Felipe's Positives - Week 10, 2024
It's time to recap some positives from the 2024 Green Bay Packers season so far.
With a bye week behind them, the Green Bay Packers now set their sights on Week 11 in Chicago. With no game to analyze this weekend, I'll take the chance to recap some of the season's key positives for the team so far.
1-Matt LaFleur
Six seasons in, Matt LaFleur still doesn’t get the respect he deserves. He’s led the Packers to a 6-3 record with the youngest roster in the league, winning two and a half games with a backup quarterback signed in late August. His play calling, scheme, and creativity have powered the Packers’ offense to a top-eight ranking in EPA per rush, even with the team ranked 28th in run-blocking.
2-Brian Gutekunst
Gutekunst struck gold revamping the Packers' safety room. Xavier McKinney leads the NFL in interceptions and earned NFC Defensive Player of the Month honors in October. Evan Williams is PFF’s seventh-highest-graded safety (and the best among rookies). Javon Bullard is the second-highest-graded rookie safety, ranking second in tackles among his peers. Gutekunst’s trade for Malik Willis helped the Packers go 2-0 while Jordan Love was injured. Moving on from fan-favorite Preston Smith was a tough decision, but it was the best choice for the long-term future of the organization.
3-Jeff Hafley
The Packers have a top-10 defense in both EPA/play and EPA/rush. They rank 13th in EPA/pass and DVOA. They lead the league in takeaways and have delivered strong results despite a lack of pass rush. The defense has allowed 10 or fewer points in the second half in 7 of 9 games. It’s refreshing to have a defensive coordinator who makes halftime adjustments instead of just watching his defense get annihilated.
4-Josh Jacobs
For the third straight week, Jacobs appears on Felipe’s Positives. Heading into Week 10, he ranked third in rushing yards, second in yards after contact, and fifth in missed tackles forced. He’s the Packers’ highest-graded offensive player this season and has the fifth-most rushing yards over expected, per Next Gen Stats.
5-Tucker Kraft
He may be a bit of a psycho, but he’s our psycho. Whether catching passes or blocking in the run game, Kraft is a crucial contributor to the Packers' offense. He leads Green Bay in receiving touchdowns and ranks second among tight ends in receiving touchdowns, yards after catch, and missed tackles forced. For tight ends with at least 20 targets, he holds the second-highest passer rating when targeted.
6-Xavier McKinney
Though I’ve already mentioned him, McKinney deserves his own spotlight. He’s simply fun to watch. His IQ, ball skills, and closing speed are next level. The impact he has made on Evan Williams and Javon Bullard is clear on tape. McKinney might be Green Bay’s best free-agent pickup since Charles Woodson. At just 25, it’s remarkable to think his best football may still be ahead.
Green Bay sits at 6-3, heading into a three-game stretch over 11 days. They are currently the NFC's seventh seed and in a solid position to fight for the NFC North crown.
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHEESEHEAD NATION WEEKLY NEWSLETTER HERE.
__________________________
Felipe is a Brazilian Packers writer covering the #GoPackGo for CheeseheadTV, Zone Coverage, and Packers Talk. Additionally, he contributes to Cheeseheads Brazil. Follow him on twitter at @Aceti_Felipe.
__________________________
Comments (22)
NickPerry
November 11, 2024 at 02:48 pm
Can't argue one bit with any of these selections. But IMO we have to add in Edgerrin Cooper. That kid has been a stud, the Packers NEED to keep him on the field...
#LESS Walker MORE Cooper...
Starrbrite
November 11, 2024 at 07:25 pm
Yes—Cooper must be added to the list.
GregC
November 11, 2024 at 03:06 pm
Jayden Reed would be a good addition to this list. He's 10th in the league in receiving yards with 620. We haven't had any receiver finish that high in the league since Davante Adams was third in 2021.
HawkPacker
November 11, 2024 at 03:27 pm
Tucker Kraft a bit of a psycho? Never heard that one before.
NickPerry
November 12, 2024 at 06:14 am
I like it though!
ricky
November 11, 2024 at 04:45 pm
Last year after nine games, the Packers were 3-6. They not only made the playoffs, but crushed Dallas, and then gave the 'Niners a tough game. This year, the team is 6-3 at the same point in time. If they can pull themselves together, they could end up with ten to twelve wins. And in the end, that is what counts. Starting hot is nice. But going into the playoffs on a roll is what really counts.
Leatherhead
November 11, 2024 at 05:15 pm
Ok, we're 28th in run blocking but Jacobs has the third most rushing yards.
That should tell you something about the ranking system.
