Packers Stock Report Week 7: The Packers Continue to Roll
The Packers continue to roll as they turned Sunday's contest against the Raiders into a one-sided affair. Aaron Rodgers had his best game of the season which prompted the sports betting site, Fanduel to install him as the favorite to win the 2019 NFL MVP. Although that is probably an overreaction, it does not take away from the fact that the offense continues to get better with more and more reps. LaFleur continues to feel more comfortable as he has developed a rhythm and rapport with Aaron Rodgers, and Aaron is finally settling into the offense and diversifying it quite nicely.
After seven games, the Packers find themselves 6-1 and in an optimal position to make a playoff run. The team has found a variety of different ways to win and has not invented new ways to lose. LaFleur and his staff have completely changed the culture of the Packers, and the players are enjoying the grind and enjoying each other. I believe the rest of the league has to be on the lookout at this point, right?
Sunday's victory was the culminating moment for the offense. I am not suggesting that this will be a rebirth of the 2010-2014 model of the Packer offense, but Sunday showed us that this could potentially be the most balanced Packer team since the 2010-2011 season.
Here is a look at the players who shined the most on Sunday:
Buy, Buy, Buy
1. Aaron Charles Rodgers:
He's a baaaaaad man! Aaron duplicated his performance from seven years ago with a six-touchdown performance in another 42-24 victory in which he "shhhhhshed" his critics. The injured Packers receiving core played through pain and stepped up and made plays. Aaron threw touchdowns to five different receivers and even ran one in himself. The offense had a balanced attack, and the ball moved down the field consistently throughout the entire game. That is offensive diversification at its finest.
2. The Offensive Line:
This group is really coming into their own and it's very exciting. The o-line is doing a great job providing holes for the running backs, creating lanes in the screen game, and protecting Aaron Rodgers's pocket. The offense's progression over the last month is a testament to the men in the trenches. Packer Nation salutes you, boys!
Sell, Sell, Sell (Players who are going through it)
1. Joshua Jackson:
"Josh Jackson played five snaps against the Raiders and gave up two completions, including a TD. He doesn't really play, and when he has, he hasn't been good" (Zach Kruse-Packerswire). Days like these have been the story so far during Jackson's tenure in Green Bay. The second-year player really needs to absorb as much direction and coaching from Pettine as he possibly can. If he continues to struggle and regress, Jackson could be in the conversation for a surprise cut during training camp next year.
2. Jaire Alexander (more like yell than sell):
Yea, I'm saying it, Jaire needs to step up his game. This kid has all-pro potential but has been getting burned, missing tackles, over pursuing and lacking communication in coverage throughout the last several weeks. I realize that I'm being hard on him, but Jaire is just way too good to be making these kinds of mistakes.
Overall, I was not too thrilled with the defense as a whole, and have to think that "Stone Cold" Mike Pettine is going to be in their ears all week long.
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David Michalski is a staff writer for Cheesehead TV. He can be found on Twitter @kilbas27dave
Comments (17)
Leatherhead
October 23, 2019 at 11:11 am
I wouldn't be so harsh on the defense. From early in the second quarter until garbage time, the Raiders scored once.
Leatherhead
October 23, 2019 at 11:12 am
Dang
scullyitsme
October 23, 2019 at 11:17 am
I was wistfully hoping we could package Jackson and a pick in a trade deal this week, but his play lately is kinda killing that deal.
fastmoving
October 23, 2019 at 11:49 am
AR played really good and Im glad he still can. Best news of the weekend.
But the reason for critism is, that he can play so much better than he did the last couple of years. So how can he "shhhhhshed" his critics with one AR game? He needs to bring it every week to silence them, even more so for us Packers fans. Even if its clear that he can not hold up this pace but it should be good enought if he spreads the balls and get them out quickly. Thats all it takes for now…..
WestCoastPackerBacker
October 23, 2019 at 06:34 pm
He was injured the last couple of years and playing in an offense that required the WRs to win their one-on-ones; with the most dynamic RB on the bench and the TEs not involved much at all. One of the biggest differences is that Rodgers seems to be having fun again; enjoying his teammates and enjoying having a defense. He never had to silence me; it was always up to the GM to put enough talent around him to make the offense efficient again, the way it was under MM when he had real weapons. At least LaFleur appears to know how to scheme for each opponent and to win different ways against different opponents.
fastmoving
October 24, 2019 at 02:26 am
No its not that easy. It was one him, more thans anyone else. He had more weapons than most other top QBs.
And of course is winning fun and even he has none he should Play better anyway. thats why he get paid a quarter of the money.
And the trust issue, holding the ball forever, dont get him out fast, bad mechanics, waiting for the big play instead taking the easy one…...are problems.
