Transcript
Deck: All right, here we go. One of these kids is doing his own thing this week. i'm Coming off a loss. Kind of a tough time for for the Viking optimism going on here. so Ah.
Deck: With me, as always, we got Mr. Nolan Dix, the Hall of Fame voice, the Bears faithful, and he's never short on his opinions on X, whether they're good or bad. And then we got angry Mike. And you know what, Mike, I finally figured you out. I know why you're called angry Mike, because you don't really get angry. It's just, you piss people off on X once in a while.
angrymike: I tell you what, you know, it it it happens, you know, but.
Deck: So that...
angrymike: You know, i but I even posted something today about, I hope Jack Campbell's better, and someone called me an asshole. so I don't know where they're you know where they're getting this stuff from, but...
Deck: No, man.
N D: yeah
N D: It's the sarcasm in your bold print or something, maybe.
Deck: There you go.
N D: or your
Deck: Yeah that could be it.
angrymike: It could be.
N D: but
angrymike: it could be
N D: Yeah.
Deck: That could be it.
angrymike: We...
N D: Okay.
angrymike: And we are excited today to have. Matt Fralick joined us from Packaday Podcast. so He's here to talk a little NFC North and and some Packers, and we're excited to have him join the pod today.
angrymike: So, Matt, welcome.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: awesome i appreciate you guys having me on honestly like when we've gone back and forth on twitter in the past mike um and i think you first caught my attention just like some good memes some good internetting out there so it's it's good that you're triggering people once in a while and i And the fact that it is angry Mike is like.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: They don't know. what angry Mike's up to. Like they might think he is just like a troll, but you're really not. And I think. ultimately like watching what you guys have done and just like your podcast and where it is, NFC North base is fun. I think for like pack a day, we'll bring on.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: um And you'll bring a like. on like the Paul Farrington show and some people. during a lead up to a rivalry game but it's fun to kind of sit as the dust has settled from A Packers win from last Thursday to a...
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: I hate to say it. dominating win on Monday Night Football. versus the Super Bowl champions like there's there's a lot to be said there so it's um it's it's fun to get into it and there's I think there's just storylines across the NFC North and it's one of the best divisions right now. So it's it's fun to have.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: everyone represented here besides the Lions. We, there's other reasons why the Lions aren't represented. Well, I learned in the pre -production meeting here, but ultimately I think we all can, we all can give our own take on where the Lions sit and just kind of, it's, it's a good time to be a football fan, but definitely an NFC North fan.
N D: yeah yeah
Deck: There it is.
N D: ah
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: it's super competitive right now.
N D: And Matt, we we can't leave out, you know, the bookend wins by the Packers and the Bears.
Deck: Absolutely.
N D: We can't forget the the main story that was in the middle on Sunday. The Vikings did play on Sunday.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: They did. They did, believe it or not, they did play.
N D: Yeah.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: um
N D: Yep, they did.
Deck: they, they. They did play, and I...
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Yeah.
Deck: So let's let's get through it right away so I can go back to just being happy. uh You know, the first half when we sacked Goff four times, I'm like, okay, the Vikings are going to win this game. And then. ah The Detroit offense did something none of the other teams, none of the other NFC North teams could do this year.
Deck: is they figured out flows. defense putting those two big beefy tight ends in there and just running the ball so Mike, I know you you text me about... fourth quarter and they just said that the lions are wearing the d down and they were i mean they were just Rolling it out doesn't help that your quarterback is throwing passes into the dirt. But other than that Like I told you, they would go 6 -0.
angrymike: You know.
Deck: Their first loss would be to the Lions. I was, again, Nolan, I was right. I told you they would win their first six games. And they lost to the Lions, you know. in a Now everybody wants Murray benched and they want KOC fired and Flores is the new head coach.
Deck: so um
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Cheers.
Deck: yeah it's crazy yeah i mean it's like carson wentz is starting because murray's got a grade 96 hamstring pull i don't know if he gave the thumbs up yet or not but i'm hoping that he does
angrymike: that's the way it goes that's the way it goes man
angrymike: Well, that's how you know it's not serious is when you give the thumbs up.
Deck: Yeah, that's right. But we'll see what happens. And then, you know. just talking and looking on X today that we were going to trade for not Davey Jones from the monkeys, but Daniel Jones from the Colts, you know? And I'm like, come on, man.
Deck: that Are we really going to do that?
N D: well he Do you think though, i you don't think he'll give you a better chance to win?
Deck: but I don't know
N D: Then Kyler Murray.
Deck: Cart. Carson or Jones?
N D: Jones.
Deck: No. God knows. Terrible quarterback, dude.
angrymike: Well, they when i I mean, when you're when you're playing cards and you got...
N D: I'm just... Just asking a question. Yeah.
angrymike: you know, four fours in your hand, you're you're not going to win shit.
N D: Ha.
Deck: Right.
N D: ah
Deck: All right.
N D: Yeah.
angrymike: You know, so it's like, it's it's just, unless you, I guess, yeah, it's just.
Deck: I mean.
Deck: I don't.
angrymike: It's just not a very good option to have when Kyler Murray is on the top of your list.
Deck: Yeah, i would I would. I would defer to you guys and say, could you bring a new quarterback in? this week and win. And the only one I think you could, and people are saying that as cousins, but I don't. think he's coming you know i don't i don't know i just something's got to click one of these times, doesn't it? And I think that's why if they trade for JT from Indianapolis, if they get a running back, I think that will kind of open up the defense a little bit more.
angrymike: yeah i think
Deck: then I think y 'all need to worry.
angrymike: Well, I think the way the Vikings are set up, right, they can run the football pretty decent. um They can protect the quarterback. Okay. The problem is you got elite receivers and you don't have a very good.
angrymike: Quarterback. But your defense is great, you know, so you're playing keep away most of the game.
Deck: Yeah.
angrymike: So it is a winning formula. And I i joke that they're the, you know, the Iowa Hawkeyes of the NFL. Iowa wins. a lot of time it's not sexy it's not fun to watch but um They just do it. I'm i'm interested to hear Matt. ah Matt, what's your thoughts on this? i did The Vikings, I mean, I i think...
angrymike: They just are who they are. And unless you're going to go out and get. Kirk Cousins, which I don't think they're going to do. I just think there are Identity is defense and running the ball.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Yeah, and I think that was on full display as a Packers fan right that week one just how they were. flying around and disrupting anything that the Packers wanted to do. And I think as a Packers fan and someone that covers the team.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: It's like, man, you had months and months and months to get ready for this blind Brian Flores defense. this like double mug defense where everyone's in the box and whatever it is and like It's so funny because it's such a copycat league. You see it across the league now, and it's like this has been a defense for years. like But now everyone's using it. The Packers ran it a lot. um Last week, actually.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: But ultimately, like, i yeah, it's. the Iowa Hawkeyes of the NFL it's a great analogy because like yeah they're six and one but like 93 points against. 140 -point score. You look at the rest of the NFC North. um points against almost double uh detroit and chicago have scored over 200 points packers have scored 171 so it's just like It's it's tough to, you know.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Yeah. you look at the box score sometimes, and obviously that's what reflective of the points for and points against, but the the record is the record. They finally lost their first game. It was on the road in Detroit.
