WOLF RIVER MEDIA WEEK 8 PACKERS BYE WEEK OCTOBER 28, 2017

MARTINEZ
KEEPS IT
SIMPLE
Clearing out mental clutter
improves linebackers game
SEE PAGE 2

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

ALSO INSIDE: Pro Football Weekly Q&A Packers Notebook Rosters Schedule Standings
2 SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2017 GREEN & GOLD EXPRESS WOLF RIVER MEDIA

Game Vitals
GREEN BAY PACKERS (4-2)
VS. DETROIT LIONS (3-3)
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 6
WHERE: Lambeau Field
TV: ESPN
RADIO: 620 WTMJ, 92.3
WJMQ-FM, 101.1 WIXX-FM

Locker Room
I know this young man;
I believe in him.
MIKE MCCARTHY,
Packers head coach, on
quarterback Brett Hundley

The Series
Packers vs. Lions
All-time, Regular season:
98-68-7
Streaks: The Packers have
won the last three meetings
against Detroit.
Last meeting, regular sea-
son, in Green Bay: Sept. 25,
2016, Packers won, 34-27
Last meeting, regular sea-
son: Jan. 1, 2017, Ford Field,
Packers won, 31-24
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Schedule Green Bay Packers linebacker Blake Martinez eyes New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday at Lambeau Field.

Martinez leads NFL in tackles

Date Opponent Time TV
Sept. 10 Seattle Win 17-9
Sept. 17 at Atlanta Loss 23-34
Sept. 24 Cincinnati Win 27-24
Sept. 28 Chicago Win 35-14
Oct. 8 at Dallas Win 35-31
Oct. 15 at Minnesota Loss 23-10 Different mental approach helps 2nd-year player games, Martinez is just five tack- his improvement to watching
Oct. 22 New Orleans Loss 26-17 les short of hitting his total of 69 more film, studying more or prac-
Oct. 29 Bye By Jacy Zollar Martinez is making himself known tackles last year. Hes on pace for ticing harder.
Nov. 6 Detroit 7:30 p.m. ESPN sports@wolfrivermedia.com across the NFL. 146 tackles. I just stopped thinking about
Nov. 12 at Chicago 12 p.m. FOX The inside linebacker is tied It has taken only one NFL it all so much, really, he said. I
Nov. 19 Baltimore 12 p.m. CBS In his second season, Green with Baltimores C.J. Mosley for season for Martinez to find his
Nov. 26 at Pittsburgh 7:30 p.m. NBC Bay Packers linebacker Blake a league-high 64 tackles. In seven groove. Martinez doesnt attribute SEE MARTINEZ, PAGE 3
Dec. 3 Tampa Bay 12 p.m. FOX
Dec. 10 at Cleveland 12 p.m. FOX
Dec. 17 at Carolina 12 p.m. FOX
Dec. 23 Minnesota 7:30 p.m. NBC
ON THE COVER: Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Blake Martinez tops the NFL with 64 tackles this season. In seven games, Martinez is just five tackles shy of hitting his total from
Dec. 31 at Detroit 12 p.m. FOX last season. The linebacker says it started clicking for him on the field once he stopped overcomplicating his job.
WOLF RIVER MEDIA
MARTINEZ
FROM PAGE 2
simplified everything.
My rookie year I was
all over the place, won-
dering, Where do I need
to make the check, whats
going on, what formation
are they in, what plays do I
think theyre going to run? started to sink in just be-
I did a ton of studying
maybe way too much. Now
I dont overcomplicate it, I
just go out there and play.
For Martinez, alter-
ing his mentality was the
game-changer on the field.
I think last season I
could have played exactly
how I am right now. I just
tried to be someone that
I wasnt. I tried to change
who I was, going from high
school and college football,
just to be the linebacker
that calls the play out or
does these types of things,
and I was like, Why am I
doing that? I just need to
calm down and play how
Blake needs to play. and make the play.
Like many people, Mar-
tinez struggled starting a
new chapter in his career.
I think I just wanted
to set a new personality,
he said. Coming in I was
like, This is my first year
here, what type of person
do I want to be? And I
overthought that. Instead
of saying, Hey, just be
Blake, I was like, Hey, Im someone told me I had 16
going to try to be this guy
or that guy or whoever,
and it just wasnt work-
ing.
He said the realization
fore a knee injury took him
out midway through last
season.
At that point, I was
so mad that I got injured
because it started click-
ing. I started understand-
ing that I needed to just
calm down and go play. I
just kept that mentality
through the injury and this
year, and it all just comes
so much easier. Im just
being calm, cool and col-
lected and not freaking out
about anything, making
my checks, getting lined
up and then just playing
football. Whatever I see
is what Im going to go do
ahead of you, he said.
Martinez is well aware
of his statistics but isnt
impressed with them. The
good stats like playing
at least 95 percent of de-
fensive snaps in the last
GREEN & GOLD EXPRESS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2017 3
three games or recording
16 tackles against New Or-
leans on Sunday push
him to do more.
I look at it like, OK,
tackles. Well, then, I want
17. I couldnt care less
about tackles or anything
like that, he said. As long
as were winning Im hap-
py, and if were not, I need
to do more.
He just has the right Green Bay
mentality, said defensive Packers
end Mike Daniels, who is linebacker
in his sixth NFL season. Blake
He wants to be the best. Martinez
He has that warrior men- stands
tality that you want out of in the
your teammates. end zone
Martinez said having a against
never complacent mind- the Dallas
set has been the driving Cowboys
force in his success from on Oct.
high school to the pros. 8 in
You just need to have Arlington,
that mentality, because if Texas.
youre satisfied with how The NFLs
youre playing and think
leading
youre great and whatnot,
tackler is
people are going to get
on pace
My coach at Stanford al- for 146
ways told me, whenever tackles
you think youve made it, this
two guys are getting in season.
front of you, and thats how
THE
I think all the time. ASSOCIATED
PRESS
4 SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2017 GREEN & GOLD EXPRESS WOLF RIVER MEDIA
WOLF RIVER MEDIA
Packers QB Brett Hundley struggles in pocket
McCarthy focusing on drop-backs
The Associated Press
Quarterback Brett
Hundley burned the New
Orleans Saints on the run
in his first NFL start.
The Green Bay Pack-
ers will need him to make
plays with his right arm to
keep their playoff hopes
alive without injured star
Aaron Rodgers.
Hundley rushed for 44
yards on three carries,
including a 14-yard touch-
down run, but finished 12
of 25 for 87 yards in the
26-17 loss Sunday to the
Saints .
The Saints outscored
the Packers 10-0 in the
fourth quarter to pull away
in a tight game. It was the
kind of situation in which
Rodgers thrives.
Hes out indefinitely
with a broken right collar-
bone, so the Packers have
turned to Hundley in his
third season backing up
Rodgers.
Ive been learning
from him for three years.
All Ive got to say is, Dont
write us off, Hundley
said.
The Packers (4-3) have
gone from Super Bowl con-
tender to NFC question
mark without Rodgers.
The NFC North is wide
open after two straight
losses for Green Bay.
Its up to coach Mike
McCarthy to get Hundley
more comfortable drop-
ping back.
I needed to get a much
better job of him work-
ing the drop-back passing
game, he said. He tried
to do a little too much and
tried to go against it, but
hes competitive. He made
some big, big plays with
his feet, and well grow
from that.
It was a solid enough
start for Green Bay, with
the Packers scoring on the
opening drive on a 46-yard
touchdown run by Aaron
Jones. The rookie run-
ning back finished with 131
yards on 17 carries.
But the successful start
GREEN & GOLD EXPRESS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2017 5
on the ground didnt have
the desired effect of open-
ing up play-action opportu-
nities.
We took a couple of
shots, but I mean we got
a (pass interference call)
on one of them. The defen-
sive backs didnt bite too
much, Jones said.
Trailing by nine points
in the fourth quarter, the
Packers had to move
the ball through the air.
Hundley threw his only
interception in a critical
spot when safety Kenny
Vaccaro picked off a deep
pass down the middle of
the field with 4:20 left. The
Saints ran out of the clock.
Naturally, Hundley
doesnt think the Pack-
ers postseason hopes
are shot. Green Bay still
has four division games
left following a bye week,
starting with a Monday PHOTO BY JIM LEUENBERGER
night home game on Nov. Packers quarterback Brett Hundley completed 12 of 25 pass attempts for 87 yards and a passer rating of 39.9
6 against Detroit. in his first NFL start on Sunday. Despite the performance, coach Mike McCarthy said I feel the same way today
Weve got to get better as I did going into the week. I believe in him.
and we will get better, but
were not out, Hundley and we can still win the di- if Aaron is healthy and But weve just got to
said. Weve got our divi- vision and make the play- comes back and were still win games and keep this
sion games in front of us offs, and down the road rolling, hell be available. season rolling.
6 SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2017
Q&A
with Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
By Green & Gold Express Staff
Packer: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
Number: 21
Position: Safety
College: Alabama
Season: 4th
Age: 24
Height/weight: 6-foot-1, 208 pounds
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix was named
the NFLPA Community MVP for
Week 5 after raising thousands
of dollars to provide resources
for economically disadvantaged
kids and schools in Wisconsin. In
this Q&A, Clinton-Dix discussed
his new Ha Has HERO (Hope,
Education, Resources and Op-
portunity) Foundation. The foun-
dations first event took place on
Oct. 9 in Sheboygan with a fund-
raiser including Clinton-Dix and
10 teammates. The NFLPA made
a $10,000 contribution to Ha Has
HERO.
Q Tell me about your
foundation and what youre
trying to accomplish.
Complete
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A
To give back to the people
in the community and kids
in the community as far as edu-
cation, resources and the op-
portunity for these young ones
to be successful in life. We have
so many heroes in this commu-
nity and the only ones who get
recognized are the ones with hel-
mets on not the ones who are
in class, teaching these kids; not
the school bus drivers who are
driving them to school. By me
stepping out and taking my hel-
met off, its a way to show kids
you dont have to play sports to
be someone, to be successful.
Thats my whole take on my en-
tire foundation, really.
Q
There are a lot of people who
are famous and have the
resources to help but dont. What
made you want to help?
A Growing up as a kid, Ive
always played football. Ive
always watched guys who make
millions of dollars, who dont
GREEN & GOLD EXPRESS
change. Ive watched guys start
foundations from nothing and
just wanted to give back. I want
to be part of society. Were all go-
ing to die one day. I dont give a
damn how much money you got.
The trucks not backing up to the
graveyard with you. With me, its
all about giving back and trying
to use my fan base, my stage to
give back and enlighten whats
going on in this world and just be
a part of it. Say I did my job. If I
can change one kids life in this
world, my job is done here.
HA HA CLINTON-DIX
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Q A
You said you hoped you could
change one kids life. Was
there one person who changed your
life?
A
To be honest, I had a great
grandfather who always
was my backbone. A lot of guys
growing up in the neighborhood I
always looked up to guys like
Chris Johnson, Deacon Jones,
who I never really knew, but you
heard about Deacon Jones all
the time going through my neigh-
borhood. That was somebody I
WOLF RIVER MEDIA
wanted to be like or at least ac-
complish the goal of making it to
the NFL and I can say that was a
guy who really gave me hope.
Q Is this something you knew
you always wanted to do?
A I always knew I wanted to
give back but, first, I had
to make a name for myself in
the NFL. I cant just come in the
league and just start a foundation
if no one knows who the hell I
am. I wanted to make sure that I
had a name for myself, I was do-
ing the right things, I was being
held accountable before I could
step out on a ledge and take
chances and make changes in
the world.
Q
You had a lot of people at
your first event. What did that
mean?
I actually teared up a little
bit, man. Just being able
to speak in front of 200 people
and theyre all here to hear you
and what you stand for and your
cause and what you want to do
in this world and in this commu-
nity, it was unreal. It was prob-
ably the most challenging thing I
ever had to do in my life was get
up and speak in front of people.
Once I spoke from the heart, it
really became the easiest thing
Ive ever done in my life.
WOLF RIVER MEDIA GREEN & GOLD EXPRESS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2017 7
8 SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2017 GREEN & GOLD EXPRESS WOLF RIVER MEDIA
WOLF RIVER MEDIA GREEN & GOLD EXPRESS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2017 9
10 SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2017 GREEN & GOLD EXPRESS WOLF RIVER MEDIA

