Game 13: Pack at Browns - Noon Fox

[MickeyDavis]

Can't lose to these guys. But it won't shock me.

[MickeyDavis]

From the JS:

TEAMS: Green Bay Packers (6-6) at Cleveland Browns (0-12).

WHEN: Noon Sunday.

WHERE: FirstEnergy Stadium.

TV: Fox.

RADIO: AM-620 in Milwaukee, AM-1360 in Green Bay; Packers Radio Network.

SERIES: Packers lead, 11-7.

LINE: Packers by 3.

WEATHER: Cloudy, high of 32 degrees.

SURFACE: Grass.

COACHES: Green Bay’s Mike McCarthy (130-75-1) vs. Browns' Hue Jackson (9-35-0).

5 THINGS TO WATCH

READ AND REACT: Both teams have dabbled in read-option with their young quarterbacks. The Packers flashed it several times to great success (two carries for 32 yards, one pass for 12 yards) against Tampa Bay and so the Browns will figure out a way to counter it. The Packers’ charge is to figure out how to counter the Browns’ defense of it. They call it “option” for a reason. Expect the Packers to run end arounds or quick passes off it. “It’s like anything, it's what you do off of those plays,” coach Mike McCarthy said. “It's the variations. Whether you want a run-option or you want to throw it every down, you have to protect that with the variations. It's definitely no different with that scheme."

FRONT AND CENTER: Speaking of variations, Browns defensive coordinator Gregg Williams – he of Bountygate infamy – is expected to provide all kinds of them. The Browns often play a four-man front with both safeties wide in a classic Tampa-2 scheme, but Williams will play over and under fronts, play 3-4 and blitz from everywhere. It’s going to put a huge amount of pressure on quarterback Brett Hundley and the offensive line to be on the same page. “You take a look at the two-shell that they implemented, that’s a big part of how they try to stop the run game,” offensive coordinator Edgar Bennett said. “You look at all the different blitz packages they can present, be it five-man, six-man or empty pressure in general. So, you have to prepare. You just have to do your homework.”

FAST TRACK: Defensive coordinator Dom Capers broke out the NASCAR package last week – four outside linebackers rushing in the dime package – and the Packers finished with seven sacks. Cleveland is much more solid in the interior of the offensive line than Tampa Bay was Sunday, so trying to get linebackers to win rushing up the middle is going to be a challenge. Still, it does offer the chance to set up one-on-ones. “It’s something we talk over, week to week, and can change week to week,” assistant head coach/linebackers Winston Moss said. “The personnel can change week to week, the situation when we use it can change week to week. It can go from series to series.”

IN A RUSH: Nose tackle Kenny Clark arguably has been the Packers’ most valuable player on defense this season. He finally got his first two sacks last week, but he has been consistent, totaling a team-high 10½ quarterback pressures despite not playing much on third downs. Clark, who will be facing former teammate JC Tretter on Sunday, focused on improving his pass rush during the offseason. Whether the sacks keep coming remains to be seen, but defensive line coach Mike Trgovac doesn’t want him to get frustrated if they don’t. “I kept telling him it’s coming and you could just see the improvement in his pass rush from the time he got here until now,” Trgovac said. “He’s such a young kid and just like anything else, they want it to happen right now. He’s going to be a good pass rusher, I do believe that.”

MIDDLE MEN: The Browns selected Wisconsin linebacker Joe Schobert with the 99th pick (fourth round) in the draft last year. Blake Martinez was taken 32 picks later, in the fourth round also. Both teams feel they got a steal. Schobert ranks third in the NFL in tackles with 111 and has 2½ sacks and three forced fumbles. “No doubt, Joe's done a really good job,” coach Hue Jackson said. “He's made some plays this year for us." Martinez ranks fifth in tackles with 108 and has one sack, seven tackles for loss and a forced fumble. “Blake is what you think a guy coming from Stanford would be,” Capers said. “He's smart, he's very diligent in his preparation. He wants to be coached every down, because he wants to do it right and you see the results of that. He's just gotten better and better.”

