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Week 18 / New Years Edition

And just like that the New Year and the final week of the NFL season is upon us.  From summer practices and preseason position battles, to all the ups and downs of a football season, the 2023/2024 campaign has been packed with entertainment for football fans. A little over four months ago, Jordan Love was taking the reins from Aaron Rodgers to lead the NFL's youngest team. On Sunday, Love has a chance to do something none of the previous Packer QB greats could do...lead Green Bay to a playoff berth in his first season as starter.

In this season's penultimate Post Pattern, we 

Steve Simmons Closing In On Title

Heading into our final week of picking, Steve has all but closed the door on the rest of the league at this point.  While not QUITE a wire to wire victory, Steve was tied for the lead in Week 4, and took over the lead for good in Week 7.  Since then his lead has been as high as 7 picks (multiple weeks), but never less than 5. Leading the Packer Nation division, Amy Wilma is currently 5 picks back, while Tracy Buboltz is 6 back.

Jack Wilma and Blake Vanderhoof are tied for the lead of the juniors division, while Bryce has managed to take a 1 pick lead in the New Impeccables division heading into the last week.

Win and In

In a year that saw the Packers own a 2-5 record at one point, it's surprising to some fans that Green Bay controls its destiny heading into the final regular season game. Plenty have observed this is the second year in a row the Packers host a division rival with a playoff berth on the line. While last year the Lions served notice they would be a force to be reckoned with in the future, this year the improving Bears hope to win their first game in Lambeau since the 2015 season. Seemingly this is a different Chicago team than the one Green Bay faced Week 1 (see here for our write).

The Bears have found success running the ball.  Heading into Week 18, Chicago is 2nd in rushing yards per game. They are committed to the run game as well, averaging 33 attempts/game (2nd), and 4.6 YPC (6th)  Chicago offers a multi-headed approach on the ground, lead by QB Justin Fields (630 yards), bruiser Khalil Herbert (583 yards) and D'onta Foreman (425 yards). Herbert has run for 100 yards each of the past two games.

Through the air, DJ Moore has become Justin Fields favorite target this year. If he can manage at least 122 yards, Moore would claim the 2nd most receiving yardage in a single season in Bears history. He currently has 92 catches for 1,300 yards and 8 touchdowns.

To keep Chicago in check, the Green and Gold will need all three levels of defense to show up on Sunday. Green Bay's defensive front showed up to play last week, sacking Minnesota quarterbacks 4 times while Gary, Wyatt, Clark, and Smith combined for 17 pressures. In the linebacking corp, Devondre Campbell appears good to go for Sunday after dealing with a neck injury that caused some waves in the media.  In the secondary, Jaire Alexander will also be on the field after last week's suspension for his conduct in the Panthers game.

On the offensive side of the ball, Green Bay has questions in the receiving ranks.  Christian Watson practiced earlier in the week but was a DNP on Friday. LaFluer stated Watson didn't have a setback but this was instead a rest day. Watson, along with rookies Jayden Reed (chest/ribs), "Davantavion" (which BJ tells me is NOT an original nickname) Wicks (chest), and Luke Musgrave (lacerated kidney) are all questionable to play. In a positive sign, Musgrave was activated off IR on Saturday which is a possible indicator he might be ready to play.

Frankly, it might not matter who Green Bay lines up at WR on Sunday.  Jordan Love has elevated his game over the 2nd half of the season to levels that are surely causing NFC North rivals to think "Oh boy...not again". No matter who has been on the field, Love has played with increasing confidence and rhythm. He regularly spreads the ball around to a variety of targets. For a QB who will likely go over 4,000 yards for the season on Sunday, Bo Melton was the FIRST Packer WR to break the 100 yard mark in a game...in Week 17! Love has also benefited by the return of Aaron Jones to the line-up.  Showtyme has been a welcome sight for Packers fans as he's eclipsed the 100 yard mark each of the past two games.

At the beginning of the season, some stated that a "successful" season this year wouldn't be measured by wins and losses but rather a single factor.  Is Jordan Love truly the next franchise QB in GB? That question may not be completely answered yet, but the trend is certainly encouraging at this point.  In a "Win and In" situation against the hated Bears, Jordan Love has a golden opportunity to further answer that question.

Remember This?

For a little context, this clutch play from Rodgers to Cobb sealed a Packers playoff berth in the final game of the 2013 season.

