Vikings 16 Packers 3 Game Balls & Lame Calls
When is a loss not a loss? I'm not sure, but this one definitely was a loss.
By Kalani Jones
Ever since the 2021 season, the NFL has expanded to eighteen weeks of regular season play. Part of the sell for that was the elimination of four weeks of preseason football, shortening that schedule to only three.
The Packers found a way to play a fourth preseason game anyway.
In a thirteen point loss, the Packers played the least amount of starters that they could mathematically get away with playing. Taking a look at their inactive list is a pretty good indication of where the Packers' mindset was in this game. QB Malik Willis, LBs Quay Walker and Edgerrin Cooper, OT Zach Tom, S Xavier McKinney, RB Josh Jacobs and WR Dontayvion Wicks. Basically a who's who of the players you need to play a serious football game. While Jordan Love was technically active, I think if they had been forced to have him see the field, we would have just seen handoffs until the end of the game.
The Vikings choose not to engage in the weirdness, and played their starters. It's a pretty simple calculus to figure out where the game went from there. While the makeshift defense actually preformed decently well against Minnesota's starters, what happened on offense could best be described as "HIndenberg-like".
Game Balls
The Rookie Showcase
The Packers used this game as an opportunity to get a look at some of their young defensive talent, and many of them used the opportunity to their full advantage.
- Barryn Sorrell led the way with a 1 sack, 1 TFL and 1 fumble recovery night. He looked great playing the most snaps out of the edge group, and there are those consistent flashes that you love to see from a developing rookie. Tonight may have made the front office feel better about a potential Rashan Gary release in March.
- Collin Oliver made his debut, and also had his moments, including a chasedown pressure of JJ McCarthy that got the defense off the field on third down. Remember that while Oliver played a full compliment of snaps tonight, his long term outlook for the team is as a designated pass rusher.
- Jamon Dumas-Johnson looked at his best while helping out in run support, but I thought he didn't look totally lost out there. He'll get a fair shake at making the roster next offseason.
- Jaylin Simpson did not have a great game, but when a UDFA is spending the night lined up against Justin Jefferson, what can you really say?
Trevon Diggs
The biggest development of the last week was the Packers claiming former All-Pro cornerback Trevon Diggs off waivers from the Dallas Cowboys. The connection between Diggs and the Packers was ideal for both sides. Diggs gets a fresh beginning with the possibility to start, and the Packers are in desperate need for bodies there.
He played about 30 snaps in this one, and had a fine game, which is about the best you could hope for in the limited time he's been with the team.
According to MLF, there's a pretty good chance that Diggs may start next week, which feels like the right call to me. A cornerback trio of Nixon-Diggs-Bullard is by no means a world beating unit, but beggars can't be choosers, right?
Daniel Whelan
Our lone, bright shining light on special team, the Irish Cannon himself. Whelan set an unfortunate record last night, of the most punting yards in a game for the 2025 season. 431 yards over eight punts for a 54 yard average. He more than made up for not having to punt at all over the last couple of games, and I hope he earned himself some all pro consideration along the way.
Having a great punter is an underrated aspect of a playoff team, and when you have one like Whelan it's a weapon. It's just a weapon that you hope to have to use as little as possible.
Lame Calls
Clayton Tune
I'm not trying to be harsh on the guy for his performance today, but Tune was bad. Like, bad.
It's a bit disappointing for a player who has been on the practice squad all season, and (one would assume) knows the offense well because of it. The rest of the offense did him no favors, but I'm afraid that Tune was basically unplayable in this game. It's unfortunate for Tune himself as well, who I'm sure was hoping to get the inside track on the QB2 job next year.
The Offensive Line
We've seen a lot of bad performances from the offensive line this season. We've even seen one or two really bad performances this season (Cleveland?). They've consistently underperformed expectations, and have contributed to the offense looking stale all year long.
That being said, this was probably the worst game from a Packers offensive line that I've ever seen. Is that too harsh? Maybe, considering the line was made up of mostly backups last night, going up against a Brian Flores led defense already known for a crushing pass rush. Even still, that's a game that will hopefully see it's game tape tossed into the garbage can, and then the garbage can lit on fire.