Eagles remain No. 1 in the latest AP Pro32 poll

The Associated Press helped the Eagles main-
tain their perch atop the
Carson Wentz has the AP Pro 32 poll after Mon-
Philadelphia Eagles on top day nights 34-24 win over
of the NFL. NFC East rival Washing-
And the second-year ton.
quarterback has also The victory was costly
as Philadelphia lost nine-
time Pro Bowl left tackle
Jason Peters and starting
linebacker Jordan Hicks
for the rest of the season
because of injuries.
Philadelphia received
10 of the 12 first-place
votes for 382 points Tues-
day in balloting by media
members who regularly
cover the NFL.
The Eagles are 6-1 and
have the best record in
the league. They host the
49ers, one of two 0-7 teams,
on Sunday.
Carson Wentz is play-
ing at an MVP level. If he
keeps this up, he will win
the award, said Charean
Williams of Pro Football
Talk.
But injuries to Jordan
Hicks and Jason Peters
hurt.
The Patriots moved up
a spot to No. 2 after Sunday
nights dominating 23-7
victory over Atlanta in a
rematch of the Super Bowl
in February. The Patriots
earned the other two first-
place votes for 362 points.
(Coach) Bill Belichick
knew it would take some
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) runs in the fog as Atlanta
Falcons defensive back Blidi Wreh-Wilson (33) pursues during the second
half of an NFL football game on Sunday in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
more time folding in all the
new pieces after a busy
offseason, but now youre
starting to see the work
pay off, Newsdays Bob
Glauber said.
After drubbing the Fal-
cons in a rematch of Super
Bowl LI, the Patriots are
back in their rightful spot
as the favorites to repeat.
The Steelers edged up
to No. 3 after a pair of con-
vincing wins and now lead
the AFC North at 5-2.
Hitting their stride,
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Fox Sports John Czar-
necki said.
The Chiefs slid two
places to No. 4 after their
second straight loss, 31-30
to Oakland on Thursday.
The Chiefs will try to end
their brief losing streak
when they host the AFC
West rival Broncos on
Monday night.
After a 5-0 start,
the Chiefs have given
up ground the last two
weeks, said Jenny Vren-
tas of The Monday Morn-
ing Quarterback.
The key to bouncing
back will be tightening up
the defense, which has
been playing below its tal-
ent level, even with Eric
Berry out for the season.
The Los Angeles Rams,
who lead the NFC West,
climbed three places to
No. 5.
Jared Goff has si-
lenced any remaining
skeptics while directing
the NFLs top scoring of-
fense, SB Nation Radios
Ira Kaufman said of the
Rams second-year quar-
terback.
The Seahawks and Vi-
kings are tied for No. 6,
trailing the Rams by only
three points.
The Saints and Bills,
both off to surprising 4-2
starts, each moved up six
spots to Nos. 8 and 9, re-
spectively.
Funny what can hap-
pen with a respectable
defense, The Sporting
News Alex Marvez said of
New Orleans, which usu-
ally relies on quarterback
Drew Brees and a high-
flying offense for success.
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 After 7 weeks, the NFL cream beginning to rise to top
PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY | ProFootballWeekly.com | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2017
Patriots again the team to beat;
a few surprises chasing them
CHICAGO If the season ended
today, wed find two 2016 division
cellar dwellers the Philadelphia
Eagles and the Jacksonville Jag-
uars in first place or tied for first
place, respectively, and a third 16
last-place team, the Carolina Pan-
thers, just a half game behind New
Orleans in the NFC South.
It is also worth noting the Saints,
along with the Rams and the Vi-
kings, were third-place teams a year
ago and all currently lead their di-
visions.
That also means that if the play-
offs began this Sunday, the Patri-
ots, Steelers, Chiefs, Dolphins, Se-
ahawks and Packers would be the
only 2016 playoff teams to repeat
this year.
All of this is a result of the unprec-
edented parity/mediocrity in the
NFL today that Ive written about
over the past few weeks, and the
pros and cons of that are, of course,
in the eyes of the beholders.
But last Sunday was moving day
in the NFL, and while its taken a
couple or three weeks longer than
T B A L L FA N S
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it did in recent seasons,
we began to get a sense
of order and whos for
real and who the pre-
tenders are around the
league, and the legit-
imate Super Bowl LII
contenders finally be-
gan to come into focus
Lets start by declar-
HUB ARKUSH
@Hub_Arkush
ing the best team in the
NFL this year.
The New England Patriots are
once again the cream of the crop,
which, while not really surprising,
is something we couldnt possibly
know just a week-and-a-half ago.
The Pats were almost every wise
analysts pick for No. 1 again this
year prior to the beginning of the
season, but just three weeks ago
they were 2-2, an unfathomable 0-2
at home and dead last in the league
in total defense.
Successive road wins over Tampa
and the Jets, in which New England
allowed just 14 and 17 points, respec- plete performance in manhandling
tively, began to put the stars back in the Bengals to join the Patriots at
alignment, but it was just the Bucs
and the Jets.
With their 23-7 dem-
Chiefs.
Kansas City does still look like the
olition of the defending
NFC champion Fal-
third member of the AFCs big three,
but a second straight loss Sunday, to
cons at home in a game Oakland on a late meltdown helped
Atlanta was never in, along by some shaky officiating,
Belichick and Co. an- leaves a small space for doubt.
nounced their return to The NFC is all about the new kids
the throne. on the block but there can be no
My preseason pick argument that the Eagles, Saints,
for the Patriots com- Vikings, Rams and Seahawks are
petition in this years playing the best football in the con-
AFC title game was the ference, and there is no reason right
Steelers, and almost as now to believe all five arent playoff
predictably as the Pa- teams.
triots resurgence, Pitts- The NFC Is less clear than the
burgh returned to the top of the NFL AFC because it is still early to count
Mountain last Sunday, too, with a the Packers, Panthers and Cowboys
29-14 thrashing of the Bengals. out, but all are clearly flawed, as are
The Steelers were as wobbly as Minnesota and Seattle on offense,
New England after a Week 3 loss and New Orleans defense still has
to lowly Chicago, and then getting much to prove.
trashed in Pittsburgh just two-and- There is a great deal of football left
a-half weeks ago by the Jekyll and to play, and every team in the league
Hyde Jaguars. but Cleveland, San Francisco and
But after going to Kansas City in the Giants still has a heartbeat, but
Week 6 and coming home with an going into last weekend it appeared
impressive win led by their defense the best way to find a Super team
in handing the Chiefs their first loss was methodically tossing a coin.
of the year, the Steelers gave a com- By Sunday night it seemed clear
the Patriots, Steelers, Chiefs, Eagles
and Rams have risen a step or more
5-2 atop the AFC along with those ahead of the rest.
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 PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY | ProFootballWeekly.com | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2017
1. New England Patriots
Who would you pick to beat them today?
| 5-2 Pro Football Weeklys Power Rankings are updated every Tues-
day during the NFLs regular season and are intended to rank
teams based on their talent and performance to date. Rankings
21. Los Angeles Chargers | 3-4
Hot now, but are they done finding ways to lose?

