5 Takeaways From Bears 24 - 22 Packers: Bad Vibes Entering the Playoffs
The Packers season is threatening to spiral towards a disappointing conclusion.
By markoldacres
Bad vibes entering the playoffs
After a disappointing showing versus the Vikings a week ago, Matt LaFleur opted to play his starters in week 18, looking to build up some positive energy ahead of the playoffs.
What happened instead was arguably the worst possible chain of events. The Packers produced yet another sloppy performance, suffered injuries to two starters, and lost to the Bears for the first time in the LaFleur era.
A last-second win by the Commanders in Dallas rendered the result of Green Bay’s game meaningless; a matchup with the Eagles would have been confirmed regardless of whether the Packers won or lost.
But they must now gear up for an extremely tough road trip to Philadelphia on the back of two losses to end the regular season, and the vibes around the team are not great entering the postseason.
The Packers are a hugely talented team with excellent play callers, but at this point they have not shown the ability to get out of their own way, and frankly it would be a massive surprise if they were able to suddenly flip a switch at this point and change their identity.
For a team that seemed to have everything out in front of them a few short weeks ago, Green Bay’s season is at serious risk of ending under a dark cloud of negativity unless they can pull off an upset on the road next week.
Mixed injury news
Jordan Love and Christian Watson left Sunday with elbow and knee injuries respectively, contributing to the disastrous feeling about how the game played out. LaFleur delivered mixed updates after the game.
Watson’s non-contact knee injury did not look good in the moment, and Green Bay’s head coach admitted he is “not super confident” he will receive positive news on the receiver, who left the field on a cart with his head in his hands.
Confirmation that Watson suffered a serious injury feels inevitable, and that would knock him out of not only the playoffs, but also likely most of next season, which is a contract year for the former second-round pick.
The Packers appear to have dodged a bullet on Love, however, who hit his elbow off another player’s helmet and lost feeling in his throwing hand. LaFleur indicated Love should be fine for next week and could even have gone back in Sunday’s game against Chicago if necessary.
Watson’s absence changes the dynamics of Green Bay’s offense significantly, but losing Love would have made winning next week’s game nearly impossible.
LaFleur’s clock management snafu
For all the wounds the Packers inflicted upon themselves against the Bears, they were still in position to close out a victory after their defense forced and recovered a fumble to give the ball back to Malik Willis and the offense on the verge of field goal range.
What happened from there was unfathomable. Chicago only had one timeout, so the Packers could have essentially drained the rest of the clock before attempting a field goal to win it.
Instead, they rushed to get plays off, leaving plenty of time on the play clock each time, and after losing yards on a 3rd and 2 run, LaFleur called a timeout, leaving far too much time for the Bears on their ensuing drive, as well as allowing them to save their final timeout.
Rather than Brandon McManus attempting to win the game with time expiring, he had to squeak through a 55-yarder, just for the Bears to then have almost a minute and a timeout to march down the field and kick a game-winning kick of their own.
It was some of the worst clock management you will ever see in an NFL game, and although LaFleur took full responsibility after the game, it is a situation that simply cannot happen ever.
Green Bay’s head coach finally won his first challenge of the year in week 18, but his situational decision making and clock management has been a real issue this season, and needs to be corrected before it costs the Packers a more meaningful game.
Packers passing game struggles
Even before Willis replaced Love at quarterback, the Packers passing attack barely got off the ground on Sunday, continuing a concerning theme from recent games.
Since the Seahawks game (and since Love leaned fully into the ‘Toyotathon’ conspiracy theory, announcing a partnership with the car manufacturer), Love has thrown just two touchdowns, has only completed 60% of his passes and has passer ratings of 88.7, 91.7 and 74.7.
LaFleur admitted after Sunday’s loss that the passing “hasn’t been good”, and Watson’s injury will only make things more difficult, as teams will not respect Green Bay’s ability to throw the ball deep quite as much.
Love expressed confidence that they can get back on track, and has been steadfast that the players simply need to execute better. With ‘win or go home’ games starting next week, It is now or never.
