Packers - Vikings, Let the Battle for the NFC North Begin!

A lot of questions will be answered!

Which team will take early control of the NFC North?

Game Breakdown:

Offense
Quarterback, Aaron on one leg, beats Cousins on two!  It is a home game and Aaron is difficult to beat at home!  Last year, all you Packers fans remember the Vikings linebacker Barr, drilling Rodgers into the ground and destroying the Packer season!  In fact, the NFL, because of this play focused a new rule that says a tackler cannot drive a ball carrier into the turf!
Quarterback - Advantage Packers

Running Back - Packers, another week without Aaron Jones - Williams & Montgomery must carry the load.  Good news, both players are getting better at protecting Rodgers.  Bad news, the McCarthy offensive game plan is not very creative!  No screen passes to slow up the pass rush, no creative running plays to keep the defense on their toes!  Last week, just pound the middle - NOT GOOD!  Vikings running backs - Cook and Murray.  Cook is very quick & deceptive, while Murray is the steady veteran.  After game one, obvious that Vikings running game is ahead of the Packers!
Running Backs - Advantage Vikings

Wide Receivers - Packers have, Adams, Cobb, & Allison.  Vikings have, Diggs, Thielen, & Treadwell.  Last week, in the 4th quarter, all three Packer receivers scored TD's!  All three showed the ability for YAC! (Yards After Catch)  All three Packer receivers catch the football!  Vikings, like the Packers, have a nice threesome.  Diggs is a break way threat.  Thielen is the possession receiver and very steady.  And Treadwell will sneak in there with a big catch to move the chains.  So, a very even match.  Goes back to the QB!
Wide Receivers - Slight Advantage Packers (Because of AR)

Tight Ends - Packers go with Graham, Lewis, & Kendricks. Vikings will play, Rudolf, Morgan, and Conklin.  Could game 2 be the Packer TE explosion?  The Vikings, Rudolf is a very steady receiver that will find an open spot on the field.  Someday, Graham will break out!  Lewis will hopefully take that 6'7" frame and sit in the middle for big first downs!  This is the one position that should be a game changer for the Packers!
Tight Ends - Big Advantage Packers

Offensive Line - Packers offensive line is trying to find an identity.  Bulaga looked shaky in the first half last week, of course Mack helped!  But, second have he rallied!  Our new right guard, McCray struggled, he NEEDS to step up this week!  The Vikings have some experience, years 7, 6, 2, 6, 3, from right to left tackle.  This battle seems to be a toss up.
Offensive Line - Even

Packers win the offensive battle with the quarter back & tight ends!

Next up, Defense!

Packer Buddies Memories Game #1 - Chicago Bears!

NFL Football, a league with a great history!

Green Bay Packers, 100 years of amazing football!

Green Bay Packer Fans - the BEST!!!

This is my favorite part of my blog!  Every trip to Packer Land is a memory!  And, the people we meet always remind us, this is why Green Bay is a special place!!!  And, this trip was NO exception!

First, this was a quick trip!  Left Baltimore, BWI Airport, Sunday morning of the game at 9 AM.  And, returning home, Monday morning, at 10:30 from Milwaukee, MKE Airport.  (NOTE to self, this was too much!)

Story #1: We heard of a family that drove all night from Delaware & were arriving Sunday morning for the game!  The parents, and 4 sons, we coming to their first Packer Game!!!

Story #2:  Bear fan sitting beside me was at his first Packer game!  Needless to say, he was amazed by the Packer fans & Lambeau Field.

Story #3:  A Packer Buddy Tradition - Ice Cream at Culver's either before or after the game!  In this case, because of the late start - before the game!  A one scoop turtle!!  The picture, taken by one of those awesome Green Bay teenage, was a cute little gal that took charge!!

She took my phone, told Phil and me to sit up, smile, and hold the ice cream up so people would see the Culver's name on the ice cream cup!!  She took her time & made these two old Packer Fans look good!!!!

Jim & Phil - A Pre-game Culver's Turtle!