2. Pittsburgh Steelers | 5-2

Well watch the dysfunction, but tons of talent
will change each week due to personnel changes, injuries and
performance on the field, and a teams ranking in any given week 22. Oakland Raiders | 3-4
Chiefs win helps but still plenty to fix

3. Kansas City Chiefs 23. Chicago Bears

| 5-2 has no impact on where they might rank in weeks to come. | 3-4
Raiders loss strange, still seem to fit here Rankings will fluctuate a great deal more the first few weeks If they hang with Saints, time to look out for D
of the season as teams seek their levels and schedules balance

4. Philadelphia Eagles | 6-1

They are for real, but which of top 3 do they beat
out. These are PFWs Power Rankings following Week 7 as teams
head into the eighth weekend of regular season games. 24. New York Jets | 3-4
Theyre game, just not very talented

5. Seattle Seahawks | 4-2

Offense still shaky, but who below them is better? 13. Jacksonville Jaguars | 4-3
Were buying the D, but can you trust Bortles? 25. Arizona Cardinals | 3-4
Palmer injury probably final nail in the coffin

6. Los Angeles Rams | 5-2

Time to believe; just need a signature win 14. Houston Texans | 3-3
Will win some shootouts, but nobody left on D 26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Just not enough here to trust them yet
| 2-4

7. Minnesota Vikings | 5-2

Defense hot, how far can they go with Keenum? 15. Green Bay Packers | 4-3
Not this good without 12, nobody else is either 27. Baltimore Ravens | 3-4
What exactly can they do well right now?

8. New Orleans Saints

New-look Saints still all about Brees
| 4-2
16. Denver Broncos | 3-3
Been saying it for 2 years: must be better at QB 28. Cincinnati Bengals | 2-4
Character, character, complete lack thereof

9. Miami Dolphins | 4-2

Hanging in while all around them stumble 17. Dallas Cowboys | 3-3
Know they can run, score who can they stop? 29. Indianapolis Colts | 2-5
If Luck gets healthy, the rebuild has a great start

10. Buffalo Bills | 4-2

Two losses by just six and four points 18. Atlanta Falcons | 3-3
Should be 1-5; biggest disappointment in league 30. New York Giants | 1-6
Never saw this coming can Jerry Reese survive?

11. Carolina Panthers | 4-3

Good Cam, bad Cam who shows up Sunday? 19. Washington | 3-3
Big problem is injuries, but everybodys got them 31. San Francisco 49ers | 0-7
Will six years for Lynch, Shanahan be enough?

12. Tennessee Titans | 4-3

Should be better; Mariota missing something 20. Detroit Lions | 3-3
Stafford needs playmakers; no help in sight 32. Cleveland Browns | 0-7
Probably nice kids, but this is just embarrassing

Pro Football Weekly is produced by Shaw Media and the Daily Herald Media Group
in partnership with other Illinois daily newspapers.
 Bears, Trubisky
Colts go for three
woeful defense game
sinks win lower
even streak
PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY | ProFootballWeekly.com | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2017

PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY | ProFootballWeekly.com | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2017

with loss of Bears
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Before their victory in Green Bay,
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the Saints trounced the Panthers 34-
will have to take the
MATCHUPS TO EXPLOIT
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then theshutfirst
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and trust that rookie SOLID PLAY:the Jarvis
Lions Landry
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home.
quarterback
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thethree
Bears touchdowns in
Senio Kelemete. Everyone knows the Saints suc- ing D (fourth in yards
contributed allowed)
3 at
touchdowns Twickenham
the past
his pasthas
attack three
takengames, could extend that The
the conservative streak
Bears have been tough to run ceed because of Brees and Stadium.
the of- Duke two weeks, is
Johnson allthe
of them
teamson returns
only usable of
against
approach a club that has
to nearly surrendered four
unprecedented on scores
all season and are No. 11 in yards fense, which is fourth infantasy the NFL asset,75atyards
least orforlonger.
PPR owners, and Min-
to opposing tight ends. The Colts secondary
levels. wason the ground and No. 7 in
allowed in points and total yards, and nesota thats In Week
has allowed 7, rookie
the fewest safety
receiving Eddie
yards to
a disaster
In theirbefore17-3 Week placing top pick
seven victo-Malik Hooker backs (188) of Jacksonany team returned
yet to have a fumble
its bye. 75Throw
yards
on injured
ry over thereserve,
Carolina and one of its
Panthers, the few pleasant in the crushing and loss anofinterception
Joe Thomas, whom 76 yards. Cleve- A
surprises,
Bears improved CB Rashaan Melvin,
to 3-4, as Trubiskyis in concussion land kinda needs week to earlier,
protect third-year
whichever safety Adri-
quarter-
protocol.
threw just Even Brandon
7 passes and LaFell,
completed with 4 15 combined AARON DOSTER / USA TODAY SPORTS back hopes toanavoid Amosone went of 90theyards with his
leagues first
hottest
Tyler Kroft
targets the past two weeks including his first
for 107 yards. pass rushers career in Everson interception
Griffen,and and pick-six.
a Browns
touchdown,
Sunday in isNew
worth starting.
Orleans against win might be the The Bears
upset of theknow NFL they cant count
season.
of his 12 touchdowns in losses and Atlanta is a on that kind of support from their
MUST START: A.J. Green,
the 4-2 Saints offers the Bears an ide- Joe Mixon 4.5-point road favorite at press time. WORTH A LOOK: Duke Johnson
defense every week, but they believe
alSOLID PLAY: Andy
opportunity to get Dalton,
the aerial Tyler
game Kroft, Bengals MUST START: Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Bilal LAST RESORT: Isaiah Crowell
they have a ground game that can
D/ST
off the ground against a defense that
is WORTH
21st in passing
A LOOK:yardsBrandon allowed.
LaFell, Gio Bernard
Powell Detroit
provide Lions needed to com-
the stability
SOLID PLAY: Josh McCown, Jermaine Kearse, plement a young quarterback.
(VS PITTSBURGH)
The Saints, hoping to take the Matt Forte Jordan
Oakland Raiders Matthew Stafford mayHowards
get rookie Kenny 560 rushing Golla-
next step after three straight 7-9 yards are fifthain the NFL, and rook-
(AT BUFFALO) day (hamstring) back from three-game absence,
seasons, won their fourth straight
What a difference a week makes. Oakland, on
Philadelphia Eagles but itll coincide ie Tarik
withCohenGolden is Tates
an ideal change-of-
first missed
game Sunday, beating the Aaron (VS SAN FRANCISCO)
game as a Lion. paceFew back,
teamswhos lack averaging
playmakers 4.5 yards
more
the heels of at
Rodgers-less least a Drew
Packers. temporary Breesseason-saving Carson Wentz is the front-runner for MVP and
win vs. the Chiefs, ventures cross-country with than Detroit, per andcarryTate andhas had beena easily
70-yarditsrecep- best
threw 2 first-quarter interceptions, at the top of PFWs fantasy QB rankings for the tion last week.
Derek Carr and Amari Cooper still riding high and most consistent for three seasons. We havent
which doubled his season total, but first time following his best NFL game ever, a Thats bad news
following their heroics Thursday night. Jared gotten to Staffords protection yet.for
It a wasSaints
disinte-de-
he finished 27-of-38 for 331 yards four-TD devastation of Washington on Monday fense that was gashed for 181injury
yards
Cook, quietly TE10 overall, gets a secondary just grating prior to fill-in LT Greg Robinsons
with a touchdown. Mark Ingram ran night. And the Niners, after getting humiliated by
destroyed by the Bucs O.J. Howard-Cameron before the byeon the ground
six sacks and 7.5
allowed yards
from per car-
Weeks 1-3;
for 105 yards on 22 carries, a week af- Mitch Trubisky Ezekiel Elliott, are fantasys most generousEVAN run
HABEEB / USA TODAY SPORTS
ryMeantime,
in their victory over the Packers.
Brate duo and now without S Jordan Poyer and 16 in Weeks 4-6. the Steelers pummeled
defense worse than the 31st-ranked Colts by an
CB E.J. Gaines; Cook is more than a streamer at Andy Dalton Sunday without Stephon Tuitt, who
average of nearly four whole points! We wouldnt