Special teams blunder sets the tone
On a snap-to-snap basis, the Packers were the better team on Sunday, and they would probably have come out on top if they did not spot the Bears 14 points at the start of the game with two huge gaffes.
Jayden Reed’s fumble was problematic, but Rich Bisaccia’s special teams unit allowing a bizarre punt return touchdown after being fooled by Chicago, who pretended to field the punt on the opposite side of the field, set the tone for Sunday’s chaotic game.
Green Bay’s special teams has improved on the whole this season, although the bar was set incredibly low. A mistake like this though, right before the playoffs, will shake the confidence of Packers fans who watched their team be burned by untimely special teams errors in previous playoff losses.
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Mark Oldacres is a sports writer from Birmingham, England and a Green Bay Packers fan. You can follow him on twitter at @MarkOldacres
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Comments (81)
the_gavia_pass
January 06, 2025 at 10:19 am
MARK MURPHY IS SOFT.
that is the reality that is widely known in the nfl circles.
the 2010 SB was on the harlan tree.
but when murphy got all his men the team got soft, undisciplined.
Dave Hanner
January 06, 2025 at 12:35 pm
Despite all the winning over his tenure he is soft huh?
Packerpasty
January 06, 2025 at 03:59 pm
yup
LLCHESTY
January 06, 2025 at 06:02 pm
I'm sure you're "in the know" in NFL circles. 🙄
TKWorldWide
January 06, 2025 at 10:29 am
The confidence level of the fans heading into the playoffs is compleatly immaterial.
The Pack might rebound next week, or they might not.
That’s why we watch the games.
G
P
G
!
MainePackFan
January 06, 2025 at 03:24 pm
TK, after reading through the game balls/lame calls thread, I am convinced this team doesn't belong in the playoffs, the Eagles are going to be beat us by 3TD's and Matt Lafleur shouldn't coach a high school JV team, let alone an NFL team.
Fortunately I came across your post and thought, well there's a novel idea, maybe we should wait and see what happens. Perhaps even look forward with hope and anticipation rather than wallow in the misery of being in the playoffs....AGAIN!! : )
Go Pack Go!!!!!
TKWorldWide
January 06, 2025 at 03:51 pm
Yes!
Just when we think we “know” what’s going to happen…
T7Steve
January 06, 2025 at 10:34 am
"and needs to be corrected before it costs the Packers a more meaningful game." I think the Bears and their fans believe it was meaningful. Whole coaching regimes futures depend on these games for the Bears. We let the Bear fans end the season with a good taste in their mouths. "More meaningful game". All games in this division are meaningful.
coolhand
January 06, 2025 at 10:44 am
Just like we let Detroit knock us out in 2022 and gave them momentum, we now have also gifted the Bears.
When will this team learn?
coolhand
January 06, 2025 at 10:43 am
So, we lose Alexander, Walker, Williams, and now Watson all to non-contact injuries. Talk about bad luck. The offense has no rhythm, pass plays take too long to develop. And even short passes are thrown at receivers' feet. I see very few quick outs, slants, crossers, nothing. Our receivers mainly run straight down the field and don't even try to get open. The defense plays well to start the game but then fades as the opponent figures them out and we have no answer.
The situational calls by our coaches are maddening.
The ST had an unusually bad game as our coverage units have been solid all year. That is all mental preparation and most of the team seemed not to be ready mentally for this game.
I put that on the coaches and team leaders.
Houndog
January 06, 2025 at 12:18 pm
You nailed it, coolhand,
This team and coaching staff is a mirror image of the the "Can't get up for the Big Games" Mike McCarthy era!
stockholder
January 06, 2025 at 10:46 am
Bad vibes or just whining.
So I'll throw in the bad snap to the punter too.
The chemistry has a major flaw.
It's injuries.
This team must now be pushed!
The injured must be replaced.
Opportunity knocks.
Now is not the time to condemn Anyone.
The packers are more than question marks.
Their a playoff Team.
