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Week 9 Preview Packers Look to Tame Panthers
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Aloha and welcome to another episode of OPE! This week we break down the upcoming matchup between the Carolina Panthers and Green Bay Packers! we look at the injury reports, key matchups and possible outcomes! be sure to like and subscribe wherever you get your favorite podcasts!
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Transcript
Intro
Game Preview and Health Update
00:00:31
Mike Kawano
Aloha and welcome back to another episode of the Ohana Packers edition podcast. Today we do our week nine opponent preview as the Packers host the Carolina Panthers coming off of or wait, shoot.
00:00:44
Mike Kawano
Is it? Yeah, it is week nine. The Panthers panicked a little bit. The Panthers haven't had their bye yet.
00:00:48
Mike Kawano
So was like, oh, no, how many games have we played? But it is week nine. And yeah, the Packers are looking to go keep their momentum going.
00:00:58
Mike Kawano
you know, coming off the big win in Pittsburgh this past week, and you don't want to go and lay an egg against the lowly Panthers this week. So, Joe, are you, first off, are you feeling any better than you were on Sunday health-wise?
00:01:14
Joe Pearson
Do I sound better?
00:01:16
Mike Kawano
You do. Well,
00:01:18
Joe Pearson
Well, yeah, I mean, still there. mean, I'm not testing positive for COVID anymore, so
Avoiding Complacency and Rhythm with Coach LeFleur
00:01:25
Joe Pearson
that's on the good side of things, but I still do feel some of it in my chest, and I do have an occasional cough, and I do have a headache, so it's not completely gone, but it's on its way.
00:01:25
Mike Kawano
that's good.
00:01:41
Mike Kawano
Well, we hope that you continue to recover as well as possible. And like I said, hopefully the Packers will continue to oblige keep your spirits up with more wins on the horizon.
00:01:53
Mike Kawano
As I said, excuse me, you know, this is one of those... You know, I think the Packers are past trap games at this point. You had the Cleveland game. That was a loss already.
00:02:05
Mike Kawano
You had the tough road game in Arizona, the plane trouble, all that kind of stuff. And you come off a back-to-back road trip between that Arizona game and the Pittsburgh game.
00:02:14
Mike Kawano
And so now it's like, can you get into a rhythm at this point? You know, you have back-to-back home games this week against Carolina and then the Monday night game against Philly. So can you get into a rhythm in terms of your preparation and your execution really use that to slingshot yourself into this November run? And it has been something that LeFleur has excelled at with his teams over his tenure as the head coach, and you hope to see it continue
00:02:42
Joe Pearson
Yeah, on top of all that, you got remember this is going to be the first time they wear their 23 uniforms.
Uniforms and Game Performance Challenges
00:02:52
Joe Pearson
I see a lot of people are happy that when Romeo and them wear their guardian caps, it's actually going look like the helmets that they're using. So we did get a picture that. And I am going to disagree with you a little bit on the trap game because we've seen in the past where the Packers like to play down to their opponents.
00:03:14
Joe Pearson
Even though this is a game that they should just dominate, this is the same Panthers team that they were supposed to dominate a few years back and then ended up being a down-to-the-wire type Now, obviously, they're completely different defenses than the past, you know, different, most part, different teams, but you still got to wonder about that. You know, yes, they played well enough against Steelers.
00:03:47
Joe Pearson
Are they going to be able to put that same type of game against the Panthers?
00:03:54
Joe Pearson
Yeah.
00:03:57
Mike Kawano
You just don't want to have a repeat of some of the past transgressions, I guess, so to speak, with how they've handled or not handled success in the past.
00:04:18
Mike Kawano
Just don't, like you said, I know that I'm here trying to be optimistic about it, but I know there is a nagging thought in the back of my head that, oh, man, like you really don't want to see them mess this one up.
00:04:30
Mike Kawano
But, you know, we'll see. That's kind of what Green Bay has. Like you said, it's kind of what Green Bay has and hasn't done in the past. And you just want to see them, you know, improve
Injury Reports and Player Strategies
00:04:41
Mike Kawano
as a team.
00:04:41
Mike Kawano
But start off as we usually do.
00:04:43
Joe Pearson
I just keep going back to the Avengers Hawkeye meme where, you know, don't give me hope because, you know, eventually something's going to happen. It's like, God dang it, you know, why did you do that frigging thing? And so until they can show me, and the weird thing is, this has been the same type of Packers team for the last, I don't know, however many years.
00:05:09
Joe Pearson
they have not played a complete game. We get three quarters or we get half a game or we you know, a quarter and a half, but we don't get that full game where everything's running cohesively as one well-oiled machine.
00:05:29
Joe Pearson
The offense is doing what it needs to do to keep our, keep the defense off the field. The defense is, limiting everything that the other team does, and it just, you can go out there and blow out a team 40 to nothing or whatever. You just, that's what you hope for, but it never seems like the Packers can do that.
00:05:52
Mike Kawano
Yeah, so we're going to find out what they do here. Like you said, I'm trying to be optimistic about it. I really want to see this team turn a corner here, but yeah, it hasn't always been the...
00:06:04
Mike Kawano
it hasn't always been how their, their modus operandi. So we shall see how they end up doing here, but start with the injury report. Like we usually do pretty clean for once the Packers are entering a game in the middle of the regular season with shorter injury report than their opponent.
00:06:21
Mike Kawano
Celebrate, you know, that's, that's a reason for celebration. the more, guess, dour, if you want to put it news on the injury front is,
00:06:30
Mike Kawano
LeFleur was a little bit
00:06:33
Mike Kawano
pessimistic regarding Nick Neiman's outlook in terms of, you know, what the prognosis is of his injury, you know, after the game, I don't believe he really talked about it in the presser today, but after the game, he said it's a potential for a longer term injury.
00:06:45
Mike Kawano
They're obviously going to play it up to the boundary in terms of when they, they, you know, if they determined to put them on IR if they're going slow play it. So, you know, that you, we won't know about that until Saturday when they do the, the roster designations and things like that.
00:07:01
Mike Kawano
it's,
00:07:01
Joe Pearson
You know, and the thing is, is if it's as bad as being an actual torn peck that he's not going to be able to do it, why not just go ahead and IR him?
