Tag: Green Bay Packers

Davante Adams: Packers in a ‘blessed position’ entering bye week

Packers WR Davante Adams understands the golden opportunity ahead of his team coming out of the bye.

Davante Adams is fully aware of the golden opportunity in front of the Green Bay Packers.

Not only are the Packers 8-2 and in first place in the NFC North entering the bye week, but the team is healthy on both sides of the ball – setting up a chance for the Packers to make a legitimate run at a first-round postseason bye over the final six weeks of the season.

“We are in a blessed position with our record and with our health right now. We have to make sure we don’t take that for granted and take care of business,” Adams said Monday.

The Packers have an NFL-high five wins over teams with a winning record, including Sunday’s victory over the Carolina Panthers. They’ll face another coming out of the bye when they travel to San Francisco to play the 49ers, who are currently in possession of the top seed in the NFC.

An 8-2 start, created by a 5-1 mark at home and important road wins in Chicago, Dallas and Kansas City, has put the Packers in a favorable spot, especially considering four of the team’s last six games are against teams currently possessing a losing record.

Now, the Packers have to take advantage of the opportunity ahead. The week off could provide a chance to rest up and get healthy, even if there isn’t a major injury on the roster currently.

Adams said he’ll be staying in Green Bay during the bye, both to workout at the facility and continue rehabbing his still-healing toe back to full health.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers took an opportunity after Sunday night’s win to lay out expectations for players during the bye week.

“I hope guys realize how important this week is to get mentally balanced and then to come back and get ready for a tough road trip,” Rodgers said. “Hopefully those guys understand how important the opportunity is and not doing anything stupid that’s going to jeopardize their role in that opportunity.”

Adams said Rodgers talked with the entire team on Monday.

“Just a friendly reminder just to conduct yourself in the right way during the break,” Adams said.

Older players on the roster, including Rodgers and Adams, understand the process and how rare these kinds of opportunities are.

“We’re asking for guys to do their part. And buy into something. This is optional accountability. You have the option to buy into what we’re doing, or not. It doesn’t stop when you leave the building. You carry that ‘G’ where ever you go,” Rodgers said.

Despite loss to Falcons, Saints still have second-best Super Bowl LIV odds

Oddsmakers weren’t discouraged when the New Orleans Saints got tripped up against the Falcons. They still have great Super Bowl odds.

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It was certainly disappointing to see the New Orleans Saints come up short against the Atlanta Falcons, but that loss didn’t turn into a big hit for their Super Bowl odds. Per BetMGM, the Saints (+650) trail only the New England Patriots (+260) in the Super Bowl LIV betting lines. Along with the Baltimore Ravens (+700) and San Francisco 49ers (+750), they form the group of four teams with odds better than +1000 to win a title this year.

Here’s how the top 10 shakes out after those four contenders at the top:

  • Green Bay Packers +1000
  • Kansas City Chiefs +1200
  • Seattle Seahawks +1600
  • Philadelphia Eagles +1800
  • Minnesota Vikings +2000
  • Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans +2500

So obviously the oddsmakers aren’t bothered by a poor Saints effort in their latest loss. New Orleans is still perceived as a top team (maybe the top team) in the NFC, especially now that San Francisco lost in a dramatic overtime finish on Monday night.

It’ll be fascinating to see how things develop down the stretch as the Saints, 49ers and Packers each compete for the top two playoff seeds in the conference. The 49ers will play the Packers (at home) and the Saints (on the road) twice in three weeks, with a road contest against the Ravens squeezed in between, adding even more intrigue.

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Packers RB Aaron Jones is a red-zone scoring machine

Packers RB Aaron Jones has turned 22 carries in the red zone into 11 rushing touchdowns in 2019.

Why have the Green Bay Packers been so effective in the red zone during the first 10 games of the 2019 season?

Look no further than running back Aaron Jones, who has become a red-zone scoring machine for the Packers offense.

Jones has turned 22 carries inside the 20-yard line into an NFL-high 11 touchdowns. No other player has more than nine rushing touchdowns from inside the red zone.

