Duel in the Desert goes the Packers’ way

The Packers will look to put together a winning streak as they visit Arizona to take on the Cardinals late Sunday afternoon.

The Packers are 3-1-1 after winning 27-18 at home vs the Cincinnati Bengals last Sunday. The Cardinals are 2-4 after falling 31-27 on the road vs the Indianapolis Colts last Sunday.

Kyler Murray is listed as questionable for the game. If he can’t go, Jacoby Brissett, who played in their loss to the Colts, will be the starter. Either way, the Packers will need to get a pass rush and disrupt the quarterback’s timing. Marvin Harrison Jr. hasn’t had eye-popping stats, but he can change a game. TE Trey McBride is their leading receiver right now. Some opposing receivers have made some unbelievable catches vs the Packers lately, especially near the goal line or inside of it. The Packers need to stay with these receivers and either knock the ball away or intercept those passes. They need to put pressure on the quarterback and please, let’s get some turnovers. We haven’t had very many of those this year so far. The Packers have not forced a turnover in 3 of their 5 games, only recording 2 interceptions on the season and no forced fumbles or fumble recoveries. That needs to change.

Jordan Love has completed 70% of his passes and has made some incredible throws, and Josh Jacobs has been picking up steam in the second halves of games lately, but it would be nice to see both play a complete game. The offense needs to come out on fire and continue it for the whole game. The Packers have a -1 turnover ratio, 2 interceptions by them and the opposition and 1 fumble recovery by the defense vs none for Green Bay. The Cardinals have an even turnover ratio, 4 interceptions both ways and 3 fumble recoveries both ways. Please hold onto the ball Packers.

Special teams was a big difference in the win over the Bengals last Sunday. Kicker Lucas Havrisik nailed 2 kicks while the kicker for the Bengals missed 2, although in fairness to them, their kicker had to make them from a much further distance. Either way, those were misses. If it was any other team, I would have wanted the kicker to nail that 67-yard field goal and make history. Thankfully, Matt LaFleur called a timeout and made him kick it again, and he ended up missing. Field position is key. Hopefully, whoever the kicker is in this game, he prevents a long return and makes his field goals and extra points, and I want to see plenty of the latter.

The Cardinals are an interesting franchise. They started in 1898 as the Morgan Athletic Club and were one of the original franchises to have joined the NFL in 1920. They were known as the Chicago Cardinals and moved to St. Louis and then to Phoenix. They last won a championship in 1947, giving them the longest championship drought in the 4 major sports.

The Cardinals may be 2-4 but they scored 3 more points than they have allowed. None of their 6 games so far has been decided by more than 7 points. The Packers need to be ready for this game. Their next game after this one is a game in Pittsburgh against the Steelers and their former quarterback. The Packers cannot afford to be looking ahead. They need to keep their focus on defeating the Cardinals.

I am sure there will be plenty of Packer fans in Arizona. Whether you will be attending this game or not, let us make our voices heard and cheer the team to victory on Sunday.

Go Pack Go!

@DieHardPackersFan #DHPF #GregGoshaw @gg901

The Packers improved to 3-1-1 after their 27-18 home victory over the Cincinnati Bengals late Sunday afternoon.

The Packers got the ball first, but Jordan Love had it intercepted. The defense held and the Packers were able to drive for a field goal. They would later get a touchdown and led 10-0 at halftime. The Bengals showed signs of life in the second half as they cut it to 10-7, but the Packers responded with a touchdown of their own. It was a close game until kicker Lucis Havrisik nailed a 39-yard field goal. After the Bengals missed a field goal of their own, the Packers ran out the clock.

Thoughts about this win:

It was tight throughout the game, but the kicker nailed 2 big field goals. Speaking of field goals, Bengals’ kicker Evan McPherson missed 2, including a miss from 67 yards right before halftime. He would’ve had the record had Matt LaFleur not called timeout right before he kicked it and the ball bounced off the crossbar and in.

The Packers have seen Joe Flacco twice this season, and both times, his team started out slow on offense before coming alive in the second half. This time, the Packers were able to hold him off enough to get the win.

The Packers definitely needed to respond after the Bengals cut it to 24-18. The offense did well going down the field, but Jordan Love slid down short of the 1^st down marker and the next pass was incomplete. They needed their kicker to make a clutch field goal and he did. Thankfully, the Packers kept the Bengals far enough back where they missed a kick of their own, and they didn’t have to sweat out an onside kick attempt.