00:07:11
Joe Pearson
You don't have to make a roster decision to put anybody there. But IR him, let him get the surgery whatever and go on with it. But don't slow roll him.
00:07:23
Joe Pearson
Just slow roll filling the position.
00:07:26
Mike Kawano
Yeah. So we shall see. think because it does kind of work out for them because I think Welch, he still has at least two call ups, I think.
00:07:36
Mike Kawano
I think he's only been called up once so far this season.
00:07:38
Joe Pearson
I don't think he's been used at all, has he?
00:07:39
Mike Kawano
So I thought he's been elevated.
00:07:44
Mike Kawano
Great radio right now. Yeah.
00:07:46
Joe Pearson
Yeah, I don't think he's been used at all.
00:07:52
Mike Kawano
Oh, yeah, he has not. You are right. So, yeah, he still has all three of the elevations. So even if they were to put Neiman
00:07:59
Joe Pearson
Trust me, I would know when a Hawkeye is on the active roster.
00:08:04
Mike Kawano
on IR, they could just fill three of those weeks with Welch call-ups at this point. So they do have that option.
00:08:15
Joe Pearson
If it's a torn peck, he's pretty well done for the season.
00:08:15
Mike Kawano
Or, you know, if... Yeah.
00:08:20
Joe Pearson
don't know. Not that I'm a doctor or anything, but I'm pretty sure that surgery leaves him out for a long while. So it would be more than just an elevation thing for Welch.
00:08:29
Mike Kawano
Yeah, I'm trying to...
00:08:31
Joe Pearson
It would be just to bring him up.
00:08:34
Mike Kawano
I think Merciless tore his peck back in 2021, and it was around this time of the season, and he basically was out until they made the divisional game round. So, you know, that was like two months, basically, that he was out for.
00:08:49
Mike Kawano
And so, you know, that's like the short end of things. If... Neiman were able to come back from that. So we'll see.
00:08:59
Mike Kawano
And then Wicks, no update on Wicks regarding his chances of playing on Sunday. would put him and Lucas in the like. They've been around a few years. So if they practice, you're listening to this on Thursday, hopefully.
00:09:09
Joe Pearson
So if they practice, if you're listening to this on Thursday, hopefully, if they practice Thursday and Friday, there's chance that they would leave the goal hoping for them to play.
00:09:14
Mike Kawano
So if they practice Thursday, Friday, there's a chance that they would leave the door open for them to play. But based on the fact that we've gotten no update on Wix, I kind of doubt he's going to play this week.
00:09:20
Joe Pearson
But based on the fact that we've got to go up to the end, I kind of doubt he's going to play this week.
00:09:27
Mike Kawano
The optimistic side of it is that LaFleur did say that Lucas is more day-to-day, but I do think that they slow play it. Even if he does practice
Panthers' Lineup and Game Impact
00:09:35
Mike Kawano
Thursday and or Friday, I'm going to assume they'll slow play it.
00:09:40
Mike Kawano
And then, because next week you have an extra day because the Eagles game is on Monday night, so you have one more day of recovery, rehab, and all that kind of stuff. And obviously more practice time if you just keep him off that foot for another week. Yeah.
00:09:53
Mike Kawano
That's where I think they'll go, but it would be really nice if Lucas can make it back to practice at some point this week. Otherwise, yeah.
00:09:59
Joe Pearson
For sure, but I want to say something about the Wicks thing. Isn't it kind of funny when Watson got hurt a lot or Jair got hurt a lot or all these others got hurt a lot, you know, Marshawn Lloyd, we're dealing with the Marshawn Lloyd stuff right now, that a lot of people will come out and say, oh, well, he's injury-prone. He's injury-prone.
00:10:22
Joe Pearson
I haven't heard that about Dontavian Wicks, and it seems like he's never healthy. Yeah.
00:10:28
Mike Kawano
Yeah, he's... So, like, as a rookie, he dealt with that weird shoulder injury where, like... I think was the Panthers game where he, like, left at halftime because he, like, popped his... I think he dislocated it or some crap like that.
00:10:41
Mike Kawano
So... Sorry. And... And then he has dealt with some weird soft tissue items, injuries the last couple years.
00:10:45
Joe Pearson
You'd think he would be the stick one.
00:10:50
Mike Kawano
But yeah, I think it's because he's only missed a game here or there. And it's not like when he has played, it's not like he's just totally a shell of himself. But yeah, you're right.
00:11:00
Mike Kawano
It is just funny how different people approach different players in terms of their injury history and things like that. But to each their own. And then... limited participants the packers had aaron banks with the shin jacobs with his calf mcmanus still with the quad uh zach tom listed with the back now christian watson with the knee which i assume he's just going to be on there for the rest of the season and wyatt So no surprises for the Packers injury report. So, I mean, it's kind of good news on that front.
00:11:36
Mike Kawano
One thing to note, or I guess two things technically to note, it is a good sign that both Warren Brinson and Matthew Golden are off the injury report after popping up on Friday. So,
00:11:47
Mike Kawano
take it as a sign that golden made it through Saturday or Sunday's game with no setbacks and Brinson, you I've seen people question, you know, if it was this or that. And I do think it was more of a, because the injury propped up, they kind of just were like, like that made the inactive decision between him and stack house for them on for him, for them on Sunday.
00:12:08
Mike Kawano
I am curious which direction they're going to go this Sunday because On one hand, the Panthers want to run the ball. They like to run the ball. You know, Rico Dotto is having a good season. Chuba Hubbard has been injured, but he can, you know, be a home run hitter.
00:12:23
Mike Kawano
So I am curious if they want Stackhouse's beef up front or because it looks like Bryce Young is going to play. You know, he was a full participant in practice today.
00:12:35
Mike Kawano
It does make you wonder whether... they'll want Brinson's versatility and, you know, his agility, the ability to help attack and potentially contain young in the pocket. If they'll want that more than, you know, Stackhouse, he's only going to be a run stopper. So from an injury standpoint, you know, we'll keep an eye on it as the week goes along, out updates and all that kind stuff. But for this point in the season, relatively clean for the Packers, honestly.
00:13:00
Joe Pearson
Yeah, like you said earlier, it's kind of surprising that we're at this point and the Packers have a less amount of people on their injury report than the Panthers do.
00:13:12
Joe Pearson
But any of these guys...