Story #4: On the flight home, sitting in the aisle seat with us, was a young lady, Charlotte. To make a long story short, this was the fastest flight from Milwaukee to Baltimore we ever had!  What a story!
She is the daughter of parents, that not only were season ticket holders, but, her parents were at the ICE BOWL!  Whoa!!!  And, her father(a local business man), when meeting Vince Lombardi for the first time, received 2 season tickets from Vince! And, at one game, Charlotte was getting a little football knowledge from a nice man sitting beside her, his name ....... Bart Starr!

ICE BOWL

VINCE LOMBARDI

BART STARR

Are you kidding me!!!

She was a very polite, humble, and knowledgeable - Green Bay football fan!  With a lot of great
stories!!!  And, another reason the Packer Buddies LOVE Green Bay!!!

Green Bay Packer Football!  The Football, The History, AND The People!!!

My Pre-Game Meal - $7.95 at 4 Seasons Restaurant in Manitowoc!

Lambeau!!!

1st Play of Packer Season #100!

The Leader of the Pack!  Aaron Rodgers!

Jim & Phil (Bill & Terry not able to attend!)

The American Flag - Stand Tall!

Victory!!  Packers 24 - Bears 23

Next up!

Minnesota Vikings!

A Breakdown of the Packers Win Over the Bears

OK!  Time to look at the numbers, the feel and the results of game #1 for the 2018 Packers!

First, the feel.

The atmosphere was, as usual, incredible!  Over 78,000 people, awesome weather, and Lambeau Field looking like the football version of "Field of Dreams!"

The eye ball test?  Once the game started, it felt like the same old Packers!  As Aaron goes, so do the Packers!  Defense, no pass rush and lacking a dominate figure on the field.  That did change!  With Aaron out we are a below average team, maybe 4 wins & 12 losses.  In the second half, I felt a change.  And, the change came form the defensive backs.  The NEW defensive backs - King, Alexander & Jackson.  Clinton-Dixx, sadly looked like the same old Clinton-Dixx.  But, new safety, Brice played well in his first start!!  Defensive line played well, pushed the pocket, but looked slow.  Linebackers were average, but lacking big play abilities.

The numbers?  Look at the Drive Chart:

Bears

Click to Enlarge

Packers

Click to Enlarge

Comparisons:
Packers 1st half - Punt-Punt-Punt-Punt-Fumble-Interception-End of Half
Bears 1st Half - TD-FG-Punt-Downs-Punt (And, the Bears had a defensive TD!)

That half of football may have been the worst I have seen in recent years!

Packers 2nd Half - FG-TD-TD-TD-End of Game
Bears 2nd Half - FG-Punt-Punt-FG-Fumble

Second half, one of the BEST I have seen in recent years!

So, what was the difference?  Of course, number one, Aaron Rodgers!  Will any one rise to support this man.  A lack of a running game does not help.  Williams & Montgomery are average at best.  Aaron Jones will come back in week three from suspension, he is a possible game changer!  WE NEED THAT!  The offensive line looked adequate.  At right tackle Bulaga was little rusty - he MUST improve!

Defense?  What I noticed from my seat, the 3 young corners can run with people!  And they have the height to cover the taller receivers.  Hopefully, the more they play, the more confident and better they will get!  That will allow our linebackers and line to be creative & get more PRESSURE on the QB!!

Also, from my seat, we allowed the Bear QB to move around the pocket.  And, the Bear running backs were cutting back and getting yardage.  The man responsible for contain, was NOT there!  This needs to improve!  Sadly, our outside linebackers, Perry & Matthews were invisible!  Would not be surprised if our first back up, Gilbert, becomes out top outside linebacker!  Inside, beyond Martinez, we are in trouble!  Burks, our draft choice did not dress.  Newcomers, Toomer & Morrison have been here less than 2 weeks.  So, hope is, this defense will only GET BETTER!!!!

So, as of game one, we have a win!  In the NFL, a win is the MOST important thing!  16 other teams are 0-1!  Also, being an optimist, we WILL get better!  Aaron will be healthy(PLEASE), Jones will come back at running back & the tight ends will have an impact!  On defense, young d-backs will continue to improve!  Burks at inside LB will come back from injury to fly around the field! And, most important, the Packer defense will PRESSURE the QB!!

