Game #9 - Packers vs Chargers

Here we go!  Trip to west coast and the Los Angeles Chargers!  As a kid, I loved the San Diego Chargers - John Had, Lance Alworth, Keith Lincoln, and many other names, that even include DeaconJone & Johnny Unitas at the end of their careers! Of course,  the awesome light blue uniforms in the old AFL!  It was a fun league that made the NFL a better place!

Lance Alworth

So, back to my Packers, sorry I slipped off to my childhood!  What do we watch for the Packers?

1 - Will Davante Adams play!  Turf toe!  A misunderstood injury!  Having never had turf toe(although I cracked my little toe headed to the bathroom a 3 am to pee!)  Apparently, it is painful and a wide receiver must run!  So, with all the young receivers improving week to week, take your time Davante!

2 - Williams & Jones, our 1-2 running punch!  We need this to continue!  And remember, a running game, allows for play action passing & slows down the pass rush!  So, "keep on running!"

3 - The Aaron Rodgers & a push towards league MVP!  He need another year that makes it clear he is on of the best ever!!!  Why not 2019!

Now defense,

4 - Come pass rush!  Smith brothers!  How about a little noise from Kenny Clark!!!  And, what ever happened to our top draft choice - Rashan Gary???

5 - Interceptions!!!!  Alexander, King, Savage, & Amos!  A BIG pass rush leads to turnovers!

6 - Inside linebackers(Summers, Goodson & Burk)!  Keep making noise to keep Blake Martinez use less of his CLUB!

And special teams!

7 - It is time!  We made a change, brought in a new guy - Tremon Smith in & Darrius Shepherd out!
Wouldn't it be nice if if we had a return for a TD!!!!  WE ARE DUE!!!!

So, a lot to play for!  Stay on top of the NFC North!!  Keep building wins, remember, getting to 10-11 wins usually helps to get to at least a wild card!  Offense & Defense are each building!

Packers Finish First Half of The 2019 Season

Here we are!  First place NFC North - 7 wins & 1 Loss!  What does the second half of the season
look like??


Week 9 -  Sunday, Nov 3 - 4:25 pm - at Chargers
Week 10 - Sunday, Nov 10 - 4:25 pm - home - Panthers
Week 11 - BYE
Week 12 - Sunday, Nov 24 - 4:25 pm - at 49ers
Week 13 - Sunday, Dec 1 - 1:00 pm - at Giants
Week 14 - Sunday, Dec 8 - 1:00 pm - home - Redskins
Week 15 - Sunday, Dec 15 - 1:00 pm - home - Bears
Week 16 - Monday, Dec 23 - 8:15 pm - at Vikings
Week 17 - Sunday, Dec 29 - 1:00 pm - at Lions

I am NOT even going to predict!  I am doing a LeFleur, we must go 1-0!  Next up,
beat the Chargers!  It will be another battle!  But, this should be a AWAY, HOME game!

This is what I heard today!  The stadium, a soccer stadium seats 27,000.  The prediction,
75% of the fans will be PACKER FANS!!!

The game is dangerous!  Chargers are 3-5, but they have lost close games!
loss 13-10 to Lions
loss 27-20 Texans
loss 20-13 Broncos
loss 24-17 Steelers
loss 23-20 Titans

This is a dangerous team!
QB - Phillip Rivers
RB - Melvin Gordon
WR - Kenyan Allen

This a dangerous team!
The just fired their offensive coordinator!

This is a dangerous team!
Their defense held the Lions to 13 points!

So, buckle your chin straps!  Another close game!!!

Packers Win Over Chiefs, Game #8

We wait all year for the NFL season and then, in the blink of an eye, it is over!  The Packer season is at the half way point!  A new coach, a young GM, a veteran QB!  A defense that is finding a personality.  An offense, that is developing new heroes.  Every NFL team is either trending up or down.  I think it is obvious the direction of the Green Bay Packers are trending!  BUT, one thing about the NFL, you can never stop working!

Packers 34 - Chiefs 27, what did we learn in week 8?

1 - The Packers found a way to win again.  The bottom line is winning, that is the ONLY stat that matters in the NFL!  And, with the Chiefs down their star QB, their veteran coach gave the Packers all they could handle!  And, the Packers rookie coach responded.  Result - Packers 8 wins - 1 loss.