00:13:13
Mike Kawano
Yeah. And so some notes. Oh, yeah. Go.
00:13:17
Joe Pearson
was just going to say, any of these guys could potentially play... I mean, even some of the DNPs, depending on how Friday goes for them, but...
00:13:27
Mike Kawano
Yeah, I think the one update I saw is that their starting center, Cade Mays, is basically all but ruled out at this point. Taylor Moton, I think, is the other one who's not... I can't remember if they think Moton will be able to go or if they're not optimistic.
00:13:43
Mike Kawano
And then it's Princely Umanmilen, the one, Princely, who I liked in the draft process. He's out this week, pretty much. So...
Strategies Against Bryce Young and Panthers' Offense
00:13:55
Mike Kawano
Yeah, I'll try find that tweet as we go through this episode again. Lost it. Catfighted it again. But health standpoint.
00:14:02
Joe Pearson
Well, it's a good thing for them that Bryce is going because Andy Dalton was a DNP with a right thumb injury.
00:14:10
Mike Kawano
Oh, he was bad on Sunday.
00:14:12
Mike Kawano
He was so bad. Like, there was...
00:14:15
Joe Pearson
Well, it's not just that, but if Bryce Young can't go, Andy Dalton can't go, they're down to their third string, and I don't know who their third string quarterback is. So, you know, it's a good thing Bryce Young is trending in the right direction.
00:14:31
Mike Kawano
I think they would be on whatever their practice squad quarterback is because they don't have one listed on. They don't have a third quarterback listed on their depth chart. But yeah, so going into this game, the Packers are likely going to face Bryce Young.
00:14:45
Mike Kawano
Joe kind of noted, the Packers unfortunately helped Bryce Young look competent as a rookie. one of the last of the Joe Barry, damn it, moments.
00:14:57
Mike Kawano
But this time around, I am more optimistic that Halfley is going to put a better stamp on this game, have a better performance out of his youth.
00:15:03
Joe Pearson
Hemden Hooker is on their practice squad.
00:15:06
Mike Kawano
Oh, there you go. So that would be who would likely come in as the...
00:15:11
Mike Kawano
Emergency quarterback if it came to it, but, you know, let's just hope that that isn't, or I guess, I guess, yeah, like, oh,
00:15:21
Joe Pearson
Oh, and they got Mike White. Mike White and Hendon Hooker.
00:15:26
Mike Kawano
yeah, so. as I was getting back to, you hope to see a better performance against Bryce Young this time around. lot of the same faces for the Packers. You know, obviously we didn't have Micah Parsons that time, but, and no Xavier McKinney either, but you hope that this time around Packers are able to put a better performance out there and really just tighten the screws on this Panthers offense, which has been, you know, it's had its moments, but,
00:15:56
Mike Kawano
Overall, this is a unit that doesn't have a lot of answers for the things that Halfley likes to do. Their tight ends are relatively just guys kind of thing.
00:16:08
Mike Kawano
Their O-line is, it's okay. Aike Kwanu, who was kind of a draft darling a few years ago, had up-and-down career. lot of the questions about, like... His athleticism, he's looked really athletic there at left tackle, but from a technique standpoint, he's still kind of sorting himself out on a play-to-play basis and stuff.
00:16:27
Mike Kawano
So you expect that Rashawn and Micah and the rest of the edge room will be able to have some success against him. And as far as receiver goes, it's... kind of Tett McMillan and a bunch of guys.
00:16:41
Mike Kawano
I know Xavier Leggett is a name that Packers fans were really interested last year, but he's a guy who was like forced to be their wide receiver one last season and wasn't up to the bill.
00:16:51
Mike Kawano
So, you know, he's a little better because Tett is there, but still, this is one of those,
00:16:58
Mike Kawano
I kind of expect Halfley to make someone else besides McMillan beat him at this point and just kind of set the table that way.
00:17:07
Joe Pearson
But with the injury report, it looks like they may be getting Jimmy Horn Jr. back. And he was kind of a guy that I like coming out draft. He's had limited time because of injury.
00:17:19
Joe Pearson
So his stats aren't up there, but, you know, it is what it is. That also makes it harder for a coordinator because there's no real tape on him.
00:17:32
Joe Pearson
So you don't know how he's going to be when he gets out onto the field. So, yeah, like you said, there's not much there. I mean, Hunter Renfro is a name.
00:17:44
Joe Pearson
And he's consistent, but he's not a guy that's going to be
00:17:50
Joe Pearson
amazing. I'm trying to think of a word for it. He's not going to be world beater by any means, but he's the type of guy that would give the Packers hard time just because he's a consistent threat that...
00:18:05
Joe Pearson
uh kind of something the packers have missed for a long time where he's going to catch almost everything that's thrown at him he's not the fastest on the field but he's good
Key Players and Defensive Concerns
00:18:16
Joe Pearson
enough to get open so he makes for a pain in the ass type of wide receiver more than anything
00:18:24
Mike Kawano
Yeah, it'll be really interesting. He's averaging under six yards of reception this season, but it would be one of those matchups where, like, you know, if he's on, you don't necessarily want Bullard. It would be a big test for Bullard.
00:18:40
Mike Kawano
You know, on paper, he's a guy that you're kind of like, ooh, that might not be a good matchup for Bullard just because of the kind of route runner Renfro is. But also, Bullard shows he can cover him or Jalen Coker.
00:18:52
Mike Kawano
That's a really good showing for Bullard, who's having a strong season as the Packers slot defender. Also, yeah, what's it called? Snybin posted when he questioned Hobbs on how he's doing the past week and I know some people are like, oh my God, like he's not focused every play and stuff like that.
00:19:10
Mike Kawano
To me, that's a flag that his knee, he still doesn't fully trust it. And his like, him saying his concentration is not there on a play-to-play basis is because he's like, okay, this the play call. I'm locked up on blank. And like, if he cuts this way, am I going to go with him or am I going to be left in the dust kind of thing? And that's how I take it because it's like,
00:19:32
Mike Kawano
There's ways that players answer questions and do or don't tell the truth and stuff like that. And no one wants to admit they're injured.
00:19:41
Joe Pearson
So he's basically playing like we talked about Jair a few years back with the back injury. Where, you know, is he playing at full speed or is he playing not re-injure that injury?
