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00:00This time of year in Green Bay this is pretty darn nice 44 degrees ready for opening kickoff in this jam-packed NFC North Green Bay a half game back of Chicago at the top down to the field. Here's Pam Oliver. Well Joe it came down to the wire but running back Josh Jacobs he's just not able to get healthy enough with that knee injury he suffered last week in the Giants game so he's sitting this one out joining him on the inactive list wide receiver Matthew Golden Quay Walker there in
00:30impressive linebacker has a neck injury and he won't play for the Minnesota Vikings it's linebacker Jonathan Bernard who has a shoulder injury who will not see action. Back to you. All right Pam as the Packers start the toughest remaining schedule in the NFL three in a row against teams in the division five of the last seven while the Vikings try to go to three and on the season in NFC North Road games and try to win a third in a row at Lambeau. Packers won the toss deferred to the second half.
01:00Brandon McManus active this week after he was off last week with the injury kicks it into the end zone and off we go with the touchback. And so the Vikings start with the ball and here comes JJ McCarthy two and three as a starter those two wins both divisional road games at Chicago in his debut at Detroit. He makes his first start at Lambeau today. And I think when you watch him over his five career starts Joe there's flashes of what made the Vikings so excited to make him their first round pick just
01:29a season to season to go. He's got great competitive spirit. He's really come to life in a few of those games in the fourth quarter bringing them back and when you talk to Kevin O'Connell he said he's as good as any quarterback I've ever had pre snap. It's the post snap decision making footwork. It's a lot of those fundamentals that they're continuing to work with the young quarterback and hoping to see some progress and growth today. He's got the former Packer Aaron Jones behind him at running back and hands it off to him on the first play of the day.
01:59Seven years here in Green Bay gets a few and this offense for the Vikings fully healthy up front for the first time all year as they get Ryan Kelly back from concussions his first game since September. And this group of five right here. They have not had them the entire season. And I think when you look back to the decision in the offseason to just go into camp with JJ McCarthy. They don't bring back Sam Darnold. They don't resign Daniel Jones.
02:29The quarterback was how good they thought this starting five offensive line is Jones again. First two plays in a hole off the right side. He crashes into Packers territory on a gain of 13. Aaron Jones coming off his best game getting healthier and healthier after dealing with that ankle injury. And you heard Pam. Quay Walker really good young linebacker former first round pick here of the Packers. He's not in the lineup. So some of these light boxes the stress that they
02:59put on the linebackers in this Jeff Halfley led Green Bay defense down one of their top players. First play in Green Bay territory. First drive for the Vikings. First throw McCarthy over the middle. It's Jefferson. He's got it first down inside the 35. 15 from McCarthy to Jefferson. All right. So you look back a year ago the 14 win season with Sam Darnold. This was the offense. Under
03:29center. Throw the ball in the center. Throw the ball in the middle of the field in breaking routes. And oh yeah it helps having one of the best receivers in the last decade in Justin Jefferson. You know what's amazing is even as much as his offense has struggled he's still seventh in the NFL in receiving yards. First down pass. McCarthy hit as he lets it go. Micah Parsons, Rashawn Gary both there. And Micah Parsons has not skipped the beat coming from Dallas to Green Bay.
03:59Just the amount of attention that he gets. I mean no player in the league gets double teamed as much as Micah Parsons and he's still second in the league in total quarterback pressures. He unlocks. They don't blitz a lot. Jeff Halfley says I don't need to send extra rushers because we can get there with our front. And obviously they've got one of the best in the league in Parsons.
04:29McCarthy chucking it out there. Javon Bullard was all over the quick throw. And it's third down and ten.
04:39Nice job here by Bullard. You can see him here in the slot. He just sees it all the way. He doesn't even look back. I think if he looks back for the ball he might pick it.
04:46But this is what this Green Bay Packers defense has been Joe. You know you can evaluate defenses in a lot of ways. Probably the best way to summarize
04:55this group is they're just really hard to score on. Even if you move the ball between the 30s
05:01it's hard putting it in for six. First third down of the day. McCarthy dumps it off incomplete.
05:07It was nowhere close to Aaron Jones.
05:10Had he gotten it there. There was some room it looked like.
05:13Trying to set up a little running back screen.
05:17See Aaron Jones. He's kind of coming back into the middle expecting that ball.
05:21And just a great stop. But some good early growth here. Some good early signs.
05:26J.J. McCarthy. Kevin O'Connell letting him throw the ball and settle him into this road game.
05:32Will Riker. Second year kicker out of Alabama.
05:3519 out of 21 this year. Tries this one from 52.
05:40The Vikings on their first drive. Will get three as Riker drills it with room to spare. Perfect kick.
05:48They get the Vikings on the board first. Peckers on offense on the other side of this break.
05:54You can play the Fox Super 6 NFL Challenge. Download the Fox Sports app right now and enter for free for a shot to win your share of $10,000 in cash prizes.
06:03See the Fox Sports app for details.
06:05As the Packers get ready to take the ball for the first time today.
06:09Trying to end their little two game losing streak here at Lambeau.
06:12Haven't lost three in a row at Lambeau Field since 2017.
06:17Like when Aaron Rodgers was lost for the season with an injury.
06:20Brent Huntley took over at quarterback.
06:23In a long time.
06:24Savion Williams will bring this one back for the Packers.
06:27Yeah and he's pulled down shy of the 30.
06:33Packers offense takes the field.
06:35Jordan Love his best season and his third one as the starter.
06:38And coming off what Matt LaFleur said was his best game.
06:41Statistically a little bit skewed because of the drops.
06:43But he was sharp.
06:44Yeah he was excellent.
06:45Last week if it wasn't for the handful of drops.
06:48I mean he made some big time throws.
06:51Especially down the stretch.
06:53In that win against New York.
06:55So he's playing as good a ball.
06:56That's kind of why I sit up here and I say.
06:58I think they got to give him more responsibility.
07:01Let him throw it more on early downs.
07:03Especially with Josh Jacobs being out.
07:05In the struggles of this run game.
07:08The floor can trust him to be a good decision maker.
07:12Hands it off Emmanuel Wilson with Jacobs out.
07:14Getting his first career start.
07:16And there's Jalen Redman who seems to always be in the middle of it for the Vikings.
07:20And here is his Green Bay offense.
07:22It's been hard to figure out.
07:2330 points per game in the wins and the tie.
07:2510 points per game in the losses.
07:28Encouraging last week against New Yorkville with a four touchdown performance.
07:32First throw for Love.
07:33He's given time.
07:34He checks it down and it's Wilson again.