It wasn’t a blowout win, but with the time off and how their previous 2 games went, the Packers needed a victory any way they could get it. They will need to play much better going forward. Their next 2 games are on the road, including next Sunday in Arizona. Have a great week Packer fans!

Go Pack Go!

@DieHardPackersFan #DHPF #GregGoshaw @gg901

The Packers are off from their bye week and get ready to play the Cincinnati Bengals at Lambeau Field late Sunday afternoon.

The Packers are 2-1-1 and most recently played to a 40-40 tie on the road vs the Dallas Cowboys before their bye week. The Bengals are 2-3 after suffering a home loss to the Detroit Lions 37-24.

The Bengals traded for Joe Flacco to help with their quarterback problems, and he will be starting this Sunday. The Packers last saw him when he started for Cleveland. They get another crack at him. He is a veteran who is definitely an upgrade from who they had before. The Packers had trouble stopping him late when he played for the Browns. They get him at home this time but still have to face him. They need to sack him and force turnovers. They haven’t had too many turnovers this year. That needs to change.

Jordan Love had his moments against the Cowboys, but he has had trouble with turnovers the past 2 games. He needs to avoid that and needs to give the Packers an opportunity to score points, especially touchdowns. The offense did some great things against the Cowboys in a game that seems like so long ago now, but that turnover and poor clock management at the end cost them a chance for a victory. Let’s hold onto the ball and score touchdowns whenever we have the chance.

Kicker Brandon McManus suffered a right quad injury that the team said is a major concern, but he insists he will be able to play through it. Let’s hope so. Even before his injury, there has been a problem as he suffered blocked kicks in the team’s last 2 games, both had they not happened and he made the kicks instead, likely would have resulted in victories. Poor kickoff coverage at times vs the Cowboys is also a problem. They need to be much better at special teams, an area which often goes a long way to whether you win or lose a close game, and it went the other way the previous 2 games.

The Packers and Bengals have played 14 previous times with both teams winning 7 games each. Perhaps no game is more famous than when Brett Favre came in for an injured Don Majkowski and led them to a 24-23 victory at Lambeau Field in 1992. An interesting stat in that game: Both teams scored on punt returns, Carl Pickens for the Bengals and Terrell Buckley for the Packers. The winning touchdown was scored by Kitrick Taylor, the only touchdown he would have in his career. The last 2 meetings between the teams went into overtime, both won by the Packers. In the most recent meeting, both teams couldn’t make a kick late. Mason Crosby missed from 36, 51, and 40 yards, the 51-yard attempt would’ve given them the victory in regulation. Evan McPherson was no better as he missed from 57 and 49 yards, the latter where he thought he made the winning kick, only to be disappointed as it sailed on him. On 4^th and 1, the Packers shocked the fans as they tried a field goal with the kicker’s problems, but Crosby nailed a 49-yard attempt and won the game, rewarding Matt LaFleur’s confidence in him.

Even though the Packers have played in only 4 games so far this season, it seems like a lot has happened and you’re right. They have experienced it all, wins, a loss, a tie. In fact, when they play on Sunday, they will have gone through more than a calendar month without a victory. They need to get back on the winning track, especially with the Lions winning after their Week 1 loss to the Packers and them playing a tough game at Kansas City this coming Sunday night, and also the Philadelphia Eagles losing twice in a calendar week, first at home to Denver and on Thursday night to the New York Giants on the road. The Packers cannot afford to take this game lightly, especially in this division where the Lions are scoring points, the Vikings are finding ways to win, and the Bears are suddenly 2-2. They need every victory they can get and the schedule is in their favor, but they need to go out and earn these wins.

A lot has happened in this season so far, especially since the Packers played their last game. They will be expected to win most of their games the rest of the season, but they need to go out and earn them. They are in a great position with the schedule they have to pile up the wins and finish the regular season strong, but they have to do their part by playing well. Let’s just focus on the Bengals first. We need this win however we can get it, but let’s jump on them early and keep it up for the full 60 minutes, and I can’t emphasize the full 60 minutes enough. We need to be on our game from the opening kickoff to the final play of the game. Let’s take nothing for granted. Whether you are at the game or at the local bar or wherever you are, let’s make our voices heard and cheer our team to victory on Sunday!

Get Loud Lambeau!

Go Pack Go!

@DieHardPackersFan #DHPF #GetLoudLambeau #GregGoshaw @gg901