00:19:49
Mike Kawano
Yep.
00:19:56
Joe Pearson
That's a really good offense.
00:19:57
Mike Kawano
Yep, that's a really, really good that's a really good analogy. yeah, kind of, kind where the Packers are at. And, you know, like we said, he, you know, suffered his torn meniscus in the late July practice, got surgery, like at the very beginning of August and missed all of training camp and preseason. So, and, you know, just tried to jump right back into action and stuff. And,
00:20:25
Mike Kawano
I know a lot of people are riding him and stuff, but I just don't think he's healthy. And it's not ideal, but he is a guy who came with an injury history. And while it's a bummer, I don't want to use the word fair, but it's tough to...
00:20:40
Mike Kawano
gauge if like he's a free agent bust or whatever if he's just not healthy right now and i think you know that's more why lafleur and halfley were pretty bullish on his like availability and like you know how they're gonna handle his snaps later on and stuff and i think honestly know i don't think he was benched benched as much as it was like a, the knee's just not healthy.
00:21:03
Mike Kawano
And, you know, we're going just give him like as many snaps off this past week in Pittsburgh and try and get it figured out over the week. So we really interesting to see how, you know, they deploy him on Sunday because, you whatever people think of him right now, they're going to need Nate Hobbs come, you know, the playoff push in the playoff run, you know, if the Packers are going to get to where they want to go. So, you know, whether it's as a starter, as you know, if he takes the slots position in like more against more pass happy opponents, or if, you know, if Nixon continues to be up and down and you basically have the former Raiders duke it out for that spot opposite of,
00:21:41
Mike Kawano
Valentine or Valentine has a, you know, it has a, has some slippage in his play
Run Defense and Offensive Opportunities
00:21:45
Mike Kawano
too. Like there's never such thing as too many corners. And honestly, you, you do want to have a third guy that you're like, could play on the perimeter in case, you especially with the lack of track record or track record of the guys on this roster.
00:22:01
Mike Kawano
So yeah, I think that,
00:22:03
Joe Pearson
Well, I'm going to step back a little bit and kind of go at you on something, though. I understand what you're saying about Hobbs maybe not being fully healthy and all that, but kind of... I don't know if this is the pessimistic in me or what, but would kind of put the blame on him a little bit anyway,
00:22:28
Joe Pearson
Because if you're not fully healthy, then you need to come out and say, hey guys, there's something not feeling right about my knee. I don't know if it's psychological. I don't know if it's actual. I don't know what's going on.
00:22:42
Joe Pearson
That's why we're having this issue. You know, let's, let's, you know, obviously he's to have to end up on the injury report because if they don't put it on the injury report, then they get, you know, they can get in trouble.
00:22:59
Joe Pearson
that's where he needs to be having this conversation with them and not continually going out on the field and not living up to any kind of expectations that they have for him.
00:23:11
Joe Pearson
So while I get what you're saying, there's also the flip side. This is also his fault by not speaking up.
00:23:19
Mike Kawano
Yeah, that's true.
00:23:20
Joe Pearson
We're grown-ass men. Just like me being sick, When I go to work, I told the boss, hey, I'm coming in to do you a favor so you don't have to find replacement for me.
00:23:32
Joe Pearson
But I'm going to do the bare ass minimum because feel like shit. It's the same kind of thing with him. He's getting paid 100 times the amount of money I'm making.
00:23:45
Joe Pearson
He can do the same thing. Hey, guys, I know I'm not living up to it, but there's something wrong with me. We need to get something. I need to be checked.
00:23:55
Mike Kawano
Yep, that's very fair take on that side of it. But as much as we're talking about the Packers' cornerback situation, where it's going to start for them is up front against this Panthers team. kind of alluded to it earlier.
00:24:08
Mike Kawano
They want to just put the ball in Dowdle and Hubbard's hands and have them just make their quarterback situation as irrelevant as possible. And it'll be on the Packers to stifle that run game, which...
00:24:24
Mike Kawano
My traditional counting stats is the fifth best rushing game rushing attack in the league. Just a hair under 137 yards per game. They run it just under 30 times per game.
00:24:36
Mike Kawano
So, you know, you, you figure there's like 65, 70 plays a game. They're like 45% pass. honestly, I, It would probably be a higher percentage of running plays if they had the lead in a bunch of these games, but they're forever playing from behind. Because like I said, especially when you're having offensive line issues, they're basically confirmed to be down their center this week, potentially without Taylor Moten, their right tackle. So...
00:25:02
Mike Kawano
that's even more reason, especially against this Packers pass rush, which has seemed to find its fangs again the past few weeks. don't want to be subjecting Bryce Young, who's coming off his own injury. Uh, you know, think it's an ankle sprain.
00:25:17
Joe Pearson
Yeah, it was an ankle.
00:25:19
Mike Kawano
Yeah. So if you don't want him to get just bulldozed in the backfield in this game. So, just really need to see where they're at, but the Packers are going to have to be sound in the run defense. You know, I thought in standard formations, they were solid against Pittsburgh, but when Pittsburgh rolled out their, their like jumbo packages where they used their backup guard as a extra tight end, they did have some issues with their run fits. It's crazy.
00:25:48
Mike Kawano
Partly the effect of Parsons trying to take inside tracks on guys and partly because, like, you know, try as he might, McDuffie is kind of undersized to be your Sam linebacker. You know, he's a sawed-off, like, not very tall, short-armed guy. So when you ask him to try and take on tight ends, that's not his forte. You know, he's more of a downhill horseman.
00:26:08
Mike Kawano
Thumper, not a like stack and shed at the line of scrimmage kind of player off the snap and stuff. So I am curious if, you know, with Wyatt another week healthier, if Carolina tries to mimic some of what Pittsburgh did, if the Packers will employ some formations that they, that Halfley did show in the preseason where it was more of like a 5-2 look where he had two of his ends and three of his defensive tackles on the field at the same time, or even, know,
00:26:35
Mike Kawano
I don't think they'll do it too much, but you kind of line up Rashawn and Parsons next to each other, and then you put either Inegbare or Sorrell on the opposite end, and then you just have two of the defensive tackles on the interior next to Gary and stuff. So just to get a little more beef up front, and then you just have... Quay and Edge Cooper behind them to, you know, run and chase plays and,
00:27:02
Mike Kawano
Like I said, I think that's something that they couldn't really do last week because Wyatt was on some kind of snap count, no matter what he says. So they just have a little more flexibility going into this game and how they're going to defend the run. Because as a four-man pass rush unit, they should kind of have their day. And it's going to be more of a, you know, are you going to be disciplined trying rush down Bryce Young? Or, you know, you can't...
