the offense and can add skill position snaps to an ailing position room? Check.
Can catch the freaking ball? MAKE THE CALL!!!
rstain99
December 13, 2021 at 08:59 am
Is it me or do you hold your breath when you watch Amari Rodgers field a punt. All I could think of was Seattle back 2014 up 16 point with little over minute. This guy has been given so many chances should have been FA signing not a draft pick. Not electric at all, after the refs bailed him out with motion call he had a please don't kick it to me look. Trust me ST will be their undoing at the end. Sorry to say and injuries are piling up, defense looked like old self last night eh! Better get your licks in now Justin Field has that escape ability. Only going to get better. They won but not thinking that they played well, just a bit lucky
Caden819
December 13, 2021 at 09:50 am
I wouldn't say they were "a bit lucky" you don't put up 38 points and a pick 6 by luck. The Defense can only do so much when the special teams put them at the 50 every possession
Coldworld
December 13, 2021 at 10:38 am
The D would like to start at the opponents 25 or better. Call me a traditionalist, but asking a D to defend short fields consistently seems unwise as well as distorting.
Minniman
December 13, 2021 at 12:31 pm
It's also contrary to their defensive philosophy of bend-don't-break. They don't play to instantly send another team 3-and-out. They play a contain and pressure game.
75 yards provides enough plays to eventually get the opponent behind the chains.
50 or less and odds lengthen considerably.
jurp
December 13, 2021 at 10:14 am
Fields will be good enough until he gets hurt and has to become more of a pocket passer. I don't see him being anything special in that role; perhaps nothing more than another Trubisky.
packer132
December 13, 2021 at 08:17 am
The Packers have had a kicker on the practice squad all year (Molson). Obviously the coaches feel he is worth keeping on the roster.
wildbill
December 13, 2021 at 02:10 pm
Molson is probably kept more for Covid insurance than anything as I think we still have another LS on the practice squad for the same reason.
stockholder
December 13, 2021 at 07:40 am
I liked the FG call. It put pressure on the Bears. It was the right call this TIME!
TheBigCheeze
December 13, 2021 at 08:56 am
Agreed.... but I'm still concerned that they go first and goal inside the 10, and can't punch it in....
Since'61
December 13, 2021 at 10:11 am
The offense scored 5 TDs. I'll take punching it in 5 times every game. Thanks, Since '61
Leatherhead
December 13, 2021 at 10:25 am
That is the bottom line. I will take 5 TDs every time.
Coldworld
December 13, 2021 at 10:40 am
I agree if one looks at our red zone offense over a season, but no team converts 100 percent of the time. Yesterday the O did just fine once it woke up.
Doug_In_Sandpoint
December 13, 2021 at 07:48 am
I have a theory on the timeouts last night. We were working on a game-ending, time-consuming drive. Along with the slow pace and taking the clock down to :01 before every snap, the added 2 minutes of standing around is designed to totally demoralize the Bears and make it seem like the drive is even longer than it really is. Brilliant use of unneeded timeouts. Your welcome. Now I will work on my special teams theory.
pacman
December 13, 2021 at 09:07 am
Imaginative. Nice try.
Still the wrong thing to do.
Since'61
December 13, 2021 at 10:22 am
Really!!?? Why? You would prefer to have a penalty, turnover or injury because the team is not set properly.
I'll trade the timeouts for a game ending dagger TD drive every week. The Packers went ahead 45-27 at the end of that drive. There was less than 3 minutes left in the game. What are we saving the time outs for. Do we really need them with an 18 point lead and our defense had given up 17 yards up to that point in the 2nd half? ever heard of situational football?? Thanks, Since '61
Since'61
December 13, 2021 at 10:17 am
Exactly correct Doug. The Packers were running out the game. Why not run the clock down? On one play the team was not set on the other Rodgers read the defense and decided to change the play but but he did not have his players in the correct formation.
To me it's better to use the TO to get set properly and prevent a possible turnover or injury. The Packers went on to make it 45-27 at the end of that drive. I'll trade TOs for a game ending, dagger TD any time. GPG! Thanks, Since '61
BruceIrons
December 13, 2021 at 04:08 pm
I had similar thoughts on the timeouts while I was watching. I wondered if it was just to demoralize the Bears at the end. It sure seemed to work.
NitschkeFromTheGrave
December 13, 2021 at 08:11 am
Is the nightmare over? or is Special teams going to come back out of the tunnel to do an NFL encore rendition of YouTube's videos of "IDIOTS AT WORK" ? (Keystone Cops type shit if you have not seen the vids."
Not throwing stones here and I have not done a stats dive to prove or discredit it but it seemed like the defense dialed down a click or two. Additionally tackling and the super hot pursuit was not continuing the upward trajectory that we were beginning to trust in.
Beating the Bears at home, sending them back to Fibville, hanging their heads with humiliation is still one of the BEST feelings there is.
