TUESDAY TIDBITS: "there's always a will, and there's always a way"

The standings in the NFC West have three teams tied for first at 5-2; that said would relish hearing from any and all of you out there in "football land" to share which team will win the west, and why? Years ago Paul Lionel Zimmerman and myself would try to establish a player that was so much improved and playing so well, he might actually catch the eyes of all who watched the game. Many times for me would be a linebacker, and this year is no different. As we approach the half-way point of the season Nate Landman stands out with his pursuit and tackling skills with the Rams. All the pertinent questions can be asked; why did Atlanta let him go, did they not realize how to "use" his talents? Landman is a player to watch, and since the Rams will be in so many key games the rest of the season; he figures to be a key figure in the success of the Rams defense, and a defensive coach that is making his "mark" in Chris Shula. The Colts this season have scored 232 points in seven games and this is most for a Colts team since 1964 when the BALTIMORE Colts under the leadership of Johnny Hightops and Don Shula won the Western Conference Crown. Since there are many games yet to be played this season, would be folly to state that the NYG vs. Broncos game this past Sunday is the game of the year, yet what an incredible game to watch! The performances, the twists & turns in this compelling drama; especially the final six minutes of the game. Read online that there have been 1,062 teams that led by as much as 26-8 with under six minutes in the game left, and all of those teams won, TILL Sunday. Did NYG lose due to the failure of its' defense or the Broncos offense? Possibly a combination of both? Brian Burns of the Giants was apopopletic with the consistent decision by Coach Cohen to drop 8 and rush just 3. So many quarterbacks can find the open receiver with so much time to throw knowing where the pass defenders are, and gain the necessary yards to have such a dramatic comeback! Bo Nix of Denver is the first quarterback to run for two touchdowns, and throw for two touchdowns in the final quarter of a game. Will the Giants continue to find a way to lose games? Their opponent this coming Sunday are the Eagles in Philadelphia (who they upset earlier this year), and the law firm of Smith & Brown just might find room to manuever through the Giants secondary. Since I mentioned the Eagles will end this saga with my weekly journey back in history to October 26th, 1980 when Philadelphia defeated Chicago 17-14. Down the stretch in 1979 the Eagles won five of their final six regular season games to earn a second consecutive wild-card berth in the play-offs. Their opponent in the wild-card game were the "red hot" Chicago Bears and in a stirring battle the Eagles outlasted the Bears 27-17. Again fighting Dallas for the NFC East title in '80 the Eagles have started strong and with a victory at home in the re-match with the Bears can stay in first place with a 7-1 record. Even without standout running back Wilbert Montgomery the Eagles were able to achieve victory on the late field goal by Tony Franklin.

Packers Force a Rare Turnover in Arizona

 By Eric Goska

Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley
(photos by Eric Goska)

Sunday in Arizona, the Packers came away with a timely reminder of the game-changing potential of takeaways.

In beating the Cardinals 27-23 at State Farm Stadium, Green Bay forced a turnover for just the third time this season. The Packers’ offense then turned that recovery into a touchdown, getting seven crucial points in a game in which they did not take the lead until the final two minutes.

Pending the outcome of tonight’s games, Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley’s defense leads the NFL in a number of categories. According to the league’s Game Statistic and Information System, Green Bay defenders ranks first in yards per play (4.48), rushing yards allowed per game (76.5) and passing yards per play (5.34).

One glaring weakness: the unit has been less than stellar in manufacturing turnovers.

The best teams are often those that can separate the ball from their opponents. The Bears (4-2) are again relevant because they have forced a league-leading 16 turnovers. The Jets (0-7) are again a doormat because they have but one takeaway through seven games.

In its first five games, Green Bay had but two. Safety Evan Williams picked off Detroit’s Jared Goff in the opener and Xavier McKinney intercepted the Browns’ Joe Flacco two weeks later.

Steal No.3 arrived courtesy of Rashan Gary and Williams early in the third quarter in Glendale. Gary knocked the ball from quarterback Jacoby Brissett’s hand and Williams, who had been flagged for pass interference the play previous, swallowed up the bouncing ball.

According to ESPN, the forced fumble was the seventh by Gary in his 96-game regular-season career. The recovery was a first for Williams, a fourth-round pick in 2024.

Evan Williams

The collaboration by Gary and Williams gave Green Bay new life at the Arizona 44. Jordan Love whistled passes to Romeo Doubs (two) and Matthew Golden before Josh Jacobs sprinted seven yards around left end for a touchdown to tie the game 13-13.