2 - Aaron Jones - a special running back!  67 yards rushing & 159 yards receiving & 2 TD's.
     (And, Jamaal Williams is not bad either!)

3 - Defense is a bend, not break group.  Big plays are part of a weekly story.  This week, Tyler Lancaster (love that name, living in Lancaster, PA), causes & recovers a BIG fumble!

4 - The young receivers are still making plays! Kumerow, Allison, Lazard, Valdes-Scantling.

5 - The young d-backs are still making plays!  Alexander, King, Savage, Sullivan.

6 - Aaron Rodgers, being Aaron Rodgers!

The atmosphere has been great.  Smith brothers are leading the way.  The young head coach is
developing a foothold in Lambeau.  There are 8 games remaining and good & bad times ahead.  Let us see how this 2019 group responds!  One guarantee, it will NOT be boring!!

Next up, San Diego, Los Angeles Chargers!

Packers Show Signs of Aggressive Play!

Just a few things about your PackerBacker Blogger:

1 - I HATE the prevent defense!

2 - I HATE an offense trying to run out the clock!

3 - I HATE letting a QB just sit back and pick a defense apart!

4 - I HATE running the ball on first & second down & then trying to get a first down!

I LOVE AGGRESSIVE PLAY!

Do you see the clip of our new coach saying "Keep Our Foot on The Gas!"

Attack - Attack - Attack!

Blitz the QB!  Throw deep!  Run a trick play!  Mix it up!  Stay aggressive!!!!  The entire game!

Go down swinging!

Especially, a team like the Chiefs.  Andy Reid is an aggressive offensive coach!  The Chiefs defense sacked the Bronco QB, Flacco, I think 9 times!!!  So, the Packers need to play loose & free!!

The Smith brothers, Preston & Za'Darius have added an aggressive feel & swagger to the defense!  Our young d-backs fly around the field!  The young receivers seem to be maturing into playmakers!  Kumerow, a division 3 fine seems to be a diamond in the rough!  Valdes-Scantling has great speed!  Lazard plays with a chip on his shoulder!  Our running backs Jones & Williams seem to be able to run & catch the football!  Vitale is a fullback, that could be the next Kuuuuuuhn!  Vvvvvvvvvvvvv!

So, watch Sunday night a see if we stay aggressive!

Go Pack Go!

Attack Attack Attack!

Game # 8 - Packers vs Chiefs

The NFLis a moving target!  Coaching get hired & fired.  Teams play away games & home games.  Teams suffer injuries, some are week to week, some are for the year, some are nagging each week, and others are to key player or roll players.  Fumble & interceptions happen.  Officials make good & bad calls.

The Packers have been through all of this and are 6 wins & 1 loss!!

So, away we go to to Kansas City!  The Packer Buddies were there a few years ago & had a great time!  In fact, the Packers were undefeated at the time, week 15,  and lost to the Chiefs!!!  The Pack finished the year with 15 wins & 1 loss!

Now, 2019 what is the situation??

Packers are in first place NFC North.  Chiefs in first place in the AFC West.  The Chiefs may be without their star young QB - Patrick Mahomes!  The Packers are still without their star receiver - Davante Adams (maybe).  The Packers & Chiefs met in Super Bowl 1, could they meet in this years Super Bowl??

First, the home field advantage is big in Kansas City!  Loud & Proud Chief Fans!!!

Second, two teams with an eye on the playoffs!

Third, the cagy, creative, old head coach against the young, up & coming head coach!

More to come, but this looks like a fun game & it is Sunday Night!!!!

Packers vs Chiefs!!  2019!

Packers vs Chiefs - Super Bowl I

Packers Roll Over Raiders, Is The Offense Starting To Gell?

NFL football games usually turn on a few key plays!  This game was NO different!

Item #1 - Raider QB Carr fumbles into end zone!  What should be pointed out is Packer inside linebacker, Martinez initiated the contact!  His HUSTLE did it!

Item #2 - The Packers offense kept attacking the Raider Defense!!  Rodgers was allowed to start aggressive throughout the game!  Therefore, 42 points!

Item #3 - No Davante Adams, young receivers shine!  Allison, Valdes-Scantling, Kumerow, and Lazard!  Remember, names like Donald Driver, Jordy Nelson, Greg Jennings, Randall Cobb were NOT big names coming out of college!

