A couple of quick thoughts as I’ve checked back in at Lambeau Field after a fantastic family and football Thanksgiving holiday weekend. I stepped foot in all four NFC North Cities on the journey for the football in Detroit, and then a memorable Friday night in Minneapolis with my wife, two kids, spouses and grandson celebrating our 40th anniversary at the same restaurant we dined as a married couple, Murray’s Steak House on 6th. A blast.
Back to the ballclub. Fitting they fueled up in the Motor City for a guess what? December drive. The 29-22 victory came as a shock to some, including the Fox Network food caterer, but this has been building. As another deer hunting season comes to a close, Jordan Love is now sprouting antlers as the lead buck on this team. His play during the 3-1 run to get them on the cusp of serious Wild Card conversation has been very good.
Love was still a Bambi two years and two weeks ago when he made his starting debut. That was against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead. Just went through that game again and Love moved the team early but Mason Crosby missed one and had another first half field goal blocked. Mahomes and Travis Kelce may have gotten the first notice of Taylor Swift with a first half TD. A Malik Taylor botched punt return forced the defense to hold for a red zone field goal. A 55 yarder made it 13-0 at the half. Love and the defense kept battling. Facing bad starting field position and often behind the sticks, Kansas City blitzed relentlessly. A sideline route got picked but he stood in there, converted a couple of key fourth downs and found Allen Lazard on the sideline who sidestepped a hit and scored. A 13-7 final and the kid’s numbers matched the superstar. Can’t wait to see the second edition.
There are no more breaks in the schedule. The last mini-bye sets up five Sundays and a Monday nighter to the finish. Will the long weekend finally get the long list of wounded back? Aaron Jones, Dontayvion Wicks for the offense. Jaire Alexander, De’Vondre Campbell, Rudy Ford and maybe sooner than later Darnell Savage for the defense.
Love and the kids pulled off a big effort against the Lions, having a few of the guys who have seen Mahomes and the Chiefs offense would certainly help the cause.
It’ll be good to see Andy Reid coach a ballclub at Lambeau. Unless there’s a pre-season game scheduled, it might be his last considering the 8 year rotation. Unquestionably the most successful of Mike Holmgren’s great staff of assistants from back in the day. Great run in Philly and the rings in KC. Hopped on board in Green Bay in 1992 as the tight end coach. Assisted the offensive line and was Brett Favre’s quarterback coach his last two years through 1998. Enjoyed his already wry sense of humor back then.
The Taylor Swift mania is also about the descend on Titletown for the prime time show. A meaningful football game as winter arrives, who would have thunk it?
Buckle up, the Packers feel they are fueled up for an unexpected December drive.
