More Banjo - Packers vs. Colts

[Joemailman]

Malik Willis - 12-14, 122 yards, 1 TD, 126.8 passer rating.

Josh Jacobs - 151 rushing yards, 1 fumble

Romeo Doubs - 3 catches, 63 yards

Packers offense rushed for 261 yards

Packers defense with 3 INT's

Packers had the ball for 40:11.

Discuss.

[Fritz]

If you'd told any of us beforehand this would be the result, we'd be thrilled.

Thus, I am thrilled.

But they've got to open it up a little next week. The kid needs to step up his processing of the game, if he can.

[ThunderDan]

Need to bring in more kickers this week.

Nards has now missed 2 FG attempts.

[Joemailman]

Packers have won 12 straight home openers.

[run pMc]

MLF had a pretty good game plan. Didn't put Willis in too many bad situations, even when GB was shooting themselves in the foot with penalties. Shortening the game with some first half bully ball paid off. Jumping to an early lead and getting an opening drive FG helps.

I bet Jacobs regrets that fumble; you just can't do that. With the way the game was going, if he scores there I think GB cruises.

Next week will be a tougher challenge, TEN knows Willis' weaknesses and while nobody was surprised by GB running the ball, TEN will have more film to work with. MLF and Hafley will have to come up with another gem of a game plan.
Is Levis > Richardson? I don't know.

McKinney has been worth every penny so far, and the rookie safety duo of Bullard and Bourbon (Evan Williams) look like good picks.

Penalties and run defense were problems for this team.

Where was Christian Watson?

Winning with a backup is really, really hard in the NFL. Guys like Matt Flynn are rare. I don't think Willis is in that category but he's got one under his belt for GB which should help him. Plus he might have a little extra motivation playing against his old team.

[Anti-Polar Bear]

If you'd told any of us beforehand this would be the result, we'd be thrilled.

Thus, I am thrilled.

But they've got to open it up a little next week. The kid needs to step up his processing of the game, if he can.

Fuck Willis.

Suit Love up next week. Love hurts, but ain’t something a couple of prescription-grade pain killers can’t numb.

For the love of Love, I don’t want to see that boring, smash mouth shit again.

[Guiness]

Kraft had a solid game that deserves mention. That third down conversion was huge and had a great block on another play.

[MadtownPacker]

Need to bring in more kickers this week.

Nards has now missed 2 FG attempts.
Game would have been put away at the end if the FG was good so yes time to start considering options.

[smuggler]

Willis' only incompletions were on a drop by Wicks and a throwaway in the red zone.

[MadtownPacker]

Fuck Willis.

Suit Love up next week. Love hurts, but ain’t something a couple of prescription-grade pain killers can’t numb.

For the love of Love, I don’t want to see that boring, smash mouth shit again.
Don’t be a mamon, the only thing boring is you not rooting for the Packers. Lucky we aren’t a gang or all of us would beat the shit out of you for disloyalty. Probably then let Red have his way with what was left. Then you would see that mouth smashing action you crave. :lol:

[red]

willis wasn't forced to do too much, and he didn't try to do to much

for the most part, it was a great game plan

defense played tough and got a lot of help, but still only gave up 10 points

in the end, a win is a win, and i wasn't expecting a win today

[MadtownPacker]

Willis' only incompletions were on a drop by Wicks and a throwaway in the red zone.He was awesome today. Couldn’t have asked him for more IMO.

Gutes smiles from above.

[red]

can we implement some option into the game the next few weeks? willis can run

or do we have to stick with our original playbook for the next month?

[red]

He was awesome today. Couldn’t have asked him for more IMO.

Gutes smiles from above.

i was expecting a dumpster fire, he was far from that

[red]

oh, and doubs needs some love for that catch towards the end

how fucking awesome was that grab?

there was no way he wasn't getting to that ball

[MadtownPacker]

i was expecting a dumpster fire, he was far from that
Yet you complain after a win in the post above.