And it's time to play like one.
Packerpasty
January 06, 2025 at 11:21 am
Detroit has major injuries, how'd that affect them last night???
stockholder
January 06, 2025 at 11:45 am
Gibbs. Is everything to them.
Gute gave them Branch.
Z. Smith became a follower again.
And they drafted a ILB
who played ILB.
The troubled game changing WR.
has his head on straight .
Goff has all his weapons on the same page.
Coldworld
January 06, 2025 at 12:10 pm
Goff has a great OL. The team doesn’t let up. It also plays consistently and in a usually disciplined manner. They still have a lot of talent on O and they went for the Vikings and played tight coverage behind blitzes. Lo and behold, Darnold isn’t as changed as some thought, his circumstances are.
The same is true of Goff, but he’s better protected. They achieved far more than we did with arguable no more talent on their DL and they kept Goff clean far, far better than we kept Love clean last week. Better in the trenches than we are and better than the Vikings, who were better than us.
Learn these lessons Packers. They are clearly displayed. If we want to compete that’s the standard we need to shoot to exceed. The divisional games this week couldn’t have been clearer messages as to what we need to do and why.
stockholder
January 06, 2025 at 02:10 pm
Whose fault is that - Gute!
Humphries was better than Myers.
They won't move Tom.
And Jenkins couldn't play RT.
Got hurt playing LT.
And they draft a tackle to replace a All-pro G.
Face it- Gute is a F**K up
And his guys always will get hurt when
they play elsewhere.
Morgan is done at LT.
Best to move Jenkins to center now.
Spend the money on a DT.
And draft depth at LB.and CB.
Which if Gute knew what he was doing.
He would have drafted a CB last year.
Fact- Never trade within your division.
And take the guy the enemy needs most.
Todd
January 06, 2025 at 03:26 pm
I’m curious as to whom you would like to replace Gute as GM?
stockholder
January 06, 2025 at 04:49 pm
Alex Halaby eagles. But he'll
be gone by the time they fire Gute.
Todd
January 06, 2025 at 09:06 pm
Ok, you probably never heard of him before and came up with that because it’s in the national media that he’s interviewing with the Jets. But it’s okay. We now know who you want to replace Gutenkust.
Mister Chievous
January 06, 2025 at 06:03 pm
yeah, that gibbs is something
LLCHESTY
January 06, 2025 at 06:04 pm
Geez, show us on the doll where English hurt you. You sure do like to butcher it.
EricTorkelson
January 06, 2025 at 03:11 pm
Stock ( Its Injuries ) Did you see the Lions play with Injuries last night ??
stockholder
January 06, 2025 at 05:09 pm
Yes-
Leatherhead
January 06, 2025 at 10:48 am
Laughing my ass off.
A bunch of people here were in favor of mailing it in to give people rest. They wanted to see Rochelle and Monk on the field. It never occurred to them what losing at home to the Bears in the season finale actually meant. It means we're 1-5 in the division.
The punt return. If only there was some way of preventing people from returning punts for a long TD. I mean, the rules clearly specifiy that we have to give them a chance to return.....we can't just punt it out of bounds or something. So I guess we'll have to keep searching for fire-breathing special teams coaches and special teams demons.
We gave up 338 points this year. Last year, we gave up 350, so we fired the DC and brought a bunch of new talent in here and managed to improve by about 1 point/game. I know that not all of these points were scored on the defense, but we didn't bring that little detail up when we were attacking the previous DC, so I guess we won't bring it up now, either.
Offensively, we improved from 383 to 460, despite having what Coldword describes as an ineffective HC, and 3/5 of a line. Chesty thinks we should credit that to the short fields created by defensive takeaways; I think Jacobs and Kraft and the offensive line deserve most of the credit.
Watson....I am openly wondering now if the Packers have been trying SO HARD to get Wicks involved because they don't think they can depend on Watson. In any event, it looks like Wicks is going to be a starter for us in the playoffs. I'm actually wondering if Watson will ever be a contributor to us again. Next year is his contract year and I don't know how long it'll take to recover. Truly, the WR room could use a guy.
