STs was disappointing, but they appear to have missed Melton in coverage. I’m not sure who took his place. The Golden experiment as a punt returner needs to end now we are down Reed. Hardman is surely elevated and the decision making likely won’t suffer while we protect Golden.

PFFs non skill position grades seem particularly dubious this week, but I think the D could not be asked for much more. Offensively it was continually baffling how we managed not to be further ahead. Obviously getting Tom back and Banks will help, but the bigger picture is that we need to get a settled OL and let them play together consistently asap. That would help in the run game considerably I think. It just looks disjointed. So far, Kinnard looks more effective than Belton. We should learn from that, accept it and not fight it if the need continues. We are in win now mode: the future comes second to results.

Kraft had 6 targets and caught all 6. Musgrave caught both of his targets too. Move Golden into the slot more often in three WR sets and give Wicks starts outside and keep those two TEs as busy as possible otherwise.

Fitzpatrick is not a good blocker. I really wish Gute would find a TE/FB who could just do that well and leave Fitzpatrick as an injury replacement. We have an open roster spot (assuming Reed opens another and Hardman replaces him). A true blocker might make a real difference.

It’s early, and there is more meat on the bone (as you said) for the offense. But DAMN if this isn’t the best looking/complete team I’ve seen in GB since, what.. 1997?

A nice start to the season. Now, beat Cleveland on the road and go 3-0.

I'm not going to go into the very nice performances by Nixon and Kraft and some others, but I do want to say a word about Heath. THAT catch was stupendous, and if a guy is going to go out and make catches like that in the game, you've got to get him on the field and throw it to him. Reward exceptional efforts.

I kind of figured that our defense was going to have enough speed to keep Daniels in check, and that's the way it worked out this time. This is a really good defense, and I think teams are going to have trouble getting over 20 on us. Remember, Detroit and Washington were two of the NFC's powerhouse offenses last year, and we kind of spanked them.

We're going to the Super Bowl. The planets have lined up. This is our year.

Kraft: Looks like he might be Mr. All-Pro this season. Happy to see Musgrave get in on the action as well.

Defense: They did a terrific job bottling up Daniels at all times, including two nice tackles by Wyatt and Bullard to keep him from breaking containment. Overall run defense was outstanding as noted.

Offense: Would like to see better run blocking from the IOL if we're going to continue pounding the ball inside with Jacobs...This game illustrated that we have plenty of weapons that can be used at any time in multiple ways; so I would have liked to see more of them deployed in the third quarter instead of waiting until the fourth as Washington inched closer--but that was still a great drive in response to their TD.

Special teams: Jeez, what else is new? Sigh, Bisaccia...Either cut down on the penalties or stop the big returns, but please not both.

Reed injury: This sucks. But I've been encouraged by what I've seen from both Golden and Williams. (Got to get Williams some bigger cleats as he slipped on a play with more green in front of him--but still a nice gain).

All in all, a well-deserved break before the show goes on the road. The Packers have a lot to be proud about so far.

Two things, one future and one present. First, Kraft is in the third year of his four year rookie contract. The team should be looking to lock him up for a few years, but he is not going to come cheap. I'll trust the front office (Russ Ball in particular) to figure something out. But signing him early could save the team a lot of money in the long run (something Jerry Jones doesn't seem able to grasp- thank goodness).
Second, the trade of two firsts and Kenny Clark to Dallas for Parsons is looking like a steal. And, no offense meant to a guy who gave his all to the team for ten years, but Clark had turned 30, and the DL seems to have come alive in his absence. After all, ten years of being in the trenches, getting double teamed and constantly battling for all that time has to take its toll. And the addition of Covington seems to have supercharged the defensive line. Getting pressure with a four man rush on a regular basis? This was a pipe dream for years. Now it's a reality. And when Parsons himself volunteers he is impressed with LVN, praising his selflessness and work ethic? Icing on the cake.

