Packers vs Steelers Game Thread: The Rodgers Game Edition

[melvin dangerr]

I guess we are still at the mercy of a moderator starting the studs and duds game thread. lol.

Charming

 

[Snoops]

At the VERY least, a top 3 game all time for Love.

My personal opinion, it's his best. The Cowboys playoff game though was close.

The cowboys game was his best hands down

 

[PackAttack12]

Charming

Nice try, Frances.

 

[melvin dangerr]

Nice try, Frances.

Feelings, nothing more than feelings, Cmon sing with me

 

[DoURant]

Emanuel Wilson really got the running game going in the 4th quarter. Finished the game 11 for 61.... those were some huge yards he accumulated.

 

[PackAttack12]

Feelings, nothing more than feelings, Cmon sing with me

Let's sing. Maybe the mods will wake up so we can talk studs and duds.

I'd hate to start the thread only to be banned.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Possibly one of the more satisfying wins in awhile. Savor that sweet taste of beating Mr. Rodgers in his own neighborhood.

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[DoURant]

Let's sing. Maybe the mods will wake up so we can talk studs and duds.

I'd hate to start the thread only to be banned.

Sing for the day... Sing for the moment... Sing for the time of our lives...

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[rmontro]

They'd probably deny it, but it has to be a big confidence booster for Jordan to beat Aaron. Kind of completes the process of taking over the team. Seems like the whole team took a step up tonight. Nice to have Wyatt back. Feels like a statement game.

 

[OldSchool101]

The more distance in this division. The better odds of home field in a playoff run

and you know. We’re never going to be favored over Detroit (for good reason) until we beat them 2X.
However anything can happen and if GB keeps logging Wins? Heck we might get lucky and beat Detroit stranger things have happened.
Just 1 upset in Detroit would be absolutely devastating to Detroit in a Division race because we’ve already beat them. We’d essentially be 2 games ahead with that Tie in there. Wouldn’t be any tie breakers this year though.

 

[melvin dangerr]

and you know. We’re never going to be favored over Detroit (for good reason) until we beat them 2X.
However anything can happen and if GB keeps logging Wins? Heck we might get lucky and beat Detroit stranger things have happened.
Just 1 upset in Detroit would be absolutely devastating to Detroit in a Division race because we’ve already beat them. We’d essentially be 2 games ahead with that Tie in there. Wouldn’t be any tie breakers this year though.

I like our odds better if we get them at home for a Playoff game

 

[DoURant]

Tucker Kraft has averaged over 20 yds/rec in 3 games this season, plus has 2 100 yd games... what a weapon for this offense.

 

[Thirteen Below]

According to my research, Tucker Kraft is currently the 11th best tight end in the history of the NFL in terms of average yards per catch - after tonight's game, he stands at 13.88 yards per catch.

That's better than Travis Kelce, Vernon Davis, Kellen Winslow, Antonio Gates, Shannon Sharpe, Jimmy Graham, Ozzie Newsome, even George Kittle, and... well... every other tight end in the history of the game except for 10 other guys.

And a full yard and then some more than Paul Coffman, Jermichael Finley, and almost 2 yards better than Chewbacca.

I don't want to jump the gun... but I believe we may be seeing something that's not just special happening before our eyes, but something truly historic.

 

[Thirteen Below]

I agree.

I stole that idea from a book I read in the 80s or 90s, which I think was named ''Supercarrier.''

An author sailed on the Nimitz for a full Med deployment, 6 months I believe, and pumped every man he could find for insights into how they approached their jobs. The captain explained that philosophy to the author, in detail, saying that ''the people who work for me have to be unafraid to make critical decisions in a split second, without worrying about getting into trouble if they make a mistake - so they need to know that their boss expects them to make mistakes, and has their backs when they do, as long as it was a logical mistake made in good faith.''

At that time, I was a very junior manager, with fewer than a dozen direct reports, but I immediately applied that point of view to my management philosophy, and by the time I retired at the start of covid, i was responsible for managing well over 100 people. And I honestly believe that was one of the most important ideas I ever stole (because I often said, ''I never had an original idea in my life; I just stole all my ideas from other people who had had to solve the same problems I was trying to solve, and figured out how make them work even better for me.'')

And I was never ashamed to admit that.

 

[Voyageur]

I stole that idea from a book I read in the 80s or 90s, which I think was named ''Supercarrier.''

