2016 NFL Week 14 Preview and Prediction: Packers vs. Seahawks

We've had this last week, Packer fans, to revel in a two-game winning streak following our victories over Philadelphia and Houston. After you lose four in a row, yeah, two qualifies as a streak. The Packers were able to do what they needed to do, at home in December against the Texans, to get back to .500 at 6-6. No need to rehash that game here and at this point; it's old news by now, right? It was a good -- and necessary -- win.

So, let's get to the game at hand versus Seattle.

The Packers have a couple stats in their favor: (1) the Packers haven't lost to Pete Carrol at Lambeau Field (if memory serves correctly...which is questionable at this point); and (2) Aaron Rodgers hasn't lost a home game in December since 2009 (ditto the previous qualifier). The Packers may also have weather in their collective favor, as the forecast calls for anywhere from 3-5 inches of snow before and/or during game time. Naturally, it could just as easily work against them. Both teams have to adapt and play. You just hope the Packers are a bit more accustomed to this than are the Seahawks.

If the weather is as forecast, that could certainly put a crimp in the downfield passing game of Aaron Rodgers, although you know he'll take a few shots. But with the Pack's seeming emphasis on short dink-and-dunk type passes, that problem may be somewhat negated. A consistent running game would be helpful...and is not really something the Packers have had much of this season. Expect Ty Montgomery to see a lot of the ball, and perhaps even recent former Seahawk Christine Michael, as well.

QB Aaron Rodgers will be challenged on many fronts vs. the Seahawks.
Photo by Adam Wesley/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wis.
Defensively, the Packers will be without LB Nick Perry and Clay Matthews will likely be limited. The linebacking corps is going to be challenged. We could expect lots of scheming to try to cover up those potential gaps, including the continued use of Morgan Burnett as a bit of a tweener when needed. Mike Pennel just got hit with a four-game suspension so the defensive line takes a bit of a hit there.

The Seahawks, as Voice of the Packers Wayne Larrivee has contended, are the best team in the NFC right now, possibly the NFL, despite the better record by Dallas, for example. At 8-3-1, they certainly have an edge over the Packers it would seem. QB (and former Wisconsin Badger -- Go Badgers!) Russell Wilson is looking like his old young self again, which means problems for the Packers defense. TE Jimmy Graham is arguably the best tight end in the game today. The Seahawks defense, even with the loss of Earl Thomas, can still cause lots of problems for opposing offenses. They are a tough, smack-mouth squad.

The Prediction
At the time of this writing, the Seahawks are favored by 3 points. The Packers need this game to keep their outside shot at the NFC North Division Championship, or at least the playoffs, alive. We don't feel good about this game, Packer fans. The two teams the Packers have beaten to get back to even are nowhere near as good as Seattle. Neither are the Packers right now, unfortunately.

As much as it pains us to say it, we're calling this 24-17 Seahawks.

Still...Go Pack Go!!!

Packers' pathetic performance leads to 47-25 loss to Titans

The 2016 Green Bay Packers hit a new low in a season beginning to resemble that proverbial train wreck we always hear so much about but never really see. Well, we saw it yesterday, Packer fans. Not. Pretty. At. All.

Where do we even begin to dissect this disastrous game that portends a downward spiral for this Packers team unless something dramatically different happens to change the path on which it seems headed? Yes, there were game-ending injuries Sunday to linebacker Jake Ryan (ankle) on the first defensive series of the game, and to tackle David Bakhtiari (knee) and guard T.J. Lang (ankle) later on. Lang may be the worst, as he was seen in the locker room after the game on crutches and wearing an air-boot. Oy. And penalties. Oh, the penalties.

Even the venerable "Voice of the Packers," Wayne Larrivee, when asked what's ailing the Pack had no clear answer this morning on 620WTMJ Radio in Milwaukee. He doesn't think it has to do with the scheme, play-calling or coaching necessarily; as he reminded listeners, it may have more to do with personnel as these same three factors seemed to be doing just fine when the Packers had Donald Driver and Jermichael Finley, for example. So, personnel, albeit with many young and untested players who are now forced to play starting roles because of injuries, is part of the issue right now. All he could say is that in his roughly 38 years covering football he thinks that what really plays a key factor in championship-caliber teams is spirit and emotion. Right now, he's not so sure the Packers have much of that going for them.