07:36Wilson gets seven yards.
07:38It's third and three.
07:40Minnesota's defense.
07:41Aggressive chaotic defense that usually produces takeaways in big plays.
07:46Those have been missing this year.
07:48Yeah.
07:48Anytime you come out and start laying out.
07:50All right.
07:50What is a Brian Flores led defense?
07:52They're going to be really good at eliminating big plays over the top.
07:56Since the bye.
07:57Only Chicago has given up more yards in the air on deep passes.
08:01Takeaways are down.
08:03They've only got nine.
08:04One thing they are really good is they are really good controlling the run game with that front.
08:10Forcing negative plays.
08:11High snap.
08:12Love pulls it down on third and three to the sideline for Watson.
08:16Coming off a two touchdown game against New York and finishing off his first month and his return from the knee injury.
08:22He looks like he's 100% already.
08:24Yeah.
08:24That's a...
08:25I'll tell you what.
08:25He's...
08:25Great catch there by Jordan Love.
08:28They quick snapped it.
08:29Sean Ryan, he snaps it quick because he felt Redman...
08:32He thought he crossed the neutral zone.
08:34They didn't call it.
08:34But you're right.
08:36I mean, Christian Watson, early in his career, he was kind of just the run down there, bomb, take the top off, big play guy.
08:42But his route trees improved, his catching ability, the ability to track the ball with his hands.
08:47He's had a great season since coming back.
08:50Drive continues.
08:50Green Bay, the best third down team in the NFL, pick up their first try.
08:54Wilson bouncing left side and getting four.
08:58So what is the identity of this offense for the stretch run?
09:01You mentioned it, a run-heavy offense, even though they're below-average run in the football,
09:06and even though they get a $55 million quarterback who's playing well.
09:11Matt LaFleur in his seventh season as the head coach.
09:16And the play caller sends us in on second and six.
09:19Love retreating, floating, Musgrave incomplete.
09:23Metellus is right there the whole way, but a flag.
09:27Josh Metellus going to get called for the pass interference.
09:31Yeah, one-on-one down the field.
09:39Luke Musgrave.
09:40Number 44, defense.
09:44Ball is placed at the spot of the foul, automatic first down.
09:48Yeah, so I think it's a good call.
09:49Luke Musgrave getting a lot more action now at tight end.
09:52Tucker Craft had really grown into one of the best young tight ends in all the football.
09:56They lost him a few weeks ago in that loss here at Lambeau against the Panthers and knee injuries.
10:02So they're trying to get that production from a tight end group.
10:06They don't really have one guy that can play the position as versatile as Tucker Craft.
10:11So Musgrave's going to be the downfield pass threat of that tight end unit.
10:15They get 24 yards off of that penalty.
10:18It's at the 23 with the first and 10.
10:20A toss for Wilson.
10:22Emmanuel Wilson knifes his way through for four.
10:25You know, so you talk about the identity of this Packers offense,
10:29and I think the code that Matt LaFleur is still trying to crack is
10:32without real any explosive element to this run game, they're efficient.
10:37They don't take a lot of lost yardage.
10:38They just don't have any big runs.
10:39They don't have a running back that's gone for over a 20-yard run the entire season,
10:44and teams are playing them a lot of shell.
10:46They understand they're not trying to give up a lot of deep passes.
10:50So without a good run game, kind of feels like he's in a bad spot
10:54where he's constantly in third and long where they happen to be the best in the league.
10:58Chris Brooks into the game at running back.
11:00He's the best pass-protecting back, and it is a pass play on second down.
11:04Love, outside, Dontavian Wicks.
11:06First down and goal for Green Bay as Wicks crashes to the 1.
11:1218 yards, love the Wicks.
11:14But already here on the opening drive, this is what you want to see, second down pass.
11:20And some of the early losses to the Eagles and the Panthers,
11:24it was a lot of second down run.
11:25Very conservative play calling, and then they tried to save the day on third down.
11:30This entire drive, it's been second down pass.
11:33Give your $50 million quarterback multiple cracks at it,
11:36and don't just wait until third, and springs up first and goal.
11:40Love three for three on this opening drive.
11:43Emmanuel Wilson, who got his first touchdown of the season last week.
11:46Straight ahead, got hit at the line, kept on churning, and got in.
11:52Green Bay in the end zone on their first drive of the day.
11:55Blake Cashman has him dead to rights in the hole, and Wilson just runs him over.
12:09They're now six of their last six red zone opportunities, but take a look here.
12:14Cashman's unblocked, and Wilson just runs him over at the goal line.
12:18They used to tell backs, hey, sometimes at the goal line, you have to be your own blocker.
12:23We're not going to get them all accounted for, and Emmanuel Wilson took that to heart.
12:28Doing his best Josh Jacobs impression right there.
12:30Wilson getting it into the end zone.
12:33Back-to-back weeks with a touchdown for him.
12:36They have it all working on that first drive.
12:38The pass interference on Metellus accounted for 24 yards,
12:42and a couple plays later, Wilson plunged in.
12:457-3, Packers in front.
12:477-3, Green Bay's in front.
12:54First opening drive points for the Packers in their last seven games.
12:58And a 7-3 score.
13:01Emmanuel Wilson, the former Division II star out of Fort Valley State in Georgia.
13:07In his first career start today with Jacobs out.
13:09Taking advantage on that first drive.
13:11They found the return here, Miles Price.
13:14Price with a head of steam, and good special teams coverage.
13:18Tyron Hopper, the tackle.
13:20McCarthy and the Vikings go back to work,
13:23and McCarthy after missing his entire rookie season with the knee injury,
13:26got off to a good start.
13:27That comeback win against the Bears week one.
13:30Started to take on some water after that,
13:32and then he injured his ankle, missed a month and a half.
13:34Comes back, wins in Detroit, and this here just his sixth NFL game.
13:40So, yeah, the number's not good, but 22 years old.
13:44He's still the youngest quarterback in the NFL,
13:46and it's easy to lose sight of that and already get to the point of,
13:50oh, man, did they mess up this pick.
13:52This is still very early on in what has been a choppy first two years in the league for McCarthy.
13:57Let's start this drive the same way they did the first one
14:07with Aaron Jones over the right side, stopped by Isaiah McDuffie.
14:11This defense for the Packers, top ten both years under Jeff Halfley,
14:14their most consistent strength this year.
14:16But today, as Pam told us, without their leading tackler, Koi Walker.
14:20And a very clear approach, the way they want to play
14:22on the defensive side of the ball in Green Bay.
14:25They're going to be a bend but don't break.
14:27They're not really worried about how many yards they give up.