Deck: know
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: It is. It's crazy because I actually thought some of that fodder was more of like a joke, honestly, of trading for Daniel Jones or Kirk Cousins or kicking the tires back on. whomever it was and like I just – I mean, it it would make sense because you are 6 -1 at the top of the division and you were one of the last undefeated teams.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: I don't think you just like. blow it up. I mean, I know Kyler's banged up yeah and i mean blowed up from the quarterback standpoint i know i know Kyler's banged up and he's missed some time, but it's like.
Deck: No, I don't
Deck: No, I know what you're saying.
angrymike: mm -hmm
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: He's still... super athletic and he can still make some plays now he looked a little bit rough last week, but I do still think like Kevin O 'Connell is. a really damn good coach when it comes to coaching quarterbacks. I think the problem is it's like he's not used to having someone like Kyler Murray that can make.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: any backyard play like a Kayla Williams play or whoever it is, or a Patrick Mahomes play. And like, you kind of got to lean into that strength a little bit. They've only been on the offense the together for so you know seven games.
Deck: Right.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: um Six of which...
Deck: Okay.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Kyler's played, so it's like... it's it's You stick with it, but you hope that Kevin O 'Connell can innovate a little bit because he has had somewhat of the same quarterback pocket passer. Get the ball out fast.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: one or two reads and make a move and it's like that's not really kyler murray's game and i don't think he wants to play in that system As much as they'd like him to, he probably needs to if he wants to have a career in the NFL past the Vikings.
angrymike: Mm -hmm.
Deck: Right.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Um...
Deck: Right.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: It's a divisional game, though, too, on the road. like That's where it's like I kind of put it aside. But again, when you're only when you're winning games scoring 16, 15 points, that's... That's... bizarre i don't think that's sustainable in January. But. crazy things have happened. And I think.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: To Mike's point. If you can run the ball and play defense. A lot of teams in this league would like to be able to do both of those, and the Green Bay Packers can't. do one of those two right now so um I think it's it's a formula for sex success. You still have...
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Justin Jefferson, you have a run game that should be viable. It was a little rough last week, I know. Mason's coming back from that thumb, but I still believe in Aaron Jones.
angrymike: and
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: He's had some great games this year. so um i think it's a little blip on the radar and maybe just a reset of like okay We kind of got to use Kyler's legs a little bit more, obviously, with the hammy right now. We'll see. but i You can't trade for anyone. And I think.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Carson Wentz is... About. the same of what you're going to get off the the trade market. You know, Kirk Cousins is playing good for Las Vegas, but like.
angrymike: Yeah.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: to re I don't know. it's it's I just don't think you can make that change right now.
angrymike: No, i don't I don't think he can either.
Deck: Right.
angrymike: And, you know, one thing about the Vikings too, even though they're not.
Deck: No.
angrymike: sexy you know ah you know watching them i mean they're only giving up 13 points a game I mean, and they're point differential. is a positive 47, you know, which is second best in the division but behind the Bears.
angrymike: Um, you know so even though not always fun to watch. Everybody wants to see a ton of offense, but man, you got to get Brian Flores credit. He just is getting great seasons out of guys like Dallas.
angrymike: Dallas Turner, you thought was a bust. You know, it just...
Deck: Right.
angrymike: just playing fantastic ball and I don't think one loss really changes all that.
Deck: And I don't either, but. There's another guy in this podcast that will say different.
angrymike: All right.
Deck: He's been kind of quiet.
angrymike: so
Deck: He's been kind of quiet here for a little bit
angrymike: So... so So let's do it. Let's move on to the bears. um and And their victory.
N D: Well, remember now minnesota Minnesota is going to be hosting Buffalo. which could add up. You know, could be a loss. Buffalo's good against the run, so. Murray's got to come out and pass.
N D: I don't know
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: yeah
Deck: As of right now, it sounds like he's not even playing is what they're saying with his hammy.
N D: No.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: That's crazy.
N D: Okay.
Deck: So, well, it obviously it's early in the week.
N D: Either way, I think it's going to be a tough task to beat Buffalo.
Deck: Yeah.
N D: Buffalo is averaging a ton of points. And we'll see how Flores does against that Buffalo defense and or that offense.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: huh
N D: It'll be interesting.
angrymike: You know, and and ah in Buffalo's defense isn't very good, but I... The Vikings aren't a team that can really take advantage of that, I don't think. I think the Vikings kind of pull. teams down with them and i think that game may be 2013 or something like that you know what i mean there's no way the vikings are going to get into a track meet with the bills
Deck: Right.
angrymike: You know, so it's...
N D: no
angrymike: It'll it'll be another 16 -13, 16 -10 game, and it's just a matter of... you know what team comes out on top. but And that's what happens when you have a great defense.
Deck: Right.
angrymike: You tend to pull those great offenses down with you.
Deck: Well Dixie said it best if you can score 15 or more your chances of beating the Vikings are pretty good So.
angrymike: Yes.
N D: no
Deck: And we'll...
angrymike: Yeah.
Deck: we say it We'll go with that.
angrymike: All right, so let's move on to the Bears.
Deck: So, all right, Nolan.
angrymike: Last night, great.
Deck: let's let's Let's shine on. Let's bear down.
angrymike: Yep. Great win last night. let's Let's hear about it.
N D: It was an exciting night from, and like you said earlier, with Simmons starting things off. and He's going to be a big factor. um Kind of propelled. booker and sweat a little bit obviously sweat coming off his two -game suspension um Looked great. Looked rejuvenated. The defense looked well. Jalen Johnson still is Jalen Johnson.
N D: Um, You know, nobody could really. keep up with Najiba, but Najiba had the touchdown, but. I... He didn't really have a kill of night because we were getting the Darnold and he was rushing his passes. So I think at the defense.
N D: And I know they're still looking at. Adding. either a cornerback or Khalil Mack or something else. Um, I don't know how much more you could add to this defense, but you know if they stay healthy, they're going to be in the same lines. Green Bay's defense is playing. playing well, they're getting better.
N D: Um, Man, this this NFC North, not only, they're going to have three really good defenses in it. and They're all making the playoffs. It's going to be crazy, but. Um, Offensively. um I got to pat my own back. cause Decker told me.
Deck: Yeah.
N D: It ain't going to happen. I went on the podcast. I went on X. I said, the bears will have 350 yards. Uh... Of total offense and they will score 30 points and. Decker said, nope.
N D: It's not going to happen. And luckily it did. I mean...
Deck: Yeah.
N D: I did i didn't think they were going to get the 30. I mean, they really turned it on in that third and fourth quarter. but um Caleb Williams was steady. Sweat. Or a Swift, I thought, had a...
N D: A better game than... what I thought he did. If, I mean, if I just watched that game and I didn't see how many yards he had, I didn't think he. Had very many yards, but... um you know they rushed over 100 yards three touchdowns on the ground That makes for.
N D: Definitely playoff football. And if you can run the football, be the number one running offense. ah in the league. Caleb Williams only has to pass for 250 and a couple touchdowns. and they'll They'll be okay. They'll be able to contend with the Seattles, the Patriots. You know, they've got.