Christmas quote and thought after this game, "It really is a WONDERFUL LIFE" ~George Bailey
***********
My 2 favorite NFL teams:
1. The Green Bay Packers
2. Whoever is playing the Chicago Bears
croatpackfan
December 13, 2021 at 08:28 am
Even Vikings?
Rebecca
December 13, 2021 at 07:50 am
Lazard blocks like an all-pro. He provided dozens of yards after the catch for the likes of MVS, Jones, and Dillon. Lazard picked it up last night. Love it.
Wenis
December 13, 2021 at 08:16 am
Lazard is one of those players who gives you 100% not matter if they are the primary receiver or just need him to block. Whoever scouted him did a great job. Need more players like him.
Leatherhead
December 13, 2021 at 10:43 am
Lazard caught six balls and had one carry for 90 yards. And he gets his man blocked….look at Jones TD…..but people insist that he’s not a legit starter.
Coldworld
December 13, 2021 at 10:42 am
He looked to be back to full health after the bye.
scullyitsme
December 13, 2021 at 11:14 am
Who? Nobody suggests Lazard isn’t a legit starter with his 30 balls a year. He’s a great #4 maybe occasional 3. He had a good game this week. I’d say the same(and often have) about MVS. The end.
Leatherhead
December 13, 2021 at 11:28 am
Your #4 is not a starter. You’re saying he’s not a legit starter. I wasn’t going to call you out by name, but since you volunteered …… 🙄
Scully you don’t understand what we use the #2 WR position for in this offense. You’re thinking about some other teams offense.
scullyitsme
December 13, 2021 at 12:05 pm
I think maybe the game passed you by in the 60’s. You are still under the impression that the packers run more than they throw, or will Ever” run more than they throw. They don’t, and won’t. No team in the NFL does except Baltimore at 51% last year, and that’s not because they called run plays. So claiming we don’t need receiver help is called denial. In my opinion lack of a number 2 receiver is why we have been bounced from the playoffs the last two years. Good teams will triple tae and load the box, leaving one on one for our number two and three. We haven’t had a solution, couple games this year Cobb rolled back the clock and came up big when they tried to do it. Better have a better plan this year because we don’t have a better number two. Here’s hoping Cobb makes it back.
Spiker
December 13, 2021 at 12:19 pm
we have been bounced from the playoffs the last 2 years due to the fact that our QB has eyes only for Davante in critical situations. And keeps going back even though he is double and sometimes triple covered, that leaves an open receiver or 2 at times. but love is blind
scullyitsme
December 13, 2021 at 12:31 pm
I’m not here to overcome the Rodger hate, if you think we are better off without our QB then you fit in well in this site, soon “hero ball” will become a essential term in your vocabulary .
Leatherhead
December 13, 2021 at 04:12 pm
Scully, did the game pass Coach LaFleur and Gutekunst by, too?
Because they agree with me. Lazard starts when he’s healthy, and we almost always win when he does. Why do you think the coach does that? And in three years, the GM hasn’t made any effort to upgrade on him. Why?
Two possibilities are possible: Either you understand something they don’t, or they understand something you dont. I know what I think.
dblbogey
December 13, 2021 at 12:34 pm
We've got a great #1 and then several #4's as receivers.
Wenis
December 13, 2021 at 07:55 am
Special teams have been a complete embarrassment going on 5 years now. The entire unit looks completely lost and performances like this will continue as long as nobody is held accountable. I have coached special teams before and there are no excuses, these guys are overpaid professionals and they're playing like a Pop warner youth team.
Demon
December 13, 2021 at 08:50 am
Please give Gute a call and offer your STs expertise. It couldn't possibly be any worse.
Coldworld
December 13, 2021 at 10:47 am
LaFleur should be making that call not trying to say that we’ve been doing ok on ST till yesterday and then referencing injuries during the game. If it takes Gute or Murphy to step in, I would welcome it, but I want to see LaFleur show a ruthless streak when faced with undeniable incompetence.
At this point I’d take Zook back, let alone Slocombe. Bad would be a big step up from the worst ST performance I think I have ever seen in an NFL game.
murf7777
December 13, 2021 at 09:16 am
I just read “Ask Vic” this morning and he made an interesting comment. He stated its a lack of talent and said if they are going to fix it they will need to play their starters on Special Teams. I tend to agree with his assessment because this is the third coach over the past few years and it continues to be one of the worst in the NFL.
My fix is to wait till the playoffs or the last game of the year if meaningful for #1 seed and put your starters in the Special teams. No need to risk getting them hurt during the next few games. Of course, that works if you can practice with them enough to get the unit to play together. I have no experience in that area, maybe you could shed some light on that since you coached that unit before.
Leatherhead
December 13, 2021 at 09:45 am
Murf…. Punt out of bounds. Kickoff through the end zone, or squib kick. Find a guy who can catch a punt.
There, it’s fixed.
LambeauPlain
December 13, 2021 at 09:46 am
How many Packers have been injured on STs this year? The idea ST = injuries is mostly fantasy.