The game plan was solid and there was never any panic or frantic plays the entire game. Everyone played confident and other than the fumble and missed FG it was all good. There is no need to change just add on to the passing. He has a good arm and threw some sweet passes.

[bobblehead]

If you'd told any of us beforehand this would be the result, we'd be thrilled.

Thus, I am thrilled.

But they've got to open it up a little next week. The kid needs to step up his processing of the game, if he can.

I think if you read the gameday thread I called it almost exactly except doubs didn't get 100. I blame MiLF for that. 2nd half they ran 9 man boxes. If the extent of your confidence was ONE shot play the entire half then you shouldn't have traded for the kid.

[bobblehead]

Kraft had a solid game that deserves mention. That third down conversion was huge and had a great block on another play.

Agreed. Getting a man crush on Kraft.

[Joemailman]

I'm looking forward to the day when we see less of Nixon and more of Bullard at slot corner, and more of Evan Williams at safety.

[run pMc]

Kraft had a solid game that deserves mention. That third down conversion was huge and had a great block on another play.

Yeah, meant to mention Kraft had a few really nice blocks which helped spring some big plays. Jenkins was decent, Tom also. Walker is starting to settle in again but those penalties have to stop. Was Myers sick? He was his usual inconsistent self. Rhyan concerns me a lot more... he's even more inconsistent.

As for Willis, I think being able to run the ball that well and getting an early lead made his job of just being a game manager a LOT easier. He wasn't asked to do a lot, which is perfect.
I will happily watch them run the ball 50 times if Jacobs, Wilson, Lloyd (and the WRs) are able to gain 300 and a few scores doing it. Malik Willis seems like a nice guy, but you do not want to make him win you a game on his own. He was a super raw prospect (more than Love) coming out of Liberty U, he's now on his 3rd or 4th offense, and his development has likely been stunted. Mason freaking Rudolph beat him out for the backup job, do not ask him to throw 30 times a game if you want to win that game.

Now, if you're sayign that purely for entertainment reasons, I get it might make things exciting, kind of... I don't find watching my team's QB have a 4 interception game entertaining though.

[bobblehead]

I'm looking forward to the day when we see less of Nixon and more of Bullard at slot corner, and more of Evan Williams at safety.

I watch with 2 wisconsin childhood friends. We all moved here together out of college. We bought a bottle of Evan before the first game with the promise that we would do a shot anytime he made a big play. We cheered like crazy when he covered the onside. Did a shot.

Earlier today I channeled the movie Major League. When Evan got the pick I hollared..."Bartender, Jobu needs a refill!"

It was a good sunday.

[beveaux1]

I think if you read the gameday thread I called it almost exactly except doubs didn't get 100. I blame MiLF for that. 2nd half they ran 9 man boxes. If the extent of your confidence was ONE shot play the entire half then you shouldn't have traded for the kid.

He really didn't need to trust him to do anything more. Anyone watching the tape of today's game has to scheme to defend inside and outside running plays as well as QB scrambles. Passing is really not on the tape.

I expect that next week's plan will be very different if Willis starts and it will surprise the Titans.

[bobblehead]

He really didn't need to trust him to do anything more. Anyone watching the tape of today's game has to scheme to defend inside and outside running plays as well as QB scrambles. Passing is really not on the tape.

I expect that next week's plan will be very different if Willis starts and it will surprise the Titans.

Agree...plus the Titans didn't bleed 200 yards rushing like the Colts did in week 1.

I was disappointed that we didn't take a few more shots in the 2nd half. Indy had NINE men in the box. That means you have iso on both edges. Doubs proved once that he could win the 50/50. They needed to throw at least 2 more of those if not 4. Put some fear in them. Make the safeties take 5 more yards off the line. Even the worst run D will stop you with 9 in the box. If you don't take those shots you WILL stall....and we did.