N D: You know, San Francisco is the the high horse right now. so who can beat San Francisco if they're healthy.
angrymike: Yeah, I think what I'm amazed... You know, I put it on X last night. I mean. That Justin Simmons sack to start the game, I'm like... that's going to be a problem. so Especially when Green Bay has the guards they have. I'm like, yeah that's not good for us. but I mean, you got to give credit.
angrymike: you know to the bears defense i mean Good. It's eight games in and they're ranked seventh in the league. And then they just got Simmons last week. So I i put on X that I thought they're the the most complete team in the North right now.
angrymike: um And. They showed it last night. They they showed. Jeffrey Simmons is going to be a problem. And I.
N D: And Nelson was kind of a non -factor. I don't think I heard his name very much.
angrymike: No, no, not at all.
N D: You know?
angrymike: and Yeah, and the secondary, I mean, the Bears secondaries, I don't think they're great at all. I mean, Kyler Gordon got it caught for a couple holds.
N D: No.
angrymike: um tyreek stevenson got totally burned but that's not really abnormal for anybody taking on Smith Najigba, but.
N D: No.
angrymike: Man, if the Bears can get a pass rush, that helps the secondary. Like Green Bay last year, no one talked about Keyshawn Nixon and Carrington Valentine until Parsons got hurt. because the pass rush ended then all of a sudden they got exposed you know so the best way to to fix that pass defense, which is still only... 14th in the league it's not like it's terrible um is getting a pass rush and i think simmons is a is a force multiplier i mean look at Montez Sweat.
angrymike: Coming off the non -performance enhancing drugs, you did what did we say?
N D: okay
angrymike: He was licking lead paint or whatever he was that he got he got tested for.
N D: Yeah. Yep.
angrymike: but
Deck: yeah
angrymike: Man, he looked really rejuvenated with his teammate coming on board. So I... The bears look really, really good right now.
N D: Yeah, no, Jigba had... Had a big night, six catches, 118 yards and a touchdown, but... You look at anybody else in that team. There was nobody that got over 26 yards receiving and.
N D: They only rushed for 81 total yards on the ground.
angrymike: Yep.
N D: Darnold had a rough night. um I don't know. I was, I was happy with it, but then of course I wake up this morning and then all of a sudden, well. Seattle's mediocre. They're not very good. And I was like, well, I mean, come on.
Deck: See? See?
N D: I mean.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: of
Deck: See, you gotta...
N D: Let's let's.
Deck: You got to stay off X, buddy.
N D: I know. i I know I do, I know
Deck: I keep telling you this over and over and over again.
N D: I know.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: or even Or even just turn off certain mainstream television programs like maybe ESPN or Fox Sports.
angrymike: Yeah.
angrymike: Oh God.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: It's like sometimes it's like, what are we what are we talking about?
N D: That's true.
Deck: Yeah.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: like yeah like
N D: Yeah.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: The Super Bowl champs aren't any good, and they have the off offensive player of the year, and and you mentioned his stat line last night. No one's been able to shut him down. like he's
N D: Yeah.
angrymike: No.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Jason is going to get his all the time. And I think they were.
angrymike: Yep.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: hoping to get out to an early league probably with that so they could get behind that. that run game that they're. It's the healthiest it's been all year, right? um but they weren't able to establish that i think early on there was Maybe a highlight or two they showed of Quentin Nelson getting out in space and doing something. but it It was all the defense, man. and like that the The force multiplier is exactly what it is. It's like if Jeffrey Simmons can make...
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: montez sweat look like that and other guys like that's huge and yeah like i do keep seeing in this whole like okay, we got Simmons, we being Bears fans. Now let's go get Khalil Mack or another linebacker or another defensive.
angrymike: Yep.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: I'm like. Kate. Guys, you have one glaring hole. It's your secondary, and it's not even your young guys.
N D: Yep.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Malik Muhammad's solid.
angrymike: no
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: uh, Thinaman solid, like just get a corner that.
angrymike: Yeah.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: can Want to tackle. Get a corner that doesn't make mental errors and you're fine.
angrymike: Yeah.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Maybe they can cover that up with the defense like you mentioned with. uh the impact that parsons made last year that's secondary but i they are they are unfortunately The most complete team, top to bottom, NFC North.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: um back to ah Mainstream media, NFL .com does have does have them third. on their power rankings that came out today. So we'll see what that changes up next week.
angrymike: Yep.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Maybe they drop out of the top 10 with. ah a tough loss to whomever they play, but I still think they're a damn good football team and they're doing it. Essentially easy. They're running the ball effectively.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: um They're doing exactly what. um Ben Johnson did with Detroit and that two -headed monster in Montgomery and Gibbs and just making it simple throws for his quarterback and that's why Jared Goff looks so damn good for so many years there and Caleb Williams is... Not turning the ball over.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: And he's playing within the offense. and Roma dunes is. kind of an afterthought it's pretty much just luther burton in that run game and oh by the way kyle menunga hasn't played in a couple weeks like i think
N D: Yep.
N D: Yeah.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: i'm I'm a little bit.
N D: I was just going to say that. yeah
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Yeah, I'm a little bit nervous of what the Bears got cooking and especially on prime time, on the road, in a tough environment that we know is volatile in Seattle. and they They held their own.
N D: I had ah at a buddy in town here pulled up alongside me this evening. He's a Viking fan. and We got to talking. He goes, yeah, good game last night. He looked at me. He goes. Boy, you guys got damn lucky with Williams. and Ben Johnson. And I'm like,
N D: We were crappy for how many years to to get the number one over Paul and to make that trade.
Deck: ah
angrymike: ah
Deck: Yeah.
N D: Yeah, we got lucky.
angrymike: Yep.
N D: I get it. you know, but it's just like. Yeah, I mean, we got Johnson. I mean, Johnson could have went to the Giants. ah giant you know. Ben Johnson could have went anywhere. But he chose Chicago. And I just think.
N D: You know, it's and i And I know with you guys being Packer fans and. Chad being a Viking fan. I myself, when the Vikings win. and i And I want to ask all three of you this. Now, when you sit down on a Sunday.
N D: Okay. What team do you look at? To go. and they And they win. You go, oh, God, they won. Mine's Minnesota. When I see Minnesota win, i i just I just cringe. I don't know why.
N D: And I know it's a rivalry thing, but it's just like, it just. When Green Bay wins, I'm like, oh, yeah, okay, well, we've kind of expected that. I think we've expected the winning for so long that. But Minnesota is a team that I see. That's the first score I look at. I'm like. Ah, Vikings won. Dang it.
N D: Who do you guys look at in the division?
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Is that, is that? Is that always been the case, though, or is that recent?
N D: um No, it's always been that way because my debt.
Deck: ah Since I've known him.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: okay
N D: Yeah, my dad's a Viking fan, and and I think I...
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Fair enough.
Deck: Since I've known him. Yeah.
N D: I've seen his disappointment at Christmas every year when... You know, and when he goes out next year, son, and I'm like, you know what?
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: but
Deck: Yeah.
N D: That's why I'm not a Viking fan.
Deck: Yeah.
N D: but
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: yeah
N D: I think it's just with with so many of my... friends and Relatives Viking fans, I i think that just kind of. i don't and i And I've been used to the... To the Vikings. ah Out.
