How ‘Bout Them Packers?

In this week's episode of The Wisconsin Sportscast, Mike Lucas and Tom Oates breakdown Green Bay Packers’ unexpected drubbing of the Dallas Cowboys on their home turf. Oates says Packers’ head coach Matt LaFleur outwitted the Cowboys during the 48-32 playoff victory.

“LaFleur has really found himself in the second half of this season. His game plans and his play-calling — he destroyed Dan Quinn, the defense coordinator of the Cowboys, ” says Oates, the former Wisconsin State Journal sports columnist. “The way (running back) Aaron Jones has run the ball, four straight games of over 100 yards, that’s phenomenal. That sets up every Matt LaFleur has always wanted to do as coach.” 

The veteran journalists also preview the Packers’ Divisional Round matchup against the heavily-favored San Francisco 49ers on Saturday. 

“You take a look at (San Francisco’s) marquee players on offense and it’s staggering,” says Lucas, a Cap Times sports freelance writer and former radio color analyst for the Badgers. “Can the Packers mount any kind of pass rush against quarterback Brock Purdy?”

Oates says it may come down to Packers’ linebacker Rashan Gary.

“I think Rashan Gary is going to be huge in this game. He has to be a real force…. He’s too good to be a non-factor,” says Oates. “If Rashan Gary can make life miserable for Brock Purdy, I think that’s their best chance of winning.” 

Whatever the fate of  Green Bay in the playoffs, Lucas says Packers quarterback Jordan Love has exceeded expectations. 

“Have you ever seen anyone make such huge strides in improvement from the start of the year to the postseason than Jordan Love?” asks Lucas. “Over the last nine games he has 21 touchdowns passes and one pick. He’s playing as well or better than anyone in the league.”

The Wisconsin Sportscast is a Cap Times podcast featuring two of the state's most experienced sports journalists. It’s produced by Dylan Brogan. Find The Wisconsin Sportscast with Lucas & Oates on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

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A weekly podcast with insights and analysis on the Wisconsin Badgers, Milwaukee Brewers, Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Bucks from two of Wisconsin’s most experienced sports journalists. Mike Lucas is a veteran sports columnist for the Cap Times and was a Badgers radio color commentator for over 25 years. Tom Oates was a sports reporter and columnist for the Wisconsin State Journal for 40 years.