An author sailed on the Nimitz for a full Med deployment, 6 months I believe, and pumped every man he could find for insights into how they approached their jobs. The captain explained that philosophy to the author, in detail, saying that ''the people who work for me have to be unafraid to make critical decisions in a split second, without worrying about getting into trouble if they make a mistake - so they need to know that their boss expects them to make mistakes, and has their backs when they do, as long as it was a logical mistake made in good faith.''

At that time, I was a very junior manager, with fewer than a dozen direct reports, but I immediately applied that point of view to my management philosophy, and by the time I retired at the start of covid, i was responsible for managing well over 100 people. And I honestly believe that was one of the most important ideas I ever stole (because I often said, ''I never had an original idea in my life; I just stole all my ideas from other people who had had to solve the same problems I was trying to solve, and figured out how make them work even better for me.'')

And I was never ashamed to admit that.

I've always believed that a HC is the product of the knowledge and skills of those he surrounds himself with as assistants. Micro-managing a team does not work. It leads to disillusionment on the part of the assistants and stifles creativity.

On Tucker Kraft? I'm going to gloat. I remember telling everyone how he was going to be better than Musgrave. He is. Everyone should see it now. If they don't, they aren't seeing what's playing out on the field. The kid is a blue-collar player who loves the game and plays with the intensity that it takes to be the best of the lot. Last night was an example as to why they better lock this kid up in a long-term contract "now" because he's going to be the most sought after TE in decades through free agency if they don't. He's a UFA after 2026.

The Packer game plan was one that could have been straight out of the Rodgers playbook. Use the shorter routes to move the ball downfield and create gaps in the long game to take shots. It created openings for Watson which was great seeing. Doubs was constantly double teamed which meant there had to be single coverage on Watson and Kraft and it paid off. Even though Golden didn't do much out there his time on the field was valuable because he was drawing defenders out of the areas where Kraft ended up making his catches. Speed isn't good only for making catches, it's a great decoy as well and it showed it. Both Fitzpatrick and Musgrave showed their skills as blockers last night in the 12 packages. They were laying leather on some solid defenders like Watt. The Steelers didn't get one sack last night and only 5 QB hits which showed that the blocking schemes were working.

Don't let the lower rushing and receiving figures for Jacobs last night concern you. Josh was playing injured from the start and was hit pretty hard and often in the early going and it took its toll. What everyone should be excited about is how Wilson showed how good he can be in a secondary role when called upon. In my opinion, he has a real shot at being the second horse in the backfield race. He's smart in reading his blocks and running off of them.

I need time to evaluate the defense. There are a few things I need to review in depth.

 

[tynimiller]

According to my research, Tucker Kraft is currently the 11th best tight end in the history of the NFL in terms of average yards per catch - after tonight's game, he stands at 13.88 yards per catch.

That's better than Travis Kelce, Vernon Davis, Kellen Winslow, Antonio Gates, Shannon Sharpe, Jimmy Graham, Ozzie Newsome, even George Kittle, and... well... every other tight end in the history of the game except for 10 other guys.

And a full yard and then some more than Paul Coffman, Jermichael Finley, and almost 2 yards better than Chewbacca.

I don't want to jump the gun... but I believe we may be seeing something that's not just special happening before our eyes, but something truly historic.

Many of us have brought up once the year ends and next fiscal year starts he should be contract numero uno to try and get done. I’d rather have him part of our future than any WR on the current roster - and I love some of those guys.

 

[Curly Calhoun]

Many of us have brought up once the year ends and next fiscal year starts he should be contract numero uno to try and get done. I’d rather have him part of our future than any WR on the current roster - and I love some of those guys.

I can't say you're wrong - He's been everything you could ask for in a starting Tight End. Our receivers are largely interchangeable.

With that said, in time I think Golden has a chance to become an elite receiver, and if Watson can just stay healthy the same can be said of him. Doubs has been reliable and does a lot of things well (fields punts and is a solid member of the 'hands' team, in addition to his receiving duties), Savion Williams looks like he can be a Swiss army knife contributor (run reverses, play special teams, etc.) Wicks has been okay, Heath is our newest Alan Lazard with good downfield blocking, and when Jaden Reed comes back, he can be a very good slot receiver. They all do something well, they all contribute. Golden and Watson are the only ones that I would single out as potentially special, however.

 

[tynimiller]

I can't say you're wrong - He's been everything you could ask for in a starting Tight End. Our receivers are largely interchangeable.