N D: also winning but the packers winning And. You know, it's just like I told my son two years ago. he's ah he's a bears fan he's 26 years old and this year he's like having his favorite season ever and i'm like son i said we were ah we were like numb to losing Because we'd call each other after the game and we're like.
N D: And I guess we go on the next year. our next you know, our next game. and You know, you get you get numb to losing. and I don't know. I'm curious on you two. Is there a team that you see or is it out of the division that you see that you look and go? I hope these guys never win a game
Deck: Well, I think everybody everybody likes it when the Cowboys lose, don't they?
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: For me it's... here Go ahead. Of course. Of course.
Deck: I mean...
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: It's fantastic.
angrymike: Yeah, I hate the Cowboys.
Deck: Yeah.
N D: Well, they're starting to lose a lot.
angrymike: Matt, matt i'll let you go I'll let you go first on that one, Matt.
Deck: Yeah, i I broke in.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: yeah
Deck: Sorry, but go ahead, Matt.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: No, you're cool. I appreciate it.
Deck: ye
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: It's Bears -Vikings in that order. There has been times where it's flipped, but it's Bears -Vikings. I wouldn't even say it's the Lions that I'm like watching. It's mostly like... The Niners. Cowboys for a little while there, but Niners are up there just because they yeah have been so relevant and you think.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Playoff picture, which is what the Green Bay Packers are always looking for. It's like yeah, we're Our expectation is not to just go 500. It's to go 10 -7, 11 -6, make the playoffs, and go to a NFC Championship game.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: And you know you're going to run into that buzzsaw that Kyle Shanahan's got cooking no matter who. who the hell is injured or not. But yeah, I would say it's it's always the Bears.
Deck: Right.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Um, bears fan cause Bears fans are more... intelligent as fans, honestly. They're a little biased at times. They know ball very well. They know their team well. But sometimes Vikings fans, like...
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: are just, and i maybe it's. bias because i have family members that don't watch a ton of football but it's like sometimes im like i don't know what you guys are talking about like I don't even know if you know outside of Justin Jefferson who you have on a team.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: And I think.
N D: ah Yeah.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: um but i do think and then like bears fans are very active on the internet and that might just be because they're more relevant right now but i it's I would say it's Bears fans. typically um Because a Bears team could be.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: three and twelve and they beat the packers one day and they'll think they're the best team in the world and they'll tell you next year and they win the they always win the the offseason and they win the free agency where it's like a vikings fan is like yeah you know i think we got a good team and It's kind of just like an afterthought, I guess. I don't know if that makes sense, but I think.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Chicago sports fans are just a little bit more passionate passionate than the Minnesota ones, I guess.
angrymike: Yeah, really for me, it's the bears. i i just never even even when green bay dominated the bears it's like You don't want to lose to them and you don't want to be successful just because you didn't like I'm from Iowa.
angrymike: I just don't want to deal with. people telling me about the bear game all day you know
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Yeah.
angrymike: Um, So but they're kind of that team, but I kind of agree with Matt, like the Cowboys. I hated him as a kid. The Aikman teams, ah San Francisco, since we've had issues beating them.
angrymike: ah the last 15 years. I don't want to see them in the playoffs if we make it. So it's kind of like those teams that have always been a thorn in our side and the Bears pretty much. I just.
angrymike: I don't want to have that possibility of going to the playoffs and having to go to San Francisco and losing again. So really, those are kind of the teams that I look at that I'm like. Man, I hope they lose. Um,
angrymike: So that's pretty much it for me. as far as that is.
Deck: Well, I i text. Matt, you weren't on this text, but I texted the boys this morning and I said... Some of the Bears fans are all sudden be kind of. Coming Detroit -ish. that i that I saw this morning.
Deck: I was like, come on, man. we run the north or whatever you know it's just like Come on, come on.
angrymike: Yeah. You know what you can always come back with?
Deck: just
angrymike: The bears the bears are two and six. in 2025. in the regular season versus the North. So you run the North, but you can't beat anybody in the North.
Deck: right
Deck: I just.
angrymike: Right?
Deck: i just don't i'm just like whatever i don't i don't participate in that stuff but
angrymike: Yeah.
Deck: And then let's say like, Nolan's a good bears fan.
angrymike: Yep.
N D: And.
Deck: He, you know, we talk crap back and forth each other, but. Like. I... It's just crazy. It's just crazy. I'll leave.
angrymike: Yeah, it's like beating up all the nerds at school and then you can't beat up the bully, but you're...
Deck: Yeah.
angrymike: bragging about how you're the toughest kid in school.
Deck: Right, right.
angrymike: because you beat up all these kids. That's just not the way it works, right?
Deck: Right. There you go.
N D: So who's your team that you don't like C2N chat?
Deck: Uh...
N D: Is that the Bears?
Deck: No, um I... yeah I mean, I don't... Recently, it's been the Lions. I like to see them lose. I like to see Dan Campbell go for it on fourth and four on the 20 -yard line and not make it.
N D: I love that too.
Deck: I think that's like the that's the greatest thing ever.
N D: Yeah.
Deck: um
N D: Okay.
Deck: Can't stand the Cowboys. You know, that, that'd probably be the biggest for me. If, if the bears or the Packers, I probably wouldn't root for the lions, but if they made the super bowl, I'd be. hoping that they would win for you guys you know i mean that i I love the Vikings and I've been a lifelong fan, but.
Deck: um I've just been disappointed so many times. I'm just, I'm dumb. I am super numb. And I don't let it bother me. And it's like, whatever, you know. so But yeah, Cowboys.
Deck: just because of I mean, I remember Roger Stolbeck and Fran Tarkenton playing. So, I mean, that's. That's how far I go back. I can remember those guys actually playing ball. So.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: That's awesome.
Deck: Dallas beating us and stuff, that that's not good. But... um Before we get to the Packers, I was going to ask you this. So, Noel and I were talking before you two guys came on. And so I want to show you how Homer Nolan is towards the bears.
Deck: Remember what we you were talking about, Nolan?
N D: ah
Deck: So we were talking.
angrymike: so
Deck: If you had to choose between... Jordan Love and Jared Goff today. Who would be your MVP? And. I'm imagining both of you being Packer fans would probably say Jordan Love.
Deck: am am i right or wrong or i mean golf's got yeah i mean
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Yeah. I mean... Yeah.
Deck: you know you could make cases for both and that was the question i asked nolan he's like well if caleb williams would have played this gonna add this and this like that's not the question i asked you dude I said between these two guys.
angrymike: yeah
N D: but But the way I stated it...
Deck: Who would you pick? Yeah.
N D: But the way I stated it was not the way you're coming across. It was basically. They're now saying that Caleb Williams is like third in the MVP on FanDuel. And now there's people blowing up going, why isn't love up there? Why isn't Goffin? I think golf and love were at 30 to one and.
N D: And Caleb Williams was like eight to one or whatever it was. So, no, I just said if Caleb Williams would have played those other three games.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: That's insane.
N D: but he's like well that's not the question i asked i get that
Deck: that But that's not... Yeah. Yeah.