The Offensive Line Again
And then the ashes of the garbage can dumped into the ocean.
Three and Out
-- Today's Phrase of the Game: "Oh Well". It was a meaningless game, in a season that has consistently underperformed the expectations of Packers fans everywhere. The regular season ends with a whimper, as the Packers end up on the wrong end of what felt very similar to our own first matchup with the Vikings. An anemic offense unable to get anything going, and the game felt out of reach by the time the Vikings had ten points.
Still, there was nothing to be gained or lost yesterday but pride. The Packers were always going to have to figure out how to right the ship in the playoffs themselves.
-- In a game where objectives 1,2, and 3 were "stay healthy" the Packers certainly didn't escape unscathed. Bo Melton and Javon Bullard left the game with injuries, adding to depth issues at wide receiver and cornerback. According too Matt LaFleur in his post game press conference and Javon Bullard himself, it seems like he'll be good to go for the playoff game next week. Bo Melton's status seems a little more up in the air, and we'll have to monitor that closely over the next week.
-- The opponent is set. For only the third time in NFL history, the Bears and the Packers will meet in the playoffs. It'll be in Chicago again, and I for one have every bit of confidence in the world. We beat the Bears once already, and then Chicago needed twenty things to go wrong to beat Green Bay in overtime. The Bears enter the playoffs on a losing streak themselves, having lost to the Vikings and Lions in back to back weeks. There's no time like the present (well, Saturday night to be exact) to remind Bears fans that we've got the better team, and the better quarterback too.
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__________________________
Co-Owner of the thirteen time world champion Green Bay Packers. Sometimes I write about them. Follow me on Twitter at https://x.com/kjones_in_co and on Substack for film breakdowns!
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Comments (71)
NickPerry
January 05, 2026 at 07:07 am
I don't have a game ball other that the one for Whelan. I don't even have a lame ball because the list is too damn long and I only watched part of the game. I KNEW this was going to be bad. I knew the O-Line would be bad. Hell, the starters aren't very good and we were playing back-ups?
Something really stuck out to me though. It's been a feeling that's been getting stronger with each passing week this season. That feeling is the "Depth" on this Packers team just isn't that good. It was always there, even before the Parsons injury. Micah's injury just made it that much more glaring.
That's a direct reflection of Gute IMO but I also know the coaching staff is to blame as well. I don't know what's going to happen in the coming weeks but I have a feeling the Packers season will be coming to an end in two weeks at the most.
Someone said they heard that Policy said he was "Okay" with the Packers 9-7-1 record. If that is really the case then I'm afraid we hired the WRONG President. I really hope that's not the case. I'm an old guy, I may not be around for the next hiring cycle! But we HAVE to expect better!
Guam
January 05, 2026 at 08:29 am
Like you, I was dismayed by Policy's "okay" to a 9-7-1 record. If the Packers finish the season on an 0-5 run and Policy maintains the status quo, we will know very quickly that he was the wrong hire. Whether it is LaFleur or Gute or both, the stumbling finishes to the last three seasons is wearing very thin and change needs to happen.
Houndog
January 05, 2026 at 08:58 am
Agreed, Guam!
When I read Policy's comments last week it was kinda' like a kick in the nuts. I was hoping for better things.
That said, he wouldn't be the first guy to give a vote of confidence one week, and a pink slip the next!
The axes are beginning to fall around the league, Atlanta, Cleveland, we'll see who's next!
Starrbrite
January 05, 2026 at 01:05 pm
“Wearing thin” is right. IMO, if LaFluer loses against the bears—gone.
Bring in Stefanski, Daboll, someone—most will be as good or better.
GregC
January 05, 2026 at 07:29 am
Clayton Tune did not have much opportunity to do anything behind a third-string O-line against one of the best defenses in the NFL, but yeah, there was nothing encouraging about his performance. I think if LaFleur had opened up the offense, there would've been a few turnovers and maybe a couple of defensive touchdowns for the Vikings. It was disturbing to watch Dallas Turner run right past Jordan Morgan for an easy sack.
