Studs and Duds: Home vs. Cincinatti

[Heyjoe4]

Flacco got rid of the ball in a hurry. Whenever he felt someone getting close, he let it go. And he was very accurate. imho

Good point. Opposing QBs have done this a lot this season, in the face of pressure from the D. As you note, Flacco was throwing well.

Pressure leading to quick throws should lead to more INTs, or it seems that way to me. On short passed, there should be safety help available, allowing corners to "jump" a route. I've seen Nixon do it, but not often.

The bigger issue is the lack of takeaways from the D. With all that talent, and incredible speed, seems like INTs and forced fumbles should be higher.

That's not much of a complaint. For the most part, the D has played very well.

 

[rmontro]

It's truly what all the teams we've faced have had to do (except Dallas really IMO). Teams know pressure is cooking asap with this front typically and it shows in the calls of the opposition.

Denver is averaging five sacks a game. Why are they getting more sacks while QBs playing us know to get rid of the ball?
Green Bay is currently 13th in the league in sacks, pretty close to the middle of the pack. You'd think we'd be getting more.

 

[OldSchool101]

Regardless of win %, the Lions are better than the Packers right now. That first week win was sweet, but this team hasn't played consistently well since week 2.

That’s the point. The Lions would likely be favored in real time. However I doubt by more than a couple points. However it’s still a fact that GB beat Detroit and beat them easily. Really tough to say Detroit is a “unbeatable Powerhouse” after this weekend. They just got hammered by a good, but 100% struggling KC team. The game really wasn’t that close at all.

So this is why I say it’s going to be very hard to rank teams after this week imo. While GB might rank below Detroit? How often would you see a College team with a better overall record, leading their conference and winning a head to head ranked well below a team they beat handily? It really doesn’t even make any sense. I’d be very confounded putting Detroit ahead of GB. Especially knowing the Packers will likely have Watson and Wyatt back in the next week or two. Ranking GB low is a good way to look a fool in a couple weeks.

 

[Sanguine camper]

Studs
Golden- The Packers desperately miss Reed and Golden is the only explosive guy that makes guys miss.
Havrisik- Back up comes in and doesn't hit the uprights and makes his kicks.
Duds
DL- First the second straight week the DL. Where's the pass rush? Are the Packers the only team in the league that can add a Micah Parsons and they still can't get to the QB.
Nixon- while Chase beats everyone, Nixon has better learn to play the ball or teams will throw his way when they need a first down or are in the red zone.
Pass protection- Usually a strong suit, Love was flushed all game long. Not good.
MLF- Had two weeks to prepare and they were mediocre at best.

 

[Magooch]

Studs:
- Props to Havrisik for stepping in and stepping up! He did all we could've asked of him, you have to give credit there.

- Jacobs had a slow(ish) start to the season but seems to be ramping up, yesterday was arguably his first dominant (ground) performance of the year. Let's keep him rolling
- Similarly...we started working in Golden slowly but he also seems to be imposing himself more and more... he has the feel of a guy who is primed for a huge breakout performance any day now (But on the downside Cincy's pass defense probably would be just about your best chance for it lol)

- Overall I'm still really pleased with what I've seen out of Love this year. He's missing a couple of his top targets and the OL has been wildly inconsistent, he's playing under duress all the time and has still largely been really productive. Yes he had an INT yesterday and it wasn't a GREAT pass but I can't hold tip ball INTs against the QB *that* much. On the whole I think he is playing about as good as we have seen from his career and IMO I would like to see him given even more opportunities to open it up a bit more. I suspect once Watson and/or Reed (whenever that is) return he may get those opportunities.

Duds:
- Pass pro was still pretty mediocre. Bengals were without Hendrickson for much of it and they were still blowing us up with pressure with just 3-man rushes. Love having to bail out and take 7 rushes for himself (non designed) is less than ideal lol. But on the plus side Morgan looked good

- The defense has been....weird? I don't know how else to describe it. First half (yesterday, and just in general) we have been absolutely suffocating, best in the league type of stuff. Second half has been a different story. I don't know if it's getting worn down, lack of focus, not adjusting properly or what but it looks like two different units. We allow basically nothing in the first half and then turn into doormats for much of the second half of games. Parsons has generally been really really good, and I do think is elevating those around him, but for whatever reason we have basically ZERO "big play" production on defense. Two TOs on the year, and by my count we have just 4 sacks combined over our last 3 games...two of which came against Flacco who is basically a statue at this point

- Nate Hobbs stinks

- As has been a theme throughout the LaFleur era...we pretty much always come out flat after a bye/extended break. I don't know why I expect any differently at this point but it's still frustrating