N D: But I think on the same on this in the same breath, I think if you would have asked Angry Mike or or Matt here going, hey. Who's the andvb MVP between Goff and Williams? They'd probably be going, well.
N D: Why aren't you mentioning love in this in this sentence?
Deck: Well...
N D: You know?
Deck: I think... if if If I ask those two guys right now between. I know who they would pick. They would pick Caleb.
angrymike: Well why don't you just ask us?
Deck: Well, yeah. Who would you pick?
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: yeah
N D: ah
angrymike: Instead of trying to figure out.
Deck: Caleb Williams?
angrymike: who we you get
Deck: Well... Caleb Williams or... Jared Goff, who would you pick for MVP if you had to vote?
angrymike: Right now?
Deck: Right now.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: cheese
angrymike: ah I'd probably vote Goff just because Caleb Williams missed three games.
Deck: that's that's what I would have to do too. But Nolan's like, well, now if you.
angrymike: Now, if you ask me.
Deck: If you spread out this, yeah.
angrymike: 10 weeks from now, I may say Williams.
Deck: See, so Nolan i was like, if you spread out the numbers throughout the season, you'll see it. And it's just like.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: I mean, I feel I feel like this is playing like a game of like... fuck mary kill with like my aunts like i don't i just can't win i can't win
Deck: Yeah.
angrymike: Yeah, 100%.
N D: ah
angrymike: 100%.
Deck: Yeah. right right no i
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Um,
angrymike: Yeah.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: but my my My Jared Goff argument against him is like he's not even the MVP on his own team. It's...
angrymike: Yeah.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: It's... Jameer Gibbs.
N D: Yeah.
Deck: Yeah.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: um So I guess I go with Williams at that point.
N D: Yep.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: And again, like... ah I would love to go backward and be like. How many... How many games? you miss to be an MVP since we've got into every quarterbacks are always MVP.
angrymike: Yeah.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: It's not like this new age football.
N D: Right.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: It's always, but like how many games.
angrymike: No.
Deck: right
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: can you miss and still be the MVP.
angrymike: ah
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: I wonder what that stat would tell me, but I imagine you got to play.
angrymike: Yeah.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: 80 percent 90 i mean at least like if it's a 17 game season 16 like Yeah, you can't miss more than like two or three games.
N D: Well, I haven't seen the rules on, I know NBA comes out with like some strict rules because there was like.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Yeah, that's true.
Deck: Yeah.
angrymike: Yeah.
N D: Eight guys eliminated by mid season.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Yep.
N D: Like, Oh, they are not eliminated.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Yeah.
N D: They're eliminated from MD. I was like, what?
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: But if i if I had to pick right now. who it would I would guess it would be Caleb Williams because I imagine their offense is going to get better as it goes on where I feel like we've hit the ceiling of what the Jared Goff.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: offense will look like.
Deck: All right.
N D: And I know your guys' answer.
Deck: That's good.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: That is a tough one.
Deck: I would pick Williams.
angrymike: Yeah.
N D: I know your guys' answer to this, because I even told Chad, I'm like...
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: That's tough scenario
N D: I've seen it all over X. Every time I flip it on Jordan loves MVP, Jordan loves MVP. And I said, i would I would love, if Jordan Love is MVP, I don't care. I don't need Caleb Williams to win the MVP if we're going to get it. Maybe a.
N D: a super bowl trip or a couple playoff games. depending on what Green Bay did, but... I don't think MVP to me.
angrymike: You know...
N D: it's not going to bother me if Caleb Williams doesn't win the MVP and he's, and he played in the Superbowl and lost. or one.
angrymike: Yeah, well, it's kind of like, I mean, Matt and I don't go bragging about.
N D: You know?
angrymike: Aaron Rodgers' four MVPs. You know what I mean?
Deck: Right.
angrymike: it it doesn't matter
Deck: right
N D: Right.
angrymike: You know, if yeah we care about championships. um But I think the goth love question is.
N D: Yep.
angrymike: Jared Goff's really good if you can protect him. If you can get to him, he gets rattled.
Deck: Right.
angrymike: Jordan Love is getting... knocked out almost every game.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Hmm.
angrymike: and he's 82 % of his team's yards with no running game. getting hit. 16 TDs, 6 picks. He also has the most drops in the league from his wide receivers, and he's throwing dimes.
Deck: know
angrymike: I mean, That's why, you know, if if you protected love the way you're protecting Goff right now. He would be the MVP of the league because his stats would be unreal. Put Jameer Gibbs behind him? Oh my god.
angrymike: But he's doing more with less than any quarterback in the North right now.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: yeah it's Yeah, exactly.
Deck: True. That's true why they
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: That's where I'm at, too. it just Yeah. You said it best.
Deck: I think we can all agree that Kyler Murray is not going to be um MVP this year, right?
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: That's true.
Deck: Is that okay?
angrymike: He's not in the MVP.
N D: i think we're set on that one
angrymike: yeah there
Deck: Yeah. yeah
angrymike: He's like ninth on his team, probably.
Deck: Yeah.
angrymike: um So I got some questions for Matt since we got him on the show. You know, I have some, like...
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: let's do it
angrymike: Packer specific questions that. I'd love to kind of send your way. so Green Bay. Quentin Nelson was the guy I wanted. I'm like, if you're going to trade for anybody at the trade deadline for Green Bay.
angrymike: Quentin Nelson would have been perfect. Problem is Green Bay can't afford him.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Yep.
angrymike: um He. they would have had to... They would have had to go through some. I mean, Russ Ball would have had to do some acrobats to get him under the cap. Ooh. can Green Bay trade for right now that would be a difference maker for this team that you would say?
angrymike: Okay. we're going. you know Parsons is coming back, but what's that one player that can make a huge difference for Green Bay?
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Yeah, I think. Everyone thought it was going to be... needed to be Michael Parsons. Clearly, at this point, he isn't he's he's needed, he's wanted, he's one of the best players in the league, but like it's not a... desperate need that they're two and five and they need him to save a 25th ranked defense owner Jonathan Gannon. That's not the case.
angrymike: Yeah.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: People thought. Josh Jacobs, coming back from the exempt list, was going to be the savior to... All the running game problems. um That is. also clearly not the case he's had decent moments in the first two games back in a short week, mind you, from that Sunday game to that Thursday game. but um i There's not a running back in the league. I don't think that they could.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: truly afford to put... to to acquire. I think Jonathan Taylor might be that guy. um but again like you're gonna put them behind a offense line that's banged up like I, I, I too thought Quentin Nelson would be the guy you look at what I had to pull it up quick. What Seattle paid. Cause it's like, every time I look at it, it's crazy.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: 2027 third round pick 2028 fifth round pick again financially he's going to need a long -term deal i trust that rust ball can make it work and i I've just seen so many times between like.
angrymike: Yeah.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: The New Orleans Saints a couple years ago, and then... um what the chiefs are able to pull off i don't know the salary cap to me just kind of seems Fugues like I feel like you can always manipulate it and make some changes there.