Bitternotsour
November 11, 2024 at 05:21 pm
yeah, we really suck except for you know, the results man.
Leatherhead
November 11, 2024 at 05:30 pm
You know, I'm old enough to remember when you weren't asked to believe two facts which were mutually exclusive. You cannot believe that the blocking sucks while at the same time believe the run game is going good. You have to pick one and just ignore the other fact.
Bitternotsour
November 11, 2024 at 06:16 pm
Except that it's not a fact that the line sucks. You can believe your eyes, or you can believe PFF and our resident "video analysts" on this site.
Leatherhead
November 11, 2024 at 06:41 pm
It doesn't suck, it ranks 28th. I mean, it's the same thing, just a nicer way of saying it.
Your eyes will lie to you, because we always see what we expect to see and disregard the rest. Data is useful for comparing things, but when the data just flatly contradicts what you're seeing then that has to be resolved somehow. Either you aren't seeing what you think you're seeing, or the data is wrong, or both.
I think this: Our best path through the second half of the season would involve getting the ball to Jacobs & Co and letting the big eaters push people out of the way. I do not think our running attack has been stopped by anybody. I would line up against Chicago and run it 50 times.
Coldworld
November 12, 2024 at 08:21 am
It speaks to Jacobs ability more than the rankings. His yards after contact are real and largely visible, not the imagining of PFf or any of the other rating agencies. Imagine how much better we might be if we could run block better. There is no mutual exclusivity here. That’s the flaw that leads you astray.
LambeauPlain
November 12, 2024 at 09:09 am
"Imagine how much better we might be if we could run block better."
There it is! That's the "Duh" I was looking for!
cdoemel
November 11, 2024 at 05:39 pm
It’s not the blocking. They open holes. It’s the runner. Jacobs can squirt through the holes created instead of running into the backs of his O-line and falling down (AJD).
Leatherhead
November 11, 2024 at 08:26 pm
Are you suggesting that the line isn't making holes for the RB?
cdoemel
November 12, 2024 at 08:45 am
Not at all! I said it! They’re making holes. Anyone who will take their eye off the ball when watching can see that.
Vachio
November 11, 2024 at 05:59 pm
Great list!
I'd add Zach Tom, Javon Bullard, Evan Williams, and Jayden Reed. Tom's easily been our best lineman, the rookie safeties have done WAY better than even the wide-eyed Packers optimist could have expected. And Reed, even with the drops, has been a force.
Vachio
November 11, 2024 at 06:00 pm
Man, the game where they mic'd up Tucker Kraft was an absolute classic! I love watching him play. The kid has zero chill and I love it.
canadapacker
November 11, 2024 at 06:14 pm
I know that the sayings is true that you are what your record says you are. But some of that still is luck and still is who you play and when you play them. And as last nights Lions - Texans game - one bad call from losing to winning ( dont know when the NFL is going to fix obvious PI missed calls) proves some wins are just plain luck. I for one am not giving a big pat on the bag either to Lafleur or Hafley just yet. Both have had games whereby they have not had good game plans or good half time adjustments. And if Lafleur is the head coach - and Gute is the GM - why are special teams so poor - and it is not only the poor play but the poor decision making and all of the dumb penalties. So happy where we are statistically speaking but not happy with the aspect of having played a complete game except maybe the AZ game. Now our big chance is against a rapidly descending Bears team that we own and Love needs to continue to show that like AR - we own da Bears.
cdoemel
November 11, 2024 at 07:09 pm
You can’t just apply the luck thing to the Pack. Same thing applies to every team, including the eventual SB winner. Matt LaFleur is widely considered one of the most inventive play callers in football, but if you’re gonna believe the articles and bullshit media posts by the armchair GM’s you read, over watching the game with your own eyes, fine that’s on you. Other than Anders Carlson, our special teams hasn’t been that bad. Penalties, dropped passes, and interceptions are not on Lafleur or Hafley. It’s mostly on young player focus. We’re 6-3, but you wanna knock people down. Ya know, it’s ok to have a view that’s positive and uplifting instead of blaming and negative. But you be you!
cdoemel
November 11, 2024 at 07:20 pm
In 2023 the Packers were tied for the second fewest punt return yards allowed per game. This year they’ve allowed the 3rd fewest. This season the Packers lead the NFL in fewest KickOff yards allowed. And everyone knows Daniel Whelan is a beast. But yeah, our special teams sucks. 🙄
Starrbrite
November 11, 2024 at 07:37 pm
Right about the Detroit win—Goff had 5 INTs and they win; the PI was obvious; contact was long before the ball arrived.
Vikings lucked out too. Didn’t score a TD and the Jags missing Lawrence.