Leatherhead
December 13, 2021 at 11:31 am
That’s a joke, right? High speed collisions occur on these plays. I’m 100% convinced that guys get hurt doing this. How many games did we lose Kyrin Hill for?🤔
Alberta_Packer
December 13, 2021 at 11:25 am
The first to come to mind is Hill - whose season ended for his tendency to always run straight ahead into brick walls. Still he was better than Malik Taylor - whose tendency is to run straight ahead - out-of-bounds.
BAMABADGER
December 13, 2021 at 03:43 pm
Bill Belichick uses starters on his ST. Pats are always near top of NFL for STs.
Minniman
December 13, 2021 at 04:30 pm
2 things that the Pats covet and which consistently holds them in good stead:
1) ST Play
2) Setting the edge in Defense
....You could say that they concentrate on getting the basics right and the rest stems from that.
dobber
December 13, 2021 at 07:56 am
Game balls...
TEs--Packers will likely have to go TE heavy to help support an OL on its 4th and 5th tackles (yes, 4th and 5th!!). It was great to see Lewis and Deguara making plays.
Gute--at this point, the Dennis Kelly signing looks like money well spent
ARod--played a pretty good game on one foot...again. That foot isn't getting better any time soon.
Packers fans in attendance--for their Bronx cheer on a kickoff touchback in the 3rd quarter. I don't think LaF was waving his arms for that.
Lame calls...
WR injuries--it's getting to be a pretty empty room.
OL injuries--it's getting to be a pretty empty room.
Defense--uncharacteristically gouged for some big plays. Need to tighten that up. No shadow for Fields? Really?
Since'61
December 13, 2021 at 10:30 am
Having grown up in the Bronx I will say that I appreciated the Bronx cheer but it was not executed very well. It was a quiet and polite version of the Bronx cheers we used in the Bronx at Yankee games back in the day.
In any case, I'm confident that the Packers fans can improve with continued practice and given the current state of our STs they will get plenty of practice. Thanks, Since '61
Coldworld
December 13, 2021 at 10:52 am
I’m not particularly shocked at the lack of a spy or shadow in that game . They kept the Bears to 3 points in the second half. I viewed it as a calculated decision. Looking back, I can’t see that it was a bad one. With just adequate STs that is a blowout, even with not turning up for the first quarter.
Minniman
December 13, 2021 at 04:34 pm
" even with not turning up for the first quarter"
It begs the question - do they Packers even want the bye?
Let me re-phrase that - they may "want" it, but statistically in the MLF era it hasn't proven their friend.
NitschkeFromTheGrave
December 13, 2021 at 04:47 pm
Can't say it better than Dobber just did.
Booner
December 13, 2021 at 08:03 am
That was the worst special teams play of all times in NFL history! How can that clown Drayton still have a job! That kind of shit gets you beat against a playoff team! Rodgers bails the team out once again! Pull your head out of your ass Guty!!@!!
croatpackfan
December 13, 2021 at 08:31 am
Coaching staff are the responsibility of HC, not GM.
Lphill
December 13, 2021 at 08:09 am
NFL network broadcast the Packers special teams play from last night , opponents will game plan for this , something has to be done .
NitschkeFromTheGrave
December 13, 2021 at 08:20 am
Do you think teams weren't already studying films of the ST's disasters to this point?
The Bears weren't watching reruns of the Love Boat last week.
dobber
December 13, 2021 at 08:28 am
Yup! There's a reason teams have been bringing kickoffs out of the endzone all season long.
mrtundra
December 13, 2021 at 08:35 am
That would have been the vikings watching the reruns of The Love Boat.
dobber
December 13, 2021 at 08:46 am
WINNER!!!
NitschkeFromTheGrave
December 13, 2021 at 09:00 am
Hahahahahahaha !!!!
murf7777
December 13, 2021 at 08:35 am
The Bears did game plan last night. As they punted from their own 40 or so in the 4th quarter when it was 4th and 3 or 4 I stated the only reason they would do that vs going for it is because they have a better chance of something good happening by doing so. Just than Rodgers fumbled the punt and da Bears caught it and ran into the end zone.
Fortunately, and this is one man on the special teams who made a heads up play, I’m not sure who that player was, but he crowed the Bears gunner to the sideline and just as the player was heading out of bounds he put his hands in the air and tucked in his gut so not to touch the player as he left the field of play triggering a penalty that nullified the Bears TD!
jurp
December 13, 2021 at 10:17 am
The player you're referring to was Rasul Douglas, I think. Truly, a nice head;s-up play, right in front of the line judge
Coldworld
December 13, 2021 at 10:55 am
I thought the Bears attacked us from the start, not based upon last night, but what they have seen all season.
I’m not sure why this is Gute’s call (not that I’d object to him forcing it). LaFleur’s apologism for the ST performance was perhaps worse to see than their play.
PackfanNY
December 13, 2021 at 08:14 am
One thing not mentioned. 13 play, 71 yards, 8.38 seconds! GREAT December game killing drive. It was a thing of beauty!
