Packers Stock Report: Week 17
Packers stock report from a week 17 win over the Chicago Bears.
The stage is set for the Green Bay Packers to host an NFC Championship game at Lambeau Field. The Packers clinched the top seed in the conference with a convincing 35-16 win over arch-rival the Chicago Bears. Six games are going to be played during the upcoming wild-card round this weekend, but Green Bay will have the opportunity to rest while watching to see who their next opponent will be. After four attempts, all on the road, Aaron Rodgers has long awaited to have an NFC Championship game played on his own turf. All Green Bay needs to do is win one more game, and he gets his wish.
Thanks to an Arizona Cardinals loss, Chicago slipped into the postseason as a wild card. The Bears hung in the week 17 matchup into the fourth quarter before the Packers widened their lead. For the second year in a row, Green Bay finished with a 13-3 record.
Here is the final Packers stock report of the regular season:
Buy
Aaron Rodgers
For his final act for MVP, Rodgers threw four touchdowns and completed nearly 80 percent of his passes against Chicago. Rodgers lucked out on a few occasions after some possible interceptions were dropped by Bears defenders. He’s thrown only five all year but could have had multiple on Sunday. Despite a few missed throws, Rodgers highly-efficient. He connected with Marquez Valdes-Scantling for a 72-yard touchdown during the second quarter. Rodgers would also break the record he previously set for touchdown passes in a single season. Rodgers finished 2020 with 51 total touchdowns and has the best case for league MVP.
Rick Wagner
With David Bakhtiari out for the rest of the season with a torn ACL, Billy Turner filled in at left tackle. That left Wagner to start at right tackle against a strong Chicago pass rush. Wagner has only started nine games this season, but he’s played well when needed. Against the Bears, he had arguably his best performance on the season, locking down the right side of the line. The Packers are now relying on Wagner to continue his steady play as they head into the playoffs.
Adrian Amos
Amos seems to always have a good performance against his former team. That was the case again on Sunday as he finished the game with nine total tackles, one pass defense, and a pivotal interception off Chicago quarterback Mitch Trusbisky. Green Bay has experienced huge contributions from their safeties in the last half of the season, and Amos is a direct reason for that. After a slow start to the year, Amos has emerged as a consistent difference-maker on defense.
Sell
Tavon Austin
Austin has been used sparingly since joining the Packers in late November. While he is intended to replace gadget player Tyler Ervin, Austin is still trying to get acclimated to the offense. In Austin’s case, learning a new offense is understandable, but costly mistakes on special teams shouldn’t happen. Some of Austin’s best plays have come as a punt returner, which is a large reason why Green Bay was attracted to him. However, Austin fumbled a punt to set up a short field for the Bears on Sunday. The Packers can’t afford to have any more turnovers on special teams for the rest of the season.
Kevin King
In every game he plays, King is trying out for his second contract. Regardless of it being for Green Bay or another potential suitor via free agency, every snap is vital for King’s future. Unfortunately, the fourth-year corner had a rough ending to 2020 against Chicago. He allowed almost double-digit receptions and multiple went for first downs. King has also put out some bad tape when it comes to tackling. He also dropped an interception that fell right into his lap and could have prevented a field goal just before halftime. He finished the year with no interceptions after leading the team with five in 2019.
Brandon Carwile is a Packers writer who also enjoys watching and breaking down film. Follow him on Twitter @PackerScribe.
Comments (41)
mnbadger
January 06, 2021 at 12:10 pm
Nice summary. KKing is a tough one for me because he's so inconsistent. Great games with tackling, coverage and PBU's followed by stinkers like the one vs the cubs. I buy at a team friendly price only. Maybe one or two years. Inconsistent performance and availability don't warrant a massive deal. I hope he stays with us, but understand if either party walks away. GPG
ShooterMcGee
January 06, 2021 at 12:27 pm
I find myself holding my breath during all kick and punt returns, regardless of which team is receiving. Malik Taylor looks uncomfortable as a returner. Instead of replacing him with Jamal Williams why not put Aaron Jones back there. He is much more dynamic which would cause the opposition to kick it into the endzone. All I want is the ball at the 25 with no turnovers. Regarding our punt returns I suggest putting 3 guys back, 2 short and 1 long. Just fair catch it every time and never let it hit the ground outside our 10 yard line. Put sure handed guys back there, even Davante. Just don't turn it over!