At least it was fun to watch the Vikings' QB trip over his own lineman and fumble, then he picked the ball up and forgot the play hadn't ended, so a Packer defender swatted it out of his hand.
On the minus side, our very own Emmanuel Wilson managed to turn a handoff up the middle into a 19-yard loss.
I can't help but wonder if some Packer players mailed it in against the Ravens last week so they could get the week off against the Vikings.
LambeauPlain
January 05, 2026 at 09:48 am
"I can't help but wonder if some Packer players mailed it in against the Ravens last week so they could get the week off against the Vikings."
I truly hope that is not the case and don't believe it was as a major season goal was still attainable. Beating the Ravens and the Ugly Purple would have won the Division and 2nd seed.
Starrbrite
January 05, 2026 at 06:47 pm
Right GregC—both of them whiffed on Turner..
jannesbjornson
January 05, 2026 at 10:18 am
The TE, Dabney missed the block. His assignment.
GregC
January 05, 2026 at 10:37 am
Tuner had two sacks. He torched Dabney for one of them, and he torched Morgan for the other. Ran right around him.
pacman
January 05, 2026 at 07:31 am
So why was Tune on the practice squad? Listening to the watch party, he can't even throw the ball!
Didn't the Packers practice avoiding the rush/blitz with him this week?
This is the qb development program?
Not concerned but raises some questions.
Onto the Bears. MLF's history of coming off by weeks isn't great and Love has had 2 weeks off.
Will this be a defenseless game and winner is whoever can score in the red zone rather than settle for 3? O/U is 46.5. I'll take the over. As common, IMO winner is the one who wins the turnover battle.
GPG!
zoellner25
January 05, 2026 at 07:34 am
My one observation. Lecitus Smith and Jacob Monk are not NFL players and should not even be on our practice squad. That was disappointing.
Razer
January 05, 2026 at 07:55 am
This is indeed disappointing but not surprising. As injuries hit us, Gutekunst was farming other teams for talent. Tells you a lot about our reserve talent.
Houndog
January 05, 2026 at 09:08 am
"Tells you a lot about our reserve talent"!
It also tells you about Gutey's talent evaluation, and questions the competence of our scouting department!
If yesterday was an accurate indication, this could be a long re-build, let's get started! Gutey's draft and develop process has too many guys leaving when they 'develop' and their rookie contracts expire. We need better drafting!
Razer
January 05, 2026 at 09:51 am
"We need better drafting"
The absolute bottom line.
bassrock
January 05, 2026 at 11:42 am
Also about Gutes drafts.
Coldworld
January 06, 2026 at 08:44 am
And yet they both played pretty well. PFF at least disagrees with you. To my eyes, Smith and Monk were individually bright spots. The issues with the OL were mostly of confusion and coordination against a D that employs a lot of movement. Hardly surprising since they haven’t played together or even practiced together. To me Monk was much more encouraging than I had expected and Smith looks like legitimate depth. Those are wins.
Ihappydirt
January 06, 2026 at 08:52 pm
That's what I saw.
Razer
January 05, 2026 at 07:43 am
Only watched half the game and it was more than enough. I was looking for young PS talent to emerge. Didn't see much other than some of our defensive starters who got more playing time. Came to the conclusion that our D-line would be okay if we had 2 stud DTs who could collapse the pocket. I just don't have Gutekunst's email to let him in on the secret.
Didn't see much from our O-line development program. Was hoping that I could see the missing pieces but the talent doesn't appear to be there and the coaching isn't evident. Jordan Morgan looked at home with this group.
Best thing about yesterday is that we get another shot at the Bears. Would love to see us pop that bubble next Saturday. Pretty evenly matched - we'll see who has the better coaching staff.
tobinrote
January 05, 2026 at 08:01 am
this disgraceful game is irrefutable evidence that Gutekunst has a bad eye for talent. Just look at the consistent strike outs in the first two rounds. but also in having servicable back ups. this organization has a history of letting good player evaluators taors and succeed elsewhere showing a knack for finding talent and building strong rosters. Elliot Wolf for the Pats, and De Pere native John Schneider for the Seahawks, while we have the Jordan Morgan drafting Gutekunst and true to form Golden showed he has the dropsies to join our recent list of failed first rounders.