There's a lot to like about this team, including the fact that they have only begun to realize their potential. It's a long season and lots of twists, turns and injuries are no doubt still ahead. But imagine this offense if we can get a healthy O Line, Reed and Watson heading into the playoffs! And the sky is the limit for this defense, again assuming no key long-term injuries. I haven't been this excited about the defensive side of the ball since Reggie, LeRoy, Gilbert and company in the late 90's.

Now go fix the damn special teams Biasachi!!!!!

Great to see the Packers now have a Defense that will be feared...and can carry the Team if the Offense falters.

Packers have soundly defeated two of the best offenses in the NFL to be 2-0.

The MPP (Micah Parsons Problem per analyst Ballinger), has not just created a ripple effect, it created a tsunami. He has helped unleash all those high draft choices...Gary, Van Ness, Wyatt, Cooper, Walker and elevated Wooden, Enagbare, all the Safeties and Mr. Lockdown Nixon. K's the best CB in football over 2 games.

But Kraft! Geez keep Love clean and he will slice you to pieces. Until he goes to the cleaver Kraft. He's an Abrams Tank and can probably outrun one.

The Associate Head Coach needs to up his game. Too many stupid mistakes continue on returns and coverage. Kind of a hallmark of Bicassia's tenure in Green Bay.

I’m most thankful not to see the complaints about Gutey and LaFleur. And constant complaints about Gary and LVN and Wyatt and Walker. Right now, with Harley’s defense and Covington’s coaching they all look well worthy of their first round status. Oh and the redemption for Jordan Love who didn’t play well when hurt last year but now has the footwork, decision making and accuracy we all hoped for in a first round QB. Maybe Gutey isn’t a bad GM.

I find myself now looking forward to the national pundits "yeah but who is the Packers go to receiver?" It really seems to break their minds that the answer is - they don't have one. They have a bunch of them. Even with the depleted squad right now, they have: Doubs on the slant, Wicks on the out, Golden down the field, and Kraft in the seam all as go to plays. And the NFL at large can't seem to wrap their heads around this concept.

I am here for it. I want to see the Packers have a different leading receiver each week and watch ESPN talking head fools lose their minds.

5 takeaways -

1 - Tucker Kraft is among the best in the league and it's not up for debate

2 - Jordan Love is quietly dismantling opposing defenses regarsless of injuries on the offensive side of the ball

3 - Keisean Nixon had the best game of his career, 5 targets and 5 breakups. What a performance

4 - The Packers pass rush is something to be feared. They faced one of the best lines in football and one of the most dangerous mobile QB's in the league, holding both to modest numbers to say the least. Micah Parsons is absolutely being mugged on every play and it still doesn't matter, GB is making things happen. What a massive addition he turned out to be

5 - I think I can speak for everyone when I say we're sick of the refs. They have been shitting on GB since the very start of the Lions game and they blew plenty of calls in that game, as well as last night. The hold on Rhyan that nullified the Reed touchdown was less of a hold than what Washington was getting away with on every single play and the refs refused to call it. Choke hold, arm bar, jersey pull, ripped to the ground, blocked in the back, it didn't matter if it was Gary, LVN, Wyatt, Wooden or Parsons, all of them were being penalized on literally every single play and they never called it. They need to get that straightened out because that game was almost unwatchable after Fitzpatrick was held and got called for holding on a Jacobs first down run, and then Hobbs got called for holding Ertz who initiated contact and commutted OPI on a fourth down stop while they were driving. Please figure something out, NFL because your golden boys just got their asses beat on national television and the Packers are still hungry.

All in all, the pack is back and sitting at 2-0, I couldn't be happier.

GO PACK GO

Just saw that Tom has an oblique tear. Can someone verify? If so, it could be 8-10 weeks or surgery.

Doof—you said everything I believed was happening with the refs—despicable officiating.
Last year I refused to watch the SB (haven’t missed one since SB-II) because of the incredibly pathetic officiating most of last year. I actually like the Chiefs, but last year I felt like they were absolutely given at least three games.