PackfanNY
December 13, 2021 at 08:15 am
*not mentioned ENOUGH *
RCPackerFan
December 13, 2021 at 08:25 am
Game Balls:
Aaron Rodgers - I don't always put him in the game balls because realistically he could be her every game. But his throws have been on point of late. He has really started to heat up these last few games.
Aaron Jones/AJ Dillon - This pair is so damn dynamic. Dillon is a beast and is going to cause a lot of problems for defenses these next couple of months. Jones is just electric with the ball in his hands. His TD catch really showcased his abilities.
Rasul Douglas - Pick 6 in back to back games. Awesome! The fact that he realistically had a chance at 2 more in each of those games just shows how good he has been. My problem with this is that he is still not on the field all the time. Why is Black playing over Douglas? The drive after the pick 6, Black was on the field covering the WR in the backfield and Douglas was on the sidelines. Sorry but Douglas needs to be on the field!
Big Dog - Lewis had 4 receptions on 4 targets for 51 yards. He isn't a dynamic athlete but he catches what is thrown his way and seems to always make the first man miss. He is a guy I'd love to see get more opportunities down in the redzone.
Davante Adams - Kind of a quiet day for Adams. Only caught 10 passes of 13 thrown his way. Only had 121 yards and 2 TD's. Quiet day for him.
Kenny Clark - He is just a beast in the middle. He deserves way more credit then he gets.
Eric Stokes - Stokes doesn't get a lot of talk and that is a very good thing. He has been like an eraser on his side of the field. I don't think he allowed a reception yesterday. The last 5-6 games or so he has absolutely locked it down!
Lame Calls:
I mean special teams was probably the worst I have ever seen honestly. I don't remember a game that was THAT bad.
I mean there is nothing worse then that special teams performance.
The only real positive would be that Crosby made all of his kicks.
Another lame call is listening to Espn Radio this morning and hearing Keyshawn Johnson not giving LaFleur any credit at all for their wins. He said he is a middle tier at best HC. He basically said that Rodgers is the only reason why they are the way they are. He went on about how 49ers have had to overcome significant injuries and how McVay is better because he doesn't have Rodgers. I just don't get why LaFleur gets no national love. He went into Arizona the only unbeaten team at the time and beat them without their top 3 WR's on a short week. The Packers finished this game with only 1 opening day starter left on the OL. They are playing with their 3rd string LT, 2nd string LG, 2nd string OC, and finished with their 2nd string RT. They lost their dynamic TE, and are without one of their top WR's. Lets not forget that they have basically played the whole year on defense without 2 pro bowl players in Za'Darius and Jaire.
Notes:
Mostly a clean game by the refs. There were ticky tacky things as usual but overall this was the best game that I can remember by the refs in a while.
Deguara is a guy to keep an eye on as the season goes on. He is becoming more comfortable in the offense, and you can see that Rodgers and him are getting more on the same page.
I would not be surprised if they try and find themselves a new return man. They clearly don't trust Rodgers, but don't have any other options right now. I thought he looked pretty good on returns until the muff punt, which luckily due to a penalty it didn't cost them. But they put out Taylor on a kick return which he fielded a ball that was going out of bounds costing them 35 yards. They need someone to create a spark on special teams. It starts with the returner.
Packers beat the Bears on Sunday night football!
Lets enjoy some Victory Monday!
mrtundra
December 13, 2021 at 08:43 am
You cannot expect any of the talking heads and announcers to give Green Bay any credit for anything. Not giving MLF any credit is ridiculous, to all Packers' fans who know what he has meant to this team. All of those talking heads are on the Brady bandwagon and are picking the Bucs to make the Super Bowl, again. Pathetic!
dobber
December 13, 2021 at 08:47 am
"You cannot expect any of the talking heads and announcers to give Green Bay any credit for anything. "
I'll let you take that comment over to the Daily Norseman to see how it plays... ;)
Gee
December 13, 2021 at 09:34 am
Man I can only imagine the pile on that would come from that. LOL Plus somehow the refs would be brought in to defend Johnson's position.
jurp
December 13, 2021 at 10:28 am
Honestly, they just need to change the name of that team to the Minnesota Whiners at this point.
Coldworld
December 13, 2021 at 05:30 pm
If we are on the topic of empty complaints of NFC north fan bases, I didn’t see the eternal Bear gripes about holding on the OL after this game either. Cant think why.
RCPackerFan
December 13, 2021 at 09:23 am
My favorite was when they were going on about how Arians needs to be in the running for coach of the year. Yet LaFleur can't be? WTF?
Just tired of it honestly!
pacman
December 13, 2021 at 09:09 am
The main problem with listing so many great players is there isn't enough money to pay them all next year. So we might as win it all this year - right?
PackBacker
December 13, 2021 at 08:42 am
Once again Rasul Douglas makes himself look like a 1st round draft pick. Beginning to really love that guy. I suggest giving him a nickname - "Pick 6" Douglas.
But Special Teams? Start scouring some Pop Warner team rosters for potential upgrades.
murf7777
December 13, 2021 at 08:41 am
I agree and it certainly shows that speed isn’t the only factor of success. I’m sure it has been a factor in other teams not giving him a chance thou. What a great steal by Gutey and our coaching staff for giving him a chance to Excell on the field.