GregC
January 05, 2026 at 08:20 am
Third string players never look good playing against starters.
Coldworld
January 06, 2026 at 08:49 am
Makeshift OLs even more so. A reminder to Stenavich there. In reality, though it was driven by desire not to get hurt, the lack of any offensive intent or planning pretty much ensured that everyone on O looked worse than they are live. You can disagree with LaFleur going so cautious. To be honest I was surprised by just how far myself, but everything else has to be llloked at through that lens on O as a result. The game was far more instructive on D due to Haffley taking a somewhat different approach.
Starrbrite
January 05, 2026 at 06:51 pm
I always wanted Schneider—the best in the NFL imo. But, Paul Allen wasn’t letting him out of the building.
Ihappydirt
January 05, 2026 at 11:15 pm
Golden has his first drop of the year and he has "the dropsies," LOL. Remember when Davante couldn't catch at all until his 3rd season?
Gute killed it this year and actually has for 3 of the last 4 years, but you think he sucks.
Golden (future stud), Belton (already has improved RG), Savion (twitchy and strong), Sorrell (one of the 3rd stringers playing against starters and making an impact), Oliver (finally healthy and ditto to Sorrell), Brinson and Stackhouse (6th round and UDFA, making a difference and will be much stronger with a year or 2 in the system).
Not sure what to say to you. Think you had your mind made up before this. If you're going back to Schneider, I'm sure of it.
tobinrote
January 05, 2026 at 08:03 am
oops pressed send too early, should read "let good player evaluators go and succeed elsewhere..
Houndog
January 05, 2026 at 08:16 am
Lame, the entire game was Lame!
The picture was crystal clear that if we really need our back-ups, we're in deep shit! There were a few that played OK, maybe even well, Sorrell comes to mind, Ford looked 'alright', and there were a few times I mistook #77 for Tony Mandarich, again!
Some might belong on the practice squad, but there were more that belonged in some backyard pick-up game, and Tune might not get chosen even there!
Gutey's drafting, talent evaluation, and roster building skills were on clear display, I hope Ed Policy was paying close attention!
murf7777
January 05, 2026 at 08:28 am
The back ups on defense looked really good I thought. If not, the Vikings would’ve put up a 50 burger.
bassrock
January 05, 2026 at 11:46 am
You can thank McCrappy for that. Man he looks like a 3rd string back up qb and with the dumb penalty to stop their first drive changed the tone for the viqueens.
Ihappydirt
January 05, 2026 at 11:23 pm
I mean, if we need all our back-ups against the Vikes who played all their starters, then yes, GB is in trouble. But where else would that happen other than in a meaningless Week 18 game where they're done and we have a reason to play all back-ups?
It was more than Sorrell, too. Oliver, Diggs (who could be a huge pick-up), Oladapo, Ford (who could be big against Bears). It wasn't pretty, but I blame a lot on MLF. Hugely conservative play-calling. Why?
Guam
January 05, 2026 at 08:20 am
I watched more football than I wanted to yesterday and came away with one overriding impression - the football season is at least one game too long. A number of teams mailed it in yesterday (almost all of the playoff qualified teams) and given the price of tickets for the average fan, that is just wrong. To keep the quality of the product meaningful the NFL needs to return to a 16 game season and certainly not expend to an 18 game season as rumored.
It turns out you can have too much pro football.........
murf7777
January 05, 2026 at 08:32 am
Why would it have been different if it was 16 weeks? The last week of any year has many games that are meaningless and not good football. That’s normal. Give me 18 weeks because I love watching NFL football over any sport.
Guam
January 05, 2026 at 08:35 am
I don't remember so many games that were mailed in with a 16 week season. Yes, there were some, but not this many (or maybe my aging memory is failing me - again). The dilution of the product is concerning. I love watching NFL football too, but not games like GB - Minn yesterday.
More factually the fewer the games the less likely a team will have a playoff spot locked up and be in a position to mail it in. It's the teams that are coasting to the playoffs that dilute the product. Teams that are out of the playoffs are still playing their starters and are starting to play for next season.
