Studs and Duds, Packers poach Bears, #1, 2025.

[George Cumby]

It's funny too how, just a few years ago, ball placement was sucking the life out of the game - teams were challenging the spot of the ball, and the sticks crew was running out onto the field, it seemed, on every third down spot because there was so much debate about how close the guy with the ball had gotten to the first down marker. So they fixed it by just having the refs make an obvious choice - yes, the player got the first down, by at least six or eight inches, or no, he was short by six or eight inches. No more calling out the sticks crew to measure.

Different topic, though still kinda about Parsons: as good as he is, this team is gonna fall short unless they can figure out how to stop the run. That's the achilles heel, maybe moreso than anything about the offense. If you're an opponent, you just keep ramming the ball down the Packers' throats until they finally crack. Teams will do that more and more, and in the playoffs that will be deadly. My biggest fear is a game like the Superbowl loss to the Broncos. By the end of the game, the Packers' defense was just absolutely gassed - the Broncos were slicing them up at will, and there was no stopping them.

So Halfley and Company need to figure our how they're going to stop the run. Bohanna? Riley Jacobs? Two bigs out there together on run downs? More 5-2?

Five DL, Quay, Edge, Williams, McKinney, Valentine, Nixon? I like it but I think you need Bullard out there, as well.

[Joemailman]

I don't think they have to do anything drastic. The Bears are the 2nd best rushing team in the NFL. The week before they played the Packers, the Bears rushed for 281 yards against the Eagles. The Packers held the Bears below their season average of rushing yards and yards per carry. What happened in the 2nd half last week was the defense got winded because the Packers offense couldn't stay on the field in the 3rd quarter. Offense had 3 and out, 4 play TD drive, and 3 and out. Can't afford to let that happen this week in Denver's thin air.

[bobblehead]

Parsons has zero hold calls all season. The week after he complained, he was called for one of two hip drop penalties called league wide to that point in the season.

I'm not one saying he gets held every play, but there are plays where two linemen are holding him, each with a hand on his face mask. It's absurd at times.

The point is Micah gets special treatment by the officials. That's not even questionable .... Overall, the game is badly officiated when you have phantom holds while overlooking blatant holds. Officiating has been ruining the game for several years now, and it's not really about "it's really hard to officiate." The inconsistancy from game to game, crew to crew, team to team, has a big effect on the outcome of some games. It's cost GB a few critical ones imo.

It ain't NBA bad, but its getting there. I think the NFL makes calls to create more exciting finishes. Officials are of course in on it. No doubt in my mind. Team A is driving to ice the game with 4 minutes left....HOLDING #78. Drive killer. Team B is driving to try and tie it with 2:38 left. Incomplete on 3rd and 14....defensive holding automatic first down. They want us engaged until the very end.

[bobblehead]

It's funny too how, just a few years ago, ball placement was sucking the life out of the game - teams were challenging the spot of the ball, and the sticks crew was running out onto the field, it seemed, on every third down spot because there was so much debate about how close the guy with the ball had gotten to the first down marker. So they fixed it by just having the refs make an obvious choice - yes, the player got the first down, by at least six or eight inches, or no, he was short by six or eight inches. No more calling out the sticks crew to measure.

Different topic, though still kinda about Parsons: as good as he is, this team is gonna fall short unless they can figure out how to stop the run. That's the achilles heel, maybe moreso than anything about the offense. If you're an opponent, you just keep ramming the ball down the Packers' throats until they finally crack. Teams will do that more and more, and in the playoffs that will be deadly. My biggest fear is a game like the Superbowl loss to the Broncos. By the end of the game, the Packers' defense was just absolutely gassed - the Broncos were slicing them up at will, and there was no stopping them.

So Halfley and Company need to figure our how they're going to stop the run. Bohanna? Riley Jacobs? Two bigs out there together on run downs? More 5-2?

The MiLF offense slows the pace and limits possessions so the D doesn't get gassed as easily. Parsons has also been on the sidelines in more likely running situations a lot. I'm more concerned that Jaire pointed out ZERO holding calls. Thats not even trying to hide the fact they are screwing him.

[ThunderDan]

Parsons was on the field for 61 out of 70 snaps against the Bears.

[pbmax]

I don't think they have to do anything drastic. The Bears are the 2nd best rushing team in the NFL. The week before they played the Packers, the Bears rushed for 281 yards against the Eagles. The Packers held the Bears below their season average of rushing yards and yards per carry. What happened in the 2nd half last week was the defense got winded because the Packers offense couldn't stay on the field in the 3rd quarter. Offense had 3 and out, 4 play TD drive, and 3 and out. Can't afford to let that happen this week in Denver's thin air.

That is at most 2 drives of 3 and out and they were the bread that sandwiched a very fast TD in the 3rd quarter.

The defense has to get itself off the field sometimes.

[Joemailman]

Stud: Falco with 4 straight winning game day threads.

I've been waiting for some recognition... Just hope you didn't jinx it

I'll see myself out.

[Jaire]

The MiLF offense slows the pace and limits possessions so the D doesn't get gassed as easily. Parsons has also been on the sidelines in more likely running situations a lot. I'm more concerned that Jaire pointed out ZERO holding calls. Thats not even trying to hide the fact they are screwing him.

Parsons got one in the first quarter against the Broncos, not that it much matters any more.