The efficiency of Jones’ ability to find the end zone is most impressive.

His 50 percent scoring rate in the red zone is far and away the best among primary ball-carriers in the NFL.

Compare to some notable others:

– Dalvin Cook: 9 TDs on 35 carries (25.7 percent)
– Mark Ingram: 8 TDs on 26 carries (30.8 percent)
– Christian McCaffrey: 7 TDs on 32 carries (21.9 percent)
– Josh Jacobs: 7 TDs on 32 carries (21.9 percent)
– Derrick Henry: 7 TDs on 22 carries (31.8 percent)
– Ezekiel Elliott: 6 TDs on 40 carries  (15.0 percent)
– Sony Michel: 6 TDs on 29 carries (20.7 percent)
– Todd Gurley: 6 TDs on 26 carries (23.1 percent)
– Jordan Howard: 6 TDs on 22 carries (27.3 percent)
– Nick Chubb: 5 TDs on 31 carries (16.1 percent)
– David Montgomery: 5 TDs on 18 carries (27.8 percent)
– Chris Carson: 4 TDs on 31 carries (12.9 percent)
– Tevin Coleman: 4 TDs on 21 carries (19.0 percent)
– Alexander Mattison: 1 TD on 22 carries (4.5 percent)
– Leonard Fournette: 1 TD on 32 carries (3.1 percent)

The Packers are third in the NFL in touchdown percentage inside the red-zone. They’ve scored 24 touchdowns on 38 trips, good for a percentage of 68.6.

Jones scored three more red-zone touchdowns on Sunday against the Panthers. He broke a tackle of Luke Kuechly and scored from five yards out in the first quarter. He fought his way into the end zone from a yard out in the second quarter. And he burst through the second level and past a diving safety to score from 13 yards out in the third quarter.

Overall, Jones has 12 touchdowns from inside the red zone this season. His decisiveness and quickness as a runner allow him to find holes and get through cracks, and he’s much tougher in a crowd than his frame suggests.

And it isn’t just Jones who has become a red-zone monster for the Packers. Running back Jamaal Williams has turned six catches inside the 20-yard line into five touchdowns, which leads the team.

Together, Jones and Williams have 18 total touchdowns in the red zone through the first 10 games of the 2019 season. Coach Matt LaFleur has used the pair to take pressure off of Aaron Rodgers in the confined areas of the scoring area.

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Top 5 offensive lines of Week 10: NFC North, upsets, honoring Swagger, and typical Ravens

As we slowly adjust back into reality, let’s take a look at the top 5 from Week 10.

In what could be described as a perfect spinoff to Netflix’s Stranger Things, Week 10 in the NFL was so upside down that the most-normal thing from all of the action was a dual something-or-other that might have forever changed the way uncles dance at weddings.

First, there was Dak:

And then, there was Jimmy:

Beyond that? Cleveland honored their mascot, Swagger, and his retirement from leading the Browns onto the field with an upset win over Buffalo. Aaron Rodgers caught a penalty flag—poetically, mind you—and the internet immediately shouted that such art needed to be accompanied by Alanis Morissette’s “Ironic.”

Three Heisman Trophy winners lined up in the backfield—at the same time!—during the Ravens-Bengals game. And Matthew McConaughey took the cyber streets after the incredible Monday night battle between the Seahawks and 49ers and basically wrote the dialogue for the next Lincoln commercial.

Not to be ignored or outdone—with some of the stranger credit going to Tennessee Titans’ Taylor Lewan—there were also some stellar efforts from a few the offensive lines.

As we slowly adjust back into reality, let’s take a look at the top 5 from Week 10.

5. Baltimore Ravens

Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The only thing keeping the Ravens’ O-line from being ranked higher than fifth this week is the tilted-smirk realization that they played against the Cincinnati Bengals.

But when your quarterback ends the day with a perfect QB rating, and the running game totals over 130 yards and two touchdowns, it’s impossible not to give a thumbs up, either.