And of course, most important the Packer Buddies, Jim & Phil were there!  And, a pre-game "Turtle" at Culvers was the KEY to victory!  Our Packer Buddies, Bill & Terry had previous commitments, and were not able to attend!  AND WERE MISSED!

GO PACK GO!

Packer 100th Season Begins - Game #1 WOW!!!!!

OK, you are creating a new "Football Drama".  Let's see, you need some ideas for your masterpiece.  So, I suggest, watch the Packers-Bears game!!!!!

Let's set the stage:
- Night game, beautiful weather, Sunday Night Football.
- Only game on TV
- Packers Begin 100th Season Begins
- Pre Game Flyover
- Pre Game Packer Alumni from every decade since 1950's
- of course, Lambeau Field!

Starring:
- Lead Roll - veteran QB, Aaron Rodgers
- Villian - young QB, Mitchell
- Supporting Cast - Mike McCarthy, Geronimo Allison, Davante Adams, Randall Cobb
     Clay Matthews, and, many others

Plot:
- A football team, Green Bay Packers, meets their oldest foe, Chicago Bears on the football
field.  The "good guys",  Packers are embarrassed & humiliated in the first half, by the
"Evil Bears"!  To make it worse, the "leader of the Pack", Aaron Rodgers in pounded, knocked
down, and pilled on forcing him to leave the game in the first half!  The Bears, are growling &
scratching their way to a BIG lead!
-  And then, to begin the second half of the drama, Aaron Rodgers appears out of the locker room!
The crowd goes wild!  Aaron starts slow.  The Bears begin to falter!  Then, a blow by Geronimo
Allison, a punch by Davante Adams, and a dagger by Randall Cobb moves the beloved Packers
into the lead!!  2 minutes left!!  The Bears have the ball!  And the old Packer defense is put to
the task!  And, "THEY HOLD"  Fans go WILD!  High Fives!  Chest Bumping!  Cheering, but wait,
a Yellow Flag is on the ground!  Pack Defensive Linebacker is flagged!  A frustrated moment by Clay Matthews, the long blonde haired, blue-eyed, free spirit, hits the QB late!  A first down!!!  The Bears have 4 more downs!!!
- The fans are stunned!  They do not know what to say!!  BOOOOO refs?  BOOOOOO Clay?
BOOOOOOOO the NFL Commissioner Rodger Godell?? (No wait, we did that in the first half!) As they sit in silence, the defense holds on first down, then second, then third!  4rth & Ten!  Could we hold?  Would the GHOST of Dom Capers call a stupid defense? NOOO! The new Defensive Coordinator - Mike Pettine rises up & his defense STOPS the Bears!
- Run out the clock, take the victory!!  Enjoy the moment!!  Packers Win!  Packers Win!  Packers Win!!  Enjoy the moment, because the Packer 100 season has just begun!  And just like the latest Marvel Movie, another EVIL is lurking .........  The Vicious Vikings!

Stay tuned for Chapter 2, in the Packers 100th Season Story!!!

Next, a look at the real Game!  Packers 24 - Bears 23!

Packers 53 Man Roster for Game 1 Bears!

Here is is:

(Click to Enlarge)

What to watch for in Game #1 versus the Bears?

1 - With no Fullbacks on the Roster, who will do their old job?

Answer is..... Tight Ends!  Watch for Kendricks & Lewis to help the O-line.  We all have been hearing how Mercedes Lewis is a great blocker!  Look for him to help!  In the backfield, we may see Kendricks.  Bulaga at right tackle may need help.  When Aaron needs MAX protection we may see THREE tight ends on the field!

2 - Who will replace Jordy?

Answer is...... Jimmy Graham.  Look for Graham in the slot.  Look for Graham in 3rd down situations.  Look for Graham in the Red Zone!  Look for Graham in the middle of the field!  In fact, look for Graham driving Rodgers to and from the game!!!

3 - Will we have a running game?

Answer is..... NO!  Until we get Jones back from suspension, NO running game!

4 - Will we see any NEW plays or formations or CREATIVITY on offense?

Answer is ....... WE BETTER!  Why, McCarthy will be history after 2018!

5 - We will have a defense?