14:29They're not going to let you throw the ball over their head.
14:32They give up the fewest amount of deep passes, second amount,
14:35second fewest explosive runs.
14:38So they're going to make you go the long way,
14:39and that's something this Minnesota offense has not been very good,
14:43the fewest ten-play drives in the entire league.
14:47McCarthy checks it down.
14:48It's Jones.
14:49Broke a tackle, spilled four, close to a first down,
14:52and that is a sign of growth right there for J.J. McCarthy,
14:54who throws the ball downfield more than anybody in the NFL.
14:58Part of the problem is make it easier on yourself
15:00and take what the defense gives you.
15:02Yeah, and Kevin O'Connell says, you know,
15:03it's very rare that you have to tell a young quarterback
15:05to get to your check down, right?
15:07We see a lot of these young quarterbacks
15:09that are scared to push it downfield,
15:11and it just turns into check down city.
15:13He's the opposite.
15:14Kevin O'Connell's saying, I love that you want to be aggressive,
15:17but get the ball down to your back.
15:19Jordan Mason comes in on third and short
15:21and has a first down on his first carry of the day.
15:24Yeah, so 52% the completion percentage.
15:27It's not good.
15:28It's the lowest in the NFL.
15:30Poor accuracy because of the mechanics, yes,
15:32but also it's where he's throwing the ball,
15:35deep down the field, way outside,
15:37more than anybody.
15:38Make it easier on yourself
15:39when it's already as difficult as it is.
15:41Yeah, the friendliest area to attack
15:44in the NFL is the middle third,
15:46kind of in by the hash marks.
15:48They don't throw the ball there very often.
15:51It's a lot of outside the numbers,
15:53and he especially, even back to college,
15:55a lot of his issues mechanically
15:57are when he has to throw the ball to his left.
16:00Press set of downs, fumbled the snap,
16:02and then went down, losing a few.
16:04I don't know if he fumbled.
16:11The snapper just got stepped on by Kelly.
16:13They're pulling away.
16:15It's hard to see.
16:16Kelly had linebacker Barron down on him.
16:21You see he kind of taps the bottom
16:22to time that snap.
16:28Cooper's just timing that pressure up.
16:30You wonder, again, Kelly,
16:32back for the first time,
16:33has been out injured.
16:34Probably haven't had a lot of time,
16:36quarterback center exchange
16:37between the two of them.
16:42Second and 13, a draw.
16:44Jones is back in.
16:46Aaron Jones with a heavy load early on in this game.
16:48Got four, third, and nine.
16:50And one of the things that you talk about
16:52with the young quarterback,
16:53why don't you run the ball more?
16:55Kevin O'Connell says,
16:56yeah, I'd like to do that.
16:57But really, that just shifts the pressure
16:59from first and second down to third,
17:02like he faces right here, third and long.
17:04Yeah, and this is one of the areas
17:05they're at the bottom of the league.
17:07Run, run, pass is probably the worst pattern
17:10of play calling you can ask for in the NFL.
17:14And Kevin O'Connell understands that.
17:15So it's a fine line between protecting a young quarterback
17:18and setting him up for failure.
17:20Packers, pass rush comes.
17:22Here's McCarthy finding.
17:23Hawkinson, who got drilled right away.
17:25Isaiah McDuffie.
17:30Team captain, Jeff Affleys says,
17:32captain, even though he doesn't say a word,
17:34the most physical, toughest guy on the defense.
17:37He said, when they need to send an example
17:38of their practice habits and playing with intensity
17:41every day, they show McDuffie.
17:43And he said, before he makes his start today,
17:45of course, with Clay Walker being out,
17:47he goes, how many guys around the league
17:48you're playing 12, 14 snaps
17:50and get elected captain
17:52just says a lot about what he brings
17:54even when he's not on the field.
17:57He said that practice staple a lot of time
17:58looks like the water boy,
18:00the way he runs around and decks people.
18:04Line drive punt over Dobbshead.
18:07And it bounces inside.
18:08The five and out of bounds at the two.
18:11Ryan Wright, what a punt.
18:1353 yards, coffin corner right there
18:15to back the Packers up.
18:19Green Bay with a touchdown on its first drive.
18:22They'll have to go a long ways right here.
18:24First and ten from their own two
18:26on the other side of this break.
18:28Back here at Lambeau Field,
18:30a scene like no other.
18:32We got cheeseheads, we got Brock Bods.
18:36We got NFL football from the two-yard line.
18:39Love out of his own end zone, goes to Watson.
18:42Theo Jackson brings him down.
18:44He gets seven yards,
18:45gets a little bit of breathing room here.
18:47Against this Minnesota defense,
18:48statistically not the same,
18:50not as good as they have been in recent years.
18:52But you talk to Matt LaFleur,
18:53and you talk to really anybody
18:54that's getting ready to face off
18:55with Brian Flores' defense,
18:57this is still a massive headache to get ready for.
19:00Yeah, there's just so much to prepare for
19:01because until you get into the game,
19:03you don't really know what the flavor of the week will.
19:06How many guys are going to be along the defensive front?
19:09You know they're going to blitz,
19:10but who's going to pressure?
19:11The packages are very complicated.
19:14It's a bear of a defense to prepare for.
19:17Second and short,
19:18Wilson had a steam stacked up at the line
19:20and is going to be a little bit short.
19:22Eric Wilson finished him off.
19:24We get our first game break.
19:25Here's Carissa Thompson.
19:26Thank you so much, Joe.
19:27Giants looking to snap a five-game losing streak
19:29visiting Detroit.
19:30Usually it's the Lions with the trick plays,
19:32but here it is.
19:32Devin Singletary throwing it back to James Winston
19:34who finds Wandale Robinson behind the defense
19:38for the 39-yard score.
19:39Giants lead 7-0.
19:41Joe?
19:42Mike Kafka saying,
19:44let's go.
19:44I've been waiting my whole life to be the head man.
19:46And Jameis, he's a thrill a minute.
19:50The NFC North upside down from last year.
19:52Minnesota and Detroit already more losses than last year,
19:55and if the playoffs started today,
19:57the Lions would miss the playoffs.
20:00It's a long way to go, though.
20:01Third and short.
20:02Wilson will try it again this time.
20:04He gets it.
20:05Emmanuel Wilson to the 19.
20:07Stopped by Metellus.
20:10Yeah, new little wrinkle here for LaFleur.
20:12Last couple short-yardage situations
20:14coming in with a jumbo tight end.
20:19Kennard, number 70, is their next tackle.
20:21Using him a little bit there again with Tucker Craft.