The Ravens’ O-line continues to be a collective force. They led the way for Jackson’s big game on the ground and they kept him protected during the pass. One penalty and one sack, with only minimal pressure from the Bengals’ rush later, and the Ravens’ front had done another standout job—regardless if some saw this game as more of an AFC North intramural session.

Marshal Yanda, Bradley Bozeman, Matt Skura, Orlando Brown, Ronnie Stanley, with a dash of Patrick Mekari and James Hurst: You don’t make the schedule, you just block—and, man-O-man, do you guys block!

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Packers notes: Matt LaFleur regrets playcall on final play of first half vs. Panthers

Packers coach Matt LaFleur regrets the play he called at the end of the first half against the Panthers.

Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur said if given another opportunity, he’d still go for a touchdown in an end-of-the-half scenario, but he’d want to call a different play.

The Packers got stuffed by Carolina Panthers defensive lineman Gerald McCoy on the final play of the second quarter when McCoy blew into the backfield and stopped Jamaal Williams for a loss.

The missed opportunity didn’t end up costing the Packers, but LaFleur still regrets calling that play in that situation.

“Just going back to that, I don’t like the playcall,” LaFleur said Monday. “We didn’t practice it for that situation. I put that on my shoulders. I have to do a better job of making sure that we’re well prepared for whatever they may show, and I don’t think I did a good enough job in that regard. Still would go for it again, if that opportunity presented itself.”

The Packers got a penalty to get to the 2-yard line with two seconds left, decided to forego the easy field goal and used a timeout to help provide time to find the right play.

McCoy said after Sunday’s game that he picked up on a few pre-snap keys and knew when to jump the snap. That advantage allowed him to blow past left tackle David Bakhtiari and stuff Williams just as he was getting the football on an inside run.

LaFleur said the Packers had been getting significant push up the middle in the first half, and he was confident the offensive line could open up enough room for Williams to get three feet.

“I thought we could cram it up for a yard and it didn’t work,” LaFleur said Sunday.

Aaron Jones, who scored three touchdowns on Sunday against the Panthers, wasn’t on the field.

Packers want to specialize role for MVS: Second-year receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling has just one catch for 4 yards over the last three games, and he was on the field for just 11 snaps during Sunday’s win over the Panthers.

LaFleur said Valdes-Scantling is still recovering from an injury suffered in a win over the Oakland Raiders on Oct. 20. But he also wants to refocus on finding specialized ways of best using his unique skill set.

“Number one, he has battled through a little bit of an injury, which definitely has slowed him down,” LaFleur said. “But we also have to look critically at ourselves and what we’re asking him to do and making sure we’re putting him in position to get some of those balls. He does have a great talent. He’s a guy that, when he rolls off the ball, he is tough to defend because he runs so well. We have to put him in position where he can use that to his advantage. You can’t coach or teach that speed.”

Valdes-Scantling’s one target against the Panthers was a deep shot from Aaron Rodgers on third down. It was thrown into double coverage, and Valdes-Scantling was unable to go up and make a play on the ball in the air.

Although there’s risk of tipping their hand with personnel, it’s possible the Packers will use Allen Lazard, Jake Kumerow and Geronimo Allison as intermediate receivers and Valdes-Scantling as the designated vertical threat over the final six games.

Sternberger earns trust: Rookie tight end Jace Sternberger might have earned himself a bigger role on offense after impressing coaches during a 15-play cameo against the Panthers on Sunday.

The Packers’ third-round pick didn’t have a catch or a target, but he handled his business as a blocker. At least twice, he cut off the backside on a split zone run. He also got to the second level and blocked Shaq Thompson on one explosive run from Jamaal Williams.

“We definitely had the intent to put him in the game. We had a couple of plays that were specifically for him. Some of the cross sifts and inserts. He did a nice job. He earned our trust. I’m excited about him for the future,” LaFleur said.

Sternberger could give LaFleur and the Packers offense an athletic move tight end to use over the final six weeks of the season.

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Panthers drop to No. 10 in Week 11 power rankings

Panthers drop to No. 10 in Week 11 power rankings

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The Panthers had a chance to take down one of the NFC’s top contenders on Sunday, but they came up just a little short after a fourth quarter rally.