Joster11
January 05, 2026 at 09:08 am
I agree with you, Guam. I think the game is becoming more diluted. Plus, injuries are coming more of a factor with the increase in games. Shorter rest time between games that are played on 4/7 possible days of the week also increases the players' chances of injury. Do Goodell and the owners care? Not as long as people still pay to watch. Money over people and product...
Coldworld
January 06, 2026 at 08:53 am
Until they have 2 byes, I find it hard to support 17 games let alone 18. I want players healthy, sure, but I also don’t want them worn down. I want to see them play the best football they can. That carries on into the playoffs too.
Starrbrite
January 05, 2026 at 01:14 pm
Yep—me too. I’d rather watch an extra week of football.
RCPackerFan
January 05, 2026 at 09:42 am
I think the NFL will go to an 18 game season in the near future.
But to avoid some of the issues we have seen this year I think they need to do 2 things. They need to expand rosters, and they need to add a 2nd bye.
I don't know how many players they need to expand to, but I think they will need to do an increase.
As for the bye I think they need to stagger them so every team has a bye between weeks 5-9, and between weeks 10-14. (no back to back byes).
I would assume they will go to 2 preseason games. By doing that I think what they should do is make the first 2-4 weeks all AFC vs NFC. That will push the more meaningful division and conference games to the back end of the season making these final weeks more meaningful.
Swisch
January 05, 2026 at 11:48 am
That seems like good and innovative thinking, RC.
The NFL season is so brutal that it's increasingly important to find ways to keep players healthy. A second bye seems a good idea toward that end. Also, it seems that the teams will do well to find ways build more depth on their rosters so as to allow their best players to have lower snap counts per game.
Another small idea, but perhaps significant, would be to allow every team to dress three quarterbacks for every game without it counting against the total number of uniformed players allowed.
RCPackerFan
January 05, 2026 at 12:41 pm
I really do wonder how GB would look injury wise if they didn't have a week 5 bye. They really got hit hard late in the year. Its why I think spaced out bye's would be the best way to make this work when it happens.
I completely agree about the 3rd QB. To me they should be able to suit up a 3rd one regardless if they are on the roster or PS. If they are an emergency QB then don't pay them unless they play.
Guam
January 05, 2026 at 12:21 pm
I am concerned you are correct RCPF, however all of your suggested changes will not prevent the dilution of end of season games. The sooner a team can wrap up a playoff spot, the longer they can have a late season "pre-season" for their young players. Almost every game this weekend was a divisional game and it didn't prevent the playoff teams from mailing it in.
RCPackerFan
January 05, 2026 at 12:52 pm
I think its all a matter of when not if its going to happen. To me the 16 games was perfect. The 17th game to me never made sense. I will say though to me it makes sense if they make that 17th game an international game for every team. So then you have 8 home, 8 away, and 1 international game for everyone. But it doesn't seem like that is the route they are going to go with it.
I think if they push back the meaningful games to the end of the season more, then it will make a bigger difference in playing starters vs not. For example this year GB played Lions and Commanders in weeks 1 and 2. What if we played them in weeks 15 (Broncos) & 17 (Ravens) instead. While those games count, the conference and division games carry more weight in them. Also make the final 3 weeks all divisional games. I am not saying its a perfect plan, but I think it would help with keeping games more competitive.
Starrbrite
January 05, 2026 at 01:16 pm
Absolutely expand the rosters. This idea of inactives is also BS. If you have 3 qbs, they should all be allowed to play if needed, etc, etc.
bassrock
January 05, 2026 at 11:49 am
Problem is the NFL will always do what's best for their pocket books. Players association has to put an end to these never ending seasons. Also changing games non stop shows the NFL gives a rats azz about fans, add in all the different sites you have to buy to watch games and it's getting out of hand.
Starrbrite
January 05, 2026 at 01:19 pm
True—nfl greed is also a problem. Farming our games overseas is a despicable idea imo.
packerbackerjim
January 05, 2026 at 08:25 am
Game: Sorrell should be in heavy rotation going forward. Diggs can tackle, Valentine can’t.