20:23He was the one guy they could leave on the field
20:25no matter what the play was.
20:27He was good in the run game.
20:28He was great yards after catch.
20:29He could get downfield in the passing game,
20:32so they're trying to share that role
20:34between not only the tight end group,
20:36but today specifically with a jumbo guy.
20:40Chris Brooks back in a running back.
20:41He's only carried the ball three times this year.
20:44Getting a chance today with Jacobs out.
20:47He's in there to protect.
20:48Knocked down at the line of scrimmage.
20:52It was Redman and Wilson both coming off of the edge there.
20:55And Wilson got his hand on it.
20:58Second and ten.
21:00How about Eric Wilson, who they signed really to be a depth,
21:03veteran depth piece, but with an injury early on to Blake Cashman,
21:06got his chance.
21:07And you look up now in late November, he's their leading tackler.
21:11When they signed him, like you said,
21:13they had no visions of him being an every-week starter and every-down player,
21:17but he's just played his way into the starting lineup,
21:21even with the return of Cashman.
21:23Play action.
21:24Love given all day.
21:27Throws low, and it's broken up.
21:29Isaiah Rogers with a nice break on the ball.
21:31Knocks it away from Musgrave.
21:33Third and ten.
21:36So you start talking about some of the differences.
21:38Nice play here.
21:38Yeah, I don't even know if he touched it.
21:42I think Musgrave just kind of misjudged the low ball a little bit.
21:46One, he probably could have caught.
21:47Not that it would have been for much of a game,
21:49but you talk about kind of the regression of this Vikings defense,
21:53and of course the takeaways are at the top of the list.
21:56Last year they had 33, this year 9, allowing some more big plays,
22:00but they're just not affecting the quarterback as much as we're used to seeing
22:04over the years.
22:05Here's where it's like, oh my gosh, what am I even looking at if I'm Jordan Love
22:08and they're going to come after him and get there.
22:11He throws it up for Wicks, and a first down.
22:14Jordan Love making a play under siege for 15 yards to Wicks.
22:20I mean, Wilson was unblocked, and Love still found a way to get it out of there.
22:24That's just so good.
22:25Understanding where your hots are, Blake Cashman is the dropper.
22:30He's supposed to drop underneath that hot window,
22:33and even with Wilson bearing down on him,
22:36Jordan Love knows he's got a void in the secondary.
22:40It's a lot of zone coverage, two high shells,
22:42so there are some voids underneath if you can get the ball there,
22:46and that's just a big-time play from your quarterback.
22:50First and ten, looks to throw.
22:52He's under pressure again.
22:53Love on the move, throws incomplete.
22:55I've heard you say before that third down is a quarterback statistic.
22:59What a great example of that right there.
23:01Yeah, I mean, you look around the league, teams that are really good in must-pass situations,
23:04so third and long, of course, being one of them, two-minute drill,
23:08second half of the game when you're trailing.
23:10There's a whole lot of ways to be in must-pass situations,
23:13and, you know, this is the best third and long team in football,
23:18and that's why I said at the top of the show,
23:21like, continue to give Jordan Love more responsibility,
23:24more trust in his decision-making,
23:26because this is a better passing team than they are a run team.
23:31I think they've got to continue to do it more.
23:35Flags fly.
23:37False start.
23:37False start.
23:41False start, number 86.
23:43Offense, five-yard penalty, second down.
23:47Matt LaFleur said there's a couple things that stand out to him right now about Jordan Love.
23:51The toughness in the pocket, check right here,
23:53and then the accuracy, check right there.
23:57Yeah, and one of the other cool, kind of interesting wrinkles that's unique about Minnesota
24:00is a lot of teams, Joe, when they blitz, which no one does more than Minnesota,
24:05they only play with one deep safety, so there's more guys at that second level.
24:10The Vikings play more too high safety than any team in the league,
24:13so that second-level pass defense is short a man when they pressure.
24:19Bring in an extra man right here.
24:20It's picked up over the head of Wilson,
24:22and incomplete coverage from Harrison Smith.
24:25Third and 15.
24:26Again, putting the Packers to the test here on third and long.
24:29Now, these Vikings 14-3 last year, just 4-6 this year.
24:402-0, though, in division road games.
24:43Coming here to Lambeau, trying to hand the Packers a third consecutive loss in this stadium.
24:47And they were talking about how good the Packers have been on third down.
24:51That is mostly in their third and long, where they do let Jordan Love do his thing.
24:56Look, and they're 25th and third and short, which is typically more of a run down,
25:00so very clear where their strengths are, and I like the calls today so far.
25:05This time, they show blitz and bail out to the Vikings,
25:07and Dallas Turner's going to get there for the sack.
25:11First-round pick last year, getting more and more of an opportunity lately with Granard out,
25:16and for the second straight week, starting for Granard, he gets a sack.
25:19Yeah, you see, they bring Wiley the tight end.
25:21He's supposed to chip him at the top.
25:25I just, I don't know, I don't love chipping a guy out, right?
25:28You got a guy with the speed of Dallas Turner.
25:30You want to get on his outside edge and chip him into the tackle.
25:34Don't let him get so far away from Walker, the left tackle.
25:38It just creates too much space for a speed rusher.
25:42Vikings force the punt.
25:44Daniel Whelan on to punt it.
25:47Miles Price, the rookie, had the best punt return of his young career last week.
25:52Backs up to take it to the 15.
25:55Price spins and goes down to the 23.
25:59Packers all over it.
26:0161-yard punt from Whelan.
26:037-3 game.
26:04McCarthy and the Vikings set it back out there.
26:15Let's go!
26:17Just over a minute left in this first quarter.
26:207-3.
26:22Third drive coming up for the Vikings.
26:24March it down, got a field goal their first drive.
26:26Punted on their second possession.
26:28This one begins from the 24.
26:31Mason's in there running back.
26:32Packers load up near the line of scrimmage.
26:34McCarthy rolls.
26:36Looking to throw over the top of it.
26:37And has Jefferson for his second catch.
26:41Go back to the last play of the last drive, Greg.
26:43Yeah, so this is what I'm talking about.
26:45Just how alignment helps.
26:46So you're going to see here, Josh Wiley, number 81.
26:50He alerts.
26:50You see him tapping his helmet.
26:52He's coming in here.
26:54Alert, alert.
26:55A lot of pressure.
26:55But see how he stops inside Dallas Turner?
26:58He's now chipping him away from Rasheed Walker.
27:01He should have just reset his alignment on the outside
27:04and chip him down into the tackle
27:07and take some of that speed rush ability away
27:10by creating so much open space.