As expected, the loss to the Packers hurt their position in Touchdown Wire’s power rankings. Last week, they came in at No. 7 on Doug Farrar’s list. This week, they’ve dropped down to No. 10. If you’re looking for a culprit, the run defense is the reason.

“Carolina is tied with Cincinnati in allowing a league-worst 5.2 yards per carry, and it’s never good to be tied with the NFL’s worst overall defense. . . The Panthers will try to fix this issue against the Falcons and their 3.8 yards-per-carry average next week. Long term, this is the kind of thing that could upend everything else as the Panthers try to contend for the postseason.”

Indeed.

Yesterday, coach Ron Rivera told reporters that there’s no magic fix for the team’s issues defending the runs. That may be true, but it doesn’t mean that Rivera is doing enough to help. Schematic changes may be needed to give his front seven more chances to make stops.

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Packers lead division, hold No. 2 seed in NFC after 10 weeks

The Packers are in first place in the NFC North and the second seed in the NFC after 10 weeks.

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The Green Bay Packers are entering their Week 11 bye with an 8-2 record and sole possession of first place in the NFC North. They’re also currently holding the No. 2 seed in the conference, setting up Matt LaFleur’s team to make a legitimate run at a first-round bye over the final six weeks of the season.

The current NFC North and NFC standings:

NFC North

1. Packers (8-2)
2. Vikings (7-3)
3. Bears (4-5)
4. Lions (3-5-1)

NFC

1. 49ers (8-1)
2. Packers (8-2)
3. Saints (7-2)
4. Cowboys (5-4)
5. Seahawks (8-2)
6. Vikings (7-3)

7. Rams (5-4)
8. Eagles (5-4)
9. Panthers (5-4)
10. Bears (4-5)

The Packers play four of their final six games on the road, beginning in Week 12 at 49ers. With a win, the Packers can take over control of the No. 1 seed in the conference.

The team’s final six games include only two games against teams currently possessing a winning record:

Week 12 at 49ers (8-1)
Week 13 at Giants (2-8)
Week 14 vs. Redskins (1-8)
Week 15 vs. Bears (4-5)
Week 16 at Vikings (7-3)
Week 17 at Lions (3-5-1)

The Packers are 3-0 in the NFC North but finish with three straight games within the division, including back-to-back road games. It’s looking increasingly more likely that the Week 16 game in Minnesota will determine the division winner.

According to the New York Times playoff predictor, the Packers have a 95 percent chance at making the postseason and a 57 percent chance of winning the division. A win over the 49ers in Week 12 would boost the team’s chances of securing a first-round bye to almost 80 percent.

NFC Playoff Picture: Where do the Saints stand after Week 10?

The New Orleans Saints may have lost their Week 10 game with the Atlanta Falcons, but the NFC playoff picture is far from locked in place.

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Week 10 delivered plenty of surprises to the NFL, painting the playoff picture in sweeping, sometimes-erratic strokes. It brought big changes for some Super Bowl contenders and a painful reality check for other playoff hopefuls, the New Orleans Saints among them. The Saints may have fallen flat against the Atlanta Falcons, but they weren’t the only favorite to get upset this week. Let’s run through the games that impacted this week’s standings.

Green Bay Packers 24, Carolina Panthers 16

What a game for the Packers, who were able to run often and effectively on what’s been a mostly-strong Panthers defense. Their two-headed attack of Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams combined for 156 rushing yards in a game that saw snow pile up as the afternoon drew on. Green Bay’s defense showed up with several sacks and frequently pressured newly-minted starting Panthers quarterback Kyle Allen, who put up a fight but wasn’t able to clinch a tough win on the road. Christian McCaffrey was effective as ever but ultimately came up short at the goal-line on the game’s final play.