Has Packers head coach Mike McCarthy lost his team?
Photo by Danny Damiani/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wis
We have to agree with Larrivee on both points. Personnel, and particularly GM Ted Thompson's time-worn (and perhaps worn-out?) approach to building a team through the draft seems as if it works as long as the starters stay healthy. But when you get past the second or third team players -- and we have, in some cases now -- the lack of quality depth shows on the field and on the scoreboard. To Larrivee's second point -- spirit and emotion -- we haven't seen much of that all season, have we? As we have pointed out here on several occasions, the Pack has played two good halves of football all season...and they were in two different games. Everybody seems flat from the get-go, as evidenced by last week's opening kickoff return by the Colts and yesterday's opening offensive play for a 75-yard touchdown run by the Titans. Hello!??? Anybody awake on that field? Doesn't seem so.

How do you get that missing mojo back? Winning would help. But now on a three-game losing streak, and with two more tough road games coming up in Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia before returning to Lambeau Field to take on the Texans, is immediate winning even in the cards? As much as it pains us to say it, we don't think so.

Case in point: the green 'n' gold glasses which most Packer fans wear (including yours truly) causes a bit of blindness when it comes to our team. It might be hard to realize but in the last 21 games, the Packers are now 9-12 going back to last season. Nine wins, 12 losses. The problem didn't just start this season. It's got a history. Something deeply rooted in the locker room if not the players' psyches. Perhaps the head coach has lost his team, outworn his stay; legendary coach Bill Walsh is reported to have said a coach shouldn't stay in one place for more than 10 years because things get stale for an organization after a while. Perhaps that's the case with McCarthy. Thompson, too, perhaps.

Of course, no dramatic coaching or front office changes will be made during this season; it's just not the Packers way of doing things. So this so-far dreadful season will play out how it will. Those of a "glass half-full" mentality will point out that at 4-5 the Packers are only one game out of the NFC North lead. Others might respond that that's only because this division pretty much stinks at this point overall. The once invincible 5-0 ViQueens have now dropped 4 in a row. Detroit didn't win or lose because they were on their bye week. Will Da Bearz do anything? C'mon.

So, if by some stretch of the imagination the Packers can turn things around, they do have a chance. But really, where will they go with the current state of injuries, journeymen and otherwise inexperienced players thrust into starting or other key roles, and the palpable lack of spirit exhibited week after week? The Packers will write the final answer to that question. Each one of us can in the meantime have our own conclusion. For Packers beat writer extraordinaire, Bob McGinn, he puts it like this: Packers' season on the brink. How's that for rich brevity?

Having said all that: Go Pack Go!!!

2015 NFL Week 11: Packers vs. Vikings Preview and Prediction

First things first: regular readers of our Packer Fans United blog no doubt recognize that we did not post a post-game review of the Packers loss to the Lions. Reason? Hell froze over and it took us this long to get out.

Seriously, what can one say about that dismal, depressing game? Let's move on.

So we now get to visit Minnesota, the land of 10,000 lakes, they say. Although, truth be told, Wisconsin actually has more lakes than our neighbor to the west. So there's that. By the end of this afternoon's game between the Packers and the ViQueens that might still be the only thing Packer fans have to hold over our friends in purple.

If it sounds as if we are leery of the late afternoon game today, yes, we are. Why shouldn't we be? After all, the Packers have really shown us nothing over the past three games -- and especially the last -- to make us think that they will have their collective act together to beat Minnesota on their home field.

While the Packers have been kings of the NFC North for quite a while, their recent struggles over a three-game losing streak combined with the ViQueens five-game winning streak, now see the Pack a game behind Minnesota. Who could have imagined it? Even worse, imagine if the Packers lose today: they will be a full two games behind Minnesota in the division with six games remaining, including three more divisional games. Throw the Cowboys, Raiders and Cardinals in that mix (the last two back-to-back on the road) and the Pack could find themselves in a world of hurt if they don't get this train back on track. Soon. Like, today for instance.