27:12Those sacks, such a big part of what the Vikings do
27:17when the defense is right.
27:18They get their first one today with Turner.
27:22Injured player at the end of this play.
27:24That's Keyshawn Nixon.
27:26Their corner.
27:32Looks like he ran into his own guy.
27:36Devontae Wyatt.
27:37See Devontae Wyatt just stand on the sideline.
27:40Just a collision on the sideline
27:41defending Jefferson.
27:47He's a big dude to run into.
27:49Wyatt's 6'3", 300-plus pounds.
27:51And Nixon, full speed, goes right into him.
27:54Vikings go first down pass play right there,
27:57and the Packers are daring them to.
27:59Yeah, they're playing a lot of base.
28:01Coming into the year, this was a very low-base team.
28:04About 30% of the snaps Green Bay would play
28:06with only four defensive backs.
28:08But those first couple possessions,
28:10they were up over 50%.
28:12So a lot of big bodies on the field
28:14daring them to throw the ball on early downs.
28:18On second and short, it's a Mason run,
28:20and he's got a first down.
28:22And more and more teams have been running the ball
28:24against the Packers the last few weeks.
28:26Carolina and Philadelphia beat them running the football.
28:29And then the Giants had really no business hanging around.
28:31And we're in that game until very late
28:34with a run-based approach.
28:38And there have been a lot of calls from Vikings fans.
28:40Why don't we run the ball more?
28:42Protect this young quarterback.
28:48Jefferson motions.
28:50First down from the 35.
28:55Just trying to make them jump.
28:56They're going to take this thing into the second quarter.
28:58And that's what they do.
29:02So it'll be first down for the Vikings.
29:04Down 7-3 when we start the second after this break.
29:10I know normally this is not what you recommend teams do,
29:13but it's been a way to stay in the game
29:15and have any kind of success against the Packers
29:17running the ball lately.
29:18Yeah, and teams are going to do this
29:20until Green Bay forces them to play from behind, right?
29:23So by opening up the offense,
29:25you're going to scare people out of the ability
29:26to just sit there and run the ball
29:28because high-volume run does not scare Halfley,
29:31the defensive coordinator,
29:32because they don't give up big, explosive run plays.
29:35CJ Hamm, the fullback, sitting there
29:37to lead the way for Jordan Mason.
29:39On first and 10 to open the second quarter,
29:41Mason stacked up after a gain of four.
29:45Kamal Haddon, who's getting his first NFL snaps
29:48at corner this week,
29:49and a chance perhaps to get a few more here with Nixon,
29:51leaving the game with an injury.
29:52You know, it kind of leads,
29:56which brought up kind of leads to a larger conversation, Joe,
29:59going around the NFL.
30:01And, you know, the reason a lot of teams rushing attempts are up
30:04are not necessarily because offensive coordinators believe
30:07that's the best way to score points.
30:10Defensive coaches were almost saying,
30:11we'd rather you run the ball,
30:13so take what's there,
30:14and some coaches fall into that trap.
30:17Mason again has a seam,
30:19and Jordan Mason has room into the clear,
30:21tripped up, crossing the 40.
30:2320 yards for Jordan Mason.
30:26Yeah, so this is the element
30:27where now a run game actually matters.
30:30You can see they just misfit it
30:32just from depth here.
30:34Evan Williams, the safety, just gets pinned,
30:37and that allows Mason to pop it,
30:39so giving up gross yards mean nothing.
30:43Addison with a really nice job there,
30:44pinning Williams,
30:45and that gets them into that next second level.
30:49Throw to Mason, who's their leading rusher this year,
30:51has carried a lot of the load
30:52with the injury issues for Jones.
30:54He's got a big hole again here,
30:56and close to a first down.
30:58Mason, who they got in a trade
31:00from San Francisco this offseason.
31:01This is a starting caliber running back
31:03that was buried behind Christian McCaffrey
31:05in San Francisco,
31:06and they said, hey,
31:07here's a chance to get a really good player
31:09that they're not using.
31:11Yeah, and they thought the combination
31:12of Mason and Aaron Jones,
31:14that was the vision they had for the season,
31:16so of course having the two of them now
31:18playing together with Jones back from injury,
31:21that's the one-two punch Kevin O'Connell
31:23was so excited about going into the season.
31:26Second down and two.
31:27Mason again behind him
31:29as a first down.
31:32And the Vikings keeping the ball on the ground.
31:34Now the other caveat
31:34to the whole big-picture discussion
31:36of do you run the ball
31:37or do you pass the ball
31:38is that you got McCarthy,
31:40who's not just a young quarterback,
31:42but one trying to find some comfort,
31:44trying to gain his footing.
31:46This seems like the way,
31:47even if you don't necessarily want to do it,
31:49to help get him some of that comfort.
31:51Yeah, and if you're going to be explosive
31:52and efficient on first and second down,
31:55it's certainly the way you would play,
31:56because they are a better running team
31:58than they are a passing team.
31:59Very different than the conversation
32:01with the Packers.
32:02It's five straight runs on this drive.
32:04Going to snap it with a bootleg.
32:05McCarthy hits across in Josh Oliver.
32:08Five for him before McKinney stops him.
32:11Again, we've mentioned it now a few times.
32:16Quay Walker, the Mike linebacker,
32:19they're playing a lot of base,
32:20playing three linebackers,
32:22McDuffie, Hopper, and Edren Cooper.
32:25So you're playing more three linebackers
32:27than you typically do,
32:28and your best linebacker is obviously out.
32:32So we've seen some run plays
32:34not fitted up perfectly,
32:35and it's something they haven't been susceptible
32:38to all season long.
32:42Jones is back in.
32:44Ham the block.
32:45Jones the cut.
32:48Tackled by Cooper.
32:50Third and short.
32:51Vikings averaging six yards per carry so far.
32:57An injury update.
32:58Here's Pam.
32:59Joe, the word on cornerback Keyshawn Nixon.
33:02Nixon's injury, he's got a singer,
33:04and he is questionable.
33:06All right, and so as we saw Pam,
33:08Kamal Haddon has come into the game.
33:09Jeff Halfley just told us this week
33:11this Haddon has been so good in practice,
33:13we can't help but find a way to get him in the game,
33:16and he is forced in here.
33:18His first snaps in the NFL.
33:23Third and one.
33:24Out of the gun for McCarthy.
33:26Now, Hawkinson steps under center to sneak it.
33:29Hawkinson got driven down short.
33:31A little fancy right here.
33:34No gain, fourth and one.
33:36Yeah, we've seen a lot of teams go to the tight end
33:39tush push, and in this regard, there's no push.
