Studs and Duds, Oilers

[run pMc]

STUD:
Team discipline. There were ZERO penalties on the Packers according to the gamebook.

This. When I saw that in the box score I was stunned in a good way.

Speaking of discipline, I really appreciated the OLB's showing some run discipline. Everyone and their dog knew stopping Henry was the key to the game, and Pettine & Co. actually succeeded. Z is probably the least disciplined, but even he showed some. Gary had a very good game. When he's on, he can forklift an OT and put them on skates. Kenny gave them some problems up front, and even the NW boys got in on a few tackles.
Savage had a pretty good game, wished he hadn't dropped that throw - would've been a pick six. Jaire was a monster too, but I think the refs were letting them play last night -- a more touchy crew might've got him for illegal contact on one or two throws. Even so, holding AJ Brown (who I think is very good) and Corey Davis to 4 and 0 catches respectively says a lot about the secondary and pass rush.

I think they moved Kirksey from the Mike to the other ILB spot (I've seen it called the Jack and the Will), where I think he's a better fit. Barnes is a more natural Mike ILB but he's a little undersized. All the same, I think that's helped the defense. Seemed like they played a little more man defense, but I still caught them in zone a few times.

Kevin King is playing hurt. He wasn't a dud, but he wasn't great either.

I wonder if the defense's improvement (is it from moving Kirksey over and Amos into Greene's spot?) will lead MLF to keep Pettine.

[texaspackerbacker]

Kirksey has been better since they reduced his snaps and made him more of a situational player. Barnes is now the LB who is out there in all situations.

I saw a lot of Barnes early and not much later. He didn't get hurt again, did he?

[Joemailman]

I saw a lot of Barnes early and not much later. He didn't get hurt again, did he?

No. Barnes played almost every snap. He was probably dropping into coverage a lot later with the Titans needing to throw the ball.

[RashanGary]

No real injuries. Holy shit, this is playing out perfectly. I like to be ahead of the curve instead of knowing it all after the fact. Lizard is getting set to go off. He's looking more athletic and explosive and tuned in with every passing week. If not in Chicago, after the bye, Lizard is poised to be an absolute 100% healthy player for us and a huge boost for an offense that really needed one more reliable target in his absence. Not to mention his run blocking and even pass pro when 12 wants another guy to stay back. He just opens up the playbook and makes consistency a possibility with MVS not having to be the 3 after 17 and big bob. 17, Lizard, big bob and MVS/89/Austin sharing the 4th works for this offense. CANT WAIT!!

[RashanGary]

33 in every down situations (12 has better chemistry)
30 on 3rd down (chemistry with 12, ELITE pass pro, good pass catcher, just perfect 3rd down guy!)
28 as the closer and a GREAT change up to 33 in regular situations)


Again, those guys all sharing the load..... Holy shit, things are falling just right to make a push. Three healthy (hopefully 30 back soon) and very differently talented backs is such a luxury at the end of the season when everyone else is wore the fuck down. Championship!

[Bretsky]

The stars sure do seem to be aligning well as long as we beat the Bears

#1 seed and the only team with a bye week

I think odds might be Saints vs Tampa Bay (two teams I don't think we'd want to face) so one can knock the other off. Rams QB has a broken finger; that DL scares me but they might have have a healthy QB again

Hardly any injuries, and the road comes through Lambeau and even the defense appears to be coming together

[GB-Brandon]

The stars sure do seem to be aligning well as long as we beat the Bears

#1 seed and the only team with a bye week

I think odds might be Saints vs Tampa Bay (two teams I don't think we'd want to face) so one can knock the other off. Rams QB has a broken finger; that DL scares me but they might have have a healthy QB again

Hardly any injuries, and the road comes through Lambeau and even the defense appears to be coming together

The “Stars are Aligning.” The Rams are in complete melt down mode(my big value play that looks like a fart in the wind). Goff found a new level of low and now his throwing hand is hurt. I’m not sure they can re-group and even make it to Lambeau in the playoffs. That would leave us with probably playing either Tampa or the Cards in the 2nd round. If we make it past that then it would probably be either the Saints or the Seahawks @ Lambeau of course.

We would be the favorite in any of these matchups and should be. It’s all there for the taking!!! This Tennessee game was so huge in so many ways. It really was and should be a spring board of confidence for this defense to just get better and build from!!! They shut that shit down!!!!! And Tennessee was red hot coming in here!!

[Guiness]

Stud Gute for putting this roster together. or does that belong in a studs and duds 2020 season review

I know right? And imagine how good it would be if he'd gotten Rodgers some weapons!! /s

[Guiness]

I'd almost put Preston in the Studs category. He was pretty disruptive and played more disciplined.

Agree on special teams. Mason missing the XP was worrisome and I'm sure bugged him, but not nearly as much as a blocked FGA. That's awful. The KO coverage was so-so, and the punt return team was meh. I'm guessing weather played a factor in the kicking, but Mason's kicks were on the shorter side (presumably to get hang time) and coverage often gave TEN the ball past the 30. At least there weren't any major mishaps on coverage, and Mason didn't pull a Gostkowski and kick the ball out of bounds.

Both teams were kicking short and not getting touchbacks. I assume it had something to do with the field conditions?

[bobblehead]

I'm a Cory Davis fan. Jaire put him on a milk carton. Enough said.

[CaptainKickass]

STUD:
Team discipline. There were ZERO penalties on the Packers according to the gamebook.

But wait! There's more...

According to Wes Hodkiewicz of Packers.com and communications manager Tom Fanning, the Packers did not commit a penalty or punt the football during Sunday’s 40-14 win over the Tennessee Titans, marking the first time the team has avoided both in the same game in franchise history, or at least since Elias Sports Bureau began tracking penalties in 1941.

It's like.... HISTORICAL DUDES!!

[run pMc]

Whoa... most excellent, So-crates.

[RashanGary]

Imma wait till the spread grows to 7.5 by weeks end and take the Bears with the points. Perfect alignment for a rigged came coming up with the Packers being gamblers darlings right now <3

[Fritz]

I am one of the ones who think that Preston Smith has really been rounding into form and has again become a force on the defense. I like this three-headed monster of an outside linebacking corps, and I hope they are all back next year.

Linsley also looked good.

As far as re-signing guys, I think Aaron Jones has to be the top priority, and if you have to lose Linsley and King to do that, so be it. An Aaron Jones/AJ Dillon combo sounds better than a Linsley/Kevin King combo.

This team will miss Jamaal Williams. To me, he's as good as Edgar Bennett or Dorsey Levens were. Very valuable guy. He'll do well somewhere. He's not nearly as good as Jones, but he's still a really solid player.

[Joemailman]

I am one of the ones who think that Preston Smith has really been rounding into form and has again become a force on the defense. I like this three-headed monster of an outside linebacking corps, and I hope they are all back next year.

Linsley also looked good.

As far as re-signing guys, I think Aaron Jones has to be the top priority, and if you have to lose Linsley and King to do that, so be it. An Aaron Jones/AJ Dillon combo sounds better than a Linsley/Kevin King combo.

This team will miss Jamaal Williams. To me, he's as good as Edgar Bennett or Dorsey Levens were. Very valuable guy. He'll do well somewhere. He's not nearly as good as Jones, but he's still a really solid player.

If you have to let a couple guys go, I think it's Jones and King. By keeping Linsley you keep the OL elite. Sign Williams and then draft a speedier back in rounds 3-5. Packers will likely have comp picks in rounds 4, 5 and 6. Draft King's replacement in the first 2 rounds.