[King Friday]

I think it was more about running clock. MLF was looking to shorten the game. Incompletions do the opposite of that. With a comfy lead, MLF was more conservative and I can’t argue with it. The Colts took shots, and it didn’t pan out well for them.

[red]

so in the second quarter on 3rd and 5 a pass play was called, but willis took off running with the ball

turns out he couldn't throw the ball because our awesome (sarcasm) center had just make the ball slick by puking on it right before he snapped it

myers also had a couple penalties today

[NewsBruin]

If you'd told any of us beforehand this would be the result, we'd be thrilled.

Thus, I am thrilled.

But they've got to open it up a little next week. The kid needs to step up his processing of the game, if he can.

We gotta do something unexpected next week, because we're playing Malik's former team at their place.

[Fosco33]

We gotta do something unexpected next week, because we're playing Malik's former team at their place.

Imagine we’ll have a good scout of their offense then too

[MadtownPacker]

I think it was more about running clock. MLF was looking to shorten the game. Incompletions do the opposite of that. With a comfy lead, MLF was more conservative and I can’t argue with it. The Colts took shots, and it didn’t pan out well for them.
Game was flying by and was in the 4th quarter about 30mins sooner than usual.

Just checked and damn 40 to 20 possession time screams the plan worked.

[bobblehead]

so in the second quarter on 3rd and 5 a pass play was called, but willis took off running with the ball

turns out he couldn't throw the ball because our awesome (sarcasm) center had just make the ball slick by puking on it right before he snapped it

myers also had a couple penalties today

I just read that and had to run to packerrats to report that fat mike commented "they're gonna have to clean that up"

[Fritz]

so in the second quarter on 3rd and 5 a pass play was called, but willis took off running with the ball

turns out he couldn't throw the ball because our awesome (sarcasm) center had just make the ball slick by puking on it right before he snapped it

myers also had a couple penalties today

For real? He puked on the ball?

Maybe that’s why he didn’t play well. The penalties.

[Joemailman]

Jordan Morgan suffered another shoulder injury today. Not sure if it's the same shoulder he hurt in training camp.

[Patler]

Jordan Morgan suffered another shoulder injury today. Not sure if it's the same shoulder he hurt in training camp.

Shoulder issues have shortened many OL careers. Two before his career gets started is a bit concerning.

[Joemailman]

Seems like they didn't want Willis testing the middle of the field.

https://nextgenstats.nfl.com/static-charts/900/pass-chart_WIL614428_2024-REG-2_1726432299527.jpeg

[RashanGary]

Kraft had a solid game that deserves mention. That third down conversion was huge and had a great block on another play.

Absolutely. He’s 6’5 and 255. He has really good balance and coordination for that size. He has really good burst with the ball in his hands for a guy that big. He’s becoming a good blocker. He’s playing fullback/Hback and doing it well.

He might be a super star.

[Fritz]

Seems like they didn't want Willis testing the middle of the field.

https://nextgenstats.nfl.com/static-charts/900/pass-chart_WIL614428_2024-REG-2_1726432299527.jpeg

That’s a very Aaron Rodgers-like spread.

[Joemailman]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GXmXaIaWAAIaxst?format=jpg&name=large

[bobblehead]

He really didn't need to trust him to do anything more. Anyone watching the tape of today's game has to scheme to defend inside and outside running plays as well as QB scrambles. Passing is really not on the tape.

I expect that next week's plan will be very different if Willis starts and it will surprise the Titans.

It has to be. Indy proved that they can stop our O as we ran it with 9 in the box. No team can beat 9 in the box with short passes and running. We got away with it because Indy is epically bad at stopping the run and we had a nice lead before they adjusted. Our D did enough to hold that lead. Tennessee will have 8 in the box from the first snap. Willis will have to push the ball downfield if we hope to get 20 points.

[bobblehead]

Shoulder issues have shortened many OL careers. Two before his career gets started is a bit concerning.

