Official Packers vs. Vikings Discussion Thread

[pbmax]

Last week was a "good" win where we did what we needed to against an inspired but not real good team. This week our season starts. Vikings and Lions and Bears oh my!!! We gotta take 2 of these 3 or we can probably count the playoffs out. Take all 3 and things will be looking damn good. Lose all 3 and start planning the offseason.

Both games but especially the second game the Vikes called off the D and played a modern prevent. That they came close to a comeback isn't much of a surprise. Need a lead to make this team work as designed.

[bobblehead]

Matt Schneidman
@mattschneidman

Packers OL coach Luke Butkus said rookie second-rounder Anthony Belton has been repping inside in addition to tackle. Team expects their reserves to be able to fill in both inside and outside. Packers originally were only repping Belton at tackle.

Well, my dream after the draft was to be massive inside and use the tush push AGAINST the Eagles. Morgan isn't meant to play interior. Just not his skill set. Banks, Rhyan, Belton might be the largest interior in the NFL if they went with it. But this should have happened in July, not late November. It just shows how disjointed this team is about its OL. They drafted Morgan to play RG no doubt in my mind. They drafted Belton to take over for Walker, also no doubt in my mind (hoping he would be the swing tackle this year). It shows how out of touch with the skill sets of these guys they were, simply focusing on body types. Now they are finally coming around to reality, but only after they wasted a lot of valuable reps and time.

[bobblehead]

Don't tease me Luke.

Packers also need to rely on Brooks and Wilson to pass pro even if it costs Jacobs some reps. Or just go split backs in gun if you must.

Or, and I know this is crazy and untested, they could simply run more play action when Jacobs is in the game. I know, I'm just being ridiculous with such a looney thought.

[CaptainKickass]

Or, and I know this is crazy and untested, they could simply run more play action when Jacobs is in the game. I know, I'm just being ridiculous with such a looney thought.

You ridiculous looney crazy person! That's nearly as crazy as my dream of finding a 10mm back (aka Fullback type) who can occasionally line up in the I or offset I and even more crazy, function occasionally as - get this - a LEAD blocker out in front of the running back!

Yes, I'm aware of the use of the newest TE in that role last week, but man, it sure has taken a long Whyle for the coaching staff to figure it out.

These are what I shall look for on gameday. More play action with Jacobs in the backfield and more fullback use out of Whyle.

Then if they do it, we'll be geniuses! And if they don't do it, we'll chastise them for not doing it... because we're frickin' geniuses!


Is Whyle really pronounced "Wiley"? It might be a while before I can pronounce Whyle as Wiley.

[Joemailman]

Wes Hodkiewicz
@weshod.bsky.social

As Matt LaFleur said, RB Josh Jacobs (knee) is doing individuals at Thursday’s padded practice.

WR Savion Williams (foot) is also back.

LB Quay Walker (stinger), DL Karl Brooks (ankle) & CB Nate Hobbs (knee) are not practicing.

[pbmax]

Or, and I know this is crazy and untested, they could simply run more play action when Jacobs is in the game. I know, I'm just being ridiculous with such a looney thought.

Hasn't been working well. Doesn't stop inside pressure and Love isn't as efficient under center and then play faking. Hurts even more with Kraft out.

Think its more likely to see traditional screens to RBs make a come back.

[Joemailman]

[bobblehead]

Hasn't been working well. Doesn't stop inside pressure and Love isn't as efficient under center and then play faking. Hurts even more with Kraft out.

Think its more likely to see traditional screens to RBs make a come back.

My AI assistant says:


Jordan Love's passer rating using play action is 115.5 for the 2025 NFL season.
ESPN

I'd also add that it indeed helps with inside pressure because they all have to honor that RB for just a split second which gives our OL that time to react.

[pbmax]

My AI assistant says:


Jordan Love's passer rating using play action is 115.5 for the 2025 NFL season.
ESPN

I'd also add that it indeed helps with inside pressure because they all have to honor that RB for just a split second which gives our OL that time to react.

Does it give splits for shotgun play fakes versus under center? Less worried about fakes in the gun.

[Joemailman]

Reed and Hobbs out. Quay Walker doubtful.

[Fosco33]

Cool to see Reed in the window this fast.

[Teamcheez1]

Walker is doubtful with a neck injury from a stinger?
I wonder if there is more to the story.

[George Cumby]

Walker is doubtful with a neck injury from a stinger?
I wonder if there is more to the story.

IIRC stingers can be tough to come back from. Also, I think this is his second of the year.

[Fritz]

You ridiculous looney crazy person! That's nearly as crazy as my dream of finding a 10mm back (aka Fullback type) who can occasionally line up in the I or offset I and even more crazy, function occasionally as - get this - a LEAD blocker out in front of the running back!

Yes, I'm aware of the use of the newest TE in that role last week, but man, it sure has taken a long Whyle for the coaching staff to figure it out.

These are what I shall look for on gameday. More play action with Jacobs in the backfield and more fullback use out of Whyle.

Then if they do it, we'll be geniuses! And if they don't do it, we'll chastise them for not doing it... because we're frickin' geniuses!


Is Whyle really pronounced "Wiley"? It might be a while before I can pronounce Whyle as Wiley.

Don't worry. We'll wait Whyle you work on that.

[bobblehead]

Does it give splits for shotgun play fakes versus under center? Less worried about fakes in the gun.

No, was just a quick dirty answer. I also rely on my eyes and what has worked in the NFL for 50 years. Play action is a huge part of the reason Peyton Manning was great, and strangely they almost never actually ran the ball successfully.