00:27:26
Mike Kawano
He doesn't run that much as a pro, but he's still relatively athletic, even though he's a smaller quarterback. And you just don't want to give him opportunities to break the pocket and either extend plays to make throws down the field or just escape and run for yardage. He's averaged like 250 yards rushing a season. And For these kind of quarterbacks, as much as he's struggled overall as a passer, it's kind of weird how sometimes having rushing attempts makes these kind of quarterbacks feel a little more comfortable and at home in their element and stuff. So you want to keep him hemmed in the pocket and just get that interior push and just...
00:28:06
Mike Kawano
cut off his sight lines to his receivers and make the game hard for him because for as good as they are running the ball, they're very, lower third to lower end of the league in terms of their passing statistics.
00:28:20
Mike Kawano
Like I said, for a team that spent as much time as it has trailing, they rank 29th and are under 180 passing yards per game. They're 28th in yards per pass. They're 25th in completion percentage, 20th in interception percentage, and 20th in sack percentage. So...
00:28:42
Mike Kawano
just a lot of chances for the Packers to create havoc on defense if they're able to stop the Panthers run game, which, you know, if there's an avenue for Carolina to make this game stupider and more interesting than it should, it's going to be if Green Bay is unable to stop their run game.
00:29:02
Joe Pearson
Yeah. Uh, I was just kind of looking at their stats, you know, Dattles average in 5.7 per attempt, you know, that that's like Aaron Jones type numbers right there. So you gotta be kind of mindful on that.
00:29:16
Joe Pearson
Chuba is a guy that I like coming out of college. Uh, obviously, like you said, he's had some injuries and it's kind of held him back, but he's shown some flashes.
00:29:28
Joe Pearson
Uh, I think the big thing is just, like you kind of said, containing Bryce Young because depending on how the ankle is feeling and depending on how well offensive line is holding up, he's not going to be able to sit back and do anything. So he's going to have to be on the run a little bit more.
00:29:47
Joe Pearson
Obviously, Mike has got some speed on him, so that's not a big worry. and your linebackers have got speed on them, so that's not a huge worry, but you can't...
00:30:00
Joe Pearson
This isn't a Rodgers back there, where he's going to be able to pick you apart because he's got genius level football IQ and all that shit, so he's going to make his mistakes, he's going to do things, but he's also a lot more athletic than Rodgers is at this point,
00:30:20
Joe Pearson
So he's going to be able to break pocket. He's going to be able to get out and about. You just got to be able to contain him without destroying too much of your game plan. But again, on paper, this should be a no-brainer win. But just like I said, don't give me hope because by the time I say all that,
00:30:43
Joe Pearson
you know, we'll get down to another 40-40 or whatever.
Exploiting Panthers' Defensive Weaknesses
00:30:51
Mike Kawano
Yeah, just like I said, just don't let them hang around.
00:30:56
Mike Kawano
Just, yeah, don't let this team hang around on you.
00:31:01
Mike Kawano
So you just want to stay on top of keep them down, and just take control of this game. The Panthers weirdly have a relatively solid defense.
00:31:15
Mike Kawano
They're very middle of the pack. Just like dead middle third, maybe even slightly above average in terms of yardage and points allowed. Well, they're only allowing 310 yards per game, which is kind of weird when you consider that they're...
00:31:31
Mike Kawano
where they stand in the league at this point. And know they're 4-4, but they've just gotten shellacked in certain games. So it's kind of funky that they have the stats they do.
00:31:44
Mike Kawano
And so, yeah. So they're 11th in yards allowed, but 20th in points per game allowed at 24 per And where they struggle is they struggle in conversion settings.
00:31:58
Joe Pearson
Where they struggle, struggle in the conversion settings.
00:32:01
Mike Kawano
So they're allowing 42% of third-down conversions, which is 25th in the league, and 63% of fourth-down conversions, which is 22nd in the league.
00:32:02
Joe Pearson
So you're allowing 42% for down conversions, which is 22% of the league. And 63% for down conversions, which is 22% of the league.
00:32:11
Mike Kawano
They're allowing 58% in the red zone touchdown percentage, and they're allowing just under three opponent touchdowns per game, which would be 21st.
00:32:12
Joe Pearson
You're allowing 15% in the range.
00:32:22
Mike Kawano
So Packers going have their opportunities to score on this defense. And you just got to – this is one of those where you look at their roster on paper don't have any like real a plus pass rushers.
00:32:44
Mike Kawano
Like I said, Princely is out this week, likely out this week. They're leaning on rookie Nick Scowerton, who's a guy that we kind of highlighted as a potential guy that the Packers would take, but he's still a rookie.
00:32:59
Mike Kawano
And then their other starting edge is Treshawn Wharton, who's been an NFL journeyman. Yeah. I guess, know, technically he does have a couple rings on his fingers with the Chiefs, but otherwise, you know, he's been a bit player in their defense.
00:33:14
Mike Kawano
And this is a front that as pass rushers, Green Bay should be able to stifle them and hold them off.
00:33:24
Mike Kawano
They do bring some beef up front in the run game. You know, A'shaun Robinson and Derek Brown are two good run defenders. And then Bobby Brown rotates in as a third defensive tackle behind those two.
00:33:35
Mike Kawano
So it'll be a good test for the Packers. The Packers O-line, you know, we've seen them get healthier. The pass protection has sort of...
00:33:44
Mike Kawano
What's it called? The pass protection has been better the past few weeks. Now it's time for that continuity to help out the run game and... I really hope they just settle on a guard at this point. You know, that's not helping. You know, I've seen a bunch of people like Dara post how they're having more success running left than they are to the right. But, you know, a lot of that is the fact that Zach Tom's been in and out of the lineup or like just dealing with injury the whole season.