Dallas AT Denver AT
this point. Oakland might not need Marshawn could return and is still seeking his first sack.
expect Wentz to lead the Eagles in rushing for a
Lynch who will miss the game against his orig- Detroits defense is trending downward, with 132
second consecutive week but this is a likely blow-
points allowed in four home games (1-3 mark),

Washington Kansas City

inal team after his suspension was upheld with out tailor-made for LeGarrette Blount, in addition
the Bills so shorthanded on the back end. Most im- which wont help Ameer Abdullahs cause.
to the Eagles now-usual suspects, Zach Ertz and
portantly, Carr looked healthy, as did his offensive WORTH A LOOK: Ameer Abdullah, Marvin Jones,
Nelson Agholor.
line, and he delivered in the clutch which along Theo Riddick
MUST START: Carson Wentz, LeGarrette Blount,
with playing wellThe
OVERVIEW: on theCowboys
road, were gotkey elements
plays with his legs,
Zach too.Eagles
Ertz, On defense
D/ST OVERVIEW: Two weeks ago, LAST this games,
RESORT: Kenny Golladay
Siemian has , thrown
Darrenfive Fells,in-
back on
fueling thetrack
2016in a big way in Week
Raiders. the Washington secondary is short- looked like a matchup of two Matthewof theStaffordterceptions and only two TDs, taking
SOLID PLAY: Nelson Agholor, Alshon Jeffery,
7,MUST
thrashingSTART: theDerek
49ers with
Carr, aAmari
lethal Cooper,
handed Mi-and Wendell
pressure up front has NFLs best teams, but each has lost 16 sacks. Some of that is the Broncos
ground game, and they now have in-
Smallwood
been limited by injuries and depth two straight. The Broncos risk falling Houston
asking him toTexans do too much; they need
chael Crabtree
creased their scoring total each of issues. Its very tough to account for below .500 after a 3-1 start as the of- to get (ATback SEATTLE)
to featuring the run game.
SOLID PLAY: Jared Cook
the past four games. Washingtons MATCHUPS TO AVOID
Ezekiel Elliott and the Cowboys run fense has gone in the tank. TheOn one hand,
Chiefs The Deshaun
Chiefs haveWatson hasfar
been clearly prov-
too giving
WORTH A LOOK: Jalen Richard, DeAndre Wash-
defense had some early success game and worry about Prescott, Miami still feature a great offenseen
Dez Dolphins but early
have in hisdefensively
fantasy career the topastbe four
matchup-proof.
games and
ington On theand other, hes
Monday night against the Eagles but Bryant and Jason Witten, who keeps to get back on track defensively
(AT BALTIMORE) mustneverfind afaced
way to thedial
Seahawks
up morein Se-
pres-
was eventually New York
dissected by Jets
Carson producing in his 15thhas
This season.to be Jay Ajayishave played
breakthrough teams close atattle.
Arrow- Pete Carrolls
sure and club is No.
patch some 1 incoverage
scoring D holes.
Wentz and the passing (VS ATLANTA)
game. Kirk right? After anThomp- head Stadium.
NFL-high 135 touches without Monday night well, tied
games with Jacksonville
Siemian was for
brilliantthe fifth
againsttime in
the
BY THE NUMBERS: Chris
NFL life
Cousins comes keep
couldnt at you fastand
pace man when Josh
this Mc- been a score Miami thereonly
is the NFLs are always
offensespecial, with- though, six seasonsand (Seattle
Chiefs finished third last
in the teams firstseason,
matchup its
son has the most consistent
Cowns Jets team
injury-laden and not nowMatthasRyans
fallenFalcons are out a rushing touchdown these
he two
visits teams a are
defense no fans first
of without
each alast
healthy
season,Earlthrowing
Thomas for for 16
368games).
yards
producer for Cousins and Wash-
the
back recommended
to 3-3. Washington play here.
needsBut thisMcCown and passing
ingtons thatsgame.
allowed other. The
at least one ground
Thompson score Chiefs
in four of theHouston
beat Broncosis No. and 3 three
in scoring,
TDs, but but struggling
itll be difficultbadly
the Jets
badly tohave
avoidclearly
going outplayed not onlyisthe
0-3 in the divi- low the past five games. In thetwice
one in
game 2016 and
the thrashed
Ravens to trust
them in any Texan
at in the except
second DeAndre
game inHopkins (2-23
2016 (17-of-43
on pace for 966 receiving yards,
expectations set for them before the season, receiving in his only previous game vs. Seattle),
sion. whichbut woulddidnt
be theallow
most abyrushing
a run- TD, homethey onsurrendered
Christmas, with a former DT passing, interception).
also with Will TD FullerBY likely drawing Richard Sherman
Mthe
ATC reigning
H U P T MVP O W andA T CNo.
H : 1Dscoring
ak offense.
ning back in thefranchise-worst
NFL since Marshall 231 rushing Dontari
yardsPoe to the throwingBears.a rub-it-in THE NUMBERS: Chiefs RB
Matt Forte and Bilal Powell are both usable this Yet, in
Miamis pass late in
O-line is decimated by injury. Ajayi,the game. and Lamar Miller (career-low 3.8 YPC) facing the
Prescott quietly has had a brilliant Faulk had 1,048 1999. Thompson Kareem Hunt has 1,002 yards from
week against a Falcons D ranked Seahawks for the first time.
second season, struggling only in 29thleadsdefend-
the team nothing if not nicked,
in receiving yards must MATCHUP
play four days TO afterWATCH: Trevor scrimmage, tops in the NFL. Hes on
ing fantasy backs. TE Austin
the week two loss at Denver. In the Seferian-Jenkins is handling at least
(366) and touchdowns (three) and is 26 touches for the third consec-
Siemian has really fallen off, MUST butSTART:paceDeAndre
to be only Hopkins, Deshaun
the third rookie Wat- in
rolling
four gameswith since
scores in three
then he hasstraight
thrown and second
a nearlyto Jordan
utive game.
Reed in And Matt Moore
catches, must get
Broncos head ready coach on a Vance son Joseph league history to surpass 2,000 yards
seven-target
for 11 touchdowns average this
with season.
only two in- McCown,
also QB5
adding 43 short week
rushes forwith
213 80 percent
yards of his
says hesO-linesticking injured with himWORTH as his A LOOK:in that Lamar Miller,
category; theWill Fuller
others are Eric
aterceptions,
week ago, isand QB11 hesoverall
making and has totaled
more nineTDs.and John Harbaughs Ravens
and two trying
starting to avoid In
quarterback. a the past LAST fourRESORT: Ryan Griffin,
Dickerson DOnta Foreman
and Edgerrin James.
WOLF RIVER MEDIA
By Green & Gold Express Staff
By rule, Green Bay Packers
coach Mike McCarthy could
have had his players stick
around for a few days of prac-
tice before turning them loose
for the bye.
Instead, as hes always done,
McCarthy turned them loose for
a week of rest, recovery and re-
flection.
The bye wont be so relax-
ing for the coaching staff. With
Aaron Rodgers broken collar-
bone, a slumping defense and a
two-game losing streak, there is
more on the coaches plate than
other bye weeks.
I think thats stating the
obvious, McCarthy agreed on
Monday, a day after a 26-17 loss
to the Saints.
Before the team returns to
practice on Tuesday and hosts
Detroit on Nov. 5, McCarthy
must figure out what hes go-
ing to do with an offense that
managed only 27 points without
Rodgers in losses to Minnesota
and New Orleans.
Will McCarthy unleash
Hundley, even though he actu-
ally performed worse against
New Orleans (12-of-25, 87 yards)
than he did against Minnesota
(18-of-33, 157 yards) despite
having a full week to prepare?
I understand how this thing
swings, McCarthy said. When
you lose a game, and you have
statistics to approach your opin-
ion hey, thats the way it goes,
because thats part of our busi-
ness, and him and I talked about
it. Use Aaron, for example. He
started in 08 and you guys were
on his (butt) until we won a Su-
per Bowl. Then once he wins
a Super Bowl, now hes got to
play that way all the time. Its
just part of the deal here. Youve
just got to remember where
hes playing quarterback at.
Thats real, thats the reality.
But thats our focus, I feel the
same way today as I did going
into the week. I know this young
man, I believe in him. Thats the
direction were going.
While Hundley has thrown
four interceptions in two games,
this is an offense that is used to
going through the quarterback
and a prolific group of receivers.
PACKERS NOTEBOOK
Green Bay Packers rookie running back Aaron Jones runs 46 yards for a touchdown
during Sundays loss to New Orleans. Jones rushed for a career-high 131 yards against
the Saints.
We always talk about as a
receiving group, this offense
goes through us, receiver Ran-
dall Cobb said after the game.
Weve got to do a better job
when we have those opportuni-
ties.
Will McCarthy redirect the
offense to the running game?
Rookie Aaron Jones has rushed
for 346 yards and three touch-
downs in the last four games,
including 131 yards and a touch-
down vs. New Orleans. Jones
played 44 snaps to Ty Montgom-
erys seven in taking over the
featured role.
I think we can, center Co-
rey Linsley said on Monday
when asked if the running game
can be the focal point of the at-
tack. Yesterday, we showed
it. When we get this offensive
line together, its only going to
get better. As soon as we get a
rhythm going in these games,
especially with Aaron Jones
running behind our full offen-
GREEN & GOLD EXPRESS
PHOTO BY JIM LEUENBERGER
sive line, I have the utmost con-
fidence.
DEFENSE MUST
IMPROVE, TOO
Green Bay forced two early
turnovers but gave up almost