33:43It's just kind of traditional quarterback sneak,
33:45but we see the Seahawks do it with Barner.
33:48Here they do it with Hawkinson.
33:51Teams understand the value of the quarterback sneak,
33:53but they don't always want it to be the quarterback.
33:55Offense stays on the field.
33:58Crowd comes to life.
34:00Fourth down and one for the Vikings.
34:08Mason not going to get there.
34:10Enigbare stops him on fourth down.
34:13And the Vikings come up empty inside the red zone.
34:22Kingsley Enigbare playing more and more on the edge for the Packers.
34:26The fourth year man out of South Carolina with a big fourth down stop.
34:29It was a real long drive for the Vikings.
34:37Run the ball well, but come up empty-handed,
34:39and even though they're out gaining the Packers so far,
34:41they're down 7-3.
34:43Green Bay's got it.
34:44First down from the 18.
34:45Wilson kept on going.
34:55Boy, stacked up at the line of scrimmage,
34:57and then squeezed out of there and got 11.
35:04Tell you what, Daniel Wilson,
35:07he's making the most of his opportunities,
35:08Josh Jacobs being out,
35:09and it's really just been second effort, run-through contact.
35:13We showed the touchdown on the opening driver.
35:16We just ran through Blake Cashman at the goal line,
35:18and he's a big, physical guy.
35:21He's got some bursts.
35:23There was a lot of excitement even before the Josh Jacobs injury.
35:27I think there was a lot of excitement to see what he could do
35:29with more opportunities.
35:31Third season in Green Bay.
35:33It's his first start today, though.
35:36Got it again right here.
35:38And Wilson with another solid run,
35:40and a gain of 7 to the 35.
35:44Mention out of a Division II program in Georgia,
35:46Fort Valley State.
35:47He was undrafted from there.
35:49Signed with the Denver Broncos,
35:50and he's like, okay,
35:51I'm going to get a chance to live this NFL dream.
35:54They cut him after three days.
35:56Said he called home to his mom and said,
35:58I'm probably done.
35:59He was in tears.
36:00I don't think I'm going to give another shot.
36:01But the Packers called him soon after that.
36:03Got one of the last spots on the roster,
36:06and said, okay, I've made it to the NFL.
36:08I'm on an active roster.
36:09Hurt last year actually got to carry the ball a little bit
36:11in a bigger and bigger role
36:13in a Cinderella career
36:16for Manuel Wilson.
36:21Three straight carries for him.
36:22This time hit in the line,
36:24hit at the line of scrimmage,
36:25finish forward for a couple.
36:26Metellus the tackle,
36:27but Metellus, key player on this defense,
36:30is hurt.
36:37Holding his left knee.
36:40I think it was friendly fire.
36:45You mentioned how good of a player he is.
36:47He gets hit by his own player,
36:48and you see Brian Flores,
36:50he just hopes that one of his best players is okay.
36:52Jonathan Grenard's already out.
36:57Now Josh Metellus is out.
36:59You could argue the two most important best players
37:01on this Vikings defense,
37:02both out of the game.
37:03Third and one for the Packers.
37:05Vikings go with bigger personnel,
37:07and Wilson navigates his way for a first down.
37:09He's carried it on every play of this drive,
37:12and the drive will continue
37:13with this game of five right here.
37:18Larry mentioned,
37:20coming into the game,
37:21the Vikings had been a kind of a heavy base team,
37:23so only playing with four defensive backs.
37:26We talked to Brian Flores a couple days ago,
37:29and he said,
37:29you know,
37:29we're going to start playing Metellus
37:30a little bit more at the second-level linebacker spot,
37:34treat it as kind of a three-safety,
37:36big-nickel package,
37:38and just get a little bit more versatility,
37:40so they don't really have another guy to fill that role.
37:42Wilson again,
37:43hope that he's in good shape,
37:45because they are riding him,
37:46and Emmanuel Wilson to the left side
37:48with four yards on first down,
37:50chopped down by Blake Cashman.
37:53Spot duty as a rookie,
37:55ran for 500 yards last year
37:57as Jacobs' primary backup for the first time.
38:00Jacobs today misses a game for the first time
38:03in his two years with the Packers.
38:06So Wilson and Brooks share in the low,
38:07but it's been mostly Wilson,
38:09as Brooks gives him a much-deserved break.
38:11Five plays on this drive,
38:19all Wilson runs.
38:21And now play-action pass.
38:23Love hits the other running back,
38:24Chris Brooks.
38:26Van Ginkle pushes him out.
38:28A little bit short.
38:30So another third down and one for the Packers.
38:32They've been awesome on third down so far today.
38:34It's funny, though.
38:36We showed that graphic earlier,
38:38and they're actually better in third and pass
38:40than they are third and short.
38:42So that's not typically what you see
38:45from NFL offenses,
38:46but obviously speaks to the run game
38:49and the passing game
38:50and how the two marry each other up.
38:51But they've had a lot of success on the ground
38:54here in the first half,
38:55and have to imagine they continue to test
38:58this Vikings-run defense.
39:00Four to five on third down today.
39:02Perfect on third and short.
39:06Brooks converts another third down.
39:11Chris Brooks, third-year man at a BYU.
39:14Got a couple yards stopped by Cashman.
39:20How about Josh Metellus back in the game?
39:23Vikings fans can breathe a sigh of relief here
39:25because that did not look good.
39:26It did not.
39:27I mean, we had a shot.
39:28We chose not to show it,
39:30but we had a really good shot of him
39:31kind of waving the athletic training staff
39:34and the doctors onto the field
39:36pretty quickly after getting hit
39:37by his teammate, Eric Wilson.
39:39So, looked like he just got a little more scared
39:42than he did hurt,
39:43which is great for everybody involved.
39:45You're talking about him playing
39:46a little more linebacker this week.
39:48Brian Flores said part of it
39:49is just the more involved he is,
39:51the better.
39:51The closer to the ball he is,
39:53the better.
39:54Timeout taken by Green Bay.
39:56Green Bay.
39:575.54 to go in this first half
40:00in a 7-3 game.
40:01We've talked about this Minnesota defense.
40:03Brian Flores, his fingerprints all over it.
40:06And he's done enough uniquely with his defense.
40:09You know what you're talking about
40:10when you hear Brian Flores,
40:11but give us some of the detail.
40:12Yeah, so they're going to blitz,
40:13meaning they're going to bring five or more rushers
40:15at the highest rate in the league.
40:16Here's the biggest difference.
40:19They're not taking the ball away nearly as well
40:21as they did a season to go.
40:23They're on the field a lot more.