Packers RB Eddie Lacy needs more carries to help turn things around.
Photo by Mark Hoffman, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

The Packers will have their hands full on both sides of the ball, trying to fend off an aggressive defense managed by the head coach himself, Mike Zimmer, and a very good offense under coordinator Norv Turner. Oh, and did we mention that RB Adrian Peterson is back to his old self...unfortunately...tearing up the turf once again? Second-year quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has come along nicely, as well. Even without the Pack's recent skid, Minnesota is obviously the real deal this season. Playing their arch-nemesis, Green Bay, on their home field will only make this game even more difficult for a seemingly bewildered and unconfident Packers team.

It's hard to explain, let alone know, what is actually ailing the Packers at this stage of the season. It seems as if they start off quickly, then fall apart, and then in the closing minutes of the game put together another run or two to make it close. But it's that 50-minutes-or-so part of the game between the start and the finish that seems to have been the team's Achilles heal; they just get too far behind. Go figure.

Some fans have suggested that offensively it's a matter of play calling and that head coach Mike McCarthy should resume those play-calling duties. Both Wayne Larrivee (radio voice of the Packers) and sidekick Packers Hall of Famer, Larry McCarren, have each made the point that from their perspective it's not a matter of who calls the plays; the plays still have to be executed and right now the players are just not executing the plays...for whatever reason.

Will the Pack continue their bumbling ways today? Or, somehow, get it together to avoid an outright tailspin? As we mentioned in the preview to last weekend's game, if the Pack couldn't beat the 1-7 Lions at Lambeau Field we would know the wheels have really fallen off. Well, the wheels did indeed fall off. The question for today is: did a new and improved set of wheels get installed that can win this game?

The Prediction
As the Five Things to Watch article by Rob Reischel in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel states: "Green Bay is in the midst of its first three-game losing streak under Aaron Rodgers since late in the 2008 season. The Packers rank 21st in total offense and 22nd in passing offense. Green Bay also hasn't had a sack in three games and plummeted to 23rd in total defense. Green Bay heads to Minnesota one game out of the lead in the NFC North, trails the Vikings in all major tiebreakers and finds itself at a crossroads. If the Packers can't fix some of what ails them Sunday, they might not be able to save this sinking season."

Minnesota is favored by 1 point by some oddsmakers at the time of this writing, while others have this game listed as a toss up. It's a bit surprising that spread isn't greater in favor of Minnesota given trends by both teams. As much as we view things through Green 'n' Gold-colored glasses around here, until the Packers show us they have turned things around it just seems as if the recent past is a good predictor of the immediate future.

We have to call this one in favor of the ViQueens 27 - 20 over the Packers.

With that said, hope we're wrong today...and...Go Pack Go!!!

The Packers lose to 49ers, lose home playoff luster

Yes, Packer fans, it's taken me quite a while to get past the Green Bay Packers' loss to the San Francisco 49ers and post a wrap-up of sorts. Losing for the fourth time in as many games to these guys from the West Coast is getting old, especially when they knock you out of the playoffs two years in a row. And particularly when that other quarterback's legs seem too much for the Packers defense to shut down. Also, after a home playoff record of 13-0 at Lambeau Field through the franchise's history, since 2002 the record has now fallen to 3-5. The luster is off the home field playoff game advantage. Who'd have thunk it?

On the positive side of things, the Packers did win the NFC North Division when, after their Thanksgiving Day loss to the Lions, they were as good as dead. Teams tend to be what they are, especially down the stretch. The Lions were the Lions, Da Bearz were Da Bearz and the ViQueens...well, never mind. The Packers -- despite the multiple injuries to key players on both sides of the ball -- somehow were able to persevere and finish strong down the stretch. That's a testament to the coaches as well as the players who had to step up. They were the Packers. And that's pretty darn good.