Agreed. It seems like Packer fans can't have nice things like 1st round OL who aren't constantly injured. Bulaga overcame a few to have a nice career. I think we have to go back to Aaron Taylor for a relatively healthy 1st round OL.

In other notes I'm a bit disappointed. If the plan was for Morgan to play RG (and I think it was) then they should have drafted Barton. He was a more natural fit for the inside.

[texaspackerbacker]

It seemed like Stokes was out in the second half. Did he have an injury? Or just not play as well as Valentine?

[Patler]

Agreed. It seems like Packer fans can't have nice things like 1st round OL who aren't constantly injured. Bulaga overcame a few to have a nice career. I think we have to go back to Aaron Taylor for a relatively healthy 1st round OL.


Not even Aaron Taylor. He tore up his knee in rookie camp right after the draft and missed his entire first year. Then he missed playoffs the next year with another knee injury. He missed a few games the next two seasons, signed a huge deal for that time with San Diego but lasted only a couple more seasons before retiring because of his knees.

[Upnorth]

https://x.com/zacobson/status/1835694779855769688?t=hh4h10xRiDit2it5jVHt7g&s=19

Great game readiness by lafleur
Willis really picked up his coaching

[call_me_ishmael]

The puke ball omg. WTF happened there

[Joemailman]

The puke ball omg. WTF happened there

https://x.com/cheeseheadtv/status/1835380266778669227

[Fritz]

The puke ball omg. WTF happened there

That’s What I love about life. I’ve been on this planet 64 years, been following the NFL since I was seven, and I have never ever seen that in my life. You always can be surprised by life.

[MadtownPacker]

https://x.com/cheeseheadtv/status/1835380266778669227
Damn, that fucker gave it a nice even coat!

[George Cumby]

https://x.com/cheeseheadtv/status/1835380266778669227

:huh:

[bobblehead]

Honest question and I think its open to debate. If we didn't sign Jacobs but kept Jones, do we beat Indy? Do we beat them more convincingly?

[King Friday]

Jones may have made it through that game, but the pounding would all but guarantee he would get injured at some point later in the season. Jacobs is far more of a workhorse back that can handle 30+ carries on occasion without greatly increasing injury risk.

[Joemailman]

Honest question and I think its open to debate. If we didn't sign Jacobs but kept Jones, do we beat Indy? Do we beat them more convincingly?

Unknowable because the game plan would have been much different.

[Patler]

Honest question and I think its open to debate. If we didn't sign Jacobs but kept Jones, do we beat Indy? Do we beat them more convincingly?

I was about to ask the same thing. Jones seldom had even 20 carries a game.

[Fritz]

When Jacobs fumbled I did think, well, we've all seen Aaron Jones do that once in a while, too.

It's hard to say. But to those who think that Jones can't last an entire season, he had only nine carries for thirty-two yards against San Fran after his fourteen-carry debut the week before.

So it looks like Minny is pacing him - unless of course the game evolved to where they had to abandon the plan for more carries. So we'll have to wait and see if this light load keeps him healthy or not. But I don't think he would've gotten thirty-two carries. I think I read that once he got twenty-five carries in a game, and that was the high.

[MadtownPacker]

Honest question and I think it’s open to debate. If we didn't sign Jacobs but kept Jones, do we beat Indy? Do we beat them more convincingly?
No and probably a loss. Jones got his yards grinding and getting hit. I don’t think Indy was that bad he was just that good. Aaron Jacobs (fuck you CMI) wouldn’t have even tried to get his that way. Win heavily due to Jacobs wearing them down. He does need to be more careful with the ball. Seen it swung around in one arm way too much during contact.

[run pMc]

Agree game plan would have been a little different. Also, don't think Jones would have been able to handle that many carries. They would have had to use Wilson a LOT more.
FWIW, Jones also lost a fumble on the goal line Sunday vs. SF, and he also briefly left the sideline for the blue medical tent... so he's already dinged up.