As for our coverage units it's time to put some better tacklers out there. Alexander and Amos come to mind. Special teams are our Achilles heel and I don't want to see them cost us a game. We have been lucky so far but now the competition becomes much closer.
Swisch
January 06, 2021 at 08:13 pm
I think you're onto something, Shooter, even if the Packers don't play it as conservatively as you propose.
There may be situations in which we just want the special teams to not make a mistake.
Another thing to consider is punting the ball out of bounds at times, especially in dangerous situations late in games.
If Crosby isn't able to kick it out of the end zone, perhaps some squibs or pop-ups for kicks to about the 10-yard-line.
Let's hope our special teams guys have a renewed sense of purpose and energy and focus for the playoffs.
I'd like to see our special teams get an identity that pulls these players together and gives them a heightened sense of importance.
Perhaps the Packers could even have an award for special teams player of the week.
Coldworld
January 07, 2021 at 08:45 am
Just can’t get on the bandwagon that our special teams talent is worse than the league average. Look around at other teams. Plus, talent is not required to maintain a lane. Multiple lanes have been vacated at times. In part at least, it has to be coaching to be so much worse than the league average.
As to returner, Ervin wasn’t particularly impressive this year either, after looking good the year before. Shepherd and now Austin have fumbled. Austin doesn’t look like his former self at this point either.
Taylor does look hesitant. That said, he’s held into the ball at the catch and in carry. Perhaps he will grow into it. He has speed if he does.
Swisch
January 07, 2021 at 10:12 am
I'm glad for your thoughts, Coldworld.
Perhaps the players on special teams will take it up themselves, as much as possible, to take pride in their jobs for their own careers and the sake of each other, even if it means rising above what seems to be poor coaching.
I'm not giving up on Tavon, yet. He may be just getting his legs under him, and his hands back to the mode of maximum protection.
My sense of things is he still has the jets and the moves to a great extent, and I'm guessing he's motivated to have new life on a top team heading into the playoffs.
We'll see, but I'm not getting too shaken up about the fumble, in any case.
It'll be fun to see in general who on the Packers rises to the occasion in what we hope will be three games of winning football.
Minniman
January 06, 2021 at 09:57 pm
While I am solidarity with you in holding my breath every time an opponent punts or kicks off this year I don't agree with putting more than 1 returner back there (for the following reasons):
1) That's what they are paid to do - catch and secure the ball (note both tasks)
2) On anything less that 4th and 5, with 2 extra personnel at the line, you'd be double-daring the opponent to fake the punt and either throw it or sneak
splitpea1
January 06, 2021 at 02:11 pm
"The stage is set...." One game at a time, please!
Amos: Been a buy for a long time, and should stay that way.
King: A tougher decision, but I'm inclined to let him go.
Austin: Give him one more chance. If it happens another more time, put Taylor back there for the duration. Like another fan said, he may not do much, but at least he holds on to the ball. Most of the special teams is are a sell; I doubt they're going to get any better at this point if they haven't done so already. We just have to hope the defense can hold them like they did last time and the offense can overcome any mistakes.
Finally, we'll do a little value investing with Dillon and Lazard: their blocking, receiving, and running are going to be needed in the playoffs.
Coldworld
January 07, 2021 at 08:48 am
Taylor is not really an obvious punt return type. He’s more suited to kicks and he’s yet to look like he is settled in that role. Honestly I’d bring Shepherd back before moving Taylor to punts.
Lphill
January 06, 2021 at 12:48 pm
If King does not return the Packers have to take a corner in the first round whose capable of playing right away to compliment Alexander. another interesting story is j J Watt wanting out of Texas and his number 1 destination is Green Bay .
Guam
January 06, 2021 at 01:40 pm
Agreed LPH that CB will be a top priority in the draft if they don't retain King. Sullivan is good, but more of a slot CB than a boundary CB and Josh Jackson is not looking like a viable replacement for King. The issue with King will be cost. It only takes on other team with more money than sense to overpay King, injuries and all.
I have not heard the story about JJ. He would be a great addition, but he would have to play for the veteran minimum since the Pack can't afford their own free agents in 2021 much less somebody else's players. Not likely to happen which is too bad. Love to have a great Wisconsin guy on the Packers.