Photo by AP on Packers.com

But we also need to be honest. Pretty darn good is not good enough, as the last few years have shown. While the offense looks as if it will be set for some time to come, barring injuries once again and the likely departure of TE Jermichael Finley, the defense needs an overhaul. Looking at the divisional playoff games this past weekend, especially in the NFC, the Pack's defense seems slow and soft especially down the middle. Questions have arisen once again from fans and pundits alike about the future of defensive coordinator, Dom Capers. In Mike McCarthy's last press conference of the season, he defended Capers. You'd expect no less. And to be fair, Wayne Larrivee, one of the best analysts in the business and the person who also just happens to be the radio voice of the Packers, has said repeatedly since the end of the season that he is convinced the problem does not lie with the coaching staff, but rather the personnel the Packers have.

The Packers will have lots of decisions to make regarding its players, particularly along the defensive front and in the secondary. It could also be argued that there needs to be some adjustments in the linebacker corps, as well. For even as much as the stats show A.J. Hawk is key in terms of tackles, defensive assignment calls, etc., it became more and more apparent that he is slow especially in coverage. Nick Perry, who was supposed to complement Hawk in the middle has basically been a non-factor in his brief time with the Pack. Clay Matthews is a beast, but in the last two years he has only been able to play in 11 and 12 games. No one can predict injuries, but when your best defensive player can't be on the field for an entire season -- especially at the salary he's being paid -- it takes its toll on the team in many ways.

CB Tramon Williams has already said that he thinks the Packers need to have more veterans on the team. GM Ted Thompson's ongoing reliance on young and unproven talent acquired through the draft works to a point. But look at what both San Francisco and Seattle did in the offseason to upgrade their talent through free agency. Then look at which two teams are playing in the NFC Championship this coming weekend. Perhaps Thompson needs to take another look at his approach. Salary cap will play a big factor in what he can and can't do given the salaries already tied up in Matthews and QB Aaron Rodgers. But one or two veteran free agents in key spots, even with the likelihood of overpaying, has to be a consideration. The Packers are clearly a step behind, literally and figuratively, on the defensive side of the ball and unless changes are made they will find themselves an early out in the playoffs next season, as well (and, yes, I'm assuming the Packers will be in the playoffs again next season).

There is so much more that could be said on this and related subjects. But we now have the entire offseason to kick all that around. It will be our own version of fantasy football. Keep checking back in. We'll have lots to say.

Who ya got? Da Bearz or ViQueens?

One of the joys of this particular bye week for fans of the Green Bay Packers is that the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings play each other this Sunday. And while it's not as joyous as it could be if there were actually a way to have both teams lose, we can still be thankful for a couple things. First, one team will lose. Secondly, both teams will get beat up.

My friend, Billy Da Bearz Fan, asked me today who I was rooting for. I told him I'd have to agree with the radio voice of the Packers who said on Monday that he believes the 'Queens have the most talent on paper in the NFC North (despite their record). Thus, Wayne Larrivee said, the Pack really has more to fear from Minnesota than Da Bearz, who he sees falling apart as the season goes on. Seems a reasonable argument.

So, on this given Sunday, yours truly will be rooting for Da Bearz to beat the 'Queens. Yes, this will keep Chicago in the running with the Pack, at least for another week. But it will put more distance between the Packers and Minnesota, which, if you believe Larrivee, is the greater challenger for the division title. And if Chicago can help send the 'Queens broken and battered into the game with the Pack the following week, all the better.

For those reasons, a victory by Da Bearz is on my wish list for this weekend.

How do you feel about it? Are you rooting for Chicago or Minnesota this weekend? Tell us by voting in the poll in the righthand column.

Packers 2010 schedule coming Tuesday

Just ahead of the fan frenzy that is now the three-day NFL Draft extravaganza, the NFL will announce team schedules on Tuesday, April 20. The preseason schedule and times were set the last week, and come Tuesday we will know the Pack's schedule versus the team's designated opponents.

For those needing a refresher, here are the Packers' 2010 Home and Away opponents:

Home
Chicago Bears
Detroit Lions
Minnesota Vikings
Dallas Cowboys
New York Giants
San Francisco 49ers
Buffalo Bills
Miami Dolphins

Away
Chicago Bears
Detroit Lions
Minnesota Vikings
Philadelphia Eagles
Washington Redskins
Atlanta Falcons
New England Patriots
New York Jets

Wayne Larrivee's draft prognostications
The radio voice of the Green Bay Packers, Wayne Larrivee, spoke on flagship station 620WTMJ (Milwaukee) this morning about this year's NFL Draft. His opinion is that it is not as deep overall as many media types suggest. Still, he said in the areas that the Packers have needs, good options should exist. In particular, he said offensive tackle, outside linebacker and cornerback are the areas where the Packers will need to bolster the roster...in short, pretty much what everyone knows.