Answer is.... My GUT says yes!  My HEART says please!!  And, Aaron Rodgers says HELP!

Will the new concepts allow pressure on the opposing offense?  Can we win the turnover battle?  Can we stop one receiver from the opposing team from having career nights! Can we TACKLE!!!  

6 - Will the Packer Defense EVER have an impact player again???

Answer is......  MAYBE.  Remember Reggie White?  Remember a YOUNG Clay Matthews.  Remember a D-back like Charles Woodson.  Who will step up?  Kenny Clark - at defensive tackle?  Oren Burks at inside linebacker.  Or one of our your corners - King, Alexander or Jackson?

7 - Will Special Teams help win games????

Answer is..... MAYBE.  Is our young punter, JK Scott a game changer?  Will Trevor Davis FINALLY explode????  Will James Crawford be a wild man on special teams?  Will our new long snapper last the season???

8 - Will Aaron Rodgers have a MVP season?

Answer is..... YES, if - Jimmy Graham scores 15 TD's and has 1000 yards.  YES, if - Jones returns week #3 and helps build a running game!  YES, if - Davante Adams is a true #1 receiver and has 18 TD's and 1000 receiving yards.  YES, if McCarthy show new creativity and let's Aaron be Aaron!

Next up,  my Bears prediction!

What is The 53 Man Packer Roster?

QB(2) Aaron Rodgers, DeShone Kizer
Missed Tim Boyle - Pack kept (3)

WR(7) - Davante Adams, Randall Cobb, Geronimo Allison, J'Mon Moore, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Equanimeous, Jake Kumerow
Missed Trevor Davis - Pack kept (8)

TE(3) - Jimmy Graham, Mercedes Lewis, Lance Kendricks
Missed Robert Tonyan - Pack kept (4)

RB(4) - (Ty Montgomery, Jamaal Williams, Devante Mays, Joel Bouagnon - (Aaron Jones - suspended)
Cut Joel Bouagnon, Devante Mays on IR and Jones is suspended - Pack kept only 2?  Uh Oh!

FB(1) - Aaron Ripkowski
Cut Aaron Ripkowski - Pack kept 0 FB's - WOW!

OL(8) - David Bakhtiari, Lane Taylor, Corey Linsley, Justin McCray, Brian Bulaga, Kyle Murphy, Jason Spriggs, Lucas Patrick
Missed Alex Light & IR for Kyle Murphy & Alex Light made team - Pack kept (9)

Offense (25)
Actual Offense (26)

DL(5) -  Mike Daniels, Muhammed Wilkerson, Kenny Clark, Dean Lowry, Montravious Adams
Same as what happened!

OLB(4) - Nick Perry,  Clay Matthews, Reggie Gilbert, Kyler Mackrell, Vince Biegel
Cut Vince Biegel!  Wow! Pack kept (4)

ILB(4) - Blake Martinez, Oren Burks, Ahmad Thomas, Antonio Morrison
Jake Ryan on IR)
Cut Ahmad Thomas - Pack kept James Crawford - Pack kept (4)

CB(8) - Tramon Williams, Kevin King, Davon House, Jaire Alexander, Josh Jackson, Quinton Rollins, Josh Hawkins, Herb Waters
Cut Josh Hawkins & Quinten Rollins to IR - Pack kept 6

S(3) -  Ha Ha Clinton-Dixx, Kentrell Brice, Josh Jones
Pack kept Jermain Whitehead & Raven Greene Pack kept 5

Defense (25)
Actual Defense (24)

P(1) - JK Scott
OK

K(1) - Mason Crosby
OK

LS(1) - Hunter Bradley

OK

So, not bad, I hit 48 of 53 players!

Not, we begin to formulate the 10 player Practice Squad!

Packers Cut Down to 53!

OK, first cut?

1 - FB - Aaron Ripkowski
Somewhat surprised, but the NFL is gradually phasing out this position!  Will the Pack cut the other FB on the 90 man roster?  Stay tuned!!  If they do, look for 4 TE's to make the team. By the way, I still miss Kuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuhn!

2 -

3 -

4 -

5 -

6 -

7 -

 8 -

9 -

10 -