Pittsburgh Steelers 17, Los Angeles Rams 12

The Rams hoped to rally down the stretch after the Jalen Ramsey trade, but his arrival didn’t give them enough juice to defeat the Mason Rudolph-led Steelers. Quarterback Jared Goff has continued to nosedive since signing his huge contract extension in preseason, and the Rams’ season may be sinking too fast for the rest of the team to pull him back up to competence. They’re a distant third-best in the NFC West at 5-4, but theoretically have enough time to bounce back.

Minnesota Vikings 28, Dallas Cowboys 24

This game was all about Dalvin Cook: he picked up 97 rushing yards and 86 receiving yards, giving the Cowboys defense fits throughout their Sunday Night Football matchup. His efforts were instrumental to keeping pressure off mistake-prone quarterback Kirk Cousins and finding a way to win, though Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott threw for nearly 400 yards in a game that was competitive down to the wire. The NFC East race is as cloudy as ever, which is good news for the Saints, who currently sit above them all in projected playoff seeding.

Seattle Seahawks 27, San Francisco 49ers 24 (OT)

A contender for the game of the year saw the 49ers receive their first loss this season, even if Seattle did its best to lose. Their best defenders (linebackers Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright) each dropped game-winning interceptions late on Monday Night Football, and the Seahawks coaching staff took the ball out of their franchise quarterback’s hands with multiple run-run-pass-punt sequences down the stretch. Still, Russell Wilson found a way to put his team in position to win, even if coach Pete Carroll made an insanely cowardly decision to punt from his own 45-yard line late in overtime. Neither of these teams should feel good about their chances of playing the Saints in the postseason.

Here’s what the projected NFC playoff picture looks like after Week 10:

NFC standings

  1. West: 49ers (8-1)
  2. North: Packers (8-2)
  3. South: Saints (7-2)
  4. East: Cowboys (5-4)
  5. Wild card: Seahawks (8-2)
  6. Wild card: Vikings (7-3)

In the hunt

  • Rams (5-4)
  • Eagles (5-4)
  • Panthers (5-4)
  • Bears (4-5)

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NFL Week 10: 26 elite performances

Lamar Jackson was a human highlight reel to top the elite in Week 10 of the NFL season.

Lamar Jackson continues to stun, Ezekiel Elliott and Saquon Barkley failed to deliver and the Seahawks edged the Niners to complete Week 10.

Arizona Cardinals

Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Christian Kirk had a huge game in the loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It was going to take time for Kyler Murray and the young Cardinals’ receiving corps — exempting Larry Fitzgerald — to gel. Murray and Kirk were on the same page Sunday as they connected six times for 138 yards and three TDs. Kirk outdid his fellow Texas A&M WR, Mike Evans, on the other side as the Bucs’ star WR had four grabs for 82 yards in the win.

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Packers DL Kenny Clark sets career-high for pressures in win vs. Panthers

Clark had 10 pressures on Sunday against the Panthers, setting a new career-high.

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He didn’t have a sack, but Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Kenny Clark put on a pass-rushing show on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers.

According to Pro Football Focus, Clark tallied 10 total pressures, setting a new career-high for a single game.

At least three different times, Clark had a chance to sack Panthers quarterback Kyle Allen but couldn’t finish the play. In the second half, his instant interior pressure helped Preston Smith sack Allen on third down, forcing a punt. He also nearly delivered a sack on a three-man rush on the Panthers’ final drive.

Clark was productive as a pass-rusher, stout on the inside against the run and aware in the screen game. He ended up as the Packers’ highest-graded player, per PFF.

It was the kind of breakout game the Packers needed from Clark, who was uncharacteristically quiet during the month of October.

The Packers now head into the bye week with the momentum of a dominant performance from the defensive front. Not only did Clark produce big pass-rushing numbers, but Za’Darius Smith consistently found his way into the backfield and Preston Smith delivered two third-down sacks.

Don’t be surprised if Clark comes on strong over the final six games. He’ll get a chance to get his body healthy and rested during the bye week, and appealing matchups loom, especially down the stretch within the division. The Packers need Clark, their best interior player by a mile, to be a difference-maker as Matt LaFleur’s team attempts to win the NFC North and secure a first-round bye.

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