Deck: right
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: So that would have been awesome and like you make it work after the fact he was going to need a long -term contract. That's true. But like, As far as like... trades. um I don't think you're going to trade for an offensive lineman.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: that's any better than the three you acquired a couple weeks ago. Like, Zeitler's got to see the field.
angrymike: yeah
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: That's okay. it It is what it is. Lincoln Tomlinson's been extremely productive. Um, Mekhi Becton has been injured, so he'll play. like Talent wise, I don't think you're going to get anyone that's like head and shoulders better. There's some guys that are maybe like a a. fifth offensive line or fourth or fifth best on their line or a sixth guy but like There is just no one exists. And if you do think that like, hey, Jonathan Taylor would switch up the math significantly better than.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Josh Jacobs, maybe you make that trade. um He's going to go for a hell of a lot more draft capital than Quentin Nelson will be.
angrymike: Yep.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: There's going to be a first -round pick included in there, and we all know they don't have one in 2027.
angrymike: Mm hmm.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: I don't think there is honestly a magic player. I think it is like. You got to figure out what you have and maybe you do have to start. um I don't know. it's It's just it's really unfortunate that the.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Defense has been so complimentary. but the run game has been so piss poor. and
angrymike: Yep.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: it's It's tough. There is no magic. bullet there is no breaking case of emergency trade acquisition. um It could have been close to Quentin Nelson, but he's obviously in Seattle now.
angrymike: Yeah, 100%. And I think what's... What? drives me crazy. It just seems like Green Bay keeps making the wrong choices, like... They want continuity in the line. Lake and Tomlinson arguably has been their best linemen the past.
angrymike: three or four weeks. I mean, I know. The pass blocking of Jordan Morgan's got a lot better, but his run blocking still... a lot to be desired But if you want the continuity, why do you put?
angrymike: ah Why do you move him? and put Aaron Banks at left guard and then move Lakin Tomlinson to right guard when he hasn't played there in like 10 years. You have Makai Becton that you activated for the practice squad.
angrymike: He's had a couple good years at right guard. If they really wanted to make... You know, the continuity there, they should have left Laken Thomas in the left guard. Brought Mekhi Becton in or Zeitler. I know he's they're saying he's injured now.
angrymike: but It's like, why didn't they just shift that right guard instead of like weakening the left guard and the right guard by moving Tomlinson? It's just maddening to me.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: yeah It is. It is. And they like, I. There were signs of this going to be a problem right from them keeping Luke Butkus to how they handled.
angrymike: Good job.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: the elton jenkins situation to how they like had this philosophical change like We're gonna have guys that are so versatile. We don't know what their best position is or we're gonna draft anthony belton and it's just like it's gone so out of they've got gotten too smart They've like, hey, we can just put our best five out there. It's like, well.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Yeah, you can when you have bookend offensive linemen that are great at left tackle and right. tackle and you have a center that's serviceable, yeah, you can kind of piecemeal it or maybe left guard's better and you can get away with the right tackle.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: But, like, when you don't have... You can't even name like the best. two offensive linemen right now, that's that's when it becomes a concern.
angrymike: you Yeah.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: And I think they've just got – they it just – they got – too far off of what was working. um for the history of the Green Bay Packers. It's always been serviceable offensive line or more than serviceable. It was never a question. And yeah, I agree. Like every week, you know, I'm pretty much a fiend for it when it comes to like 90 minutes before a game.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Because of fantasy football, betting purposes, because of the episode I do for Packaday on Saturday with Eli and Janelle just looking at the injury report.
angrymike: Yep.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: like who's inactive who is not going to play and what could the offensive line look like or the starting defense or whatever and it's like Every week, it's just like, man. To your point, like...
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: we have new names or we have the same names where we're flip -flopping guys or it's just I don't get it um There is no continuity at this point. I do understand putting your best five out there, but it should be a guessing game of where those guys are going to line up at. so they they It's going to be a massive overhaul this offseason. I think that's what they're... going to wait for.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: I can't imagine, but kiss will still be around. And I think. They're going to spend a hell of a lot of these picks. um on offensive linemen because they really haven't over prioritized it at all
angrymike: Yep, and they got the they got the eight. eight picks um in 27 but then On top of that, they got... you know We don't know what round they're going to be yet, but they're going to have four comp picks, they think.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Yep.
angrymike: coming in too so they're going to have draft capital to be able to kind of hit that position hard and fast But we all know rookies tend to not be very good, so it's going to be hard for them to... to get somebody that can they can plug and play. That's why I think the Jonathan Taylor deal is probably not going to happen because they've got to give it the draft capital and then the future cap dollars. And those really those cap dollars should be spent on fixing the offensive line.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Have to.
angrymike: um So. I think that's probably what they're going to end up doing. but Right now, I think Green Bay is spidey -leaf. fatally flawed of making the super bowl because i just don't see how they can do it with No run game.
angrymike: ah Good defenses in the playoffs are going to expose that. and And it's going to be tough climbing there for them.
angrymike: Bye. one thing i do want to say the nfc north is the best division in football and Green Bay at five and three. I saw the stat today. Green Bay's five and three through eight games. They are the best.
angrymike: Last place team in a division. since 1970.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: wow
angrymike: So that just kind of shows. And it's too bad this this division has to cannibalize themselves. the way the playoffs are seeded because. these teams are going to cannibalize themselves. and all these other teams are going to get left off the hook because uh They're going to have to play each other. so It's going to be...
angrymike: it's going to be fun to watch the rest of the year. And a lot of the teams are really. well matched.
Deck: it'll be a good Good second half of the season coming up. So we'll do with that.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Big time.
Deck: So, all right. so all right matt well why don't you give us your uh your thoughts on the best Fourth best all the way up to number one, NFC North. I know Mike wanted you to do that as well.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: yeah i I actually...
Deck: so I'd be interested to see.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: I actually hate this because...
Deck: Okay.
angrymike: ah
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Um...
Deck: You can say no thanks. I don't want to do it. We'll move on to something else.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: No, no, no, no, no, no.
Deck: now
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: We pushed through. this little bit of adversity.
Deck: Alright. Yeah.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: ah Bears are cool.
angrymike: As of week eight. As of week eight.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: As of. Thank you.
angrymike: There you go.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: And thank you for prefacing that.
angrymike: Watch you off the hook.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: So as of week eight bears are number one.
Deck: Yeah.
angrymike: Yes.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Um, Lions are number two. And I did have Packers three, but then I did a little arrow and I flip -flopped them with the Vikings. So I have Vikings at three and Packers the worst team. um just when you can't run the ball.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: And special teams is still a disaster, which I think. I i have a lot of faith they'll figure it out. We already talked about Bears are the most complete team. Vikings are. competent quarterback play away from being Relevant in the Lions.
angrymike: yep
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: i you know. You probably could flip -flop the Lions and the Vikings, but I just think the Lions offensive. Firepower. is... Very, very good, I definitely think. I don't know how they get the defense better.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: I know Brian Branch is back, and he's also trying to um be a jerk to everyone he plays in the league, right, taking people's heads off.
N D: And his teammates.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: so
N D: yeah
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: And his teammates.