I came tantalizingly close to a long weekend in Malibu. If the Cowboys had hung on (and they almost did), and the Packers hung on (and they almost did), I was going to go watch the playoff game in LA. But within about a minute of each other, Washington and the Bears got comeback wins and my trip to Malibu evaporated. I'm not going to freeze my ass of in Philly.
So, we finished the regular season 11-5 and made the playoffs. It's extremely unlikely that we're going to win three straight road playoff games, but it's almost 50/50 that we can win next weekend. That's all that matters now. Not the regular season, not the playoffs after this weekend. Only Philadelphia.
In any event, it's been a pretty good season despite the incessant negativity of the Haters. We'll make changes in the offseason and we'll either get better or worse. We got lucky with a thin line this year, and we should bolster that. And I'm expecting a remodel of the CB room. Most of our key players on both side of the ball will return next year.
We have quite a few DL under contract for next year....Gary, Clark, VanNess, Enagbare, Brooks, Wooden, Wyatt. It's possible we'll spend a premium pick to replace Slaton, but it's also possible we'll resign him to a modest deal, or we'll replace him with a Day 3 pick.
stockholder
January 06, 2025 at 11:19 am
I'm not laughing.
There is a place for Watson on this team.
And after MVS got 10 mil from KC.
Watson is a bargain.
I'm sure Wicks got more time,
because there is No #1 WR.
(*The 1000 yard milestone* )
It's obvious these WR are fragile
and only Watson has stretched the field.
IMO -If a game changer drops. Take the WR.
Leatherhead
January 06, 2025 at 12:15 pm
You should laugh more. Start with a small chortle and work your way up to a guffaw.
stockholder
January 06, 2025 at 12:20 pm
With Watson done now.
The bad vibe is Gute,
Not the eagles.
The draft always tell how good a GM is.
jannesbjornson
January 06, 2025 at 01:24 pm
Who would you like to see in the Starting Lineup, McLaurin, or Sternberger ? I rest my case.
stockholder
January 06, 2025 at 01:52 pm
Neither, we had sternberger.
Gute brought him in.
The beginning of the 3rd rd. curse.
.
jannesbjornson
January 06, 2025 at 10:51 pm
Pay attention. He had a chance to pull in the most dynamic receiver in the Big Ten with 4.2 speed and he selected a WR conversion project who played one year as a receiving TE in college. Musgrave was solid as a junior, but was totaled out as a senior and played in a few games at the end of the season ,clearly not showing the dynamic he displayed as a junior. He made an amazing return to reality and bagged the best TE from that class in Tucker Kraft, or a scout got his Ear? This is the name of the game. Hit on the selection. Yes, Morgan is a LT. Move Walker to RT. If he wanted a guard, take Barton and play smash mouth. Still living in a finesse fantasy from old man Shanahan's wide-zone, but the Blocking Rules have changed dramatically from the hi/lo and cut-blocks. There are no Aliens, only memories, just like third round curses. McLaurin is tearing it up for the Commandos and supporting his rookie QB at a very high level.
Leatherhead
January 06, 2025 at 02:11 pm
Isn't McLaurin a WR, and wasn't Sternberger a TE?
jannesbjornson
January 06, 2025 at 11:01 pm
Absolutely true. Just look at the 1974 Steeler's draft. Four HOF players and a Super bowl dynasty was born. Detroit played backups in their front four, but they ran a dynamic stunting scheme with their hair on fire. Anzalone was there for the taking as a free agent. Jack Campbell was in full view for Iowa. He took the hockey player. The "we like our guys" bullshit only goes so far. Clark and Gary are on cruise control.
Mister Chievous
January 06, 2025 at 06:16 pm
by reading your comments
Coldworld
January 06, 2025 at 12:23 pm
Had we done that your apologism might have done merit. Risible coming from someone who was win at all costs. In fact we played our starters and they were bad, we were bad in terms of execution, game plan, discipline … you name it on O. The only exceptions were the RBs, Kraft and maybe I should include Rhyan, though the OL faced a very weak test.
