Studs And Duds - Packers vs. Cowboys

[Fritz]

If Aaron plays that way and the defense does what it’s been doing, the Packers are a SB favorite even without great receivers.

Wow, you really are on the bandwagon after that win.

I suppose no one will be surprised to learn that I am still doubtful - I've never felt worse, I don't think, about a 4 - 1 Packer team before. I don't trust the run defense, for one. I think that two teams - both Minnesota and Dallas yesterday - could have won if they'd have simply run the ball more (for Minnesota, in crucial spots towards the end; for Dallas, early on).

I also don't think that the offensive weapons exist for this team to keep winning as it has.

[Joemailman]

I don't want to go full tex, but Bach has not been having his best season this year. Injury or whatever, he's collecting penalties and beats like never before.

Packers probably need a WR, but they also need another tackle as insurance.

Bakhtiari missed some practice time a few weeks ago with a back injury. Might still be an issue. Also, looks to me like holding is getting called tighter this year. Players might have to adjust.

[pbmax]

I am not as nervous about the team versus their record at 4-1 as I was at 3-0. I don't know how you can be close to doubtful at 3-0, but I was there.

Narrow loss with bad play (a few bad plays, turnovers and penalties) to Iggles and now a road win against a quality Cowboys team have perked me up.

They found a way to create weapons through play calls versus the Boys. Rodgers looks sufficiently mobile again and his accuracy has improved. If he stops hesitating and putting too much air under the deep ball, he will be back. Running game looked as good as it has since 2017.

I still think they suffer from lack of talent that can threaten a defense by themselves and the Rodgers offense deep is still discombobulated.

But it ain't half bad.

Don't ask me what has happened to the defense. They need something. Thank Al Harris for turnovers.

[mraynrand]

I'm getting a 2001, 2009 kinda vibe. Good team, lot to like, but vulnerable.

[SudsMcBucky]

Gotta be honest. I'm really excited about where this team is heading. We are 4-1 having played a pretty tough schedule and Arod and MLF haven't even begun clicking together, yet. Once Arod is more comfortable where the new offense is at and he is on same page as MLF as the season moves along, look out.

[Fritz]

I am not as nervous about the team versus their record at 4-1 as I was at 3-0. I don't know how you can be close to doubtful at 3-0, but I was there.

Narrow loss with bad play (a few bad plays, turnovers and penalties) to Iggles and now a road win against a quality Cowboys team have perked me up.

They found a way to create weapons through play calls versus the Boys. Rodgers looks sufficiently mobile again and his accuracy has improved. If he stops hesitating and putting too much air under the deep ball, he will be back. Running game looked as good as it has since 2017.

I still think they suffer from lack of talent that can threaten a defense by themselves and the Rodgers offense deep is still discombobulated.

But it ain't half bad.

Don't ask me what has happened to the defense. They need something. Thank Al Harris for turnovers.

As the pundits note, turnovers come in bunches. This means, of course, that when they stop, they stop. And that's worrying, as I don't think this defense can hold up against a good running team.

But I am pessimistic about sports by nature, so my pessimism may be unfounded. Still, there's a good chance I'll be right, simply because only two teams get to the NFC championship game.

But I like to read others' more optimistic opinions. I want them to be right, and for this team to get to the playoffs and do well.

As for studs and duds, do we put Dexter Williams on the duds list simply because he was not active for the Cowboys game - Tre Carson leapfrogged him?

[pbmax]

As the pundits note, turnovers come in bunches. This means, of course, that when they stop, they stop. And that's worrying, as I don't think this defense can hold up against a good running team.

But I am pessimistic about sports by nature, so my pessimism may be unfounded. Still, there's a good chance I'll be right, simply because only two teams get to the NFC championship game.

But I like to read others' more optimistic opinions. I want them to be right, and for this team to get to the playoffs and do well.

As for studs and duds, do we put Dexter Williams on the duds list simply because he was not active for the Cowboys game - Tre Carson leapfrogged him?

Tra got the blocking job. I suspect they don't trust Dexter with blitz pickup yet.

[bobblehead]

To address a few points above. Bak has always been the master of getting away with holding. I have said that for 3 years. This year the NFL is calling holding like crazy and its hurting his game.

I am not worried about the D. They gave up 2 TDs during basically garbage time. They were up 31-10 entering the 4th. I don't like letting up, and I don't condone prevent D, but that game was over at that point. Guys who were banged up took it easy in the 4th and they allowed Dallas a couple meaningless scores.

The run D? They just stymied the best rush attack in the league because they focused on doing so. I am shocked Dallas didn't run more, but they attacked what the D gave them. They weren't good enough to win doing that.

What have I begged for for 2 years straight. Use the RB in the passing game. AJones lead all receivers yesterday. Hoorah.

I doubt we win the Owl this year. First year coach, and the toughest division in football and all. We are on the right track though. Gimme Adams back. Trade for Sanders or Fitzgerald or some other aging vet. (or Cory Davis better yet). We have a shot. Unlikely still, but a shot, and in the NFL that is all you can ask for.