Deck: And his teammates.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: I mean, this guy is just like... I mean, unbelievable. But anyways, um I think that they have enough firepower. um to to at least withstand. They probably have the most.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: prolific offense in the list and they get to play on turf. in their home stadium, which helps them usually a lot, especially Jared Goff. so Yeah, in the order Bears, Lions, Vikings, Packers. However.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: When Michael Parsons comes back, I think. that might bring some extra juice. I don't know how much better this defense can get. um But if you can create some turnovers, some shorter yardage. Maybe it makes it more opportunistic for certain play calls to be there for the run game to develop.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: um But it's it's tough to say that they'll ever be the number one team in this division right now. um because I don't see how the Bears take a step back in there. um kind of been hamstrung even on ah offense right like loveland's done nothing But none of the guys missed a bunch of games, like I mentioned, and it's it's nothing.
angrymike: yep
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Crazy. there's There's no gimmick. I mean, there's... player here that ben johnson's thrown around but it's it's sound football and with jeffrey simmons now it's Similar to that Micah Parsons. acquisition. We know what that did for Green Bay and that secondary.
angrymike: Yeah, man, I hate the fact that the Bears are competent. It pisses me off, to be honest with you.
N D: yeah ah
Deck: That makes Nolan, I could see Nolan's smile from here. He's he's like.
N D: Yeah. out
Deck: Have a good one. you know but So tell me, can...
angrymike: So.
Deck: You know... I i get Parsons is a great player. I get Simmons is a great player, but. You know, we're talking pro football here and we can scheme against those guys to slow them down. does is sweat able to do more is lucas van ness able to do more for the packers you know i mean that's I always look at it that way. Like I knew. I knew.
Deck: the lions were going to wear down the Vikings D I just knew it. And I think when Campbell went down with his injury, I think that. Put a whole freaking new. wham into the lions and they just came out and they were going to win it for him. and I told my dad that. and he's like ah bullshit Vikings are gonna win and I'm like no they're not they're not and So I...
Deck: You know, they're professionals. The coaches know how to scheme against those guys. so you know. Parsons is great. I mean, the guy is I mean. Amazing. Simmons. I never heard of him until we started talking him about him when he got traded to the Bears. Again, I don't follow the Titans that much, but I watched some of his video. You can block the guy. He's not.
Deck: He's not Superman. You know that. I mean... so
N D: but are we But are we worried about Micah Parsons as as you guys as... as Covering the Packers. Packer fan. um It kind of went from... Parson's going to be here this week, this week.
N D: Now it just kind of.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Mm -hmm.
N D: Well. Now, this week. He might practice. is Are you guys worried that Micah Parsons kind of got in the feel of, is he trying to wait? Is the knee okay?
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: i want hear mike I want to hear Mike on this one first, because I have my...
Deck: Well, I, and Mike said, Mike talked about this earlier this year, but let's see if he remembers what he said. Cause it was like a good thought.
angrymike: Well.
Deck: It was a really good thought.
angrymike: Oh my, whoa. Well, my opinion can change, but...
Deck: Yeah.
angrymike: yeah i i think I think with Parsons, I, you know, what he's been saying and and everything else is just guessing right was when he came back
N D: ah
angrymike: He wanted to be Micah Parsons. And if he didn't think he could get.
N D: Yeah.
Deck: Yep.
angrymike: to that point. he wasn't going to come back. right so And I think a little bit of it, too, is is Green Bay is very conservative with injuries. um I always kind of thought when he didn't come back for that Bears game or that Cowboys game, because you know he was chomping at the bit to to face Jerry Jones again.
angrymike: I knew was probably gonna end up being after the buy and and that's kind of what it looks like now because The defense is playing well. and i And I think the fact that the defense is top 10 right now, Van Ness is playing outstanding.
angrymike: ah DDS. Dennis Smith is just freaking phenomenal. You know, and and Parsons, I don't think does the team any good coming back at 80%. possibly reinjuring himself and then being out even longer. so I'm okay with it.
angrymike: um all i know is you know green bay's probably not winning a super bowl this year Why push the issue, especially when the defense isn't an issue? And I think I'm okay with it.
angrymike: I mean, I want him back, but I want him back as Micah Parsons.
N D: i mean
angrymike: I don't want him back as 80 % of Micah Parsons.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Yeah.
Deck: That's exactly what he said the first time.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: i think it's
Deck: So good, good job, Mike.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: He's stuck. he stuck to his guns i appreciate it it's a different it's a different approach than i've had i mean that's and i i agree though it's um You look at when we expected him back, we being, I guess.
Deck: yeah Yes, he did.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: overly optimistic. Packer fans I think they know anything about injuries.
angrymike: Yeah.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: um And it's like, yeah, it would have been. awesome for him to be back for the bears and cowboys game and it was like hey did the NFL schedule it this way for him to come back then?
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Maybe they did. there's That's...
angrymike: man it sure seemed like it didn't it matt
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Not unfair. That's yeah, it's not unforeseeable, but like. All of a sudden he misses that. I mean, we're. at this point i thought he would have played in at least two games at least
angrymike: mm -hmm
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: And he hasn't. And.
angrymike: Yep.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: I do think. post bye week makes the most sense um you'll still get a little bit of a... highlighted right going Netflix Wednesday game before thanksgiving a wednesday game unbelievable But it's um I think we need to remember that.
angrymike: Yep.
Deck: friends
angrymike: Yeah. Totally.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: yeah Yes, I understand he wants to come back at full strength. Totally understand. Of course you do. Why would you not want to? But I do think there we always have to remember like what it is to be in football shape in that explosion. like Every professional sport, I would say mostly like basketball and football, it takes a lot to come back at full strength and it takes a lot to... get your body back into that, whether it be cardiovascular, just.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: being you know, leaned on by you know professional athletes that truly are trying to take your money take your lunch money and ruin your career and it's like it's just you got to remember that he's not going to come back immediately i don't think i don't think it'd be like that massive impact and it's like hey me he might come back
Deck: Uh -huh.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: um next week versus the vikings cool but like it's gonna be a slow ramp up then there's gonna be a bye week so it's like it makes most sense that he would start ramping up versus the rams um But I, it's.
angrymike: Yep.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Once he hits the the field, like, don't forget, he might have been a slight pitch count. There's still some off, you know, edge rushers that have been extremely complimentary, like Elvian, Berenswell, Brenton Cox, DDS, like guys that have done.
angrymike: um
angrymike: Mm -hmm.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: really really well that Jonathan Gannon has been able to scheme up so it's like just because he gets back on the field he's not going to be that instant game wrecker again so If you have to delay it a little bit, it's exactly what Mike said. Like, I don't expect us to go to the Super Bowl at this point. And honestly, if we were to make a run.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: I know it's it's fool's gold. I know we're going to get to play in a divisional game or an NFC Championship game and get smoked because... We can't run the ball, and unless something drastically changes, like a...
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: jonathan taylor trade or we trade for five new offensive linemen, like it's just never going to happen.
angrymike: Yep.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: it's not possible it's not possible It's just not possible.
Deck: Yeah. yeah right
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Um, And it sucks it sucks to say that. But it's just the reality of where the team is at and maybe next.
angrymike: Yeah.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Maybe next year, I suppose.
Deck: Hey, that's you can't use my line.
angrymike: Yeah.
Deck: That's my line.
angrymike: ah
Deck: I've been i've been next year for... For 55 years, but. And...
angrymike: So...