- And finally, it's more of a philosophical thing but I still feel like we have basically zero killer instinct whatsoever. I mean look at the halftime box score yesterday. We had nearly 200 more total yards, we had 10 more first downs, we had shut down Higgins+Chase....and yet it was only 10-0 and we still left the door open for basically the entire second half. The last three weeks, Cincy had been outscored by ~90 points heading into the 4th quarter of their games. Are we really going to claim the difference between Flacco and Browning is the only factor here?? The season is still young but at the same time it's not like we haven't seen this same story play out for years now. And I like Matt overall but I just don't think he has any answers or solutions for this particular problem. It's the same thing year over year and pretty much the best he can come up with is "It's hard to win in this league" and "we have to do better and it starts with me"

 

[tynimiller]

Denver is averaging five sacks a game. Why are they getting more sacks while QBs playing us know to get rid of the ball?
Green Bay is currently 13th in the league in sacks, pretty close to the middle of the pack. You'd think we'd be getting more.

Look at QB pressures. I have been waititng to run those numbers until after all games done.

Even with pressures totals, but more so especially with just sack numbers is to consider how many rushers are creating those items. If a team say is in the Top 5 creating pressures with only rushing more than 4 say 10% of the time I would argue they're likely fairing better than a team that is say in the middle or bottom 1/3 of the league in pressures with 4 or less but happen to be in the Top 5 sack wise though when rushing say 5.

Let me see if I can pull the pressure stats through just week 5 excluding this present week we still have four teams to play.

 

[gopkrs]

What stats won't show is that teams with really bad O lines are going to get rid of the ball in a hurry because they know they won't have time. And so there will be fewer sacks and pressures. So many things affect the way a particular game is played that to just take stats and think that all things are equal just doesn't work. Yes, they can be used if done judiciously. imo. But they will never tell the whole story. And can be used to actually mess up understanding.

 

[tynimiller]

What stats won't show is that teams with really bad O lines are going to get rid of the ball in a hurry because they know they won't have time. And so there will be fewer sacks and pressures. So many things affect the way a particular game is played that to just take stats and think that all things are equal just doesn't work. Yes, they can be used if done judiciously. imo. But they will never tell the whole story. And can be used to actually mess up understanding.

Yup, just like folks saying look at Kenny Clark and Parsons sack totals = Dallas fleeced the Packers….ignorance

 

[Team Ronny]

Dud: Whoever is not coaching Love to slide for the 1st down...not 3:yds behind it!!!
Dud: Pass rush, you're playing against a poor Bengals oline...Flacci had all day in the 2nd half!!!
Dud: Lafleur playing to not lose, again, instead of playing to win!!! ALL has no brakes!!!
Dud: After bye week slumber this team always has.
Dud: 2nd half pass defense!

Stud: New kicker didn't miss any!.
Special teams...no blocked kicks!!!
Edgerrin Cooper, Tucker Kraft, Matthew Golden..Oline was ok! Overall a win is a win, especially after a bye and two bad games!

 

[El Guapo]

Run plays - This team can cook, let Love COOK more. I would love to see MLF flip and pass 55% or more of the time instead of run that much or more consistently. I know...not his style and his style wins....a lot....but...

Another side of this coin is our defense. For whatever reason, we look great for two or three quarters and then fall apart. The running game keeps our defense on the bench longer and us in control of the game.

Until we get in better shape defensively, I think that LaFleur needs to keep feeding the beasts on the ground.

 

[El Guapo]

Denver is averaging five sacks a game. Why are they getting more sacks while QBs playing us know to get rid of the ball?
Green Bay is currently 13th in the league in sacks, pretty close to the middle of the pack. You'd think we'd be getting more.

Because we aren't getting pressure up the middle without Clark or Wyatt. Additionally, LVN and Gary should be feasting on the other side but they are largely absent this season. Our DL has turned into Dallas' DL with Parsons, a one-trick pony.

We need more guys to step up.

 

[tynimiller]

Another side of this coin is our defense. For whatever reason, we look great for two or three quarters and then fall apart. The running game keeps our defense on the bench longer and us in control of the game.

Until we get in better shape defensively, I think that LaFleur needs to keep feeding the beasts on the ground.

Any team with elite weapons (Bengals have) and a QB that has won a lot of games and isn't dumb (Bengals had)...they're going to get some yards and points for sure eventually.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Since nobody ever does this, I will.

2 Studs from Cincy.

Flacco: The guy isn't even unpacked yet and he looked pretty darn good. I sure hope they don't trade him to the Bears or Vikings, I don't want the Packers to have to face him 4 times this season.

McPherson: What a leg! Had it not been for MLF deciding for whatever reason to call a timeout, the dude makes a record setting 67 yarder. Granted, there wasn't a rush once the TO was called, but its Bisaccia's special teams, when is there ever a rush?

 

[Pugger]

 STUDS
Jacobs: tough, leadership, old school attitude. I really enjoy watching him play.

Golden: we really need to feature him more. Gets open, great hands, elusive, seems to be where he needs to be.

Offensive line. They looked much better. Not great, but better. Give them a few more weeks and they may be pretty good.