00:34:12
Mike Kawano
And right guard has been unsettled because of like, even before injury consideration, you were rotating Jordan Morgan in for Sean Ryan. And then, you know, you had the Banks injury and all that kind of stuff. So you've just been playing hot potato with the right side of your O-line. So this is kind of a... Honestly, I think it's a good thing that the Packers are facing this interior this week because you go this week and then you face the Eagles with their, you know, their former Georgia Bulldog tandem of...
00:34:41
Mike Kawano
Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis next week on Monday night. So this will be a good test for the Packers to see if they can get some movement in the ground game, hopefully push some bodies around and see if it'll set them up for success down, you know, down the, the, the backstretch of the season. So I'm hoping to see some movement in the run game and hopefully see it pay off for them as the season goes along.
00:35:07
Joe Pearson
You think if we offered to let them score an easy touchdown, they'd let us take J.C. Horn after the game?
00:35:14
Mike Kawano
Just don't let him leave the stadium. Just lock him in his bathroom stall.
00:35:19
Joe Pearson
Because, yeah, I mean, defensive-wise, it's not great. I mean, obviously, they got Derek Brown, and, you know, that was...
00:35:30
Joe Pearson
when the whole Micah thing went down, the rumor came out that they were talking to the, the Cowboys were talking to the Panthers about Micah Parsons and they said, well, we want Derek Brown. And that's when the Panthers pretty much hung up the phone and said, not going to happen. So, you know, he is player. He is solid.
00:35:49
Joe Pearson
but outside of that, yeah, there's nothing really there. I mean, their corners aren't bad. Michael Jackson and, and JC Horn, uh, I definitely would take one of them right now over Nixon or Nate Hobbs.
00:36:06
Joe Pearson
But like you said, just don't shoot yourself in the foot.
Betting Lines and Scoring Predictions
00:36:13
Joe Pearson
Go out and make smart plays. Jordan's been kind of on tear right now, so continue that.
00:36:20
Joe Pearson
Get your guys open. them open. And this is the game where we need to see all gas, no fucking break. Wake up with your piss hot and all the other cliches that LaFleur has thrown out there over the years. So let's see it with this game. Let's not play down to these guys.
00:36:39
Joe Pearson
Let's not revert back to only scoring 27 points and hoping that's going to win you game and go from there. So, yeah, yeah.
00:36:51
Mike Kawano
Yep. So I agree with you.
00:36:53
Joe Pearson
So, all right, we're going do, like, know, spread for game.
00:36:54
Mike Kawano
Like, you know, the spread for this game is 13 and a half.
00:36:57
Joe Pearson
We start win the cap.
00:36:57
Mike Kawano
You know, the Packers are expected win by 13 and a half. That's the point. That's the spread. And then the over under is 44 for the game. So, you know, you figure the Packers win by 14 points.
00:37:11
Mike Kawano
You know, if you're scoring, you know, they're magical. Like you said, they're magical. 27 points. Yeah. it's kind of like, oh, wait, that's under kind of thing and stuff. So it'll be really interesting to see, know, how this game plays out. But, you know, time will tell in terms of how it looks. But, yeah, like you said, it would be really good to see them get, you know, get themselves in position to be scoring 30 consistently on this season.
00:37:36
Mike Kawano
Yeah. And I do think Watson's continued availability will help with that. Like, that's kind of been one of the indicators for this Packers offense under LaFleur, under Jordan and LaFleur is like, if Watson's out there, this is like a consistently 30, 32 point offense kind of thing.
00:37:55
Mike Kawano
And when Watson's not out there, I mean, this year it's been 27 points, you know you want to see them push it those extra few points to get over the 30 point mark because if you're averaging 30 a game you're going to be winning a bunch of games in the modern NFL that's just how it works and that's before you even consider what kind of defense Green Bay brings to the table anything else that stands out to you on this one Joe or you want to just move along into the next segment
00:38:21
Joe Pearson
I think we can just move along because I think we've pretty much touched on everything. again, and for like the third or fourth time, you just hope that the floor actually lives up to the height that he wants for the team.
00:38:39
Joe Pearson
You know, if they go and play like they played in the second half of the Steelers game for the full game against Carolina, Well, let's even say they do it for the first half of the Carolina game.
00:38:54
Joe Pearson
Then you can start putting in backups in the second half. Because there's not a lot here in the Panthers' defense that you can be worried that they're going to make a comeback on anything.
00:39:10
Joe Pearson
Because they're going to, I mean not make a comeback, but they're going stop anything that you throw at them. You know, you could easily have Bears game from however long ago where it was like 55 to 7 by halftime.
00:39:25
Joe Pearson
And, you know, then you don't have to worry about any kind of comeback attempt because you're up so far. And then any points you score on in the second half is just, you know, the cherry on top. So...
00:39:38
Joe Pearson
I think we're good on this one.
00:39:40
Mike Kawano
Sounds good to me. So you want to go into our over-unders?
00:39:44
Joe Pearson
Yeah, I kind of struggled a little bit with coming up with these just because I've been getting burned each week on when I make them up because they keep just screwing things over. My first one is more of a pissed off Joe moment than anything, and that's Matthew Golden over under three and a half catches.
00:40:07
Mike Kawano
I'm going to do I need to reverse jinx this one? You know what? We're going stick with the over one more week. I think he's going to have five catches this week.
00:40:17
Joe Pearson
I keep hoping that he's going have his breakout game where it's going to be like seven catches for 110 yards and a touchdown.
00:40:29
Joe Pearson
I'm kind of disappointed In a way. Not necessarily because it happened. I'm happy with what happened everything. But it's kind of disappointing when your third-round rookie wide receiver gets his first career touchdown before your first-round rookie wide receiver gets his.
00:40:49
Joe Pearson
I'm going to over just on hope and then blame Mike when it doesn't happen.
00:40:58
Mike Kawano
Always a good strategy.
00:41:04
Joe Pearson
So my next one is just kind of an oddball one just because eventually some numbers are going straighten out and things are going to happen where he's still going to play on a high note, but it's not going to be as electric as it was last week or couple of the other games he's had this year. But Tucker Craft over under one and a half touchdowns.
00:41:30
Mike Kawano
I'm going under. I think he'll get one, but I think that, you know, the way they spread the ball around, I don't think he's to have a two touchdown game.
00:41:38
Joe Pearson
But even when they spread the ball around, it seems like he continues to get his no matter what. So I'm going to go over just for chaotic effect and say he does get the two.