Coming soon to GB a backfield of Stokes, Alexander and Douglas!! Add in Amos and Savage and that’s scary for opposing teams.
PackBacker
December 13, 2021 at 08:49 am
Well said. Potentially one of the best secondaries in team history. Maybe NFL history.
If the Pack make it to the big game this season people will one day point to the acquisition of Douglas as a key turning point. Almost makes me forget about the Not-So-Special Teams play. Almost.
jannesbjornson
December 13, 2021 at 08:56 pm
Sullivan had a nice one-handed snag. The weak link is King. Keep him on ice.
Yoda
December 13, 2021 at 08:35 am
Kick off, Bojorquez must. With him, the force is strong.
Packers0808
December 13, 2021 at 08:42 am
Our special teams are really embarrassing out there! Rest of team parts hurrah. Glad to see it seems Mr Crosby seems to be back in the groove!
Fubared
December 13, 2021 at 08:36 am
Again the Packers showed a lack of speed on defense and special teams. Cant make people faster but obviously teams with speed guys going down the road will hurt. My take after last night, this team makes playoffs and loses in the first round. Just not enough quality.
Another concern and I've beleived this for years, the GM does not take intellegence into who he drafts: Stokes has speed but thats it. He cant play the position at all and looks lost most of the time. Rodgers is a total moron. Cathes a ball going out of bounds putting the team on the 40 and he catches it with his foot out of bounds on the 5. That is plain stupid and you cant fix it but you can cut it.
dobber
December 13, 2021 at 08:52 am
"He cant play the position at all and looks lost most of the time. "
Again...not watching the game or getting actual data: Stokes allowing only a 55% completion percentage to his assignments...the announcers actually cited that in game. Real numbers. If that's clueless and lost, I'll take a couple more, please. I have no idea what you have against Stokes, but he's playing well...especially for a rookie.
"That is plain stupid and you cant fix it but you can cut it."
You can also ban it from posting here anymore.
murf7777
December 13, 2021 at 08:55 am
Lack of speed on defense? Where do you come up with your thoughts?
The past five years they have drafted in the early rounds the following players who are all in the high 4.3’s to low 4.4’s for a forty yard dash. Savage, Alexander, King and Stokes. They also added Amos as a Free Agent and his 40 time is similar to them. Throw in Gary who is one of the fastest OLB in the NFL and you have speed to match any team. The team has been drafting for speed over the past 5 years.
In addition, right now Stokes is playing closer to a Pro-bowler than a rookie. Getting better by the game.
Demon
December 13, 2021 at 08:56 am
Wasn't it m Taylor who flubbed the KO?
edp1959
December 13, 2021 at 09:06 am
yes...
NitschkeFromTheGrave
December 13, 2021 at 04:40 pm
ImaPayne,
Please turn in your Packer Fan card, It's been revoked. You obviously were caught switching back and forth between the game and 90 Fiance, Dancing with the Nimrods or some other A&E chick drama.
Spock
December 13, 2021 at 10:19 am
This secondary is as fast, if not faster, than most teams. Why you hate Stokes is beyond my understanding as he is an above average player (and fast) for a rookie. By the way, it was TAYLOR not Stokes who made the attempted catch out of bounds. Do you actually watch the games????
Oppy
December 13, 2021 at 11:14 am
ImaPayne,
Did you watch the Lions beat the Vikings last week?
Hilarious. What a bunch of losers!
I can't believe those poor, deluded Vikings fans actually thought they were going to somehow take the NFC North. I mean, how ignorant does a fan base have to be?
Caden819
December 13, 2021 at 11:15 am
"My take after last night, this team makes playoffs and loses in the first round."
Cant lose in the first round if you don't play in it.
"Stokes has speed but that's it. He cant play the position at all and looks lost most of the time"
How many catches did Stokes give up last night exactly?
jannesbjornson
December 13, 2021 at 09:07 pm
Fan or Fraud? We'll make the call.
Oppy
December 14, 2021 at 09:24 am
by the way..
Arizona dropped a game last night to the Rams, another NFC team.
That means the Packers and Cards have a tied overall record and a better conference record (8-2 vs. 6-3).. and the Packers have the tie breaker win over the Cardinals in head to head competition.
The Packers now control their own outcome in regards to the #1 seed. All they have to do is win, baby.
:) :)
mrtundra
December 13, 2021 at 08:38 am
It will be a lot to ask of this team to make a deep play-off run if things don't change on STs. We cannot expect to win games when STs plays that poorly, week in and week out!
Brockrice99
December 13, 2021 at 08:41 am
Mo Drayton is so stubborn it is unbelievable. MLF has over and over told him to stop putting Amari back there, and he continues to do so, thankfully this time we were very lucky. But Drayton is an atrocity and this Special Teams Unit could cost us a Super Bowl, it has been WEEEEEKS of Drayton and Special Teams miscues and stupid mistakes, I can not take it anymore. FIRE DRAYTON INTO THE SUN
dblbogey
December 13, 2021 at 12:42 pm
If MLF has told Drayton not to put Amari back there, and Drayton did it anyway, Drayton would no longer be with the team. How do you know what MLF tells Drayton?