Lphill
January 06, 2021 at 05:48 pm
J J himself posted on twitter and said Green Bay is his number 1 destination , I will look for his posting .
fastmoving
January 07, 2021 at 05:09 am
must be nice in the other universe. yeah check twitter since your coward hero is baned, you can check JJ. bet you find out a lot and first, of course. our universe must be a hell of a drug. just the finest people there, I guess, like we all see time and time again.
Leatherhead
January 07, 2021 at 09:53 am
Yes, it’s wonderful when we are able to censor people we don’t like.
CoachDino
January 06, 2021 at 04:41 pm
For what its worth I've done a bit of research into the CB FA Market. King is way down on the list. There are some decent guys that might be available for something like 3 yrs 5 mil a year. I thought King and the others would have a much higher Market Value (using Sportrac).
Is Ka'dar Hollman ready? That's risky...
The draft has two studs (Farley/Sutain) with the next 4-5 having either physical deficiencies: ideal height, speed, weight, hips or technique issues:- raw/inexperienced. Most likely not an upgrade. From my limited knowledge by the end of the 2nd rd there will be very little left of the tier 2.
The Packers have real cap issues. I'm a draft geek and while there are some good players throughout the draft that can help the Packers CBs is probably the thinnest.
Is Barnes and Martin really the future? Are they that good or are we just that low in our expectations at ILB after years of issues.
Who's going to play Center? I'm not a huge patrick fan at guard or center. I'm also not sold on this years IOL draft picks becoming strong NFL Starters.
Turner? He has earned his keep through his flexibility but he's not an above average Guard or Tackle if even average. He may be a cap casualty. I really wish we knew more on Yosh Njman.
Guam
January 06, 2021 at 05:56 pm
I hope you are right that King's price is much lower than we expect; otherwise the Packers have no chance of retaining him.
I am less concerned about center. Leatherhead was the first CHTV commenter that put forward the idea of Jenkins playing center. Apparently MLF agreed because Jenkins was very good at it when Linsley went down earlier this year and might be the logical replacement. Runyon played pretty well at LG when Jenkins moved to center and the Packers will have Runyon and Stepaniak to choose from at LG (or IOL) next year.
I am more concerned about OT. Turner and Wagner are fine but unless Nijman is better than a special teams tackle, the Packers have little depth without playing musical chairs on the O-line (assuming Bahk won't be back until late next year). Given Wagner's age, I would not mind seeing the Packers draft an OT early.
Coldworld
January 06, 2021 at 08:25 pm
Jenkins is perhaps more valuable at tackle, but let’s not discount the line up last week. Plus we have our draft pick center Hansen and Patrick has played there effectively. Nijman is a wild card on top of those options. Turner and Wagner will both be back as well as Bakh at some point. At guard you have Runyon, Stepaniak and maybe Taylor on a similar deal. I don’t see this as a major priority.
Guam
January 06, 2021 at 09:49 pm
If your tackles are Jenkins, Turner and Wagner, the Packers will be fine at OT. However that leaves some serious question marks at IOL assuming Linsley is not resigned due to cap issues. You would effectively have to replace the entire starting IOL from the beginning of the year (Jenkins, Linsley, Turner). I like Runyon and Stepaniak and Hansen have potential, but the only truly experienced veteran would be Patrick. Resigning Lane Taylor would help that, but do the Packers have the cap room to do so?
I just sounds like the Packers are one piece short no matter how you re-arrange it. A draft choice fixes that problem.
Coldworld
January 07, 2021 at 09:00 am
If Taylor does what he did this year, quite possibly. I would expect a later round pick certainly, but may not be a tackle projected player.
Leatherhead
January 07, 2021 at 10:09 am
Thanks for remembering, Guam. Jenkins scouting report mentioned he’d end up as center. Also, you just don’t spend #50 on a guard unless he’s Superman, but you would on a good center, which is the second most important position on the line because he manages the protection. And the Packers were going to not resign Linsley if they could get a cheap rookie to do the job.
We’ve seen next year’s line: Bakhtiari and Wagner at tackle, Jenkins at center, Patrick and Turner at guards. I’d expect us to add a backup tackle in the offseason.
PatrickGB
January 07, 2021 at 07:54 pm
I have another idea. What if Lane Taylor becomes able to play again? He looked like an improved player before his injury. My guess is that he would not be expensive and he already knows the offense.