00:41:50
Joe Pearson
Maybe that's my reverse jinx is by saying he's going to get two is going to help Matthew Golden out at least get his one.
00:41:59
Joe Pearson
So my last one is I've got defense over under three and a half sacks.
00:42:05
Mike Kawano
I'm going under and not even to reverse jinx them. I just think that they're going to lean into the like, they're going to lean into their, what's it called? Collapse the pocket rush, you know, contain Bryce and stuff. And If the Packers, the way I see them getting a bunch of sacks is if they do get up like three scores at some point in this game and it's just like, now you got to throw the ball and all that kind of stuff. But I just think that the Panthers are going to kind of do what like...
00:42:35
Mike Kawano
the Bengals and the Cowboys did where they're just going to try get the ball out of Young's hands as fast as possible. A lot of perimeter screens and quick hitting things. I don't expect too much over the middle of the field because Bryce ain't that big and I don't think he can see over the line of scrimmage very well, especially with Green Bay's defensive front.
00:42:52
Mike Kawano
You know, we've got a lot of big bodies out there and... It's funny that ESPN actually does list Bryce at 5'10". So, oh man, not doing some funny money...
00:43:03
Joe Pearson
That's awful generous.
00:43:05
Mike Kawano
I do think it is generous too. But yeah, like I expect a lot. You I do think they're passing it. Actually, what am I saying? Going back that far, I think they're passing game is going to look a lot like the Steelers one this past week, where it's going to be a lot of things to the flat, maybe a few intermediate routes on plays where like Michael and Rashawn aren't on the field, but I just think that if they're forced to pass, they're going to get the ball out as quick as they
Player Development and Defensive Success
00:43:30
Mike Kawano
can. And, you know, they'll have a couple sacks, one of those like half coverage kind of ones. And then one where I do think it'll be Michael where he just wins immediately and Bryce has to just eat it kind of plays.
00:43:44
Joe Pearson
I'm going to go over because of the fact of what you said earlier about they're going to go up two or three scores, and that means that they're going have to continue to throw the ball and not be able to lean on their run game.
00:44:01
Joe Pearson
I kind of hope. I don't know if it's going to happen, but I do kind of hope that they have both Brinson and Stackhouse active. I haven't done the math in my head to see who would not be active for the game for that to happen, but I kind of hope that they do.
00:44:20
Joe Pearson
That way, they could help out a little bit, stop that run a little bit more, and it doesn't put that extra pressure on Devontae Wyatt. I'm going to go over. I'm going to say they're going hit about four.
00:44:31
Joe Pearson
And I think Mike is good for about two of them.
00:44:35
Mike Kawano
Well, and you bring up how do they get to the inactives. So when you look at it just at a number standpoint, if the three guys who are DNPs today, and it does kind of sound like all three will be out with Wix not getting any sort of update, Lucas being quote-unquote day-to-day and Neiman being potentially more long-term, that's three already.
00:44:55
Mike Kawano
And then it's like, okay, so do you really expect Kamal Haddon to be up this game? I think that's an easy fourth. And then from there, it's like, OK, between Brinson and Stackhouse, do they beat out?
00:45:07
Mike Kawano
Let's see. Hold on. You know, like, is a Donovan Jennings inactive or something like that? So hold on. me just go.
00:45:14
Joe Pearson
I don't know, it depends on how much that they think the Tom and Banks injury is going to affect things.
00:45:20
Mike Kawano
Yeah, I think at this point, I think Banks is basically being listed for the sake of being thorough. I do think there's some, you know, legitimacy to Tom's status, but I think overall they're fine with it.
00:45:34
Joe Pearson
And then course Belton is just now coming back off the injury report, so
00:45:39
Mike Kawano
So yeah, they're going to have one, at least one, at least, they're going to definitely have one lineman inactive because they have nine on the active roster. And I think it just comes down to a matter of whether they want Jennings or... Monk active on game day.
00:45:55
Joe Pearson
think that there's a very easy way to get to.
00:45:55
Mike Kawano
And so that's five. Like, I just think that there is a very easy way to get to five inactive players that leaves you with both Stackhouse and Brinson up for this game.
00:45:58
Joe Pearson
I can't declare that that means you would love both that house and bring it up for this game.
00:46:07
Mike Kawano
And
00:46:07
Joe Pearson
And we have like the world that we're going to
00:46:09
Mike Kawano
you know, like we both alluded the Panthers are going to want to run the ball and you need the beef up front to, you know, stifle that run game. So this would be a good one to have all five defensive tackles active, especially because you're down Lucas.
00:46:21
Mike Kawano
So, you know, you're not getting defensive tackle snaps from one of your edges. Who's, you know, I do think he's one of their more disruptive interior players when he plays at the three technique position.
00:46:29
Joe Pearson
And Brinson is showing a little bit in the pass rush too, so that would help with any kind of limitations Devontae would have.
00:46:33
Mike Kawano
So, but it's been really good to see Wooden.
00:46:37
Mike Kawano
Yeah.
00:46:37
Mike Kawano
Yeah.
00:46:40
Mike Kawano
Yeah. And then this is another thing, you know, kind of like we pointed out to how like for the Packers interior O-line, it would be a good warmup for the Eagles game. Obviously the Panthers O-line isn't anywhere near, but any reps you can get for the young guys, Stackhouse, Brinson, but also for Wooden, because, you know, he's still only, you know, this will only be his eighth game into playing like The majority of the nose tackle snaps in this defense. So the more reps you can get him, the more he can.
00:47:08
Mike Kawano
And I think, you know, to me, Wooden's turned up his intensity and his impact the past couple weeks. You know, he obviously had the stellar week one and then he's kind of just been a good soldier in the like, you know, the middle portion of the games they played.
00:47:20
Mike Kawano
But against Arizona and against Pittsburgh, he did start to flash again with more negative plays created and those kind of things. So want to see those tick up a little bit. And I think Brooks has really rounded into form the past three to four games. So want to continue to see that going. But also, you know, we talk about it all the time.
00:47:40
Mike Kawano
Brinson, Stackhouse, Savion, Golden.
00:47:43
Joe Pearson
God dang.
00:47:44
Mike Kawano
What do we always say? By the end of the season when you're in the playoff push, you want those guys to be playing like one-year vets, not rookies. So whatever snaps you can get those guys, legitimate snaps you can get them in the middle of the season, it can only benefit you down the home stretch of the season.