Guam
December 13, 2021 at 08:47 am
Game ball to an O-line that played with four reserves and one starter (Patrick, arguably the worst of last year's starters) and did a creditable job against a fairly talented Bears front seven (albeit without Mack or Hicks, but still pretty good). Yes, they gave a up two sacks, but one of the sacks happened when Rodgers held the ball too long (over four seconds). Otherwise Rodgers wasn't under pressure most of the night and had a great outing.
Don't know if this O-line could play as well against Tampa's front seven. The Packers really need Bahk back and for Turner's injury to be minor.
Lame ball to LaFleur as I was very disappointed to see him make excuses for Drayton and the woeful special teams during his post game presser. The evidence has been all over the field all year long - special teams are horrible. Perhaps most telling for me were not the physical mistakes, but the bonehead mental play by Taylor on the kickoff return. Let the ball go out of bounds and take it at the forty yard line!!! There is absolutely no excuse for that play and it is on Drayton that his returner didn't have that rule drilled into him.
It is late in the year to find another (good) ST coach, but firing Drayton today would at least send a wakeup call to all of the special team's players - and they need it. Time for a change, not excuses. A better team than the Bears would have made the Packers pay for their woeful special teams and continued ineptitude of this level could cost the Packers a shot at a Super Bowl.
LambeauPlain
December 13, 2021 at 09:40 am
Hire the best ST College coach you can find and give him an audition for the rest of the year.
Second option, let Hackett actually be the OC and Matt take over STs.
Guam
December 13, 2021 at 10:19 am
Whatever it takes - just no more Drayton.
Coldworld
December 13, 2021 at 11:01 am
Exactly.
4thand1
December 13, 2021 at 08:59 am
Games balls, offense, defense, practice squad o-line.
lame, Mo. Start the chant..........NO MO.
4thand1
December 13, 2021 at 07:06 pm
seems like a couple people like our STs coach?
BAMABADGER
December 13, 2021 at 09:29 am
Every Packer kickoff I repeat what my high school football coach drilled into our heads 60+ years ago, (plus one other):
1) Mason, please kick it out of the end zone (unfortunately that rarely happens)
2) (Most important) Maintain/stay in your lane/zone of responsibility
3) Tackle with with technique and impact
The Packers ST execute none of the 3. It is not rocket science, it is poor coaching.
'
LambeauPlain
December 13, 2021 at 09:34 am
Drayton couldn’t coach a dog on a leash to take an AM poop.
Like MM who had a death wish by dragging Capers along incompetent season after incompetent season.
Matt is showing the same stubborn streak with Drayton, the top assistant for both Zook and Mannenga. How he thought Drayton would be an upgrade over those two bunglers is an enigma, surrounded by mystery, wrapped in a shroud.
It will be STs that will cost Matt any mention in Coach of the year discussion.
Fubared
December 13, 2021 at 12:49 pm
I know nothing of this guy so I'm looking at from his perspective:
1. You have no speed guys on special teams to race down the field and put immediate pressure on the kick returner. Returner had time to assess the pressure and make a decision, their is time. Note kick returner pre game has been told the Pack is slow to the ball.
2. Your special teams guys are not too bright. Your kick returner catches ball in end zone and instead of fair catch, runs it out and gets to the 18. You just lost 7 easy yards. He's done this all year. Did I not order him to just take the catch or did I give him green light city?? If its the later, blame me. If its the other its bench time if I have someone else.
Note said returned muffs the ball often, lacks return speed and is not a threat to break it open. Blame poor drafting not me.
Looks like problem isnt the coach.
PatrickGB
December 13, 2021 at 03:42 pm
Exactly. I really doubt that Mo asked his players to be stupid. Of course it ultimately falls on him as a coach but it’s really the players that screwed it up. I doubt that him or any coach would be ok with that.
GoldenRetriever
December 13, 2021 at 05:36 pm
There are many excellent black coaches in the league, but I have to wonder if Drayton wasn’t an affirmative action hire. Maybe LaFleur was encouraged to promote him.
jimtalkbox
December 13, 2021 at 09:35 am
Is there a reason why we can't keep a kick off specialist who's sole job is to kick it out of the end zone every single kick off? That seems like it would solve one part. Acquiring a competent returner may be harder...
Curt
December 13, 2021 at 10:15 am
Can 7 kick off - seems like a stronger leg than Crosby at this point. Would solve KO return problem that has been there all year long.
Apparently tried to tell 7 to punt away from returner the last time, but that didn't work either - direction not a great skill?....just not sure how punt return coverage can look ok one week and miserable the next.