Houndog
October 23, 2019 at 11:50 am
Josh Jackson, unfortunately, is a dumpster fire, and a player once deemed to be a first round pick before that draft.
Jaire Alexander, on the other hand, might be suffering a bit from his early success and taking too many risks, which can be fixed. Charles Woodson was a risk taker and (in GB) the second coming of Reggie White!
All that said, what I haven't seen in our defense despite their turnover production is a guy that can read the QB and then step in front of the receiver for a pick-6 the way Woodson could do it. We need that and with time I think Alexander might be that guy, he certainly has the skills.
Add a thumper along side Martinez and the sky's the limit.
cheesehead1
October 23, 2019 at 12:21 pm
Wish Gute could upgrade our ILB via trade. Who would be available? I also know we’re only 7 games in, but Rashan Gary needs to show up and make an impact. He’s young but I’m sure most fans and media expect more from a #12 pick.
Archie
October 23, 2019 at 03:08 pm
Why not R Gary at ILB? He can't rush the passer but he's dynamite against the run and hasn't looked bad the few times he dropped off in coverage. A #12 pick for a situational edge run stopper is way too rich. But if he could be an impact ILB, that would fill a big hole.
splitpea1
October 23, 2019 at 12:27 pm
I wouldn't go so far as to say this team could be the most balanced since our last Super Bowl team (though at least you added the word, "potentially"), simply because our defensive line was so much better and we had a couple of Pro Bowlers in the secondary. However, if Gute could find a way to acquire a solid plug for the middle of our current defense, then we may be taking a step in that direction--would love to see it!
Point-Packer
October 23, 2019 at 12:42 pm
I think Josh Jackson is a Special Teams player in this league. Or perhaps a safety?
dblbogey
October 23, 2019 at 05:13 pm
I watched Jackson a lot at Iowa. He's a good college zone defender, and is too slow for the NFL, not a good tackler so can't play safety. I'm far from an expert, but hated that they used a #2 pick on him.
Archie
October 23, 2019 at 03:21 pm
Yes, the OL has been key to our success as of late, both passing and rushing.
Getting Adams and Savage back soon (maybe this week) and getting Sternberger and Campbell back the following week can't hurt either.
Hitting the Bye week 8-2 would be very exciting. 3-3 down the stretch would still be 11-5 and a likely playoff berth.
TRADES I'd be happy with:
1 - AJ Green (WR) - 31 years old and a big contract that expires this year. Maybe dump another DB named Josh for him and a #3 pick.
2 - OJ Howard (TE) - still young 2-way TE. Probably has more trade value than AJ Green at this point and has a favorable contract situation. Still a #1 pick is too much. Maybe dump another DB named Josh for him and a #2 pick.
Offense needs another big time contributor. Love the Lizard (Lazard)!
ricky
October 23, 2019 at 03:25 pm
Alexander may very well have read one too many complimentary articles about his performance last year. His play might be his believing his own hype, and not listening to the "old men" who are trying to coach him. In short, it might be that Alexander is just immature, and needs to have his teammates pull him aside and tell him he's not 'all that.' Potential is great, but performance is what matters.
Since'61
October 23, 2019 at 03:57 pm
I don't necessarily agree about Alexander's play. Last week against the Lions he had one pass completed to his side of the field for 3 yards. Yes, the week before he had trouble with Amari Cooper and that will happen against certain receivers in this league.
As for the Raiders we were hurt much more by their TEs than we were by their WRs. It just seemed like the Packer CBs were not playing up at the line against the Oakland WRs. I'm not sure why that was but it looked like they were in a different defense than their usual coverage for most of the game. Maybe because they were an uncommon opponent. Either way the defense only gave up 17 points until garbage time and by then our #1 DBs were off the field.
They will all need to play better against KC. Even without Mahomes the Chielf have plenty of speed on offense. Thanks, Since '61
Guam
October 23, 2019 at 04:25 pm
After watching San Francisco trade a 3rd and 4th rounder for a 32 year old WR and NE trade a 2nd rounder for a 30 year WR, I will be interested in what Gute does. Teams with legitimate shots at the Super Bowl are loading up for a stretch run by plugging their holes at the expense of the future. If Gute doesn't make a move for a D-lineman, ILB or WR (someone better than a street free agent), I would guess Gute thinks his team is a year away from truly contending despite a 6-1 record to date.
splitpea1
October 23, 2019 at 06:44 pm
We're a legitimate contender. A 6-1 record is nothing to sneeze at, especially when it hasn't been against the Jets, Bengals, Dolphins, and Redskins. So I hope Gute doesn't waste this opportunity with a HEALTHY Rodgers and adopt a "wait till next year" attitude. Of course I don't want to see him make any crazy Rams-like trades, but surely there's a reasonably-priced defensive player out there who can help us out in the middle.