Deck: With hopes that... Parsons comes back after the bye week because i I would be okay with that.
angrymike: ah
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Yeah I bet.
angrymike: So I'd be...
Deck: I would be okay with that
angrymike: So I'd be remiss. To have Matt on here and not asking this question, especially for.
Deck: Did we lose Mike?
angrymike: for ah Hello, can you hear me?
N D: Yep. yep I can hear Mike.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Gotcha.
angrymike: Okay. All right, perfect. um I'd be remissed.
Deck: Hello.
angrymike: to have Matt on here and not ask him about. Sunday's game against the Patriots. id I would really like. to know his thoughts of What's your prediction? Um,
angrymike: How do you think this is going to play out? I know the Pats don't have... ah their top two receivers. um So I'm wondering if Green Bay, you think, has a chance of going into New England and coming away with a victory there.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: I think they have a chance. I think New England, um you know, Packers and the Patriots don't play enough. I think it's a fun matchup when it does happen.
angrymike: Yeah.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: um I am surprised how effective. Drake, me and company have been without AJ Brown, without. um Romeo Dobbs, you know, ah Pop Douglas has done well. Kyle Williams has flashed. Hunter Henry's been effective, like the run game. i think There's a lot.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: They can still get out of Trayvon Henderson, Ramondre Stevenson. They got that. cory kiner guy that's getting some run but like i think it's really their defense to me
angrymike: Yep.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Um, They're controlling the the time of possession a ton, too. like they I don't know. it's a I don't really know exactly what we're going to get from this game other than... Bye.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: I don't think the Packers are all of a sudden are going to be able to run the ball overly effective. like That's not going to change. so it's like Could it turn into a shootout? like Drake May has been slinging the rock around. It does seem weird to call it a shootout. but um especially when it's like Jonathan Gannon's got the def defense humming Mike Vrabel obviously a defensive juggernaut so like I have high expectations but we don't see this matchup a ton And it's just, it's tough for me.
angrymike: yep
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Like we just mentioned like. The run game's not that effective. They're missing their top two receivers, but still Drake May is able to distribute the ball, and he's been... um He's been relevant. He's got eight picks, which... Don't.
angrymike: yep
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: necessarily hate that so he's turned one over every game thus far um But i think they get I think they can take advantage. like I don't think there's anyone that's like a game wrecker for them. and that's the That's the scary part.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: I'm missing something. There's got to be something that I'm missing there. um I don't know what it is
angrymike: You know. This game kind of... This game kind of feels like the the Denver game last year for some reason. I don't know, Denver. they kind of have no names, you know what I mean?
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Yeah.
angrymike: It's just kind of like... it just seems like a game that green bay goes into and something weird happens And just whenever they play an opponent that they don't play very often, it seems like something bad always happens. Not that I'm trying to.
angrymike: you know put the voodoo curse on green bay for any reason but It's. You know, we've gone into New England and won games when I remember. I think Favre went in there and won, or maybe it was Rodgers, but we had no D -backs.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Yep.
angrymike: And they just went in and beat Tom bra Brady. Then I went to a game. 20 years ago where We lost 35 to nothing to them, you know? So it's just one of those weird games that you can't really.
angrymike: I know. They could win and I wouldn't be surprised. They could lose and I wouldn't be surprised.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Exactly. Exactly.
Deck: Hey. Can you guys hear me?
N D: Yes, loud and clear.
angrymike: Yes.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Yeah.
Deck: Okay.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Got you.
Deck: Okay, because i was I was off for a second, so it was just kind of weird. but
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: We got you.
Deck: All kids are home now, so the Wi -Fi is being fought over. you know um but Yeah.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: okay
angrymike: Ha ha!
N D: but There you go.
angrymike: Alright.
N D: You don't have the premium package.
angrymike: Well.
N D: I get it.
Deck: We do. We got it.
angrymike: Well, it's...
N D: Oh do you?
Deck: the but the Yeah.
N D: Oh well.
angrymike: it He's got AOL disks in there, in enough yeah.
Deck: But. Yeah. Did you hear the dial up in the background? here ready Yeah, there you go.
angrymike: I did, I did i did i heard one of the kids yell at you too
Deck: are so but Yeah.
angrymike: So. So, matt Matt, we're... Thank you for coming on the on the pod. We're excited to have you.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Absolutely.
angrymike: I'd love to have you on again. um but
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Yes.
angrymike: it's it's It's great to have your opinions and and your thoughts on things. so Thank you for ah for joining.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Yeah. you've
angrymike: it
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Absolutely. um i
N D: Yeah, thanks, Matt.
Deck: Yeah, I appreciate it, man.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Appreciate you guys having me. It was awesome. And ah you found something, Mike, I wasn't sure. You're bringing me on here with some rivals. We could have some outlandish Chicago Bear takes, Minnesota Vikings takes.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: and
angrymike: ah
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Relatively... calm relatively level -headed which is a lot to say about sports fans so um that was awesome to talk to you guys and um yeah i mean
N D: Yeah, I think we could have got a lot worse, but I think it was.
Deck: Yeah, you should...
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: You could have. Oh, yeah.
Deck: You should see the text the text messages will so will show it all.
N D: have Everybody.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: You could have.
N D: Yeah.
Deck: so ah
angrymike: ah
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: well
N D: Yeah.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: there's a There's a lot of tech.
N D: When everybody won this weekend against Minnesota, except for Minnesota, and we were kind of feeling. Sorry for Chad. So we're. Earlier in the year, I picked that the Vikings are going to lose six in a row here.
N D: so They've lost one.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Jeez.
N D: They've got five to go. And Chad's not liking me too much, but he's been. He's been pretty nice to me, and I haven't said much to him. so We'll see.
Deck: You can take your, take your Richard Simmons and you can do whatever you want with them there, buddy.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: That's nice. that's nice
N D: There you go. There you go.
Deck: so
angrymike: matts like Matt's like, what the hell are you guys talking about?
Deck: Yeah.
N D: ah
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: I love it i Love it.
angrymike: Our last pod, he accidentally played a...
Deck: ah
N D: Yeah, accidentally
angrymike: a sound bite of. a sound bite of Richard Simmons instead of Jeffrey Simmons.
Deck: so Yeah.
angrymike: And I'm like, how is that available for you to just play on accident?
Deck: What? Yeah.
N D: You said it.
Deck: well Uh -uh.
N D: You see his picture. He got profile picture of Richard Simmons. So that kind of scares me.
angrymike: ah
Deck: yeah
angrymike: Yeah. Yeah, we we appreciate it, Matt.
Deck: Well, with that, yeah.
angrymike: And and we we try we try to take we try to take pride in being level -headed.
Deck: Thanks, man.
angrymike: you know, at least on the air.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Yeah.
Deck: Yeah.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Absolutely.
angrymike: so
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Absolutely.
angrymike: Thank you for joining, and we'll we'll love to have you on again.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: no i pretty No doubt. Go Pack.
Deck: Okay. Thanks, ma 'am.
angrymike: Go Pack.
N D: And remember, don't take things seriously if we come at you on X.
Matt | @Matt_Fra_: Never. Never.
N D: Yeah. ah