Return specialist another issue - Taylor in tough position, was close to line - if he let go and it bounced just in bounds and was recovered by Chi would have been worth than getting on the 5. But they must practice such situations?
jurp
December 13, 2021 at 10:32 am
If Taylor puts one foot out of bounds when he touches the ball, then we get it at the 40. IIRC, Cobb used to do that occasionally years ago.
Alberta_Packer
December 13, 2021 at 11:14 am
Well we can skip the cerebral box on the Taylor check list.
Bitternotsour
December 13, 2021 at 09:43 am
AR - “The majority of stats don’t mean much to me, but this rivalry is important to me." Then he proceeds to say that he knew in advance he was 3 TD's away from the Favre record. And Davante confirmed that Aaron told him in the huddle he wanted the ball and to not throw it in the stands.
How do you know when Aaron Rodgers is lying? - his lips are moving. Glorious football player, world-class phony.
I seriously doubt his damn toe is broken.
edp1959
December 13, 2021 at 11:14 am
Wow....RDS much?
ROCK ON REAL PACKERS FANS!!!
Caden819
December 13, 2021 at 11:40 am
You wouldn't want a record breaking game ball at the most historic field in NFL history? Get real
Bitternotsour
December 13, 2021 at 01:18 pm
he is a totally stats driven quarterback. to suggest otherwise is phony. he is a world class phony. He is also a demonstrable liar.
that said, he is historic in his stats. his turnover numbers are ridiculous. i'm just pointing out how disingenuous he is. And I really don't believe that toe is fractured. Every time I've fractured a toe it turned purple, black and green. didn't see any discoloration when he took that sock off at the "Covid Toe" press conference.
Caden819
December 13, 2021 at 02:11 pm
So just because every time YOU fractured a toe and it turned purple means everybody's body works the same? I've broken toes and have never had them turn purple or black and green. You live in your own world don't you? Fracturing a pinky toe is no where near as bad as fracturing any other toe but I'm sure you knew that because you've fractured toes before
Curt
December 13, 2021 at 09:55 am
Another lame call regarding time outs - why do you take a timeout in order to bring in the field goal team for a chip shot. The only thing dumber is trying to draw them offside at midfield and then punt it into the end zone (at least GB didn't do that this week). Can't happen in close games!
edp1959
December 13, 2021 at 11:16 am
They do it just to piss you off...
ROCK ON REAL PACKERS FANS!!!
Since'61
December 13, 2021 at 11:46 am
Curt, the point was to run-the clock down prior to calling the timeout. Then kick the FG.
Situational football. Try to pay attention.
Thanks, Since ‘61
Fubared
December 13, 2021 at 12:41 pm
I think they were trying to draw Chic town off sides so they would get the ball on the half yard line and then go for it. When they didnt jump. plan B take the points.
Philarod
December 13, 2021 at 10:14 am
LAME: Obviously, Drayton and the gang, including; M Taylor, Amari, the whole punt coverage unit, Crosby (out of bounds kickoff...why?), MVS on the hands team, everyone but Bojo (he's entitled to one bad punt).
GAME: Rodgers (still the best player in the NFL, even with a bad left foot), Adams, Quadfather, the depleted OL who battled hard, and Rasul.
Ferrari-Driver
December 13, 2021 at 10:35 am
What happened during the by week where all the self scouting was supposed to take place?
It appears that the defense scouted the offense and the offense scouted the defense and no one looked at our awful special teams play which has been consistently bad the entire season.
I sure like the punter, Corey Bojorquez, but what's good about our special teams both directions is sparse and I feel should have been corrected well before this time. Both Gute and LeFleur need to put their heads together before the playoffs and correct this mess.
Since'61
December 13, 2021 at 10:49 am
I agree on the Game Balls and I would add Kenny Clark and Rashan Gary specifically. Clark was just outstanding against the run and the pass last evening. Gary was being held on nearly every play and particularly on pass plays. I have no idea what the officials were looking at.
Lazard played a great game last night. I would say that it was his best game and most complete game as a Packer.
I don't know about MLF for the coach of the Year but I do know that if there is an award for OL Coach of the Year Stenovich has won the award hands down. He just keeps putting players out there and they keep doing an excellent job. His preparation week after week is just brilliant work. He should be added to the Game Ball list weekly at this point.
Lame Calls: Special Teams, Special Teams and Special Teams. Drayton. Did I mention Special Teams?
Can we move Drayton to the Covid-19 list for the rest of the season and use that as the excuse for adding a new ST coach? Something needs to be done and it needs to done yesterday. We cannot go into the playoffs with this level of ST play. The HCs and staffs we are going to face in the playoffs are going to figure out ways to exploit this unmitigated disaster that is our STS.
Beyond that our team is very solid although with injuries to ESB and Malik Taylor WR depth could become a concern. GPG! Thanks, Since '61
Coldworld
December 13, 2021 at 11:04 am
ESB with yet another concussion? For a guy who has barely played over 4 years, that must be a real concern and another reason to move on.
Roadrunner23
December 13, 2021 at 11:06 am
Did Ron Wolf make a “deal with the devil” during the Desmond Howard season 😈 Which has cursed the Packers Special Teams for all time?