00:47:54
Joe Pearson
It has been a lot of fun to go through all of them.
00:48:00
Mike Kawano
Any other thoughts on this one?
00:48:04
Mike Kawano
I know it has been lot of fun to go through all the, the, the, like, this is who led the team in this stat last year, and this is how they were led that year, and blah, blah, and all that kind of stuff, so, it, it has been really good to see, and,
00:48:26
Mike Kawano
And it's just really nice that the team is taking off at this point in time. And you just want to see them continue to raise their level of play as you get through the meat of their schedule at this point.
Trade Speculations and Roster Bolstering
00:48:38
Mike Kawano
Did you have anything else on this game? Or do you want to just kind of start to put a bow on this get you some rest for the night?
00:48:44
Joe Pearson
No, think we're good other than, you know, Tuesday, I think it is, is the trade deadline. So I know there are the rumors that the Packers have been making phone calls.
00:48:58
Joe Pearson
Easton Butler still holds out hope that they're going to be signing Asante Samuel Jr. because he keeps posting continual updates. I think the last one was that he's just now been cleared for workouts.
00:49:13
Joe Pearson
He's probably not going to sign this week, but look ahead for next week. It's like, well, if he just now got cleared for workout, then he does nothing for what the Packers need this year.
00:49:24
Joe Pearson
So, yeah. But anyway, just...
00:49:25
Mike Kawano
I mean, that's a signing for the playoffs at this point, and it does give you enough ramp-up time that by the middle or end of December, he would be able to give you something, hypothetically. So that's where you're hoping to get that. But I agree. The window on that potential option is closing, but...
00:49:46
Mike Kawano
That's the thing is there just aren't a lot of options. And I know that a lot of people are bringing their hands over like the McCreary trade to the Rams or the... Who did they send him to?
00:49:56
Joe Pearson
The only other one that I can think of is Carter from the Jets.
00:49:59
Mike Kawano
Yeah, the Eagles. But that's two slot defenders. And the one thing the Packers don't need is another slot defender. So...
00:50:06
Joe Pearson
I just know listening to last week's Hey We Like Your Pod that Don brought up like three or four different articles that all independently brought up McCreary's name as a possible for the Packers. So that was like the first time I had heard anything about him, but I mean, there are some guys out there that can be had.
00:50:28
Joe Pearson
There are some former Packers that probably could be brought back in a pinch. And this isn't a Jair. I mean, was just looking at the Panthers practice squad. They have Kalen King over there.
00:50:41
Joe Pearson
So that would be a possibility to bring back. I think Corey Ballantyne is on a practice squad somewhere. Rochelle is on a practice squad somewhere. So, I mean, those are guys that they could potentially bring back if need be.
00:50:57
Joe Pearson
But yeah, things are starting to close very quickly. would say if nothing happens on Monday, then you're probably not going to see anything out of Packers, even though they still have all day Tuesday. But I just, unless it happens on Monday, I don't see any last minute things happening.
00:51:16
Mike Kawano
I agree. So, you know, if there is anything, we'll definitely post and note it in our opponent preview next week. But otherwise, yeah, I think if they do anything, it's going to be a street free agent signing.
00:51:29
Mike Kawano
And those names don't they're not going to get a rise out of a lot of people. But that's the fact of the matter. That's what you know, that's what's available at this point. But yeah.
00:51:38
Joe Pearson
Or a guy from a practice squad, like a Razul Douglas type thing.
Closing Remarks and Follow-Up Information
00:51:43
Mike Kawano
Yeah. So, but for now, you know, we'll just sign and do our sign off. We thank you for joining us here tonight. Please check out the website, ohanapackers.org.
00:51:53
Mike Kawano
Check out the shop, support merchandise, help. Joe paid for his medications to get over this most recent bout with COVID so that he's totally fully 100% for when we do our next episode.
00:52:07
Mike Kawano
You know, as fitting as it is, he has the Tucker Craft line ready to go for you on the shop. So support us there. Articles are going up.
00:52:15
Joe Pearson
Oh, one thing, let's do a programming note before I completely forget.
00:52:16
Mike Kawano
Oh,
00:52:21
Joe Pearson
So Sunday is a noon game. Brian and I will probably go live about an hour after the game ends. I'll have to talk to Brian on that to make sure, but that's what it looks like.
00:52:33
Joe Pearson
But because the following week is a Monday night game, there will not be a new episode on Monday. It will come out the next morning on Tuesday.
00:52:45
Joe Pearson
I haven't decided Mike and I are going to do like a midnight live stream yet or not just to do it, or if we're just going to say no live stream because it's a Monday night game and just do our normal episode for Tuesday. That's something Mike and I will talk about, but I just want to do that before I completely forget about it, but We will most likely go live following the game, do our post-game show, and then episode come out on Monday.
00:53:16
Joe Pearson
But the following week, because it is a Monday night game, there will be no episode on Monday. will come out on Tuesday.
00:53:23
Mike Kawano
Good catch. That's why he's the boss. Please follow us on our social medias at Ohana underscore Packers on Twitter at Ohana Packers edition on Instagram. Please follow us on Facebook. So, you know, when we do those live shows, like Joe is mentioning that we can stream them to Facebook as well.
00:53:41
Mike Kawano
On Blue Sky, we do not have a Ohana Packers edition account.
00:53:45
Joe Pearson
Just follow me over there.
00:53:46
Mike Kawano
Just follow.
00:53:46
Joe Pearson
I tweet anything on there.
00:53:47
Mike Kawano
Yeah. Yeah. Just follow us individually on there. Joe is much more active than I am on that site, but I do mosey my way over every once in a while.
00:53:57
Mike Kawano
Excuse me. Please follow the podcast on your favorite podcasting apps. Give us a like and a subscribe.
00:54:03
Mike Kawano
And you can message any of us directly, message the social media accounts. If you have any topics, questions you want answered on the show or discussed, Please help us out that way. We want to create the content you're looking for.
00:54:16
Mike Kawano
The Packers look to stay atop the NFC, not just the North, but the NFC conference with another win. They pushed the record to 6-1-1 against the Panthers on Sunday. Go Pack Go and Aloha.