He's a real dynamic playmaker, but he's nowhere near as durable as Jacobs.

I think the most carries Jones has ever had was 25. Jacobs just got 32 and said he felt good. Reporters remarked that he looked like fine in the locker room.

[RashanGary]

I’d still rather see 20-25 carries from Jacob’s. The rest can go to the other two.

[Fritz]

But now the "other two" doesn't include Marshmallow Lloyd, who has been put on IR.

This is a big opportunity for Emmanuel Transmission Wilson.

[CaptainKickass]

I'm already late and in a bit of a rush so here's my notables:

The Packers ran the ball 53 times for 261 yards, and four different players had a run of 10 or more yards

All but 24 of those rushing yards came in the first half on 34 attempts, a 7.0 average

Involving six different players in the run game, the Packers picked up 164 yards in the first quarter alone

the Packers had 53 rushing attempts and only 14 passing attempts

[bobblehead]

That kid they added to the practice squad at the end of camp is pretty solid. Honestly RBs aren't that tough to come by. Brooks is in the bigger mold as well. I think after Jones, its clear Gutes is trying to build a bigger stronger RB room.

[Fritz]

Maybe he'll finally find that guy that can pick up two yards on third and two, instead of just one.

I don't know how big Wilson is, but this kid Brooks is, I think, a big guy. Maybe MLF will try to pummel the Titans with Jacobs and Brooks, sprinkled in with Wilson.

[run pMc]

Wilson, Brooks and Jacobs are physically very similar in build.
MLF wants a bigger back, and I think Gute does too.

I do like the idea of a smaller change of pace back, but I'm just a dumb fan.
Lloyd somewhat fits that - he's short like Aaron Jones but he's thickly built like the others (220lbs-ish) and with great burst and 4.4 speed.

I think they will continue to go with bigger backs after the Aaron Jones experiment.
FWIW, Jones left the game vs. SF with what they are saying is sore ribs after 9 carries and a goal line fumble.

Love Jonesy but he won't hold up more than 10-11 games, and as others have mentioned you can often find competent RBs many places. Remember DuJuan Harris? They got that dude off the sales floor of a car dealership.

[Joemailman]

Wilson, Brooks and Jacobs are physically very similar in build.
MLF wants a bigger back, and I think Gute does too.

I do like the idea of a smaller change of pace back, but I'm just a dumb fan.
Lloyd somewhat fits that - he's short like Aaron Jones but he's thickly built like the others (220lbs-ish) and with great burst and 4.4 speed.

I think they will continue to go with bigger backs after the Aaron Jones experiment.
FWIW, Jones left the game vs. SF with what they are saying is sore ribs after 9 carries and a goal line fumble.

Love Jonesy but he won't hold up more than 10-11 games, and as others have mentioned you can often find competent RBs many places. Remember DuJuan Harris? They got that dude off the sales floor of a car dealership.

That wasn't even Gute's experiment. Those were Ted Thompson picks. And even then, they drafted a bigger back in Jamaal Williams a round before Jones.

[texaspackerbacker]

I always preferred speed backs. I'm pleased with the Jacobs signing and probably drafting Lloyd, but I hope they don't stray too far from using speedy breakaway threat RBs. LaFleur seems to be compensating very well by using Reed. Melton, etc. as runners.

[Patler]

That wasn't even Gute's experiment. Those were Ted Thompson picks. And even then, they drafted a bigger back in Jamaal Williams a round before Jones.

... and another, Devante Mays, two rounds after Jones.

[run pMc]

So I guess a lot of people on the internet were down on MLF for running the ball so much? Personally, I didn't mind it -- was kind of fun seeing the Packers on the right side of some smashmouth football for once. They were sometimes doing that with Indy having 8 men in the box lol.
Once Indy put 9 in the box in the second half and shut it down I thought they maybe needed to switch it up a little, but still didn't have much to complain about.

I thought it was a reasonable game plan that was well executed - with the exception of a couple penalties and a fumble.