Instead of possibly falling behind 16-6 or 20-6, Green Bay pulled even thanks to the work of Gary and Williams.

That this was the first takeaway via fumble recovery of 2025 for the Green and Gold does not inspire confidence. If this pace is maintained, Green Bay will come away with three which would match the franchise low set in 1995.

Opponents – Detroit, Washington, Cleveland, Dallas, Cincinnati and Arizona – had run 318 plays against the Packers without losing a fumble. A year ago, Halfley’s defense had come away with five after that many plays by its opponents.

Turnovers matter. They tend to go hand in hand with winning. The 1985 champion Bears extracted 54. The 2000 Ravens squeezed 49 from the competition.

Just don’t expect Green Bay to approach those numbers. Turnovers are becoming more difficult to come by as the average number per game has fallen from 4.5 in 1986 to 4.0 in 1992 to 3.5 in 2005 to 3.0 in 2014 to last year’s record low of 2.42 per game.

More than ever, teams have to work to force the issue. In a results-based league, Green Bay is lagging behind.

Its three turnovers after six games are the fewest by the team in 105 seasons of play. Further, that meager total fails to measure up to what playoff teams of the past have done.

At their present pace, the Packers would finish with eight or nine takeaways. In the Super Bowl era, no team has reached the postseason in a non-strike season without coming away with at least 14.

And the two teams that did – the Lions (9-7) of 2016 and the Dolphins (9-8) of 2022 – were both one and done in the postseason.

Turnovers matter. Hafley made this clear a year ago on a Thursday before the Packers hosted the Texans.

“I think what’s always been really important to me, philosophically, is taking the ball away. And I don’t think it happens by accident or by any luck. I think you gotta talk about it, you gotta be about it and you have to go out and practice it. And then it’s going to show up in games. And then once they believe in it, it’s going to show up more and more.”

Last year the Packers forced 31 turnovers (fourth in the NFL). This year’s team has a long way to go.

Playing Patty-Cake
Since 1921, the fewest turnovers forced by the Packers through six games.

No.     Year     Final Record
3          2025       unknown
4          1995       11-5
4          2020      13-3
4          2022        8-9
5          2023        9-8
6          2004      10-6

Rams' Linebacker Nate Landman Sets Franchise Record in Combined Tackles. Or Did He?

 by John Turney 

This past week, the Los Angeles Rams public relations team released a meme on X that denoted Rams' linebacker Nate Landman set a franchise record for tackles in a single game with 17. The previous Sunday, versus the Baltimore Ravens, Landman recorded 8 solo tackles and was credited with 9 assisted tackles for a total of 17 tackles.

The meme:

Is the meme accurate, though? Well, it is the most total tackles by a Rams player ... since 1999. And that is the part of the meme that is omitted. It reads, at least to us, that it coveres the entirty of the existence of the Rams franchise. That's the rub. It does not.

However, it is understandable, Pro Football Reference (PFR) only goes back to 1999 in some statistics and one of them is tackles and PFR is the source many NFL public relations departments use, rather than old gamebooks. 

When you search for what Rams player made the most combined tackles in PFR (Stathead is their search engine), you get this list:

In the above table, you see Landman's 17 tackles on the top and right after that you can observe middle linebacker James Laurinaitis's game which he recorded 16 solo tackles but did not record any assists for a total of 16 combined tackles. That's a lot of lead (solo) tackles. 

But that list only includes games going back 26 years.

However, another linebacker -- Jim Collins -- recorded 20 tackles in a Week 7 game in 1984 versus the Saints. He was credited by the Saints' pressbox scorer with 14 tackles and 6 assists. It was notable enough that Pro Football Weekly named Colling its NFL Defensive Player of the Week.

Here is the tackle chart from that game:

Of course, perhaps someone made more tackles in a game sometime in Rams' history, we don't have film or a gamebook for -- maybe Riley Matheson made 21 tackles for the Cleveland Rams at some point so perhaps Collins' 20 tackles in 1984 is not the true mark.

All we know now is that he had more than Nate Landman, according to official NFL gamebooks. And that is worth remembering.

TUESDAY TIDBITS: "Not Really Sure What I Just Watched"

By TJ Troup 

Broncos take down Jets' QB Justin Fields

Which game was the most compelling drama this past weekend, and why? Sure would relish hearing all of your thoughts. Watching the highlights of Carolina's victory over Dallas with Dowdle running with fury, I thought, "Why did the Cowboys let this guy leave?"

