Official Packers vs. Vikings Discussion Thread

[pbmax]

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.

That is well established analytically. Success of run game does help or hurt play action.

[MadtownPacker]

Needs to hit someone!!

[bobblehead]

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.

I'll say it was a good start to the season, but it gets serious next week. Loins squeezed one out this week in OT. We need to get on them early Thursday and never let off the gas. Parsons also has to learn to yell like James Harden driving the lane to draw some flags.

[Fritz]

That is well established analytically. Success of run game does help or hurt play action.

I thought I read the opposite a few years ago - that it didn't really matter if the run game worked or not; the linebackers still froze for the fake.

For a minute I was loving listening to the Loins announcers - it was just like old times. Whining "They're not calling the false starts!" Or "The rushers gotta get home!" Or "They're holding Hutchinson again and that's why the Giants are moving the ball!" Excuses and whining on-air. But the Giants made a strategic error in the end, going for the TD instead of the field goal. Which I understand. They're 2 - 9 and Kafka is trying to make an impression.

But yeah, the Packers have to at least hold the Loins to an even start. And Matty needs to quit doing his Bo Schembecler impersonation.

[pbmax]

I thought I read the opposite a few years ago - that it didn't really matter if the run game worked or not; the linebackers still froze for the fake.

For a minute I was loving listening to the Loins announcers - it was just like old times. Whining "They're not calling the false starts!" Or "The rushers gotta get home!" Or "They're holding Hutchinson again and that's why the Giants are moving the ball!" Excuses and whining on-air. But the Giants made a strategic error in the end, going for the TD instead of the field goal. Which I understand. They're 2 - 9 and Kafka is trying to make an impression.

But yeah, the Packers have to at least hold the Loins to an even start. And Matty needs to quit doing his Bo Schembecler impersonation.

No, you are right. Play action works to freeze linebackers no matter the underlying quality of the run game