Lame: Vikes back up QB Bresmer. Trips over his own feet, gets back up untouched, holds the ball high over his head and gets creamed, fumbles, recovered by GB. Tune wasn’t good, Bresmer was an embarrassment.
Houndog
January 05, 2026 at 08:31 am
Yeah Jim!
I paid specific attention to it after hearing a lot of Dallas' sour grapes and was pleasantly surprised, Diggs didn't shy away at all from sticking his nose in there!
bassrock
January 05, 2026 at 11:51 am
Bresmer played better than McCarthy.
mrtundra
January 05, 2026 at 08:27 am
It was good to see Sorrell, Oliver, Olidapo, Ford and Cox playing well, yesterday. Nazir Stackhouse even contributed. What was horrendous, was the OL. Morgan did himself no favors in that game. Rasheed Walker is the better LT. Betting Love was happy he did not have to go out there behind that OL. Tune's woes, in no small part, came from that porous OL not blocking anyone. I was amazed we did well in the running game.
RCPackerFan
January 05, 2026 at 09:26 am
I thought Ford looked good when I watched him. He is a big man!
Starrbrite
January 05, 2026 at 06:53 pm
Also what I thought.
Doug_In_Sandpoint
January 05, 2026 at 08:31 am
I’m now done with the g-b-u and gb-lc dissection of a meaningless loss with meaningless players. I don’t believe in luck, but we’ve had a sh*t-ton of the bad kind this season. IT IS TIME. Time to get our best players playing together. Time to get a key stop. Time to not drop an easy interception. Time for the illusion of complexity and master playcalling to show up. Time to catch the f*cking ball. Time to keep your composure. Time for Gary to make a meaningful play. Time to make the Bears fans understand that their team will always still suck. Then time to crush the Seattle team and their bandwagon fans. Time to get a bit of luck for a change.
Starrbrite
January 05, 2026 at 05:04 pm
Really good Sandpoint—loved it.
T7Steve
January 05, 2026 at 08:54 am
"when you have one like Whelan it's a weapon. It's just a weapon that you hope to have to use as little as possible."
When it's 4th and 2 on your own side of the 50 you might want to think about using him more, unless you figure the D is going to just give up long drives anyway, so you plan to get the ball back quicker and keep the D from being on the field too long.
RCPackerFan
January 05, 2026 at 08:58 am
Game Balls:
Coaches-
The decision to sit everything that they could and to play the young players that haven't had many opportunities was a very smart idea. I can't help but think about Bears HC saying that they didn't rest players like other teams, and that if they have a game they will play, yet they lost. They had a hard physical game, and GB will be mostly rested. It was a smart decision!
Sorrell -
While Sorrell has played he has really never had an opportunity to be the guy for a full game. And I think we saw a guy who is the guy. He really impressed me. Both in the passing game and the run game. I truly hope he gets more playing time this week.
Oliver -
Oliver was one of the players I was most excited for when they drafted him. We finally got to see a glimpse of him. And overall I liked what I saw. I believe I saw he had 4 pressures on 15 rush attempts. We will see if he gets snaps moving forward, but in his debut I was definitely happy with the first look with him.
Lame Calls:
Tune -
I was hoping for more from him. I wasn't expecting Love, but I was expecting a bit more. I do have to question, if Willis couldn't go, would they go with Ridder as the next guy over Tune?
OL -
I will first say that I can't blame them for not being great. Going against Vikings defense was not an easy task. I didn't watch every snap of the players but the plays that I focused on Morgan at LT I thought he was good. I thought Monk was good at OC when I watched. Smith at LG was not good and can see why he is a player they have let go multiple times.
Starrbrite
January 05, 2026 at 05:10 pm
I heard someone on a Packer radio station also say they thought Monk had a good game at center—I didn’t view that way. But too I wasn’t focused much on him—more the overall oline.
NFLfan
January 05, 2026 at 09:07 am
The Packers leadership is not too influenced by fan opinion. IMO, the team only garners a portion of their interest & attention. There is an ongoing priority of interest in the expansion of Titletown. Per Policy's interviews he explained projects involving housing, dining, retail and eventual merging with downtown Green Bay.