40:25A lot of that is tied in to the struggles
40:27on the offensive side of the ball from Minnesota.
40:29So, so often we look at, you know,
40:32defenses or offenses in a vacuum.
40:35But more often than not,
40:37the struggles of one side of the ball
40:39oftentimes are more impacted by the struggles
40:42of their counterpart, right?
40:43So, in this case, their offense isn't as explosive.
40:47Their offense isn't as efficient.
40:48They're on the field more, not defending the lead
40:51and just a little bit of a different play.
40:53Wilson's back in, bounces to the outside.
40:57And with his tank reloaded,
40:58he runs for another first down.
41:00Emmanuel Wilson already with a season high in carries.
41:05Actually going to spot him.
41:06Looks like maybe a little bit short here.
41:09Solid first down game for Wilson.
41:11Now, they do say enough for a first down.
41:13Wilson already over 50 yards on the day.
41:20Jonathan Gernard.
41:21So, he's the other edge player,
41:22typically the starting edge,
41:24opposite from Van Ginkle, Dallas Turner.
41:27He's kind of the pass rush specialist.
41:29He's playing a lot more now on first and second down.
41:33Rush defense on the perimeter
41:34is not exactly hit the strength of his game.
41:38That time they ran right at him.
41:40Nine play of the drive.
41:41It's the eighth run.
41:42Yeah, this one finally shut down.
41:44Byron Murphy from his corner spot gets the tackle.
41:50Inside of five to go in this first half.
41:52Now, we see Brian Flores do this a lot.
41:56Byron Murphy, they're going to bring corner cat, what they call it.
41:59And they typically do it from the near side.
42:02So, if the ball's on that hash, they call that the boundary corner.
42:05He's to like the narrow side of the field.
42:07It's very easy from these cut condensed formations to blitz cornerbacks.
42:12And it's actually a run-stopping blitz.
42:15You know somebody's probably going to be coming.
42:17They blitz more than any team in the NFL.
42:18You just don't know where it's going to come from.
42:20Everybody's a candidate.
42:21Love steps up and finds Romeo Dobbs.
42:25Leading receiver for the Packers this year.
42:27Extra important with all the injuries they've dealt with.
42:30And on his first catch of the day, he's got 18.
42:32You see Dobbs.
42:36He's just going to continue to work and find space.
42:38He starts on the back side.
42:40Oh, that's the play before.
42:43That's right.
42:44Here you go.
42:45Great job here by Jordan Love.
42:46Working all the way back to the open space on the back side of the concept.
42:51Jordan Love only has time to work through to his last progression.
42:54The offensive line did a great job up front.
42:56Back to the ground.
42:57And Brooks got away from Wilson, but that was it.
43:00He struggled to get back to the line of scrimmage where Javon Hargrave finished him off.
43:05It's a love 7 of 11.
43:06They've leaned down the ground game for a lot of this drive, but love 7 for 11, 83 yards.
43:12Nine of the 11 plays on this drive have been runs.
43:16Running that clock down to 3 and a half.
43:17Possessions at a premium in this first half.
43:23Hey, let's go.
43:23Ledge, ledge, ledge, ledge, ledge.
43:25Right, two.
43:26Right, two.
43:26Right, go.
43:27Ledge, ledge.
43:30Love setting it up at the line of scrimmage.
43:33Dobbs again.
43:35Third down.
43:36Pushed out by Rodgers.
43:38Quick game break with Carissa.
43:40Thank you, Joe.
43:41Your audience will like this.
43:42Giants up three on the Lions.
43:43Jameis Winston throws his second touchdown pass of the first half.
43:47This one, nice catch by Isaiah Hodgins in the back of the end zone.
43:50Giants lead 17-7 over the Lions.
43:55Famous Jameis doing it.
43:56I'm telling you, guy's a thrill a minute.
43:59You're not sure who he's going to throw it to, but he's going to throw a lot of touchdowns,
44:02and a couple are going to go to the other team, but he is a fun watch.
44:06Full experience last week against the Packers.
44:08Four would-be interceptions dropped.
44:11Had him with a chance to win that game before the Packers won at late third and five here.
44:16Blitz coming.
44:17Picked up.
44:18Love floats it out of bounds.
44:21Incomplete and fourth down.
44:23Eric Wilson bringing the blitz and applying the pressure.
44:26The field goal team will come out.
44:34All right, so you want to play running back in the NFL.
44:37Watch Brooks here.
44:37They're going to bring a middle cross dog.
44:41It has put so much pressure into the lap of Jordan Love, and not only what it does is it attacks the running back
44:47and forces pressure on the quarterback, but it also keeps the running back from getting out in the concept as a check down.
44:54So when Jordan Love's flushed, he's got nowhere to drop the ball off.
44:58Whistle and a timeout.
45:00Timeout came before that ball was snapped.
45:03Yeah, I think Minnesota might have had 12 men.
45:05They were trying to run off Ivan Pace, and they get the timeout before the 12-man penalty.
45:15Wow.
45:23Yeah, so we saw O'Connell.
45:26He's running down the sideline trying to get his timeout called.
45:30Let's take a look here.
45:35There's 11 in the screen, but you can see Pace here.
45:38He's running off the field.
45:40This would make it a first down.
45:46Still no, just judging by Matt LaFleur's reaction here, they're not going to get the call.
46:00So don't see a flag actually down on the field.
46:02No, there is one.
46:03There is one back in the end zone.
46:05Hard to see a lot of yellow here.
46:07All right, so they do get the timeout in.
46:10Kevin O'Connell is using every bit of his old dual threat speed to get it.
46:15Please set the game clock to 2-2-8.
46:18All right, let's count them.
46:21Yeah, so I think they panicked.
46:24I think they have 11, and you'll see they start yelling, and Pace takes off.
46:28That's what made everyone just assume he was the 12th player, and it's all for nothing because O'Connell got the timeout.
46:37Kicker's been an issue for Matt LaFleur's team this season.
46:41Brandon McManus, he was 20 of 21 last year in his first year with the Packers, but 11 of 17 this year when he's been healthy.
46:48Ongoing injury issues as well.
46:50He missed last week with a quad injury.
46:52Haversick kicked and struggled in the heavy wind in New York.
46:55Chip shot right here, and he's got it to make it a seven-point game.
47:012.25 to go in this first half.
47:04Vikings will have it on the other side of the break.
47:09This is the 128th time the Vikings and the Packers have faced off in a series that goes back to 1961.
47:17So many great, legendary NFL faces have worn these uniforms.
47:22Here comes the border battle, and a 10-3 game late in the first half.