[Guiness]

Studs

JK Scott - 49.5 yd average, with a booming 58 yarder in there, and 2 punts inside the 20!
That can be a game changer and disheartening. IIRC the 58 yard punt didn't have a long return either

Billy Turner - showing why he was signed. Bulaga played well on the right side and Turner was a good wing man. Give them some of the credit for Aaron Jones' day.

[mraynrand]

What have I begged for for 2 years straight. Use the RB in the passing game. AJones lead all receivers yesterday. Hoorah.

It was a thing of beauty, especially the ability of Rodgers to draw the pressure to him before getting rid of the ball. Take what the defense gives you and exploit over-aggressiveness. well done.

[hoosier]

I'm getting a 2001, 2009 kinda vibe. Good team, lot to like, but vulnerable.

2012 vibe: 563!

[run pMc]

Studs:

Z.Smith - 2 sacks 4 hits on a bad knee. Dak looked shaky at times when Pettine pressured him with the Smiths.
JK Scott - big punts, especially the last one.
A.Jones - fed him the ball and he produced. Especially like that they are throwing him the ball -- I think he can be pretty good in space vs. running him into a wall of DT's (Although running the inside zone worked for him)
Rodgers - took what the defense gave him, didn't get a TD but moved the offense down the field and didn't turn it over. If he can stick to the play and get the ball out on time (assuming the reciever is open) he is deadly.

Duds:
WRs - Still need more from them with Adams out. Was suprised the TEs were able to produce given the athletic LBs Dallas has.
Tackling - the Amari Cooper TD was not pretty.
Penalties
Lucas Patrick's shotgun snaps

A few asides:

I thought Jenkins played/blocked well and I enjoy that he's often the first guy down to celebrate a TD. So far he's been a good pick.
Josh Jackson played safety!
Oren Burks got snaps, didn't look completely lost, made tackles, and was ostensibly no worse for wear after the game.
Sullivan played pretty well with the INT, he got picked on a little but didn't back down.
I realize the D showed man pre-snap but played a lot of zone, and that likely confused Dak, but Amari was killing them. I'm not sure how much to attribute that to garbage time -- or his route running. He's really resurrected his career after OAK.

[Radagast]

I agree with you. AR played like the GOAT today. Not only does he not throw picks, he doesn’t fumble either.

And Aaron empowered the OL today. He called runs into 8 man boxes and called runs in the redzone. He could have audibled out but didn’t. He empowered his guys instead of taking everything into his hands. QB is a leadership position. 11 guys are better than 1. AR was a masterful leader yesterday. Greatest QB play I’ve seen because I value engaging the whole team and ball security more than most.

On top of being a great leader and being the greatest of all time at ball security, his mobility added another dimension and he improvised some great plays.

Truly dominant QB play. He was damn near flawless.

Aaron Rodgers' helmet is fitted with a radio from which he receives the plays from HC LaFleur. While he does have the audible option, from my position of view, he exercised that option sparingly against Dallas. The trust between Rodgers and HC LaFleur may/or may not have started of on the most smooth ground, but I see both of them working better together each week. They had to know that with Adams injured, that the offense would lean more on the running game (even with J. Williams injured). A RB was promoted (Carson) from the practice squad and he filled his game role. Large Kudos to Aaron Jones and the O-line. 4 TDs on the ground baby !

Turnovers were the greatest single factor in the game. Dallas turnovers dramatically tipped the game in GB's favor. In addition, lets not forget the sacks and hurries that kept Prescott rattled all game. Also the CB and Safety play was outstanding until the 4th qtr. I do't like "prevent " defenses.

[MadScientist]

Aaron Rodgers' helmet is fitted with a radio from which he receives the plays from HC LaFleur. While he does have the audible option, from my position of view, he exercised that option sparingly against Dallas. The trust between Rodgers and HC LaFleur may/or may not have started of on the most smooth ground, but I see both of them working better together each week. They had to know that with Adams injured, that the offense would lean more on the running game (even with J. Williams injured). A RB was promoted (Carson) from the practice squad and he filled his game role. Large Kudos to Aaron Jones and the O-line. 4 TDs on the ground baby !

Turnovers were the greatest single factor in the game. Dallas turnovers dramatically tipped the game in GB's favor. In addition, lets not forget the sacks and hurries that kept Prescott rattled all game. Also the CB and Safety play was outstanding until the 4th qtr. I do't like "prevent " defenses.

Rodgers' quote after the game was the best the most encouraging one I've heard from him:

I’ve accomplished a lot statistically in this league. I just want to win now.

He took whatever Dallas gave him and that was plenty for the win. His rating suffered a little because Jones ran for all the TD's. But Jones was a man possessed this game.

[call_me_ishmael]

https://twitter.com/BillHuberSI/status/1181259313001779206

By the way, in facing Mack, Hunter, Miller, Graham and now Lawrence, Bryan Bulaga has allowed exactly (grabbing calculator) ... zero sacks.

Best RT in the NFL when healthy. He will be extended.