Item #4 - Packers are 6 & 1, in first place in the NFC North!  Enjoy it!

Work still needs to be done!  Vikings are looking good!  Bears, not so much!  And, Lions are still very dangerous!  NFL schedule is relentless!  Next up - Kansas City Chiefs - and an away game!

Go Pack Go!

Game #7 - Packers vs Raiders

Game 7, another Lambeau home field, and another opportunity for the Packers to grow!

What to watch for?

Packer Offense vs Raiders Defense

1 - The Packers 3 starting wide receivers could be out!  So, step up Kumerow, Lazard, and Shepherd! And new guy - Grant!  Wow!  This will be fun to watch!

Packer Defense vs Raiders Offense

1 - Stop the Raiders rookie Jacobs who has had a great start!  Key on Lowry & Clark inside and how the Pack Defense protects the gaps!

Packer Offense vs Raiders Defense

2 - Packer run game!  Two weeks ago it was Jones and last week it was Williams.  Why not a big game from both and how they will impact the passing game!!!

Packer Defense vs Raiders Offense

2 - Another step for the Packers your defensive backs!  Need to NOT give up the big gain!  And, why not at least TWO interceptions!

Packer Offense vs Raiders Defense

3 - Two words - Aaron Rodgers

Packer Defense vs Raiders Offense

3 - Two words, actually 3

Smith and Smith

So, another close game?  Another close win?  YES!

Packers 27 - Raiders 17

Packers Nip The Lions 23-22

Well, first things first, officiating is in a bad way, we know that!  Pass Interference, Holding, and Hands to the Face!  This is the NFL of 2109, technology and analytics is the KING!

Hands to the Face - Apparently, a rushing technique used to jolt a offensive linemen in the neck area is a difficult call!  Remember, the head coach for the Lions is a disciple of Bill Belichek, and if a technique is questionable he probably coached it!  Bakhtiari complained that the Lions pass rusher, Flowers, was a times punching the neck area. So, keep an eye on the Lions in the future, and the league, is this a technique being used.  Any way, Lions fans, THE PACKERS WIN!!!

Field Goals vs TD's?  Lions found out what that means!  Many great plays, but Alexander hustling on the Lions first "flea flicker" play to stop a TD was a sign of things to come!!  GREAT PLAY!

The overall defensive toughness, holding Lions to Field Goals, was a GREAT SIGN!  The Packers Defense against the run, was a GOOD SIGN!

Young receivers stepping up!  No, Davante Adams!  We still have drops.  But, big plays were made!  Lazard, Vades-Scantling, Allison, Shepherd, & Kumerow!  Unknown names, making  plays!

A new runner had a great game - Jamaal Williams!  Aaron Jones & Williams are developing into a great 1-2 punch!

And, the Packers last drive, ate clock, and won the game!!  That is ALWAYS A GOOD THING!

End result - Packers are 5 & 1, first place in the NFC North!

Next up Raiders!

Final Comments on Packers Game #6 - Lions

Like our new coach loves to say, "We are 0-0 trying to become 1-0!"

So, what do we know?

1 - Packers young receivers need to rise up!  Valdes-Scantling, Allison & the rest!

2 - Old tight ends need to step up!  Graham & Lewis!  Wouldn't it be awesome to see
a Jimmy Graham - say 8 receptions - 80 yards - 2 TD's!!

3 - Running game - Williams is back, Jones on a roll, 150 yards rushing!

4 - Aaron Rodgers - game manager? 250 yards 3 TD's?????  No turnovers!

5 - Smith Boys continue to meet at the QB!  How about 5 sacks for D?

6 - Interceptions - young d-backs continue to shine!!

7 - A great game from special teams!!

It is the Lions!  We are at home! Protect your home field!  And,

Packers 31 - Lions 17

Game #6 - Detroit Lions - It Is Time To Beat The Lions!

OK, overall the Packers 100 Wins - Lions 72, and 7 ties!  A GOOD thing!

Last 30 Games Packers 20 wins & Lions 10 wins!  A GOOD thing!

Last 4 games - Lions winning 4 in a row! A BAD THING!!!!!!!

WOW!  It is time for a win!!!!