Where his comments became very interesting, however, was the order in which Larrivee thought the Pack's first picks might fall. Rather than the conventional wisdom of selecting an offensive tackle with their first round pick (assuming the Pack stays at #23 rather than tradiing out of it, which could also be a real possibility given GM Ted Thompson's tendencies), Larrivee said he believed the Packers would select an outside linebacker to provide a pass rushing complement to last year's draft sensation, Clay Matthews. Larrivee then said the Pack would address their offensive tackle needs in the second round.

This does seem to make sense as there is a greater opportunity for an outside linebacker to make an immediate impact, as Matthews did. A rookie offensive tackle will sit behind Chad Clifton or Mark Tauscher to learn the trade, and perhaps won't have the possibility of starting for at least another year. Given that scenario, and the apparent equality of tackle prospects beyond those that will likely go in the first 20 picks, Larrivee's scenario might indeed be the one that plays out.

On the other hand, it could also very well be that the Packers would pop for a cornerback in the second round -- or even first -- if one of their key targets is still on the board. There are several good corner prospects in which the Packers would no doubt have interest. A few could not only provide key backup support initially -- or perhaps move into a starting spot depending upon how 35-year-old Al Harris returns from his injury -- but also have kick/punt return capabilities as well, which is also something the Packers have needed for about the last decade now.

Ah, the draft...great to be able to start talking and thinking football again, isn't it, kids? You bet!

...and what about Michael Crabtree as a Packer?

With all the attention being paid to defensive and offensive linemen for the Packers' #9 pick, one of the players who hasn't been talked about all that much is Texas Tech WR Michael Crabtree. Given the Packers' needs on the O- and D-lines, as well as the fact that many mock drafts have Crabtree gone before the Packers pick, it's certainly understandable.

Well...maybe we should rethink that a bit. The radio voice of the Green Bay Packers, Wayne Larrivee, was on WTMJ620 radio in Milwaukee this evening talking about the draft with sports guy, Bill Michaels. Michaels asked Larrivee about Crabtree. Larrivee said that he "has been told" that if Crabtree is available at the #9 slot, the Packers will take him. Hmmm. Supposedly, you're not supposed to believe anything any of teams' reps tell you about the draft. So...what to make of that "has been told" bit?

Certainly fans were surprised last year when the Pack took WR Jordy Nelson with their first pick of the draft. Didn't seem like that was a team need given the abundance of good receivers already on the squad. Still, it turned out to be a good pick with the injury to James Jones. Rule of thumb: can never have too many skill players.

Relating this to this year's draft, if the Packers believe that Michael Crabtree is the best player available when and if they are still sitting at #9 it would follow form that he'll be a Packer.

Seemingly, a lot will have to do with what Seattle does at #4. There's increasing speculation that the Seahawks may draft USC QB Mark Sanchez at that spot...which would move some of the likely defensive and offensive linemen expected to go early down at least a slot, which obviously then juggles a number of things for various teams...including the Packers. Whether that drops Crabtree down to the Packers is a big question mark.

But isn't this part of what makes the NFL Draft one of the more entertaining aspects of the game? Just trying to figure out who is going to do what and why? Oh yeah...oh yeah...

Favre on Letterman - did you see it?

Packers QB Brett Favre was on the David Letterman show on CBS last evening, during which it was also announced that he was -- as reported here earlier yesterday -- the new cover boy for the Madden '09 game. But that was really anti-climactic to the conversation between Dave and Brett. Particularly when Letterman asked Brett whether he might start feeling something as mini-camps start up. "You know what, not with mini-camps. I wasn't excited about it last year. I think when training camp gets close, I will - something's bound to happen." That's when Letterman got excited. "You just said, 'Something's bound to happen,' so this makes me think you're not retired." With that quirky smile and almost a sense of embarrassment, Brett said "Butterflies, or I don't know, something's bound to happen."