We went in expressly to show we could play disciplined, tactically astute football and we produced a masterclass in shooting ourselves in the foot, lost a key player and, if one game can dent morale, did so. Our pass rush was handled by one of the worst OLs in football as well.
Yet here you are trotting out sunshine when your hero just got completely humiliated by the interim Bears HC for the second time. The Bears are really bad. They have no running game. We still lost.
You are the one still sitting in the Titanic bar as water rushes down the stairs swearing its “unsinkable, get me another one Barman … Baaarman, I know the Captain and designers, their jolly good chaps … Baaaaaaaman! He he .., Glug, glug, glug. “
Leatherhead
January 06, 2025 at 12:41 pm
"""We went in expressly to show we could play disciplined, tactically astute football"""
See, you say things like that and I have absolutely no idea how you know what the Packers were expressly trying to show . You know what I think? I think you just make that stuff up inside your head. I think the Packers went out there expressly to try to win a game and have a shot at the 6 seed. It wasn't about sending a message or anything like that, but your apocalyptic mindset has to contrive one, so that you can continue your narrative about how LaFleur is no good, Steno is no good, Butkus is no good, our line is only 3/5 of a line.
I wanted to win. We didn't win. Big picture, doesn't matter because Washington won and hung onto the #6 seed. We were in the playoffs, as the #7 seed, regardless of the outcome of this game.
Next week, we're going into Philadelphia. I would LOVE for you to set the goal posts here so I'll know what to expect. Is a win enough, or does it have to meet certain criteria beyond that? Would a close, hard fought loss count for anything with you?
And if the Packers prevail, will that be because of LaFleur, or despite him?
I think the Packers have a chance to win against Philly, although they're certainly an underdog. I'm guessing by your Titanic reference you think we've already hit the iceberg and are sinking, 6 days before kickoff. But again, that's one of the ways that you and I see things differently.
Coldworld
January 07, 2025 at 08:47 am
Any team can win any game. The Eagles could implode just as we did last week. It’s not likely, but it’s happened. I’m more speaking to the long term outlook with LaFleur based upon what he’s delivered since 2019 and how. There’s nothing there to hang a hat on beyond what the rosters gave us and a number of self inflicted reasons why maybe slightly less than that when it counts.
LeotisHarris
January 06, 2025 at 03:41 pm
It's great that the use of "risible" on on CHTV is beginning to mirror that of "aforementioned" and "plethora" back in the olden days. A hearty pat on the back to Packers0808 for his leadership in keeping a solid word in use.
jannesbjornson
January 06, 2025 at 11:28 pm
Well, it is from the langue francaise, as is LaFleur...
Bitternotsour
January 06, 2025 at 12:32 pm
i was in favor of starting malik, resting Jacobs, and treating it like a bye week. i'm not overreacting. i think LaFleur's half-assed rest/not rest approach symbolizes his general approach to football. he's of two minds, aggressive and cautious. schizophrenic. his clock management, jesus.
that said, we continue to be in complete agreement regarding kicking. Either don't kick at all, or, kick it out of bounds. it's crazy to risk the health of the team on special teams. crazy.
Mister Chievous
January 06, 2025 at 06:14 pm
wow. those team saving day 3 picks again. lol
11-6
70/30
SwedeBayPacker
January 06, 2025 at 10:50 am
"The Packers are a hugely talented team with excellent play callers"
Thanks, I needed a good laugh after that atrocious loss.
Packerpasty
January 06, 2025 at 11:22 am
yes that is hilarious!!! Excellent play callers part the best..
Coldworld
January 06, 2025 at 12:24 pm
Not just the one game. 7 plus out of 17.
coolhand
January 06, 2025 at 11:31 am
Yea, that 4th and 3 call was great, along with the 3rd and 2 call at the end of the game
Leatherhead
January 06, 2025 at 12:27 pm
Forgive me for asking, but how did the Packers score all those points this year without talent or play calling? Just luck? Did we score all those points DESPITE the coach and the players?
