Vikings 24, Packers 10
Well, that looked a bit familiar, didn’t it? The game was fairly close throughout, but Green Bay only threatened to score while never really threatening to get back into the game. To remind everyone, the margin for error in the NFL is as close to 0 without being zero. 1 drop can kill a game, season, or possibly career. What about 6 drops? Jordan Love has not looked as consistently good as I thought he would/should, however, it’s beginning to look like the pass catchers may be at fault – or at least should take the majority of the blame. Whether it’s running into each other, or just not running routes altogether, this is beginning to showcase itself as an issue. Is it correctable? Maybe, reps will help the most as this is filed under the Growing Pains department.

The other glaring issue is offensive line play. I’ll pick on Josh Myers, because he went from avg. starter as a rookie to liability in every way this year. While I’m cherry-picking a play here and there, these essentially add up to sacks (drive-killers). These are worse than holding calls, because at least with penalties, you get to redo the down. This has really shown in A.J. Dillon’s production, or lack thereof. Dillon is a good back/player, but he’s not as dynamic as Jones, who’s able to make the OL look a bit better than they’ve been. Also, Jones hasn’t been really featured since week 1 in Chicago, which also was David Bakhtiari’s last game – he’s become an absolute valuable commodity at this point. Regardless of how this season finishes, look for Green Bay to use their 1st and/or 2nd pick on OL. If you know me, you’d know I’d be happy as a clam with using both picks in the trenches.

Minnesota absolutely annihilated Green Bay in Time of Possession…36:22 to 23:38. The penalties also killed the Packers (99 yards on 11 penalties), essentially giving Minnesota an entire field for free. Can’t have that. You do that, you’re not going to win. Rinse, wash, repeat. This is a young team and yes, that’s a reason, not an excuse. There will be more of these issues…ideally minimizing throughout the rest of the year, but the idea is they’ll be much better next year.

The Packers locked up arguably their best player, again (Jaire in May ’22), for years to come. People will compare him to the top pass rush earners in the league, as they should, however when Gary has been available, he’s been an absolute game-wrecker. This was a great move and for a decent price at that.

Speaking of Moves…

I never thought the Packer fan base would throw their arms up over a trade that, not only, made sense, but benefits the Packers in every way. Well, every way unless you wanted to try and scratch out some wins this season which had 0% chance at winning the Super Bowl. The goal is to have as many young and talented players all gelled together and developed at the commence of the 2025 season. Yes, the 2025 season. Fans are reacting as if the Patriots traded Tom Brady in 2016 (in the middle of him winning his 5th Super Bowl). This is a 28 year old cornerback, that will be 30 upon the “window opening,” and will likely have regressed and (likely and ideally) behind Eric Stokes on the depth chart. Loading up on draft picks is what Green Bay should be focused on, in addition to getting the kids live reps.

Love is progressing, however it’s tough to see. Former Packer great, Mike Wahle, does a good job breaking down a lot of things and here he shows what Love needs to do on a certain play that we’ve come accustomed to seeing Aaron Rodgers take all day.

Finally, to put a bow on the weekly Talking People Off the Ledge rant, here’s some great perspective on the Packers’ current situation which was due to kicking the can down the road to appease Aaron Rodgers while paying him a gargantuan contract TWICE!

Los Angeles Rams (3-5) @ (2-5) Green Bay Packers

The Rams may be without Matthew Stafford. The Packers have won the last 3 meetings between these two team, with one of those coming in the Divisional Round of the 2020 playoffs (Jan. 2021). Stafford lost his only start against the Packers since joining the Rams. Both teams have regressed since that game, significantly, and both are taking a different approach to their “rebuild.” Brett Rypien came in to relieve Stafford and put up stats like you’d expect a backup QB to do.

	LAR O	(rank)	vs.	GB D	(rank)
Rush	109.5	17th		132.0	26th
Pass	245.0	8th		207.1	11th
Total	354.5	9th		339.1	21st
Pts	21.9	14th		22.3	20th
	LAR D			GB O
Rush	115.1	20th		88.4	25th
Pass	218.5	13th		198.6	21st
Total	333.6	17th		287.0	25th
Pts	23.0	21st		20.0	21st
T/O	LAR			GB
Takeaways	6	T-29th		6	T-29th
Giveaways	8	T-6th		8	T-6th
Diff.	-2	T-18th		-2	T-18th

There are 3 items I’ll cover about the Rams.

1- Players to Watch:
#99 Aaron Donald— we all should know him by now. He’s a first ballot Hall of Famer, and while he’s been hurt as of late, he’s a game wrecker in every way imaginable. The Packers have done a solid job in years passed keeping Donald in check. They’ll need to do the same if they want to win this game.
#10 Cooper Kupp– also a should be household name, Kupp was a certifiable stud prior to getting injured last year. He won the WR triple crown in 2021 (Receptions, Yards, and Touchdowns). He’s still very capable of producing at a high level, so see Jaire to follow him a bit.
#17 Puka Nacua– the rookie 5th round pick from BYU is having an Offensive Rookie of the Year start to his career. He’s notched 795 yards on 61 receptions with 2 touchdowns. He’s a true 2nd option for the Rams, and could leverage the Packers’ young secondary. He’ll present a great challenge and opportunity for the Packers.
#89 Tyler Higbee– their starting Tight End is a solid safety blanket, and should Stafford not go, will likely be targeted (or at least designed) to get the ball. He’s able to get open and fall forward, as well as get solid YAC (yards after the catch).

2- Key Items:
Turnovers– the Rams and Packers have identical turnover stats, so whoever wins this matchup likely wins the Time of Possession, and ultimately the game.
Time of Possession– this is one of the most frustrating stats for Packer fans. The Rams avg 30:00 time of possession which ranks them dead center, at 16th. The Packers are only averaging holding the ball 27:11, which puts them at 29th…the defense has been OK, but have been on the field the 4th most in the NFL. They’re not innocent giving up a ton of 3rd and Longs, but the offense needs to hold the ball longer/better.

3- Rams strength of schedule:
Of their three wins, they beat a good Seattle team, in week 1, in Seattle. They also beat a couple of inferior teams in Indianapolis and Arizona. The Packers are staring 2-6 in the face should they not put together a solid outing. However, if Stafford is unable to play, this should give the Packers a good chance at winning.

Rams 23 (+3.0)
Packers 20

*I can’t pick Green Bay to win until they show me they can win, again. I still believe they’re capable of beating everyone, and losing to everyone.

Season: 3-4
Overall: 90-56