47:26Joe Davis, Greg Olson, Pam Oliver back at Lambeau Field.
47:29A perfect day for football.
47:31The perfect place for it.
47:33Temperature in the mid-40s.
47:35You think about making a Lambeau trip around Thanksgiving.
47:37You don't know.
47:38The snow gear might be down into the 20s and 30s, but this is nice, just right.
47:43So McManus to kick it.
47:48Price and Felton back to return in a 10-3 game, and he angles it to the sideline where Felton will catch it from the 6 to the 27.
47:58Speaking of rivalries, the greatest rivalry, top-ranked defending champion Ohio State to the big house to take on Michigan,
48:07trying to end Michigan's four-game winning streak in the game.
48:10It all starts at 9 a.m. with a special three-hour big noon kickoff live from Ann Arbor.
48:15And then Michigan, Ohio State at noon only on Fox.
48:18So, 2-20 to go in this first half, and J.J. McCarthy, you know something about that rivalry.
48:26It was 2-0 for the Wolverines as a starter against Ohio State.
48:3127-1 as a starter at Michigan overall.
48:35Lone loss came against TCU in the college football playoff.
48:40Two timeouts here, 2-20 to go.
48:43A toss for Aaron Jones.
48:45That hole develops, and Jones scoots through it for eight.
48:49Yeah, so this feels like a big drive for Minnesota.
48:52This is their fourth possession.
48:54Green Bay's only had three.
48:55So, from a possession standpoint, definitely plays into the favor of the road team Minnesota.
49:01But they'll take this down to the two-minute warning.
49:04And remember, though, if they don't pick up a first down here, Green Bay still has two remaining timeouts.
49:09Jordan Love would possess the ball now, and they would get the ball to come out for the second half.
49:15Out of the two-minute warning here with a second and two for Minnesota.
49:20Can you hear from Minnesota?
49:21They just want to pick up the first first down.
49:24Get this thing under the two-minute warning, and then they can become a little bit more aggressive to go try to steal some points.
49:29It's another run.
49:32It's Aaron Jones, and he is close.
49:34Spilled by Rashawn Gary.
49:37Both these teams have kept the ball on the ground in this game.
49:40And minimal possessions for both as a result.
49:43That clock continues to whine.
49:44He's a little bit short.
49:45Third down, less than one.
49:47So, now Matt LaFleur.
49:48He's going to keep his two timeouts in the event that they can get a stop here on third and short.
49:53So, if you're Kevin O'Connell, let this play clock run down as much as you can.
49:59Burn as much of the game clock as possible before you snap this third down play.
50:05Third down has been a big difference in this game.
50:07Packers five out of seven.
50:08Vikings one for four.
50:11Jones will try it again, and he's got it.
50:13Across the 40, Aaron Jones with a minute 15.
50:16All right, so now you expect Minnesota to get up on the ball.
50:22Yeah, so they're going to get up on the ball now and start getting into more of what we see in a traditional two-minute type drive.
50:28Struggling quarterback, but haven't really asked him to do much in this half.
50:31McCarthy five out of eight for 37 yards.
50:33He steps up and wings one for Jefferson.
50:36He pulls it in.
50:38Just over the top of the defender, and then Jefferson gets it for 18 yards.
50:43Well, we talked some of the struggles coming in.
50:46The low completion percentage throwing downfield to the left.
50:50This time, he can't throw the ball any better than that between two Green Bay defenders.
50:56Hooks up with Jefferson for 18.
50:57Pressure coming here.
50:59McCarthy steps up outside and incomplete.
51:02Wanted Jefferson again.
51:0529 seconds.
51:06Second and 10.
51:08Yeah, we'll go back and take a look at that deep corner out.
51:11Now, big thing that they're working on is his base, keeping his legs underneath him, not so wide with his footwork.
51:18That time, much more stable in the lower body.
51:21Doesn't fly his shoulders open.
51:24And there's one thing this young quarterback can do is McCarthy can absolutely rip it.
51:30Throw of the day right there.
51:32Third catch for Jefferson.
51:33Second and 10.
51:42He's sacked back at the 47.
51:45Warren Brinson, the rookie from Georgia, with his first career sack.
51:50May have to split it with McDuffie.
51:52Loses seven.
51:54And a timeout with 23 seconds.
51:56Yeah, we see both teams now just attacking the running back in the blitz pickup.
52:01Jones does a nice job initially, just big bodies bearing down.
52:05And something early when he first started early in his career here this year, McCarthy really took a lot of sacks.
52:14High sack pressure to sack rate was a big issue slowing down this offense.
52:19He had gotten significantly better over the last couple games, but reared its head again there.
52:26And in a big spot, knocks him out of any type of field goal range.
52:29Third and 17.
52:32At the 47.
52:37Drew McCarthy here.
52:38Something underneath.
52:40You might not be able to pick up the first down, but see if you can get yourself a long field goal try at least to end the half.
52:46Need about five to get into Reichard's range.
52:48McCarthy will hit the crosser.
52:49Jones will get right to the edge of that range as McDuffie brings him down at the 41.
52:59Timeout taken by Green Bay there.
53:02Hoping for a miss.
53:03One play to put you in a field goal position yourself.
53:09Reichard's saying, eh, I think I got it, but...
53:12See, right here it's going to be 58.
53:16He's made from 57 today, and he's made from 62 in his career.
53:25It's going to be an interesting decision.
53:27Does Kevin O'Connell want to risk the long field goal, knowing Green Bay still has one remaining timeout?
53:33In the event that you miss it, they'd have the ball at the minus 41.
53:37One, like you said, one chunk play, and they're in field goal range, but they're going to send the field goal unit out here and give it a shot.
53:45All right.
53:46So, Reichard, what a luxury it is to have a young kicker.
53:50You draft it, actually pans out, because it seems like just as often as not, it doesn't, and then you go into the scrap heap and find somebody who's just looking for another chance.
53:58Reichard, in his second year from Alabama, has been a weapon.
54:0159 yards on a day where he's already hit from 57.
54:08Long distance again, and he's got it again!
54:13Will Reichard, two for two today to account for the Vikings scoring.
54:18Can't stress how huge that possession is before the half, barring some catastrophe here in the final 10 seconds.
54:31You go down 10-6 into the half, solid two-minute drive there by McCarthy.
54:38Jeez, that ball's good from 65 on a relatively chilly outdoor game in Lambeau.
54:46Don't you love the honesty, though, before that?
54:47He's like, eh, borderline, I think.
54:51Sure, let's go try it.
54:53That's super impressive and really well done all around clock management, timeout usage.
54:59And...
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