It takes a lot of energy to be an active commercial property developer. The team generates revenue from filled seats, merch, air rights, etc. So, they will say their goal is the Super Bowl but it is clear, by their behavior, (retention of Gute for a total of 12 years 'really?' and possibly MLF) that it is lip service. If they were in the 'SB win game,' they would be hiring the best GM/HC and do what other contending teams do---this is more about winning just enough games, keeping seats filled and revenue flowing'. Murphy is a property developer and he and Policy work hand in hand. Fans need to pay attention to behavior not words.
I would be shocked, though happily surprised, if both (at least Gute) are not brought back.
I would also ask why they aren't bringing in an outside, well-respected GM? This is a red flag.Would they ask too many questions? I would not be asking these questions but I've already witnessed unethical behavior since 2018.
Sometimes it's better to have an owner.
Starrbrite
January 05, 2026 at 05:14 pm
I keep Guty and Hafley, fire LaFluer et al; Unless he beats the bears.
Ihappydirt
January 05, 2026 at 11:37 pm
Gute is an extremely well-respected GM, and no, an outside owner is not a good thing. Not having one is GB's weapon. Would you want a Jerry Jones. A Cleve, a Jets, a Titans owner who won't spend to maximize their own take instead of putting the best team on the field?
Gute got Micah Parsons in his prime and you're down on him?!? WTF! One of the top draft classes 3 of the last 4 years.
"but I've already witnessed unethical behavior since 2018." What does this mean? Explain.
Handsback
January 05, 2026 at 09:08 am
The regular season is over. The post-season starts and everyone is 0-0. Green Bay's regular season record is what I expected w/o Parson. I guess we will find out how the team (players and coaches) performs in the playoffs.
Not many posters in the Cheesehead community will remember this but as a kid I remember 63-64 seasons as a time where Green Bay was good but not championship good. First was the Bears and then the Browns were crowned as NFL champs. I feel like this year is like those in that the Packers needed better performance and players to win the championships. Lombardi was still the coach at that time but couldn't get the team through the playoffs. MLF is no Lombardi but this team has some major injuries that seem to me will keep them from going deep into the playoffs. I hope I'm 100% wrong, but just think this team is a few years away from dominating the league. Just beat the Bears and let's see what magic can happen.
JMHO
BuckyBadger
January 05, 2026 at 09:42 am
`What does one expect when you field a practice squad vs a team trying to win? This is the NFL, not your H.S. football team. I am shocked they only gave up 16pts and didn't have more turnovers. They through out a QB who had limited reps all season with the #1 and ran the scout team most of the season. He is probably just as familiar with the Lions offense as he is the Packers as he probably had more reps running their offense this season. People want to make this game some sort of reflection of the coaches and GM have no idea how a professional football team is run.
Do people think Tune was practicing the Packers offense all year? Practice squad players are scout players. They run the scout team and most weeks don't get any reps with the starters or even run the offense or defense of the team they actually play on. Throw on top the fact the coaches spent no time preparing for the Vikings, why would they? They spent the week preparing for the Bears as that was the most likely opponent. So Tune probably got a handful of reps all season running the offense and got no game planning but fans expect a polished product? OK
Ihappydirt
January 05, 2026 at 11:39 pm
Exactly.
Packerpasty
January 05, 2026 at 10:24 am
if there was ever a time for Spectrum to crap the bed for half the game this was the day....listening to Larry on the radio off and on and him and the others were not impressed with this dreadful showing....too bad about that Ravens game hey, they would have won that they would be second seed...oh well..
LambeauPlain
January 05, 2026 at 10:37 am
Well that expected embarrassment is over.
One of a few takeaways is the concern that while Packers are one of the lowest rated OLs in the NFL...their backups were displayed as pathetically worse... unprepared to play the NFL game. Yikes.
But that's about all I am going to say about that. Commenting much more about that game is futile unless one enjoys schadenfreude.