500 yards against the Saints.
The Packers knew what was
coming short passes by
Drew Brees and a heavy dose
of powerful running back Mark
Ingram but couldnt stop it.
There were too many mental
errors, including having only
10 defenders on the field for In-
grams second-quarter touch-
down.
Through seven games, the
defense is across-the-board
poor. It ranks 22nd in total de-
fense, 27th against the run, 16th
against the pass, 27th in sack
percentage, 25th on third down
and 31st in the red zone. On
Sunday, the Saints had a com-
manding 25-play advantage,
thanks in large part to 8-of-15
success on third down. Three
of those conversions came on
third-and-9 or longer.
Its depressing. It sucks,
cornerback Davon House said.
Guys are tired. Were like,
All right, lets get off the field.
Someone needs to make a play.
Especially when its like third-
and-12-plus. That should be an
automatic punt of the ball. Dom
(Capers) is going to draw some
stuff up this next week and well
get it corrected.
Capers, the defensive coordi-
nator, has a lot of things to draw
up this week. Against the run,
his unit has been maddeningly
inconsistent. Against the pass,
the rush has been absent and
the secondary has been hit hard
by injuries. The hope is that
the teams four draft picks can
make a difference. Cornerback
Kevin King and safety Josh
Jones have played a lot. Ca-
pers needs that experience to
show up during the second half
of the season. Athletic third-
round defensive tackle Montra-
vius Adams, who showed pass-
rushing potential in the spring,
has played in only one game.
Fourth-round outside line-
backer Vince Biegel, who has a
productive career at Wisconsin,
started the season on the physi-
cally unable to perform list but
practiced the last two weeks.
THE FALL GUY
After the game, McCarthy
took the blame for the outcome.
He did the same on Monday.
You stick up for your play-
ers. I dont believe in correcting
players in the media third-
and-1 calls and who did this and
who did that, McCarthy said.
You know, Madden (NFL)
Football screwed this whole
thing up. It was a much better
gig before. Everybody knows
football so well now. Thats just
not the way we operate. You
stand up for your players. I be-
lieve in these guys, they know
the things they did well and
they know the things they didnt
do well.
We need to be better. We
havent been very good the past
two weeks. I told them this be-
fore the Minnesota game, I said,
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2017 15
If youre not practicing the
right way, this thing is going to
bite us and we have to get on
top of it. Unfortunately, we had
a great week of practice. Saints
played very well in the second
half, we didnt, so were not go-
ing to overreact to it. Were go-
ing to get better from it.
JONES HOT START
Since 1950, five Packers
rookie running backs have had
a 125-yard rushing game. Jones,
Eddie Lacy and John Brocking-
ton are the only backs with two
of them. Jones and Pittsburghs
LeVeon Bell are the only run-
ning backs with a pair of 125-
yard games this season.
What does he do so well?
Hes patient with it, Lin-
sley said. Hes calm. Hes not
just running aimlessly, as sim-
ple as that sounds. He runs with
a controlled passion, if you will.
He understands how the line-
backers move. Hes just got a
great feel for it.
QUICK HITTERS
Including Jones 46-yard
touchdown run last week, the
Packers have scored a touch-
down on the opening possession
in five of their seven games.
Their 34 first-drive points are
tops in the NFL, ahead of Jack-
sonvilles 30 and Washingtons
27. In games immediately
after the bye, the Packers have
won 16 of their last 21. McCar-
thy is 9-2. . Cornerback Dam-
arious Randall has an intercep-
tion in each of his last three
games, the first Packers player
to do so since Casey Hayward
in 2012. Hes a ballhawk,
House said. This is what he
does. It reminds me of Casey,
where the ball tends to find
him. Regardless of where hes
at on the field, tipped ball, hes
going to get it, thats what ball
magnets do. The balls going to
continue to find him. I can see
him having six-plus picks this
year. The guys good. Line-
backer Blake Martinez is tied
with Baltimores C.J. Mosley
with 64 tackles. Against New
Orleans, the Saints had eight
passing plays of 15-plus yards;
the Packers had none.
16 SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2017
Packers rushing offense makes the grade
Rushing, passing defense need work
By Green & Gold Express Staff
The Green Bay Packers
opened the season with a 4-1
record. The team looked like a
legit Super Bowl contender and
Aaron Rodgers an MVP front-
runner.
Then, disaster struck during
the second series of a key NFC
North showdown at Minnesota.
Rodgers suffered a broken col-
larbone that could cost him the
rest of the season. The Packers
lost to the Vikings and then at
home to New Orleans.
At 4-3, the Packers are in sixth
place in the NFC. They rank 12th
in scoring with 23.4 points per
game and 19th with 23.0 points
allowed per game.
Here is a midseason report
card.
PASSING OFFENSE
Its like a tale of two seasons.
With Rodgers leading the NFL
with 13 touchdown passes head-
ed into the Minnesota game, the
Packers were tied for sixth with
27.4 points per game through
five games. In losses to Minneso-
ta and New Orleans, Green Bay
has scored a total of 27 points.
Of 39 quarterbacks with at
least 40 passing attempts, Rod-
gers was sixth with his 103.2
passer rating. Hundley, on the
other hand, is last with his 40.5
GREEN & GOLD EXPRESS
passer rating, next-to-last with
4.14 yards per attempt and third-
to-last with his 52.5 percent com-
pletion rate.
For as great as Rodgers
played, the Packers receivers
had done a lot of the work. Head-
ed into the Minnesota game,
Rodgers was second in the NFL
in volume of yards coming after
the catch. Jordy Nelsons other-
worldly chemistry with Rodgers
resulted in six touchdowns in the
first five games. Davante Adams
rebounded from a hellacious
hit vs. Chicago to catch seven
passes, including the winning
touchdown, vs. Dallas. Of Ran-
dall Cobbs 28 catches, 15 came
in the first two games.
According to STATS, Adams
has three drops, Martellus Ben-
nett has three, Geronimo Allison
has two, Cobb has one and Nel-
son has none.
The Packers have used seven
starting offensive line combina-
tions in seven games, and thats
shown up in the sacks count.
Green Bay ranks 25th with a
sack rate of 9.52 percent. It was
5.65 percent last year. However,
of the 24 sacks, only five have
been charged to the starting five
of left tackle David Bakhtiari, left
guard Lane Taylor, center Corey
Linsley, right guard Jahri Evans
and right tackle Bryan Bulaga,
according to STATS. Those five
Green Bay Packers cornerback Damarious Randall makes an interception during Sun-
days 26-17 loss to the Saints at Lambeau Field. Randall is tied for second in the NFL
with three interceptions this season one in each of the last three games.
have played only 16 snaps to-
gether.
Grade: C
RUSHING OFFENSE
Coming out of training camp,
Ty Montgomery was the undis-
puted No. 1 running back with
rookie Jamaal Williams the top
backup and fellow rookies Aaron
Jones and Devante Mays fight-
ing to stay off the inactives list.
At the bye, theres been a
clear change in the pecking or-
der. Jones is the undisputed No.
PHOTO BY JIM LEUENBERGER
1 back, with Montgomery a dis-
tant No. 2, Williams barely play-
ing and Mays an afterthought.
Jones has carried 62 times
for 346 yards. Montgomery has
almost the same number of
carries (60) but barely half the
yards (186). Of the top 49 in rush-
ing, Jones ranks third with 5.58
yards per carry while Montgom-
ery ranks 45th with 3.1 yards per
carry.
Bennett has performed poor-
ly as a receiver but delivered
key blocks on several big runs.
WOLF RIVER MEDIA
Evans has been better than ad-
vertised in the run game, as well.
While Green Bay ranks only
20th in rushing with 101.6 yards
per game, it is fifth with 4.53
yards per carry. Now, can the
running game become the focal
point of the offense?
Grade: B
PASSING DEFENSE
From 2009 through 2016, the
first eight seasons of Dom Ca-
pers tenure as defensive coor-
dinator, the Packers ranked fifth
with an opponent passer rating
of 81, third with 41 sacks per sea-
son and first with 20.6 intercep-
tions per season. This season,
Green Bay ranks 20th with a 90.2
opponent passer rating, 28th in
sacks per game and 16th in in-
terceptions per game.
Veteran cornerback Davon
House has been the secondarys
top performer but has missed
three games. Veteran safety
Morgan Burnett has missed the
last two games. Fellow safety
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix looks noth-
ing like the Pro Bowler he was
last season but denies being in-
jured. Rookie cornerback Kevin
King, who looked like a potential
star during his first extensive
playing time at Atlanta in Week
2, slumped into the bye. The
bright spot, oddly, is cornerback
Damarious Randall. After be-
SEE GRADE, PAGE 17
WOLF RIVER MEDIA 16 EXPRESS
GREEN & GOLD SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2017 GREEN
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2017 & GOLD
17 EX