I'm serious. If LaFleur needs to be fired, and we only have 3/5 of a line, and Stenovich and Butkus need to be fired, then how has the team been so successful this year? We're 10-1 outside the division.....does the rest of the league just suck?
Coldworld
January 06, 2025 at 12:35 pm
If you can’t see the difference In our OL and that of the Vikings and the difference between theirs and Detroit’s after the last two weeks (not that it shouldn’t have been clear before) then you never will.
As to a coach who is effective? If yesterday and the 6 divisional games alone haven’t illuminated the issues for you then, then previous little will. The Emperor couldn’t be more naked but here you are trying to burnish his clothes. Be careful what you rub.
Leatherhead
January 06, 2025 at 12:49 pm
So, we're not as good as the two best teams in the league, so that equals a crappy line? All those points and all those yards were done with a crappy line?
Only one team in the league can have the best Oline in the league. Everybody else has to figure out how to win with the 2nd best, or 4th best, or 8th best line. The Packers offensive line has been plenty good enough for us to win with this year. Our losses have largely been because of mistakes elsewhere.
coolhand
January 06, 2025 at 01:35 pm
Like the 3rd and 2 call at the end of the game. A run up the middle and 2 bears were in the backfield before the handoff. If you can't make a block in that situation you are not that good.
Mister Chievous
January 06, 2025 at 06:24 pm
yes, be careful what you rub or you may get more "apologism"
Zekerg
January 06, 2025 at 10:56 am
"Excellent play callers" , except on 4th and short.
ricky
January 06, 2025 at 11:00 am
The vibes out of Green Bay are giving me a feeling of deja vu. A coach who practiced an offense based on movement and "the illusion of complexity" has slowly morphed into someone who seems to be showing signs of an "illusion of competence". Saying players should "just play better" is all too reminiscent of the last few years of the McCarthy era. Other teams have had six years to figure out the Packers, analyze their strengths and weaknesses, and exploit them. The team seems stuck on doing things a certain way, and if it doesn't work, you keep doing it, expecting different results.
There are two other obvious problems. ST's continue to be a major problem. This is nothing new, but has been a constant for years. Add in the team consistently making crucial errors, and this is really maddening. The clock management was bad, but the "horse collar" tackle on Williams by Cooper gave them an extra fifteen yards. Making the FG at the end much easier.
Solutions? Time for every team member and coach to take a long, hard look at what is happening. Is it time to get rid of Bisaccia? Maybe go to the college ranks for a new coach, because the team is so young, someone used to working with younger players. This might work, since the team remains the youngest in the league. Should Stenavich remain the OC? An outstanding OL coach, but is he the best man for the job? Should the Packers let Love run if he feels pressure, sliding or getting out of bounds before being hit?
There is lots of potential on this team. But unrealized potential is useless. This was a team on the rise; now, it seems, they are just pretenders.
Mister Chievous
January 06, 2025 at 06:27 pm
the way Williams earned that horse collar penalty would have made any euro futboller proud
harleycops
January 06, 2025 at 11:07 am
Well, let's look on the bright side. Because of the ineptitude of the coaches making bogus calls and a special teams that can't figure out who is catching the ball plus committing penalties on the first kickoff to put us in the hole, we won't have to worry about teams lining up to fleece our coaching staff with post-season interviews and hirings. Unless someone is let go, we'll have every coach back to either continue this ineptitude or finally bring some improvement to a team who lost yesterday and who finished just one place up from the da'Bears who still suck.
Packerpasty
January 06, 2025 at 11:25 am
Ha hahaha...good one!!! There aint one team wants any of these dudes, thats for sure...I seriously doubt MLF would get a look at HC somewhere, maybe as an OC but his coaching has not shown growth, innovation or anything else the last couple of years....flatlined....and he hasn't helped Love grow at all...
HawkPacker
January 06, 2025 at 11:59 am
I am so disappointed.