[texaspackerbacker]

Like McCarthy used to get criticized for, LaFleur played not to lose, and sure enough he didn't lose. I'm hoping to see Love play, and a healthy dose of normalcy. If Willis does start, though, I'd like to see more passing, but bottom line, they need to win - which again means playing not to lose.

[Bretsky]

So I guess a lot of people on the internet were down on MLF for running the ball so much? Personally, I didn't mind it -- was kind of fun seeing the Packers on the right side of some smashmouth football for once. They were sometimes doing that with Indy having 8 men in the box lol.
Once Indy put 9 in the box in the second half and shut it down I thought they maybe needed to switch it up a little, but still didn't have much to complain about.

I thought it was a reasonable game plan that was well executed - with the exception of a couple penalties and a fumble.


They are complete idiots. The goal was to win and this was IMO the best work MLF has ever donek. Brilliant game plan. Lots of motioin and movement to keep the D off balance against the run and pass game. It was just brillians.

I am STILL baffled, completely, (maybe somebody heard something) that Jonathon Taylor did not play in the 4th quarter. I think they reported it was a situational decision. That was absolute idiocracy.

[Joemailman]

They are complete idiots. The goal was to win and this was IMO the best work MLF has ever donek. Brilliant game plan. Lots of motioin and movement to keep the D off balance against the run and pass game. It was just brillians.

I am STILL baffled, completely, (maybe somebody heard something) that Jonathon Taylor did not play in the 4th quarter. I think they reported it was a situational decision. That was absolute idiocracy.

Apparently they don't see him as part of the passing game, which was going to be their focus in the 4th quarter. Still, I'm sure the Packers were glad to not see him out there.

Taylor's underperformance in the passing game is relevant here. He had a dropped pass earlier in the game and his pass protection has never been stellar. At the same time, Taylor had an 18-yard catch in the game as well. He has also been a major factor as a receiver in the past, catching a career-high 40 passes for 360 yards in 2021.


Steichen didn't specifically attribute his personnel decisions to Taylor's passing-game performance, but he did say the emphasis on passing late in the game informed his lineup decisions. "In that fourth quarter, we were throwing the football," he said. "We weren't really scheming up passes for the running backs there in the fourth quarter when we were throwing it. So, we had [Sermon] in there and I thought he did a good job."

Edit: On the McKinney INT, Quay Walker got in on a blitz and forced a high throw. Taylor was in a position to pick him up, but did a poor job. Maybe that was a factor.

[George Cumby]

So I guess a lot of people on the internet were down on MLF for running the ball so much? Personally, I didn't mind it -- was kind of fun seeing the Packers on the right side of some smashmouth football for once. They were sometimes doing that with Indy having 8 men in the box lol.
Once Indy put 9 in the box in the second half and shut it down I thought they maybe needed to switch it up a little, but still didn't have much to complain about.

I thought it was a reasonable game plan that was well executed - with the exception of a couple penalties and a fumble.

The QB school guy, O'sullivan?, I forget, anyway, he RAVED about how brilliant the game plan was and how it put Malik in a position to succeed.

Next level coaching, IMHO.

[run pMc]

Agree with others I thought it was a good game plan and was well executed. You can't make a backup QB throw the ball 30 times, especially when they haven't been in town long. Plus Indy could not stop the run. It speeds up the game, keeps Richardson & Taylor off the field, gives your team lots of confidence.

I thought Taylor must've gone out with an injury. The fact they chose to play Sermon over Taylor is baffling. It must've been the blitz pickup? I know MLF basically pulled Musgrave vs. PHI bc of the interception and 12 man on field penalty... still, GB could NOT stop Taylor, not using one of your best players because of a blitz pickup is a weird one. At least 4 of his 12 rushes were for over 10 yards; they could have just run the ball and had more success than throwing it.


I guess in that light, coaching (good by MLF, bad by Steichen) was the difference in the game?