With that said, in time I think Golden has a chance to become an elite receiver, and if Watson can just stay healthy the same can be said of him. Doubs has been reliable and does a lot of things well (fields punts and is a solid member of the 'hands' team, in addition to his receiving duties), Savion Williams looks like he can be a Swiss army knife contributor (run reverses, play special teams, etc.) Wicks has been okay, Heath is our newest Alan Lazard with good downfield blocking, and when Jaden Reed comes back, he can be a very good slot receiver. They all do something well, they all contribute. Golden and Watson are the only ones that I would single out as potentially special, however.

For sure Watson and Golden each have the toolset and skills to be a legit WR1...Doubs still may end up with the most prolific career just due to how high his floor is, but his floor is very close to his ceilng.

I still think a world might exist due to Doubs connection with Love that his time in GB isn't done like many think (nothing would shock me with him...trade yet, we let leave after year or sign him to an extension/new contract).

I do know if Doubs is signed to a new contract for the development of that room and roster structure you gotta move Wicks or Reed or both if deals are right - which all of this would be after this season of course.

 

[Thirteen Below]

For sure Watson and Golden each have the toolset and skills to be a legit WR1...Doubs still may end up with the most prolific career just due to how high his floor is, but his floor is very close to his ceilng.

Could you expound upon that? It's a very interesting premise; I'd really love to hear you expand upon that, if you have the time to spend sharing your thoughts.

Thank you in advance.

 

[tynimiller]

Could you expound upon that? It's a very interesting premise; I'd really love to hear you expand upon that, if you have the time to spend sharing your thoughts.

Thank you in advance.

Talking about Doubs?

Doubs is just from a physical intangible stance slightly less than Watson - you just don't get many bodies with Watsons' size that can do what he does. Golden in order to do a lot of what Watson could do just from a physical stance is over 20 lbs lighter almost and nearly half a foot shorter. Speed can be very minimally refined and twitch can be somewhat enhanced but just phsyically speaking Watson > Golden > Doubs is clearly where they are physically from a uncoachable stance.

However, I would argue in some of the technique and things which can be worked on and become more crafted in Doubs shines and has for as young as he is from the start. Few examples of this...many times young prospects and even many receivers until years into the league really struggle with body positioning as their #1 ability to make contested catches. Many just chalk it up to whoever can jump the highest or have the longest arms...and while those things assist for sure, a WR that knows when to jump, how to use his back in a way you would fighting for a rebound can greatly eliminate a much taller and at times even more athletic defender from being able to make a play on the ball - a prime example of this is look at how good Rodman was at rebounding even when up against BIGGER, TALLER and LONGER guys. He understood more than most how to use his body. Doubs often shines at this...his floor therefore in this category is much higher than most.

Watson as example really to me at least still just relies heavily on I'm taller, more athletic and a freak to catch contested balls...if he crafts the artform of body control as well more so...it would be borderline Megatron / Moss level stuff, which those two were insane at this (and both were arguably athletic freaks as well).

Doubs to me very much strikes me as a guy that really could follow the Donald Driver type pathway career wise....just quietly does everything good and borderline great, never is a guy the league fears persay but all of his opponents always accounted for him. That's his best case, I think worse case for Doubs is a James Jones type career - very solid, dependable but always that quietly excellent WR2.

Watson and Golden could play out like better versions of Javon Walker or be legit future DK (Watson) or Jennings type (Golden - yes I know faster)....I just don't see the floor potential in Doubs being as separated from his ceiling as Watson and Golden arguably could have or may. Now for Watson we know more, we've seen his impact on games...he is going to be more than Javon so long as healthy - he's proven that much to me for sure.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I do know if Doubs is signed to a new contract for the development of that room and roster structure you gotta move Wicks or Reed or both if deals are right - which all of this would be after this season of course.

I totally agree with your take on Doubs, seems like you and I have the most confidence in his ceiling.

That said, I didn't agree with this part, the moving on from Wicks and/or Reed. Since both have cheap contracts, that don't expire until after the 2026 season, I'd prefer to keep them. Unless, of course someone offers us a really high pick for Reed. Wicks wouldn't be worth more than a 6th or 7th to someone, so you keep him for depth.

I assume you are worried about snaps/targets for the top 3 guys (Watson, Golden, Doubs)? With the way injuries occur, that part never worries me. So unless someone offers some real trade value, having a WR group of Watson, Golden, Doubs, Reed and Wicks in 2026, is very appealing to me.

 

[OldSchool101]

The cowboys game was his best hands down

I think what made the Cowboys game so special is that everyone couldn’t stop talking about Dallas not losing at home for like 1.5 seasons. We went in there and just demolished them. Plus Postseason is always more important.