OUR PREDICTIONS

TOM SILVERSTEIN

I don’t think the Packers will overlook the Browns. In fact, I think they’ll come out strong and jump out to a lead. But I see the Browns forging a comeback late and making this a very close game. It will be a matter of whether the Packers' defense can hold up. Packers 27, Browns 24

PETE DOUGHERTY

This is basically a must-win for the Packers’ playoff hopes in what appears likely to be Brett Hundley’s final start. Cleveland will be primed for its first win knowing how vulnerable the Packers are without Aaron Rodgers. But the guess here is Hundley outplays DeShone Kizer and the Packers live to fight another week. Packers 27, Browns 20

MICHAEL COHEN

If there's a quarterback who is even more inconsistent than Brett Hundley, it's DeShone Kizer. He will give the Packers' defense enough chances to tilt the field. Packers 23, Browns 17

RYAN WOOD

Even against the winless Browns, the Packers might face a tougher test on the road this week than they did at home last week. Cleveland has a better defense than Tampa Bay and could give quarterback Brett Hundley trouble. This is a game the Packers must win if they are to be taken seriously as an organization. Packers 20, Browns 13

AARON NAGLER

The Packers have all the pressure on them in this one. Expect Mike McCarthy to continue to use Jamaal Williams as a battering ram and for Dom Capers' defense to create a few turnovers. It'll be close. It'll be ugly. But the Packers will win. Packers 20, Browns 17

[chuckleslove]

The leadup thread was locked for obvious reasons as it is game day but I don't understand what sort of fan you have to be to "witness the most embarrassing loss in franchise history" That is something I never want to be a part of. We are a damn Packers and are better than that.

[ReginaldDwight]

The leadup thread was locked for obvious reasons as it is game day but I don't understand what sort of fan you have to be to "witness the most embarrassing loss in franchise history" That is something I never want to be a part of. We are a damn Packers and are better than that.

Yeah I always wonder why some of these clowns are fans, playoffs are still in reach with alittle help and luck. If you get 12 in the the playoffs you always have a chance.

[rilamann]

The leadup thread was locked for obvious reasons as it is game day but I don't understand what sort of fan you have to be to "witness the most embarrassing loss in franchise history"

The sort of fan who wants to see Aaron Rodgers play in more than 1 Super Bowl before he retires. A loss to the Browns might bring the necessary changes to at least improve the odds of that not happening. That said, at the end of the day we all know that the Packers could lose 60-3 today and finish the season 6-10 and we probably still wouldn't see anything change.

We are a damn Packers and are better than that.

Along the same lines, Aaron Rodgers is too damn good to only have a punchers chance to reach the Super Bowl year after year. Aaron Rodgers is too damn good to have only played in 1 Super Bowl at this point. Aaron Rodgers is too damn good to only go 10-6 every season while playing at an all-time great level. In an NFC that's not even all that good.

[Jollay]

Definitely highly interested in the weather this time of year for O/U reasons, mostly.

Should be a little gusty (10-20) in Cleveland today but above freezing and no rain/snow. Short passing game and YAC will be huge. We've re-discovered the screen, I guess, but Browns do have guys that can hurt us.

We are now under a three-point favorite. Wow. I mean, nobody would be surprised if we lose but very little respect for the rest of our roster sans Rodgers.

Shame King is on IR from a developmental standpoint. If he and Jones don't hit at least somewhat we're cooked.

[MickeyDavis]

The leadup thread was locked for obvious reasons as it is game day but I don't understand what sort of fan you have to be to "witness the most embarrassing loss in franchise history" That is something I never want to be a part of. We are a damn Packers and are better than that.

Agreed. Playoffs are a long, long, long shot but I guess I'm selfish, I want to see Rodgers play some more this year.

[MickeyDavis]

Inactives

Michael Clark
Demetri Goodson
Ulrick John
Devante Mays
Chris Odom
Adam Pankey
Nick Perry

[Iheartfootball]

It’s just not in my DNA to root for a loss. But as others have said it my be best for the franchise long term if they do.

[Profound23]

If the Browns are smart they move Myles Garret around but most importantly make sure he lines up against Spriggs whenever possible on 2nd or 3rd and long.

[BigDee]

A fake....lol


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[BigDee]

Strong run by Williams


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[dogswithbeesintheirmouths]

8 yard cushion on 4th and 1. Thanks, Cleveland.

[crkone]

Oh

[BigDee]

Sweet.


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[Xanadu]

Liked the guts by Mike on that drive.

[OsuCavsfan103]

Have mercy on us please! At least let us pretend to be in the game for most of it before you blow us out!

[Aaron It Out]

Interesting drive.. I'll take it.

[Turk Nowitzki]

Have mercy on us please! At least let us pretend to be in the game for most of it before you blow us out!

You haven't seen our defense yet.

[Turk Nowitzki]

Right on cue lol