Coldworld
January 07, 2021 at 08:53 am
I think the ideal would be an extension even so. It just doesn’t look like the team has confidence in Jackson. Perhaps Hollman is a candidate, but we have little to no depth beyond that as Sullivan isn’t fast and doesn’t project well outside ( good instincts and short area though). The rest are all undrafted. Even an early pick is going to have growing pains and still need depth.
jannesbjornson
January 07, 2021 at 09:38 am
Two CBs, minimum from the next draft. Free agent vet would be helpful.
CoachDino
January 07, 2021 at 07:41 pm
I'm with you. One outside, one slot and one hybrid is ideal. I'm not a Chandon fan though I realize he's not bad.
I often stick up for players, coaches and GM decisions but it doesn't mean I wouldn't want better. It's just what is truly viable (affordable in contrast to total needs). Sullivan works but I'd rather see him in dime instead of Redmen. Love the DB's who cover like corners and tackle like safeties. Who doesn't.
Same goes for Runyan, Stephanski, Turner and Patrick. IMO we over value these guys due to low expectations. Runyan hasn't played well. He's played well for a rookie called into action in a time of need. Steph he's a 6th round pick that hasn't played a down, same for hansen, neither were projected to be starters in the NFL, I'm not even sure if they are the best fit for the outside zone scheme they run.. I don't want to depend on those guys. To be honest, IDK if it's better if Jenkins plays center or guard. His scouting report said he could even play tackle. There are reasons the Packers can get away with not having top line wrs and TEs (other than DA)
1) Arod
2) Scheme
3) Elite OL
4)DA
You start messing with one of the components bad things can happen. Heck, many of Leatherhead, myself and others main disconnects with posters is IMO we see it a bit more comprehensively. Sure who wouldn't want better weapons. There's better Wr and TE's that can block as well. Issue is they cost money. I don't think Tonyan is all that but he's not bad and executes his role. He's not a #1 TE IMO. Who is gonna be the Blocking TE after M Lewis? Not Tonyan or Jace. Man if Jace could get healthy he has ability to be a #1 Rec TE in this League. But in this Offense you need an Inline TE as well. Is JD that? I hope so.
If Yosh can be the future RT, Wagner the swing Tackle, have Tunyan, Step, and Patrick compete for RG and try and draft a 2-4th rd Guard or Center along with Jenkins IMO its giving you a solid line. Wagner,Turner,Jenkins, Runyan, Bach to me, depends more than I like on Arod. He's getting older not younger. Plus, I really don't know if they can afford to keep Turner. Then we have the whole CB issue. Heck, that's what makes it so fun to debate.
The offseason is the time to debate it, once the season starts it becomes doing the best with what you have and not so much what they should of done or some FA or big trade. This is what Gute gets paid the big bucks. I just wish it was more like the old days when writers saw a lot more of the practices and had solid opinions on the development guys. If we don't know how these guys project it's tough to know what my opinion should be. I get it though between limited practices, limited media viewing and the cost of having a dedicated writer on site it near impossible. Unless you have a loose lip inside connection.....
Leatherhead
January 07, 2021 at 09:58 am
You need 9 active DBs on the 21, one more on the 53, and some on the practice squad because these guys are involved in high speed collisions and they get hurt
If King leaves, we will return three starters and our nickel back, Sullivan. I assume Greene will return, and Jackson.
But that still leaves several openings.
Jealifted
January 06, 2021 at 01:10 pm
Good post, thanks!
Qoojo
January 06, 2021 at 02:04 pm
Buy Alexander. I think he gets overlooked a lot.
King seems to think that he can just knock people down with the shoulder hit. Maybe he doesn't want to risk shoulder injury by extending arms in a contract year?
Did you notice that they ran a play just for Austin after the fumble? His fumble was just poor ball protection, because the hit wasn't very hard.
pacman
January 06, 2021 at 04:55 pm
And MVS remains a HOLD. (On Wall St, there's an old saying - how do you spell 'SELL'? H-O-L-D.
Can't they put superglue on the gloves or something? It's nice to have that speed player.
croatpackfan
January 06, 2021 at 04:55 pm
Brandon, Kevin King had 10 tackles, 7 solo. That puts him 3rd on team, just behind Barnes and Savage. Better than Amos and Dline. Also, per official statistics, Kevin King had 2 PB, the most on the team. Well, he might played "not good", but he made some important impact on stopping stinky team. 2 times.