What is at stake?
   A home game - WIN IT!
   A NFC North battle for 1st Place - WIN IT!
   A future tie breaker for future playoff - WIN IT!
   WIN IT - WIN IT - WIN IT!

The Lions, with a coach from the Bill Belichik tree it VERY difficult to play!  The magic of the
system is the system changes by the week!  Offense & Defense will change on a weekly basis & the
Lions have had two weeks, after their BYE week!  So, expect the unexpected!

The Lions

QB - Matt Stafford

88 0f 141 pass for 62%  -  9 TD's & 2 interceptions  -  Sacked 7 times

RB - Kerryon Johnson

74 rushed for 251 yards at 3.4 yds/carry - 1 TD

WR

Kenny Golladay

19 receptions for 243 yards - 4 TD's

LB - Tracy Walker - 36 tackles

LB - Devon Kennard - 3 Sacks



When you look at stats - the Lions spread things around on offense.  Stafford is good enough to see the entire field & athletic enough to keep a defense honest!  On defense, they play as a team & attack with different looks & coverages!

Games so far in 2019:

1 - Lions 27 - Cardinals 27
2 - Lions 13 - Chargers 10
3 - Lions 27 - Eagles 24
4 - Chiefs 34 - Lions 30
5 - Bye Week

As the scores show, VERY close games!  The interesting comparisons, tie the struggling Cardinals, BEAT the Eagles!  Played the Chiefs tough in a loss!  This a team, much like the Packers, a team looking for an identity!

More to come!

Go Pack Go!

Looking at The Packer 53 Man Roster

One thing every NFL team will probably tell you, "The 53 man roster is NOT enough!"  And, during the 17 week NFL season, "The 53 man roster in in constant flux!"  So, where are the Packers?

QB(2) - Aaron Rodgers, Tim Boyle
RB(4) - Aaron Jones, Jamaal Williams, Tra Carson, Dexter Williams
FB(1) - Danny Vitale
WR(6) - Davante Adams, Maquez Valdes-Scantling, Geronimo Allison, Jake Kumerow,
               Allen Lazard, & Darius Shepherd
TE(3) - Jimmy Graham, Mercedes Lewis, Robert Tonyan
OL(9) - David Bakhtiari, Brian Bulaga, Elgton Jenkins, Billy Turner, Corey Linsley, Alex Light,
               Cole Madison, Adam Pankey, Lucas Patrick

25 Offensive Players

DL(5) - Dean Lowry, Montravious Adams, Kenny Clark, Kingsley Keke, Tyler Lancaster
LB(9) - Blake Martinez, Oren Burks, Kyler Fackrell, Za'Darius Smith, Preston Smith,
               Rashan Gary, BJ Goodson, Ty Summers, Tim Williams
S(3) - Adrian Amos, Darnell Savage, Will Redmund
CB(8) - Jaire Alexander, Kevin King, Tramon Williams, Josh Jackson, Ka'Dar Hollman,
               Tony Brown, Tremon Smith, Chandon Sullivan

25 Defensive Players

K - Mason Crosby
P - JK Scott
LS - Hunter Bradley

3 Special Teams Players

So, after 5 games, what do YOU see?

See:
1 - Weakness at inside linebacker, although Oren Burks may be back
2 - Weakness at running back, Jamaal Williams concession, Dexter Williams not ready
3 - Strength at defensive backs, young, fast, aggressive, but a times may make mistakes.
4 - Strength at QB - Aaron!
5 - Strength at Special Teams - Crosby still has it, JK Scott could be great!
6 - Turnovers - we have been winning the battle!

Next up, the Packers battle another NFC North rival - 
The Detroit Lions!

Should Packers Look To Make a Trade??

OK, let's take time to look at our roster & see if we should upgrade via trade??

Point #1 - Tight End

Roster - Jimmy Graham, Mercedes Lewis, & Robert Tonyan

I personally believe the Jimmy Graham experiment is over!  Mercedes Lewis, nah.  I still think our best tight end is Robert Tonyan.  So, where do we look?  A team that is in trouble.

Bengals - Tyler Eifert

Not many others out there!  Remember, our draft choice Jace Sternberger is on injured reserve.