LVN: His sack was a thing of beauty. Very fast and strong.

New Kicker: it was a big ask, but he came through. Made em all.

 DUDS
Refs. Saw Parsons get blocked with a arm around his neck and then dragged to the ground. No penalty.

Parsons never gets a call as OL have been mugging him like that forever. Just ask Cowboy fans. I hope MLF talks to the league about it but god knows if it'll do any good.

 

[Pugger]

After today’s game it’s still Detroit win or lose,

No, we are now in first place in the division via winning percentage. Who would've thunk it?

 

[Pugger]

Studs:Golden, Kraft,Jacobs+1, Doubbs
Duds: Dbacks, MLF because after another break team didn’t look prepared, those fans for letting a leap in the stands.

Considering who the Bengals have at WR - especially Chase - I'd give our DBs some slack.

The fans that let the Cincy player leap were Bengals fans there.

 

[milani]

Flacco got rid of the ball in a hurry. Whenever he felt someone getting close, he let it go. And he was very accurate. imho

He was amazing coming over to a new team and trying to suddenly run a new offense without the time to learn it although he did face the Bengals in WK 1 and got a look at their offense.

 

[Pugger]

Studs: Doubs, Golden, Jacobs, field goal kicker. Bullard maybe.
Duds: Offensive play calling. It's just that some kind of consistency is missing.
Other: STs did not play bad and Savion looked better returning kicks. Biatchia still isn't off the hook though.
And Jordan. I would have given him a stud even with that very bad interception. But not taking that first down can't be overlooked. That was a lack of awareness.

I liked the O play calling. Love was aggressive and decisive. I suspect MLF told Love not to take any more chances running and exposing himself to injury but I too wish he would have dove for that 1st down.

 

[Pugger]

Golden reminds me of Jordy Nelson. Elusive and fast and deadly with the ball in his hands. I don't think he has a drop yet.

And Doubs is slowly turning into the Packers' #1 WR. It will be costly to sign him in the offseason, but he's way too good to let go. They will have a problem paying everyone after this season. But they can afford to lose some guys to FA and still have a solid group or receivers (including Kraft here).

Golden has elite speed that Jordy could only dream of. If he stays healthy he could be something really special. He has moves we haven't seen since Davante left.

 

[El Guapo]

He has moves we haven't seen since Davante left.

...but not better moves since Soul Train left

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[Heyjoe4]

It's truly what all the teams we've faced have had to do (except Dallas really IMO). Teams know pressure is cooking asap with this front typically and it shows in the calls of the opposition.

True - I just wonder then why more corners with safety backup aren't jumping the route for a breakup or INT. One complaint (if you can even call it that) is that there have been few forced TOs. But in the scheme of things, and considering how the defenders swarm to the ball, maybe that's not a bad thing.

 

[milani]

True - I just wonder then why more corners with safety backup aren't jumping the route for a breakup or INT. One complaint (if you can even call it that) is that there have been few forced TOs. But in the scheme of things, and considering how the defenders swarm to the ball, maybe that's not a bad thing.

Hafley's defense tends to keep everything in front avoiding the big play. I thought yesterday that we could have played more press coverage considering that Flacco would not have time to go long and being new to the offense. He played well but we gave the guy a lot of short stuff.

 

[Thirteen Below]

So let me get this straight. If Detroit was power ranked at #1 and they lose? and GB is in 1st place? Are they ahead of us? Just asking for a friend

According to Sporting News, Detroit drops to #7, and Green Bay replaces them at #2.

Studs: KC

Stud: Taylor Swift, for attending the game and bestowing some of that mojo on Kelce.

-Golden our LEADING Wideout! Really strong. He just wears well. Keeps getting better in little increments almost under the radar like

One of the most special things about this young season has been watching him develop week by week. I think that they are doing a masterful job of bringing him along one game at a time, and come December, when Watson has settled back in and worked off the rust and Reed is getting back up to speed, watch out NFL.

This kid is a very quick study, and I keep getting the strong impression that once he learns something it damned well stays learned.

Possibly one of the best Day One picks for Green Bay in decades. Every time I watch that guy run a route or vacuum up a pass, I think to myself, ''so that's what a 1st round wide receiver looks like. Been a damned long time since I've seen one a' them in this town.''

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Parsons never gets a call as OL have been mugging him like that forever. Just ask Cowboy fans. I hope MLF talks to the league about it but god knows if it'll do any good.

Yesterday was really odd and a few people have pointed it out. I saw offensive holding multiple times, by both teams, that went uncalled. I guess I would rather have it that way, than the opposite, a flag every other play for holding.

 

[rmontro]

Dud: Whoever is not coaching Love to slide for the 1st down...not 3:yds behind it!!!

You know, I get the idea of not wanting to put your QB at risk. But Love had been aggressive previously going for the first down. Why wouldn't you do it when the game is on the line?