But no need for me to rehash it. Because if you missed it, you can now see the entire segment on YouTube. To be precise, you can find it here. Definitely worth watching.

Draft Names from the Voice of the Packers
On this morning's sport segment on 620WTMJ radio in Milwaukee -- the flagship station for Packer games -- Wayne Larrivee, the Voice of the Packers, was asked what names he is hearing as of possible interest to the Packers.

Larrivee said that GM Ted Thompson is high on USC offensive tackle Sam Baker, who was a four-year starter at USC and a three-time All American. Scout services rate him as a late first round or early second round pick which, with the Pack at #30, would be a good fit. Offensive tackle is not an immediate need for the Packers, but it will be coming up in the next year or two. Baker wouldn't need to be an immediate starter but certainly seems to have a pedigree -- as well as the size (6'5" and 309 lbs.) to perhaps make him a good pick at #30.

Other names that Larrivee mentioned include some of the same names we have also mentioned in prior posts: CB Tracy Porter from Indiana (and while acknowledging his coverage skills Larrivee noted that he found it somewhat funny that Porter has basically said he "doesn't like contact"...what game are we playing again???); tight ends Dustin Keller from Purdue and John Carlson from Notre Dame (man, we've got a real state of Indiana thing going on here, don't we?).

Second and later round possibilities mentioned included LB Ali Highsmith out of LSU. One name which Larrivee mentioned that is under the radar (no more, I guess) is QB Josh Johnson out of San Diego. Here's the summary on Johnson from nfldraftscouts.com: "Johnson led the nation in passing efficiency (198.3), total offense (371.4 ypg) and points responsible for (27.4 ppg)…His passing efficiency rating set a new NCAA Championship Subdivision season-record…Also ranks fourth nationally in yards passing per game (298.8 ypg) and 13th in pass completions (20.6 pg)…Set another NCAA season-record, as only 0.332 of his pass attempts (one of 301) were intercepted." He is projected to go anywhere from the second to fifth rounds. We had previously heard mention of San Diego State QB Kevin O'Connell as a draft possibility, but Josh Johnson is a new -- and intriguing -- name to add to the watch list.

The Moss Rumor Just Won't Go Away

Randy Moss. Will we...or won't we?

That's what every Packer Fan is waiting to find out. Packers' CEO Bob Harlan says in reports that the feedback he got at Fan Fest last weekend was about 2 out of 3 against from fans. Why so much opposition to Moss? If you have to ask, you haven't followed football very long.

But according to an article in today's Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel Packers' GM Ted Thompson will today will give his monthly report to the team's executive committee. Expected to be on the agenda is Thompson's interest in Moss and how he proposes to get him.

This could go on a while. Raiders owner Al Davis is renowned for his stubbornness. Likewise, Thompson is known for being tightfisted with his draft picks. Still, the article indicates that sources familiar with the situation say that Thompson has talked directly to Davis about the deal. Restructuring Moss' contract would be key: there is no way in the wild world of the frozen tundra that the Pack would pay Moss' remaining base salaries of $9.75 million this season and $11.25 million in '08. That would rival for dumbness Mike Ditka's Ricky Williams draft fiasco. No, wait...nothing could rival that. Well, except maybe Ditka in the dreadlocks wig.

Apparently, though, one part of the rumor floating about is said to be untrue (a question first though: if it is a rumor, isn't it by definition neither true or untrue?): that the Packers would include QB Aaron Rodgers as part of any trade for Moss. The article indicates that the Raiders don't have any interest in Rodgers, and the Packers aren't making him available anyway. As an interesting side note, "The Voice of the Packers" Wayne Larrivee's "The Back Page" segment today on 620WTMJ Radio in Milwaukee touched on the fact that Head Coach Mike McCarthy, a QB coach, likes Rodgers and still plans on having him on board and ready to go after Brett hangs up the cleats. You can hear that March 13 clip by going to "The Back Page" page (sorry for the redundancy repetition...oops, there it is again!), or by going directly to the clip here.

As for the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel article, just go here.