Point #2 - Inside Linebacker

Roster - Blake Martinez, Oren Burks, BJ Goodson, Ty Summers

NY Jets - CJ Mosley

It would be nice to have a complement to Smith & Smith at outside linebackers!  An hitting
machine from the inside!

Point #3 - Wide Receiver

Broncos - Emmanuel Sanders

With our young receivers, a veteran would be nice!  I'm sure Aaron Rodgers would throw in a couple million!

So, will our GM be aggressive??

Game #5 - Packers Over Cowboys, Questions Answered, No Ones Are Asked?

First, a win in the NFL is special - ENJOY IT!

What did we learn in Week #5?

1 - The Packers Defense can stop the run!

2 - The Packers Offense can run the football!

Isn't this poetic!  Every week in the NFL is special!  Every week in the NFL will answer question and pose new ones!

3 - The Packers can WIN without Davante Adams!

We all know how difficult Aaron Rodgers is on young receivers!  He, Aaron, won a game with young receivers.  The Packers DO have a running game - Aaron Jones!  BUT, depth is an issue!  We are still waiting for our Tight Ends have a BIG night!  I still feel the man is Toyan!

4 - The Packers win the TURNOVER BATTLE!  - The Packers WIN the game!

Looks pretty simple!

Game #1 - Win over Bears Packers WIN turnover battle - 1-0
Game #2 - Win over Cowboys Packers WIN turnover battle - 4-2
Game #3 - Win over Cowboys Packers WIN turnover battle - 3-0
Game #4 - Loss with Eagles  Packers LOSE turnover battle - 0-2
Game #5 - Win over Cowboys Packers WIN turnover battle - 3-0

So, ENJOY THE WIN!

Why the Packer-Cowboys Game is So Important

This is only Game #5, BUT, this will tell us a lot about our 2019 Packers!

1 - Is the Packer Defense improved or not?  The first 3 games seemed to show a huge improvement!  But, the Packer defense looked very bad against the Eagles run game in game 4.  I still think, our d-backs are above average, but the d-line looked very weak.  And, inside linebacker may be getting a boost soon?  Oren Burke may be back soon.  Are the Packers a playoff team?

2 - The Packer Offense?  At time this year, WOW!  But, the Rodgers to Adams passing combo seems to be the key!  Running game next week, NO SHOW!  First, when we get Jamaal Williams back, after that cheap shot against the Eagles?  Our 3rd stringer, Dexter Williams may have a chance to strut his stuff this week!  Tight Ends, they keep telling us Jimmy Graham and his tight end buddies will make a move - NEED it this week!  Is the Packer Offense for real?

3 - Special Teams - we seem to have a punter, a kicker.  But, that long return by the Eagles hurt us last week - NO LONG RETURNS!  And, it has been years since the Packers have had a dangerous return game on kicks & punts!

4 - Coaching?  At time our young head coach sold look like a "deer in headlights"!  And, was part of the pathetic showing last week a Mike Pettine issue??  This game will need good coaching!

So, Packers - Cowboys!  A game that will tell us a lot about the Packers of 2019!!

Game #5 - Packers vs Cowboys

OK.  1st Quarter of the season is over!  Packers at 3 & 1, tied for first in NFC North!

I'd say OK, that is a nice start!  What is up for the 2nd Quarter???

at Dallas

home - Detroit

home Raiders

at Kansas City

Looking at the next four games, 2 & 2 would be acceptable!  3 & 1 awesome!

Now Dallas, what a history from the Ice Bowl to 2019!  Some great stuff!

Packers lead all time series - 19 wins & 17 losses.

Packers & Cowboys have met 8 times in post season - series tied 4 & 4!

So, a first look?

Packers Offense vs Dallas Defense

Pass?  Will we have Davante Adams???  Can we run the ball??  Will we have Jamaal Williams
after that cheap shot by the Eagles!!  The obvious is, we NEED both players!  And, by the way
is our starting right tackle out??  We need Bulaga also!

Packers Defense vs Dallas Offense

Last week should tell us something!  DO WE HAVE A DEFENSE?  Especially a RUN defense!
The Cowboys have Elliot, one of the leagues best & a BIG & very good offensive line!  The also have Cooper & a receiver named Randall Cobb!!!  Whoa baby!

A BIG game & a game that will show us what we have on this 2019 Packer Team!!!