Heard in the Crowd

Letters to the Editor -- STOP THE PRESS

So a funny thing happened this week.  As we were preparing to write more snarky commentary in this section, a strange sound emanated from our editor's mobile phone. We had to check our owner's manual to read what the sound meant.  Much to our shock, the noise was the notification sound for our Post Pattern inbox!  Submitted in it's unedited entirety, is our VERY FIRST LETTER TO THE EDITOR!!!

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Many of you were able to come to Brillion for Christmas and a wonderful time was shared by all. The usual things were present; good food, good conversation and of course presents. After the standard gift opening, family members participated in the fun gift exchange game, and if memory serves there were 18 numbers given out. By the time we got to the end of the opening, stealing, and re-stealing, a couple of notable quotes were heard. Referring to this gift game one person commented "That is always so much fun." And someone responded with, "It is, and with a little controversy, I love it." Later it was said, "This has to make it in The Post Pattern." So this is my attempt to capture what occurred that beautiful Christmas morning for those who were not in attendance. I submit this to the editor of The Post Pattern and leave it in his hands.

So the numbers were handed out in the usual fashion, and I happened to draw the number 18. The last possible number. At the time, I was thinking, well this should be pretty good, get the pick of the many presents that have already been opened. But I had a long time to wait my turn. Ella had number one, got us started, and picked and opened a nice gift (though maybe not one Ella was excited about). It was a Packer desk calendar and a book about the 50 greatest Green Bay Packers. More on that later. The numbers continued on and presents began to be opened as everyone tried to avoid finding that fruit cake in whatever shape it would be this year. On this task, unfortunately, young Blake found himself picking the wrong present. Although a nice Amazon gift card was included, Fruit Cake Jarts was perhaps not what he was looking for. But many great gifts were opened. A signed Nick Collins poster seemed to put smiles on the uncles' faces, but the highlight of the Christmas stealing was none other than Post Pattern t-shirts. Two different gifts contained shirts, I believe it was one t-shirt and one long-sleeved shirt.

So sitting at number 18, I was feeling pretty good right about now. A couple of options for me to steal…But don't forget, there is a limit to how many things can be stolen. So of course, the coveted Post Pattern apparel was no longer able to be stolen when we finally arrived at number 18. (But don't worry dear reader, yours truly was able to procure himself a shirt after the gift-giving. Thanks again Jaclyn!) So, here I am, pick 18, the gifts I wanted are not available. There is one present to be opened, it is not the fruit cake because that gets to come to my house already. So do I open or steal? Little did I know what my decision here at pick 18 would set into motion…

I decided to steal the gift I mentioned earlier, the calendar and book that Ella had opened and still had in her possession. Also found out later, that Nick has the same desk calendar. But anyway. This is where the controversy began. As you know I am sure, whoever has number 1 always gets a chance at the end to steal a gift, since you don't have a chance to steal at #1. So, Ella now was giftless. The rule that would come into question was perhaps brought up by Ella herself (who said more words during this exchange than I think I have ever heard her say). The question was after she decided what to do now, did she still get a chance to steal at the end since she was number 1? In other words, could she open the still-wrapped gift, and then decide if she wanted to steal something else after opening it?

There were people firm on both sides of the rule. Some said, nope this was it, she can steal now if she wants. Others thought of course she could open now and steal after. It was family vs family. Opinions were colliding and words were flying. What were we to do, what side would win out? A line was drawn down the middle of Grandma's living room. On one side, Ella had to choose now. The other, Ella opened first and then chose to steal after. Would punches fly? Would tears roll? Would a Christmas Controversy take over the day?

Okay, I am probably being a little dramatic, okay a lot dramatic. But it is not over the top to say that A Christmas Controversy was at hand. In the end, Ella opened the last gift and then stole another gift as well afterward. A few more steals commenced and I think I can confidently say everyone was quite happy with what they ended up with at the end of it all. Even the fruit cake winner was quite okay with his Amazon gift card.

But after, the conversation continued, including concerns about a massive plot put into motion by a husband and wife to land a particular gift. AND did we handle the end of the game correctly? Did Ella really get to open and steal? It was suggested that a rules committee should be put in place before next Christmas to solidify all the rules pertaining to this fantastic game.

So with that, I hope I was able to give a taste of what transpired on that Christmas morning at Grandmas. And let it be known that The Post Pattern was mentioned multiple times that day, during the gift opening and throughout the day. So to the editor I say well done and Happy New Year! GO PACK GO!

One final thought…I nominate Jason Keller as the head of the Rules Committee.

Respectfully Submitted,

B. J. Vanderhoof


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