I hate to say it but maybe we aren't as good as all of thought we were.
Coldworld
January 06, 2025 at 12:29 pm
We really have not been all year, and I think many kind of knew it and were just holding out hope that it would all come together on field and in game planning and tactics. In fact, it really never did against teams that were any good and at least one that very definitely isn’t. In the end, what transpires is more persuasive than what one desires.
porupack
January 06, 2025 at 12:05 pm
Matt the mat. NFL should know by now, Matts don't make good HCs.
TacoTuesday
January 06, 2025 at 12:14 pm
Hire Lou Anarumo right now! Look what he did with just a half of a defensive team.
Do not pass GO do not collect $200. JUST DO IT!
porupack
January 06, 2025 at 12:20 pm
May as well play with reckless abandon next week. Leave McManus on the bench. Bombs away on 4th and whatever. Who cares? Make it entertaining. Laterals on KO returns. 5 wide receivers. Surprise the eagles with something. Hell, backyard football is more entertaining than that cheesedip game. Can anyone make a fan's costume of cheese dip offense and cornchips defense?
JDH1313
January 06, 2025 at 12:23 pm
54 seconds and a 3rd & 11 so what does Hafley do? Prevent defense! Guess what it prevented, Winning! Hafley needs to grow a set and start BLITZING! I would rather see them die trying than sitting in a prevent zone defense to get walked on! 3rd & 11 should have been all out blitz PERIOD! Then after you sack the QB Do It AGAIN! If by chance they do get a 1st down oh well died trying!
Houndog
January 06, 2025 at 12:43 pm
Mark,
"The Packers are a hugely talented team with excellent play callers".
Oh really, where the hell are these people you speak of?
Maybe you're thinking ahead to when, in another 2-3 years MLF might grow some balls, and our last 2-3 first round picks develop into really good but not great second stringers, and they all get BIG contract extensions for playing part-time! Its called "The Gutekunst Way",
Add that to the fact that the Packers have (except for maybe the Bears) the worst coordinators in the NFC North, and you get what we see on a weekly basis, a second string, halfhearted performance!
I keep hoping that Murphy's replacement shows up with a set of balls and a truckload of 'House-cleaning' supplies, it's time to right the ship!
If the Lion's water-boy is available, call him!
vin0770
January 06, 2025 at 01:46 pm
Isn’t the new guy a finance guy…not a football guy?
Coldworld
January 06, 2025 at 05:34 pm
He’s a sports lawyer. Hopefully he knows he’s not a GM and, like Harlen, knows it and doesn’t need the ego boost of self appointment and does have the confidence and humility to maintain oversight without day to day involvement and to hold those accountable and make sure the lines of accountability are clear. We will see.
Bitternotsour
January 06, 2025 at 05:49 pm
how many people do you know who give up power? it doesn't happen. hey, I've ascended to the top of the pyramid, I think I'll yield all the perks that my genius has brought me...
Houndog
January 07, 2025 at 08:31 am
Bitter,
He doesn't need to give up any power, he just needs to use that power in the manner it was intended.
The Green Bay Packers are "A Football Corporation".
Football, and the quality of it, should be his first and foremost interest and responsibility in moving forward, not amusement parks and/or condos!
Coldworld
January 07, 2025 at 08:42 am
The wise ones cede power to increase the chances of success. Knowing the limits of personal capability is critical to ensuring the desired outcome. Confident leaders know that and that the best chances of success come with delegating to the best possible people while also, as Machiavelli would implore, distancing oneself from direct, visible culpability.
Houndog
January 07, 2025 at 07:33 am
vin0770,
Oh, fucking great!
We'll get two new parking lots, another mall, and a Whiz-Burger franchise!
coolhand
January 06, 2025 at 01:33 pm
That picture of Watson on the cart is how I looked when I saw the 3 man prevent defense on that last play. Brought back memories of the 4th and 26 and Ed Donatell.