That said Love playing his mentor is a very close second place as far as QB results. Love logged 90 more passing yards last Sunday than at Dallas. #10 also hit some special thresholds, such as he tied a franchise record for 20 straight completions. Had his WR/TE not had a couple drops on catchable passes? Love would’ve easily had 400+ yards. Had we just made our FG’s we laid a 40-burger on the Steelers Defense in their house. Our O utterly exposed the Steelers Defense.

 

[tynimiller]

I totally agree with your take on Doubs, seems like you and I have the most confidence in his ceiling.

That said, I didn't agree with this part, the moving on from Wicks and/or Reed. Since both have cheap contracts, that don't expire until after the 2026 season, I'd prefer to keep them. Unless, of course someone offers us a really high pick for Reed. Wicks wouldn't be worth more than a 6th or 7th to someone, so you keep him for depth.

I assume you are worried about snaps/targets for the top 3 guys (Watson, Golden, Doubs)? With the way injuries occur, that part never worries me. So unless someone offers some real trade value, having a WR group of Watson, Golden, Doubs, Reed and Wicks in 2026, is very appealing to me.

I get the opinion of not, I just don't think Gute would continue to risk the loss of guys without being able to replenish - he cherishes draft picks too much. NOW, that said, Gute also isn't one to just burn a guy for a 7th either if the cost of having to wait forever for a return comp pick and having the guy in house is deemed worth it.

This is also all speaking to a time that no one sees yet, IF Savion continues to progress and say Gute picks a 5th rounder he and the staff loved and thought would be gone day 2 this next April...you just simply have to accept the numbers game and move someone. I also know the team REALLY loves Heath and his role and his continued ability to answer ever bell rang for him....and he is an RFA so say all that plays out as above:

Watson | Doubs | Golden | Reed | Wicks | Savion | Heath | Rookie Draft Pick.....it would be at that point poor roster construction to not try and move one....even if it is a player swap rather than a pick coming back even.

This team has proven to be an effective if not still lethal offense with some of those guys out even.

 

[OldSchool101]

The other aspect we’re learning each game is that Musgrave doesn’t seem to be progressing. Granted that Kraft has the spotlight and rightfully so. I still think if there was 1 area of improvement it would be a relief TE that is more equally balanced than Fitz or Musgrave (Run Block and Receiving ability). I see Fitz primarily as a Blocker with adequate ability to snag a catch if left unattended. If we had a secondary TE that could rightfully step in Tucker’s absence. Not to march Tucker, but more in that Tonyan range.

Mine are nitpicking some but just exploring ways to better our Roster. We want to be Robust in nature and not rely solely on 1 player at any given position. I like what we’re seeing from Wilson though he’s been a really nice surprise for a complimentary RB. Some forget he’s been here awhile now. He performed great in Postseason in the 2023 campaign.

I hate to give up in Musgrave, but he’s been very inconsistent. For me he’s got the rest of 2025 to elevate his game and I’m totally in his corner. I’d like nothing more than see him get to the next level. What I’d call Moderate blocking and moderate level receiving levels need to be achieved. As of this minute, in the 2026 draft I think GB needs to be prepared to end the project also. Backup plan is find a modest $3-5mil annual proven commodity that wants to be on a contender.

 

[tynimiller]

The other aspect we’re learning each game is that Musgrave doesn’t seem to be progressing. Granted that Kraft has the spotlight and rightfully so. I still think if there was 1 area of improvement it would be a relief TE that is more equally balanced than Fitz or Musgrave (Run Block and Receiving ability). I see Fitz primarily as a Blocker with adequate ability to snag a catch if left unattended. If we had a secondary TE that could rightfully step in Tucker’s absence. Not to march Tucker, but more in that Tonyan range.

Mine are nitpicking some but just exploring ways to better our Roster. We want to be Robust in nature and not rely solely on 1 player at any given position. I like what we’re seeing from Wilson though he’s been a really nice surprise for a complimentary RB. Some forget he’s been here awhile now. He performed great in Postseason in the 2023 campaign.

I hate to give up in Musgrave, but he’s been very inconsistent. For me he’s got the rest of 2025 to elevate his game and I’m totally in his corner. Once 2026 draft comes around I think GB might need to spend a Day3 at TE.

I will say I do feel Musgrave due to his extended absences for injuries and the addition of weapons and Kraft showing not only to be a solid TE but elite has relegated him down the “get targets” tree.

If Musgrave became our TE1 I fully expect he’d deliver more…of course no where near what Kraft does but I think some of the criticism to Musgrave is underserved and is more so a testament to the roster assembled.