GRADE
FROM PAGE 16
founding. Green Bay has
stopped 49 running plays
at or behind the line of
26.8 yards on kickoff re-
turns and 9.2 yards on
punt returns. The kick-
PACKERS DEPTH CHART
ing benched and banished
scrimmage, the third-
highest number in the
off-return unit appears
poised to spring Davis for Offense By Gree

to the locker room in the NFL. However, only four a big play. THE GA
FB RB
Week 4 win against Chica- teams have allowed more On kickoffs, Green Bay AARON RIPKOWSKI TY MONTGOMERY The
go, hes intercepted a pass 10-yard rushing plays than is 24th in opponent field QB AARON JONES the New
in each of the last three the 23 against the Packers; position. On kickoff re- BRETT HUNDLEY
JOE CALLAHAN at Lamb
games. no team has allowed more turns, its 13th in field po- matchup
Green Bay badly needs 20-yard rushing plays than sition.
some pass rush. After re- the nine against the Pack- Marwin Evans (five)
cording nine sacks in the ers. and Janis (four) lead the COACH
first three games, Green Grade: D way in tackles. In his
Bay has three sacks in its Grade: C+ McCarth
last four games. Outside all-time
SPECIAL TEAMS for No. 3
linebackers Nick Perry WR TE RT RG C LG LT WR
The top player has been COACHING JAHRI EVANS COREY LINSLEY LANE TAYLOR DAVID BAKHTIARI Sean Pa
(3.5 sacks) and Clay Mat- RANDALL COBB MARTELLUS BENNETT BRYAN BULAGA JORDY NELSON
rookie Justin Vogel, who This is a huge week for GERONIMO ALLISON LANCE KENDRICKS ULRICK JOHN JUSTIN MCCRAY JUSTIN MCCRAY LUCAS PATRICK ULRICK JOHN DAVANTE ADAMS in 2006.
thews (2.5) lead the way. is having the best punting coach Mike McCarthy, who
Veteran acquisition Ah- appeara
season in Packers history. successfully navigated an one Sup
mad Brooks has barely Vogel ranks fifth in the epidemic of injuries to his
played due to injuries and 16-8 aga
NFL with a 44.5-yard net offensive line to lead big against
rookie Vince Biegel hasnt average. Of his 32 punts, wins against Chicago and tory at N
played after opening the
season on the physically
opponents have only 46
return yards. Hes pinned
Dallas. Now, he has to find
a winning game plan for
Defense
unable to perform list. the opponent inside the an offense without its two- WHEN
Grade: D 20-yard line 11 times with time MVP quarterback. HAVE T
zero touchbacks. On Vo- Defensive coordina- With
RUSHING DEFENSE gels occasional poor punt, tor Dom Capers unit is the seas
One reason why Green the coverage unit has been headed the wrong direc- LCB DE NT DT RCB that will
Bay ranks 25th in third- tremendous. tion. Can that unit get DAVON HOUSE DEAN LOWRY KENNY CLARK MIKE DANIELS DAMARIOUS RANDALL Brett Hu
JOSH HAWKINS RICKY JEAN FRANCOIS QUINTON DIAL MONTRAVIUS ADAMS KEVIN KING
down defense is its in- Kicker Mason Crosby is turned around? The key start.
ability to consistently stop 7-of-8 on field goals, with will be the play of the rook- First,
the run. The Packers rank the only miss being from ies. King and safety Josh terbacks
27th with 125.7 rushing 59 yards at the end of the Jones have played a lot of over the
yards allowed per game first half against New Or- snaps. They must play bet- ranks fir
and 19th with 4.23 yards leans. He has missed two ter with experience. Third- the bad
LOLB ILB ILB ROLB
per attempt. Those are dis- extra points. Rookie snap- round defensive tackle CLAY MATTHEWS JAKE RYAN BLAKE MARTINEZ NICK PERRY with 40-
appointing numbers, con- per Taylor Pepper has Montravius Adams barely AHMAD BROOKS JOE THOMAS JOE THOMAS KYLER FACKRELL tempts s
sidering defensive tackles been inconsistent, includ- has played and fourth- passer r
Mike Daniels and Kenny ing a poor snap against round outside linebacker That,
Clark have been tremen- the Saints that Vogel was Biegel hasnt played. about th
dous and linebacker Blake lucky to get down. Theyll need to contribute, has plen
Martinez ranks second in Trevor Davis, who re- as well, especially in the years le
the NFL in tackles. placed Jeff Janis on kick- passing game. SS FS Rodgers
MORGAN BURNETT HA HA CLINTON-DIX The t
The numbers are con- off returns, is averaging Grade: C JOSH JONES KENTRELL BRICE
Green B
18 SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2017
AROUND THE NORTH
Bears hope trade for receiver benefits offense
Veteran receiver
acquired to help
Mitchell Trubisky
The Associated Press
The bottom line is winning for
the Chicago Bears, so theyll live
with rookie Mitchell Trubisky
throwing it seven times.
Thats how many times the
No. 2 overall draft choice put it in
the air on Sundays 17-3 win over
Carolina.
Chicago is taking measures
to make certain this doesnt
become a regular practice. On
Wednesday, the Bears dealt a
seventh-round draft pick to the
Los Angeles Chargers for wide
receiver Dontrelle Inman, a
move coaches said is still pend-
ing a physical.
Im not really sure how this
whole process works, a guy com-
ing in in the middle of the season,
but Im looking forward to it,
Trubisky said. Ive heard hes a
good player, and Ill just help him
any way we can. Hes part of this
team and family now.
Were invested in all of our
A source with knowledge of the deal says the San Diego Chargers have agreed to trade
Dontrelle Inman to the Chicago Bears for a seventh-round pick.
guys and were going to get him
as ready as we can, as well as
the other guys.
The Bears (3-4) look for their
third straight win Sunday at New
Orleans (4-2). Until Inman learns
their offense, theyll go with wide
receivers who were targeted once
GREEN & GOLD EXPRESS
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
by Trubisky in the win over Caro-
lina.
Part of the reason the offense
has thrown only 48 times since
Trubisky became starter three
games ago is the lack of proven
targets.
Maybe another veteran pres-
ence in the room and a guy thats
played in the NFL, played with a
good quarterback, thats going
to help everyone, offensive co-
ordinator Dowell Loggains said.
Thats going to help that (receiv-
er) group.
Inman provides the Bears with
something they havent had since
Kevin White went on injured re-
serve after Week 1 with a broken
shoulder blade a taller receiver
versatile enough to get downfield
or make short catches over the
middle.
Inman is 6-foot-3, 205 pounds,
and has made 107 catches for 1,463
yards and seven touchdowns in
four seasons with the Chargers.
He was held out of the past two
games because of a hamstring in-
jury and has only two catches for
9 yards this season.
Undrafted rookie Tanner
Gentry and former Tennessee
reserve Tre McBride started at
the two wide receiver positions
the past two games after De-
onte Thompson was waived and
Markus Wheaton suffered a groin
injury.
Coach John Fox isnt certain
how fast a new receiver can pick
up the offense. The Bears have a
Post Acute & Long Term Care
1436 South Lincoln Street
Shawano, WI 54166
715-526-6111
WOLF RIVER MEDIA
bye next week, and the extra time
will help.
It depends on the guy, Fox
said. Some guys are wired differ-
ently. Ive not even met the young
man yet, so well determine that
kind of as we go.
Trubisky dropped back to
throw 11 times Sunday he was
sacked four times and Log-
gains said he took two of them
rather than risk a turnover.
Trubisky is 24 for 48 for 348 yards
with two touchdowns, an inter-
ception and a passer rating of
79.2.
Weve got to be better on third
down, Trubisky said. Weve
got to help our defense and keep
them off the field.
Thats just me, going through
my progressions, getting our
playmakers the ball.
Loggains joked that Foxs fa-
vorite game to talk about is win-
ning once with two pass comple-
tions.
In all seriousness, Trubisky
and Loggains said it was difficult
for a quarterback and receivers to
get in sync in a game that dictat-
ed so few pass attempts, but they
have to continue working at it in
practice.
WOLF RIVER MEDIA
AROUND THE NORTH
Lions try to regroup after 2 straight losses
Team able to
regroup after
missing players
The Associated Press
Khyri Thornton missed
the first six games of the
season while suspended,
and although the Detroit
Lions played fine for a
while without the defensive
tackle, toward the end of his
ban, a key teammate went
down with a serious injury.
Haloti Ngata went on
injured reserve a couple of
weeks ago following an el-
bow injury, leaving Detroit
without a crucial interior
defensive lineman. Thats
an area where Thornton
may now be able to help.
That was like the heart
and soul of our defensive
line, but at the end of the
day, he always tells us, keep
pushing forward, play for
him, Thornton said.
Thornton was suspend-
ed for violating the NFLs
New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) forces Detroit
Lions running back Theo Riddick (25) to lose the football on a pass play,
resulting in an interception in the second half of an NFL football game in
New Orleans on Oct. 15.
substance-abuse policy, but
hes now eligible to return,
and the Lions activated him
Monday.
Detroit is coming off a
bye week and will host Pitts-
burgh on Sunday night. The
break in the schedule came
after the Lions dropped two
games in a row to fall to 3-3.
GREEN & GOLD EXPRESS
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Obviously, it came at
a time that we needed it,
when a couple guys went
down and had some bumps
and bruises, wide receiver
Marvin Jones said. But it
was great for the mind
to escape and just to take
some time to reflect and
then kind of let it pass by.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2017 19
Teams often talk about hell face when he does. the game, and all of those
how the bye came at a good I think its just like any- things that go along with
time for one reason or an-
other, but the Lions in par-
thing else. It just takes a
little time to get their timing
it, Caldwell said. Its a
process best way I could
ticular were reeling a bit. back and physical nature of explain it to you.
After a promising start to
the season, Detroit lost to
Carolina and New Orleans
, with the offensive line
struggling to protect quar-
terback Matthew Stafford
from jarring hits.
Thornton started six
games last season, and his
return could help on the
defensive side. Punter Sam
Martin who has been on
the reserve/non-football in-
jury list was at practice
Monday, working off to the
side a bit with other special-
ists during the portion open
to reporters.
The big injury thats
been affecting the Lions
all season has been tackle
Taylor Deckers shoul-
der problem. Coach Jim
Caldwell didnt say when
Decker might return from
the physically unable to
perform list, but he gave an
indication of the challenge
20 SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2017 GREEN & GOLD EXPRESS WOLF RIVER MEDIA