Gman1976
January 06, 2025 at 06:50 pm
My reaction when I saw the defense on that play: Oh No! It was a head shaker.
jannesbjornson
January 06, 2025 at 11:20 pm
Sherman over-ruled Donatell's blitz call. He pussied out and wanted the zone call, then scapegoated his DC. Donatell had McNabb on the run all night. Sherman is still the biggest fraud to ever patrol a Packer sideline. The full story was in the Sporting News.
Houndog
January 07, 2025 at 08:41 am
coolhand,
Just the mention of Ed Donatell made me throw up in my mouth a little bit.
brinx546
January 06, 2025 at 01:34 pm
If you can take a step back and take a look at the entire team you will notice. 1. Love, is a competent backup NOT A STARTER. IMHO doesn't have the bullet arm strength. continuously throws in to double and triple coverage.Doesn't have the field survey skills that is needed to be a super bowl QB. 2, Poor clock management, poor play calling, and really poor team discipline. VTL is rolling in his grave!!!!
Leonard
January 06, 2025 at 01:46 pm
Drafting has two sides. You get it right and you have to resign the player. Congratulations. Get it wrong and four years later you don't resign that bad pick, you use that money to get a proven player. And you have recovered. McKinney is a perfect example. Missed in that draft year, signed a proven player.
Green Bay's draft hopefuls and wait for the development is wasting the advantage of a fresh draft pick. If they don't become quality players until their forth year (Van Ness, we are waiting, Walker?, maybe never. Stokes...Meyers...) you have wasted the inexpensive post-draft pick years.
wayne iNWI
Coldworld
January 06, 2025 at 05:37 pm
You are never going to resign everyone. Not in this league. You hope to be able to produce enough that force you to pay them through play. Right now, it looks like Zach Tom is the leader in that club house.
EricTorkelson
January 06, 2025 at 03:41 pm
Good debates here going on with Leather, Coldworld ... I have said that as packer fans we were underestimating the ability of bears rookie C Williams, yes he has trouble with patience, progressions, coverages hes young but he is also very athletic, Strong armed, and mostly an accurate passer witch puts him a notch above our QB Love. Someone posted Williams/Loves statistics of there first meeting in Chicago but forgot to mention C Williams 71 yards rushing that game. Lets not forget CW is playing behind a horrible OL worst i have seen in the NFL this year. Is our QB dominance over the bears done? not sure, but its going to be competitive from here on out... With eyes wide open... GPG
Packerpasty
January 06, 2025 at 03:58 pm
Just watch what happens when Williams gets a good HC and OC...the Bears will be a handful next season...
Houndog
January 07, 2025 at 09:22 am
Which witch?
egbertsouse
January 06, 2025 at 05:56 pm
I tired of hearing about all the talent on this team. This team has B- talent, good enough to beat up on most of the wimp C and D teams but not enough to stand up to the A and B+ bullies. Gute always gets a pass for assembling this barely above average team filled with 1st and 2nd rounders who underachieve or spend the season in the training room. Time for Ed Policy to upgrade at GM , if they really want a championship. If they just want to barely make the playoffs and build theme parks and condos , then stay the course.
Gman1976
January 06, 2025 at 06:52 pm
It's the coaching that had cost us wins - not Gute.
Houndog
January 07, 2025 at 08:00 am
Sorry Gman, I disagree!
Gutey's record, First round,
Alexander, Gary, Love, Stokes, Walker, Van Ness, Morgan.
Pick the superstar! Or, how about this,
maybe just pick one that consistently plays like a first rounder and can stay on the field.
**Edit**
Or, name just one that actually EARNED their big, high dollar, extension!
EricTorkelson
January 07, 2025 at 03:29 pm
Houndoggy : I don't think its Guteys fault that there are so many false starts, lining up in the neutral zone, illegal formations, critical holding penalties ? Lets not forget clock management, and throwing red flags until recently at the most obvious correct calls and wasting time outs religiously. Even MLF has said many times at his pressers that's on me that one is on me. I'm not saying the Packers dump MLF but he needs to get this team running a disciplined, clean, smart game. And that's on Matt !!