I admit that I do not understand why everybody is down on Kevin King. He missed one interception, but he was not the only player who dropped INT.
You are asking for perfection from žany players you do not like, but if you like player, you'll never put the player in the sell part, despite some of those players are responsible for opponent TDs.
Van you try to be objective?
Coldworld
January 06, 2021 at 08:27 pm
There’s a fair amount of bandwagon riding here.
Leatherhead
January 06, 2021 at 05:59 pm
King is a good starting corner and will make plenty of money, but not with us.
Leatherhead
January 06, 2021 at 06:01 pm
King is a good starting corner and will make plenty of money, but not with us.
stockholder
January 06, 2021 at 06:52 pm
I value the CB position. I believe King is a good CB. Keeping King gives us one less thing to worry about. I'm not ready to rebuild the secondary. The CB position will become a revolving door again. My hope is he wants to stay in Green Bay. The problem is the depth. Bg drafts guys that do great in underwear. We saw nothing when King sat out. King isn't a sell. He's not the weakest link. He's a player who needs to get his mind and body straight again. A healthy CB makes all the difference in the world. Just ask Tramon Williams.
Swisch
January 06, 2021 at 08:00 pm
I'm buying Tavon Austin to be a significant contributor in the playoffs, with at least one touchdown.
As it is, I think the threat of the jet sweep with Austin is necessary to keep defenses honest.
It's likely Austin has been getting acclimated to being out on the field again with the speed of the game and the impact of the hits. Now I'm looking for him to be more involved and more effective.
P.S. I'm also predicting at least two long pass catches for MVS, as part of a receiving corps that I really like all around.
Coldworld
January 06, 2021 at 08:28 pm
I hope you are right on Austin. He looks less than I expected at this point.
jannesbjornson
January 07, 2021 at 09:40 am
Minimize Austin's exposure to any ball handling situations or just cut him. Tolerance for errors will get you a big goose egg in the SB quest.
Swisch
January 07, 2021 at 04:05 pm
Appreciate your comment, jannes, even though I disagree.
Even our stars on the Packers make errors.
Though we want to have our guys at maximum focus, we can't have them afraid to make mistakes.
If the coaches put a player out there, he has to be loose enough to be at his best.
Just in case any players follow CheeseheadTV more or less:
Be yourself, but the best of yourself. Don't be afraid to make mistakes, and don't be afraid to succeed. Don't worry; do your best; enjoy the moment.
HighPlainsDrifter
January 07, 2021 at 11:02 am
Why do you continue to perpetuate the delusion that players are reading your comments? Do you really believe such nonsense, or is it some perverted ruse to augment your clichéd platitudes?
"Be yourself, but the best of yourself"?? Really? Even Tony Robbins never uttered anything that cheesy.
Swisch
January 07, 2021 at 04:02 pm
Drifter, I wouldn't be surprised if players and coaches come here to read what good fans are saying.
Also, perhaps most of life is reminding ourselves of the good and encouraging things that we already know but tend to lose sight of.
In the negativity of life, we are prone to forget the positive things, or to be shaken so much we lose our confidence in them.
By the way, I am determined to be an idealist even amidst the rottenness of this world. I treasure movies like, "It's a Wonderful Life" and "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" and "Hoosiers."
I'll say it to you, Drifter, in sincerity: "Be yourself, but the best of yourself."
HighPlainsDrifter
January 08, 2021 at 06:50 am
No one is falling for your act. Your pandering attempts to identify yourself with good fans, your goofy use of commenter's screen names to begin your posts; trust me, those devices are seen for the deceptions that they are.
Your concept of being an "idealist" is aligning yourself with the insurrectionist rabble who attacked the Capitol building. What you "treasure" is identifying as a cultist, someone who buys into the "Stop the Steal" nonsense. Traitors such as Josh Hawley and Ted Cruz are your heroes.
Leatherhead
January 07, 2021 at 10:50 am
I agree. Ride the horses that got you this far.
Ferrari-Driver
January 09, 2021 at 01:47 pm
Alexander has been playing so well, teams are targeting King. King seems to be playing off the receivers and when that is combined with a missed tackle(s) the results are bad.