AROUND THE NORTH

Once a concern, new-look Vikings offensive line cruising
Line more mobile this season
The Associated Press
By far, the biggest con-
cern about the Minnesota
Vikings at the beginning of
this season has been allevi-
ated for now, with a stout
performance by the once-
beleaguered offensive line.
The new look for this
group has sure gone over
well. Staying relatively
healthy was a good start.
Theyre just solid in there, right tackle Mike
everything they do, coach
Mike Zimmer said.
The improvement has
been almost staggering,
though with an entirely
new lineup, its hardly fair
to compare this season
ranks second in the league.
Great guys. Great
room, quarterback Case
Keenum said. Theyre
all really invested in what
were doing, which is really
cool.
Keenum has gone the
last 2 1/2 games without be-
ing taken down behind the
line of scrimmage.
Were not worried
about whoever is back
hard last season, was put-
Remmers said. Were just ting a more mobile starting
doing the best we possibly
can and blocking as long as
we possibly can.
Against a dangerous
Baltimore defense, the of-
fensive line had its best
Sirles) stepped in seam-
lessly as Latavius Murray
rushed for 113 yards and a
touchdown. Several play-
ers remarked they didnt
notice Reiff was missing
right away.
Its fun to see the back
of his jersey running away
from us, right guard Joe
Berger said.
The key to success,
other than so far mostly
dodging the injury bug that
especially hit the tackles
five on the field to match the
shift toward a zone blocking
that puts an emphasis on
fast feet and smart reads.
With rookie center Pat
Elflein quickly settling in THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

with the debacle in 2016
that included eight start-
ing combinations. The
quarterbacks have been
sacked nine times, the
fourth-lowest total in the
league. The Vikings are
also tied for the NFL lead
with 33 plays that gained
20 or more yards. Nine of
those were runs, which
collective game yet on Sun-
day. Left tackle Riley Reiff
was forced out in the third
quarter with a knee injury.
Left guard Jeremiah Sirles,
making his second straight
start for Nick Easton (calf),
departed in the second
quarter with a knee injury.
Rashod Hill (for Reiff) and
rookie Danny Isidora (for
and free agents Reiff and
Remmers providing stabil-
ity in their spots, a team
that ranked last in rushing
last year has been marked-
ly better on the ground. The
Vikings are tied for eighth
in the NFL this season.
When the offensive line
puts a hat on their guy and
gets me to the second level,
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Case Keenum (7) calls a play at the line of scrimmage during the first half of
an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Minneapolis on Sunday. The biggest concern about the
Vikings at the beginning of the season has been alleviated for now with a solid performance by an offensive line
that was beleaguered in 2016.
thats the best feeling in the game, made possible by whether its throwing the
world for a back, Murray better protection from the ball downfield or the run-
said. Because thats all rush, has also experienced ning backs running the
you can ask for, and the rest a renaissance. ball.
is up to you. They continue to give
The downfield passing us a chance, Murray said, SEE VIKINGS, PAGE 21
WOLF RIVER MEDIA GREEN & GOLD EXPRESS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2017 21