Looking at the NFC playoff field, 3 of the Packers 7 losses, all close games, were to the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th seeds (bares, Eagles, Panthers). They also beat the #2 seed. So they belong in the NFC field and have shown to be competitive. Good team, not great.
I trust the resting of many starters will allow most of them to actually practice all week, vs designations of DNP and Limited when they practice hardly at all.
marpag1
January 05, 2026 at 11:39 am
Wow. Lotsa people complaining about the woeful lack of talent on the field. Weird. Here’s a thought: What if we could add all the following players to what we saw yesterday, and do it at ZERO ADDITIONAL COST against our salary cap?
Micah Parsons
Tucker Kraft
Devonte Wyatt
Elgton Jenkins
Nate Hobbs
MarShawn Lloyd
Savion Williams
Zayne Anderson
Kristian Welch
John FitzPatrick
Travis Glover
Kamal Hadden
Jordon Riley
Oh, and what if we could somehow manage to play the guys who were inactive due to injury, such as…
Josh Jacobs
Zach Tom
Malik Willis
Dontavion Wicks
Starting to look more to your liking?
BUT WAIT! THERE’S LESS!!!!! What if we actually played these guys who did not take a single snap from scrimmage?
Jordan Freakin’ Love
Xavier McKinney
Christian Watson
Romeo Doubs
Edge Cooper
Quay Walker
Karl Brooks
LVN
Rashan Gary
Rasheed Walker
Aaron Banks
Sean Rhyan
Kingsley Enagbare
Carrington Valentine
And what if we gave a teensy bit more work to the following guys who played very limited snaps?
Luke Musgrave – 2 snaps
Keisean Nixon – 5 snaps
Colby Wooden – 5 snaps
Jayden Reed – 8 snaps
Damn, we’d be awesome!
Y’all do realize that the actual Packers team did not even play a game yesterday, right?
crayzpackfan
January 05, 2026 at 02:51 pm
Nor did our first or second string coaches coach yesterday. I bet everyone's paychecks will clear though. It is one thing to sit starters in a game where a win doesn't matter, but to coach the players during the week and in game like we all saw is disgusting. Let's hope that crap attitude and philosophy doesn't follow the team right into the playoff game.
marpag1
January 05, 2026 at 10:10 pm
What specifically did you want the coaches to do differently with a team full of replacement players, many of whom weren't even on the team until just recently? What are your top five things to do differently? Just curious.
Packerpasty
January 06, 2026 at 10:45 am
maybe something a bit different than run run pass punt...give these guys a chance to show up anyway...I would have hated to be a Packer fan who paid to go to Minny to watch that dreadful affair...
Swisch
January 05, 2026 at 12:23 pm
An intriguing question for the playoff games against the Bears: How much do you play the guys who did well yesterday?
As an example, perhaps Gary and Sorrell get a fair number of snaps at the beginning of the game, but after that go mainly with the guy who is making the most impact.
One hopes that veterans like Gary are ready to go at a high level against the Bears, but if they're unable or unwilling, go with the guys who are younger and healthier and perhaps hungrier.
This would go for other positions as well.
It's a great challenge for our coaches to get not only the game plan right, but to get the right players out on the field.
Unlike the Vikings, Lions, Bucs, Ravens, and Chiefs, the Packers have new life this weekend. Make the most of it.
Starrbrite
January 05, 2026 at 05:21 pm
A very good question regarding who do play? Sorrell for sure. I hope Diggs starts over Valentine—better tackler.
WestCoastPackerBacker
January 05, 2026 at 01:09 pm
It would be a nice end to the Ben Johnson first season to lose to every team in the division to close out the year.
Starrbrite
January 05, 2026 at 05:22 pm
Great point WestCoast.
Ihappydirt
January 05, 2026 at 10:58 pm
"What happened on offense could best be described as "HIndenberg-like"."
What happened was MLF reverted back to run, run, pass, punt that was causing calls for his job a half-dozen games ago before he opened it up. Why? Let Tune and the boys have a chance in a meaningless game. Also set Tune up for some serious punishment. Show some creativity!
Packerpasty
January 06, 2026 at 10:46 am
exactly....chickens**t game plan..