…..things that make you go hmm 🤔
Since'61
December 13, 2021 at 11:47 am
Cookie for Nostradanus. Thanks, Since ‘61
THESZOTMAN1
December 13, 2021 at 11:47 am
Sorry about ragging on STs in earlier post.
On + note, I'll tell you who should get consideration for Coach of the Year: Adam Stenovich. He's done incredible job with 2nd and 3rd teamers. Dennis Kelly a good example. Guy's hardly seen the field and he filled in admirably.
When we get Bakh, Billy, and Jenkins back we will be good to go. Until then, I think Steno's boys can hold the fort.
GPG
The Szotman
Fubared
December 13, 2021 at 12:39 pm
You are talking next year you know. Bakh may be a shell of his former self, this is a long time a healing. Too long. Jenkins is done for this year and a good part of next. Turner, who knows could be done for the year and part of next too????
saltandpeppers
December 13, 2021 at 11:55 am
The Packers are deliberately using their timeouts on that last drive to (a) milk every second of the clock and (b) make sure they get a play they like. They're taking their time and being methodical. I understand people view this as wasting timeouts; but the Packers apparently don't think that way.
Starrbrite
December 13, 2021 at 12:56 pm
No mas, no mas, no Mo!!
PackfanNY
December 13, 2021 at 01:34 pm
I know there were numerous special teams errors so I’ll pick out the one I hated the most. What was Malik Taylor doing on that kick? Does he not know the rules? So frustrating. That cost the Packers 34 yards of field position. Few plays in football can cost you that much yardage. (Maybe pass interference?) ugh.
Ya_tittle
December 13, 2021 at 05:11 pm
Cobb has taken the opportunity to get the ball at the 40 yard line by catching out of bounds as Cordarelle Patterson did to us a year or so ago.
Just stupid.
Jgilmor08
December 13, 2021 at 01:37 pm
Maybe we should just start playing like Presbyterian College and instead of kicking off just onside kick it after every score. It would make more sense at least the Packers might get the ball back. If not the other team gets the ball at the 45 yard line so literally no change from where they get the ball on a normal kickoff.
I kind of feel like MLF needs to revise his bye week course of action. Year one the team was smothered by the Chargers, year two embarrassed by the Bucs and year three it took into the second quarter to get going. Against a better team I think they might’ve burried the Packers with so many gifts.
With special teams hampering this years team more than usual maybe it’s Bojo who needs to emphasize hang time over distance. I may be wrong it just seems like more often than not the kick coverage is dramatically out kicked by his strong leg. It is just speculation but I wonder if this is why Buffalo released him after leading the NFL in punt average.
I think this upcoming draft possibly drafting a returner. Like a third or fourth rounder just for returning punts and kicks. This also shows why NFL teams place a premium on drafting extra linebackers and safeties in the later rounds instead of relying on the crapshoot of UDFA to fill out the roster so special teams isn’t exclusively filled with undrafted players.
jurp
December 13, 2021 at 04:14 pm
I think you mean it would make more sense to just kick the ball out of bounds every time, because then the receiving team would get the ball at their own 40 instead of your own 45 on a missed onside kick. Not that I agree with either idea.
OTOH, if Bojo could exclusively punt, say, 45 yards out of bounds each time then I think we'd have a winning strategy.
Jgilmor08
December 14, 2021 at 09:36 am
No, it’s what I meant to say. With an onside kick there’s an .08% chance of recovering the ball which would mean back to back possessions whereas kicking out of bounds nullifies that opportunity. Regardless I was being very sarcastic either way. The main point being that we are routinely letting teams set up shop around the 40 yard line. So if we are just going to keep letting teams have the ball at the 40 then at least getting a chance at getting the ball back 8% of the time might be enticing.
This is clearly ridiculous and not an option. It’s stupidity would rank right around where the Packs current special teams abilities rank.
With a lot of the college game seeping into the professional ranks maybe it’s time to employ the spread style punt formation with the Pack being the pioneers. It’s been extremely successful for teams at the collegiate level and I feel like a dramatic shake up like that may be needed. But the pro game is far too engrained in traditional methods to step outside the box.
marpag1
December 13, 2021 at 02:49 pm
The Packers no-name corners held up exceptionally well. The Packers big name safeties were awful.
Fubared
December 13, 2021 at 07:27 pm
Thanks. Thought is was me but just what did King and Stokes do. I know stokes had on break up but the pass was un catchable and he still fell on his face defending, and King, did he play? I think he was on the field but maybe playing a strong prevent d for a guy who isnt much of a passing threat.
marpag1
December 14, 2021 at 01:18 pm
When I said "no name corners" I wasn't thinking about Stokes and King, I was thinking about guys like Rasul Douglas. Chandon Sullivan pulled in an INT, although he wasn't as good vs. the run. On the safety side, I thought the "big names" of Amos and Savage were both responsible for some of the big plays that the Bears got, and neither was very good in coverage generally.
You're right that King barely played on defense. I think 3 snaps.