VIKINGS to adjust to the time differ-

FROM PAGE 20
Reiff and Sirles were
both held out of practice
Wednesday, the teams
last workout at Winter
Park before an evening
flight across the Atlantic.
Theyll have three full days
ence and prepare for the
Browns (0-7), before kickoff
at Twickenham Stadium on
Sunday.
Try to do the best we
can and figure it out, Zim-
mer said of the potential
challenges of playing over-
seas. Were not the only
team that has done it. Its
been going on for years
now.
Diggs has missed two
games in a row. Zimmer
Easton took part in said he believes theres a
practice on a limited ba- good chance many of the
sis, as did cornerback players who missed the
Mackensie Alexander last game will be back for
(hip) and wide receivers the Browns.
Stefon Diggs (groin/ankle) That likely wont include
and Michael Floyd (ham- quarterback Sam Bradford,
string), all of whom did not who has not practiced in
play against the Ravens. nearly three weeks. Zim-
mer said Bradford would
travel to London, as would
was listed as limited in
practice Wednesday with
Teddy Bridgewater, but a previously unreported
Keenum is clearly the chest injury. Rookie Kyle
front-runner for the job Sloter has never taken a
again this week. regular-season snap in
Zimmer smiled and the NFL, and Bridgewater
slyly said well see, as is has only been practicing
his tendency, when asked if for a week following the
Keenum would start. Kee- 14-month recovery from his
num, for what its worth, knee injury.
22 SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2017
NFL SCHEDULE
Sundays Games
Minnesota vs. Cleveland at London, 9:30
a.m.
San Francisco at Philadelphia, 1 p.m.
Oakland at Buffalo, 1 p.m.
Indianapolis at Cincinnati, 1 p.m.
Carolina at Tampa Bay, 1 p.m.
Chicago at New Orleans, 1 p.m.
Atlanta at N.Y. Jets, 1 p.m.
NFL STANDINGS
AFC
East
Team W L T
New England 5 2 0
Buffalo 4 2 0
Miami 4 2 0
N.Y. Jets 3 4 0
South
Team W L T
Tennessee 4 3 0
Jacksonville 4 3 0
Houston 3 3 0
Indianapolis 2 5 0
North
Team W L T
Pittsburgh 5 2 0
Baltimore 3 4 0
Cincinnati 2 4 0
Cleveland 0 7 0
West
Team W L T
Kansas City 5 2 0
Denver 3 3 0
L.A. Chargers 3 4 0
Oakland 3 4 0
L.A. Chargers at New England, 1 p.m.
Houston at Seattle, 4:05 p.m.
Dallas at Washington, 4:25 p.m.
Pittsburgh at Detroit, 8:30 p.m.
Mondays Games
Denver at Kansas City, 8:30 p.m.
Thursdays Games
Buffalo at N.Y. Jets, 8:25 p.m.
NFC
East
Team W L T
Philadelphia 6 1 0
Dallas 3 3 0
Washington 3 3 0
N.Y. Giants 1 6 0
South
Team W L T
New Orleans 4 2 0
Carolina 4 3 0
Atlanta 3 3 0
Tampa Bay 2 4 0
North
Team W L T
Minnesota 5 2 0
Green Bay 4 3 0
Detroit 3 3 0
Chicago 3 4 0
West
Team W L T
L.A. Rams 5 2 0
Seattle 4 2 0
Arizona 3 4 0
San Francisco 0 7 0
GREEN & GOLD EXPRESS
PACKERS ROSTER
Active
# NAME POS. HT. WT. AGE EXP. COLLEGE
2 Crosby, Mason K 6-1 207 33 11 Colorado
6 Callahan, Joe QB 6-1 216 24 2 Wesley
7 Hundley, Brett QB 6-3 226 24 3 UCLA
8 Vogel, Justin P 6-4 219 23 R Miami
11 Davis, Trevor WR 6-1 188 24 2 California
17 Adams, Davante WR 6-1 215 24 4 Fresno State
18 Cobb, Randall WR 5-10 192 27 7 Kentucky
20 King, Kevin CB 6-3 200 22 R Washington
21 Clinton-Dix, Ha Ha S 6-1 208 24 4 Alabama
22 Ripkowski, Aaron FB 6-1 246 24 3 Oklahoma
23 Randall, Damarious CB 5-11 196 25 3 Arizona State
25 Evans, Marwin S 5-11 211 24 2 Utah State
27 Jones, Josh S 6-2 220 22 R North Carolina State
28 Hawkins, Josh CB 5-10 189 24 2 East Carolina
29 Brice, Kentrell S 5-11 200 23 2 Louisiana Tech
30 Williams, Jamaal RB 6-0 213 22 R Brigham Young
31 House, Davon CB 6-0 195 28 7 New Mexico State
32 Mays, Devante RB 5-10 230 23 R Utah State
33 Jones, Aaron RB 5-9 208 22 R Texas-El Paso
35 Whitehead, Jermaine S 5-11 195 24 1 Auburn
41 Pipkins, Lenzy CB 6-0 196 23 R Oklahoma State
42 Burnett, Morgan S 6-1 209 28 8 Georgia Tech
47 Ryan, Jake LB 6-2 240 25 3 Michigan
48 Thomas, Joe LB 6-1 227 26 3 South Carolina State
50 Martinez, Blake LB 6-2 237 23 2 Stanford
51 Fackrell, Kyler LB 6-5 245 25 2 Utah State
52 Matthews, Clay LB 6-3 255 31 9 Southern California
53 Perry, Nick LB 6-3 265 27 6 Southern California
55 Brooks, Ahmad LB 6-3 259 33 11 Virginia
59 Pepper, Taybor LS 6-4 245 23 1 Michigan State University
62 Patrick, Lucas G 6-3 313 24 1 Duke
63 Linsley, Corey C 6-3 301 26 4 Ohio State
64 Justin McCray G 6-3 317 25 1 Central Florida
65 Taylor, Lane G 6-3 324 27 5 Oklahoma State
69 Bakhtiari, David T 6-4 310 25 5 Colorado
73 Evans, Jahri G 6-4 318 34 12 Bloomsburg
74 John, Ulrick T 6-6 309 25 4 Georgia State
WOLF RIVER MEDIA
75 Bulaga, Bryan T 6-5 314 28 8 Iowa
76 Daniels, Mike DT 6-0 310 28 6 Iowa
77 Pankey, Adam G/T 6-5 313 23 R West Virginia
80 Bennett, Martellus TE 6-6 275 30 10 Texas A&M
81 Allison, Geronimo WR 6-3 202 23 2 Illinois
82 Rodgers, Richard TE 6-4 257 25 4 California
83 Janis, Jeff WR 6-3 219 26 4 Saginaw Valley State
84 Kendricks, Lance TE 6-3 250 29 7 Wisconsin
87 Nelson, Jordy WR 6-3 217 32 10 Kansas State
88 Montgomery, Ty WR 6-0 216 24 3 Stanford
90 Adams, Montravius DT 6-4 304 22 R Auburn
91 Dial, Quinton DT 6-5 318 27 5 Alabama
94 Lowry, Dean DE 6-6 296 23 2 Northwestern
97 Clark, Kenny DT 6-3 314 21 2 UCLA
98 Odom, Chris LB 6-4 262 22 R Arkansas State
99 Francois, Ricky Jean DT 6-3 313 30 9 Louisiana State
Reserve/Injured
# NAME POS. HT. WT. AGE EXP. COLLEGE
10 Schum, Jacob P 5-10 211 28 2 Buffalo
12 Rodgers, Aaron QB 6-2 225 33 13 California
24 Rollins, Quinten CB 5-11 195 25 3 Miami (Ohio)
26 Waters, Herb CB 6-0 188 24 1 Miami
57 Talley, David LB 6-1 236 22 R Grand Valley State
68 Murphy, Kyle T 6-6 305 23 2 Stanford
78 Spriggs, Jason T 6-6 301 23 2 Indiana
Practice Squad
# NAME POS. HT. WT. AGE EXP. COLLEGE
10 Yancey, DeAngelo 6-1 220 22 R Purdue
13 Max McCaffrey WR 6-2 200 1 Duke
44 Brown, Donatello CB 6-0 190 26 R Valdosta State
49 Mathews, Derrick LB 6-0 232 24 1 Houston
71 Lunsford, Izzah DT 6-3 310 23 R Bowling Green State
72 Greene, Darrell G 6-3 321 25 1 San Diego State
79 Amichia, Kofi G 6-3 304 23 R South Florida
89 Clark, Michael WR 6-6 217 21 R Marshall
93 Gilbert, Reggie LB 6-3 261 24 1 Arizona
WOLF RIVER MEDIA GREEN & GOLD EXPRESS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2017 23

NFL LEADERS
SCORING, NONKICKERS D. Adams GBY 30 Gould SNF 57 Des. Watson HOU 101.1 Ty. Hill KC 515 Gurley LA 627 Gurley LA 920
Points SCORING, KICKERS Lutz NOR 57 Brees NOR 100.0 T. Hilton IND 512 Fournette JAC 596 L. Bell PIT 898
Gurley LA 48 Points Hauschka BUF 53 Prescott DAL 98.2 Fitzgerald ARI 494 J. Howard CHI 560 Anto. Brown PIT 765
Fournette JAC 42 Zuerlein LA 84 LEADING PASSERS Ru. Wilson SEA 96.1 Ertz PHL 494 E. Elliot DAL 540 E. Elliot DAL 746
Gordon LAC 42 Succop TEN 74 Rating LEADING PASS RECEIVERS K. Allen LAC 487 Ajayi MIA 442 Fournette JAC 732
Crabtree OAK 36 Gostkowski NE 67 Al. Smith KC 120.5 Yards Garcon SNF 483 C. Hyde SNF 428 Gordon LAC 622
E. Elliot DAL 36 Forbath MIN 62 Brady NE 108.4 Anto. Brown PIT 765 LEADING RUSHERS D. Freeman ATL 425 J. Howard CHI 619
De. Hopkins HOU 36 Boswell PIT 61 Cousins WAS 107.2 A. Green CIN 545 Yards YARDS FROM SCRIMMAGE C. Hyde SNF 590
K. Hunt KC 36 Jak. Elliot PHL 59 Wentz PHL 104.0 Cooks NE 537 K. Hunt KC 717 Total
Jo. Nelson GBY 36 Gano CAR 59 A. Rodgers GBY 103.2 Thielen MIN 529 L. Bell PIT 684 K. Hunt KC 1002

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24 SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2017 GREEN & GOLD EXPRESS WOLF RIVER MEDIA