Many teams this past weekend showcased their rushing attack, and while that is always enjoyable to watch, the emphasis of my column today will be on the pass rush. Should I cut Brandon Walker some slack? He stated that the '85 Bears set the standard of 72 sacks, when in fact those nasty Bears set the record in '84. No doubt, though, no team will ever match 136 sacks for back-to-back years. 

Watching the strategically flawed and pathetic Jets just before the half and Kurt Warner's appropriate and entertaining comment (the title of this week's column), we all no doubt wonder when the Jets will win a game. 

Since Fields "gained" -11 passing due to a handful of short completed passes, and the lost yardage from the aggressive and effective Bronco pass rush, the question quickly comes to mind: has a team ever lost more yardage than the Jets? 

September 20th, 1998, Ryan Leaf completed 1 of 15 for 4 yards, but lost 23 yards in sacks for -19 yards. Ouch! The Chargers did win five games that season; will the Jets win five? 

Back to the pass rush and Denver, which takes me back to October 19th, 1969, when the 2-3 Broncos are at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati to take on the 3-2 Bengals. 

The Broncos gain a season high 421 yards in total offense, including 272 rushing. In their first 118 games as a franchise, the Broncos had just seven individual rushing performances of 100 yards. 

Floyd Little

Floyd Little sets a team rushing record (at this point in team history) with 166 yards rushing. Denver leads 16-6 in the 2nd quarter when Little scoots 48 yards for a touchdown. Later in the quarter, Steve Tensi throws his second touchdown pass of the game as Denver leads 30-6 at the half. Cincinnati rallies behind Sam Wyche's two second-half touchdown passes, yet Denver hangs on to win 30-23. 

Rich Jackson

The key to the Denver defense is a record-setting pass rush, which registers 10 sacks; four of which are by All-AFL left defensive end Rich "Tombstone" Jackson. Possibly the Broncos believe October is pass rush month? 

See ya next week.

Packers Fence in Bengals for 30 Minutes in 27-18 Win

 By Eric Goska

(photos by Eric Goska)

Invisible fencing can teach a family pet to stay within a set boundary.

In a similar vein, stingy defense and ball-control offense can prevent an opponent from straying too far.

Green Bay erected its version of an unseen wall during the first half of its 27-18 victory over the Bengals Sunday at Lambeau Field. In holding Cincinnati scoreless in the opening two quarters, the Packers allowed their visitors to run just one play from beyond midfield.

Allowing an opponent to run no more than one play from beyond the 50 during the opening 30 minutes of play is not an everyday occurrence. The Packers have turned the trick 24 times since 1952, going 22-1-1 in those games.

Green Bay is undefeated at Lambeau Field when playing this type of game. Its record at the stadium, which opened in 1957, is 11-0-1.

In pitching a first-half shutout, the Packers held the Bengals to 65 yards on 22 offensive snaps. They permitted four first downs and only one drive that lasted more than five plays.

Despite facing Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, perhaps the best receiving duo in the NFL, Green Bay allowed Cincinnati to run but one play from beyond the 50 prior to halftime. No easy feat when three Bengals drives began at their own 36-, 37- and 40-yard lines.

But starting so close to the 50 did nothing for the Ohioans. Green Bay forced three three-and-outs and surrendered all of four yards on nine plays.

Not until one minute, six seconds remained in the second quarter did quarterback Joe Flacco marshal his teammates into Packers territory. The bulk of Cincinnati’s first-half yards (44) came on this advance which saw Flacco spike the ball from the Green Bay 49 to kill the clock with one second remaining.

From there, Evan McPherson would have connected on a record-setting 67-yard field goal that hit the crossbar and fell over, but the Packers had called a timeout. McPherson came up short on his second attempt from that distance.

While the Packers played stout defense, their offense engaged in a game of keep away. In running 38 offensive plays, Jordan Love and his teammates controlled the ball for 21:44. They possessed it for 13 minutes in the first quarter alone.

Aside from Love’s interception – a deflected pass off the hand of receiver Romeo Doubs – Green Bay had little trouble beyond the 50 in the first half. The Packers amassed 82 yards on 20 plays including a 29-yard pass to Josh Jacobs that set up the running back’s 3-yard touchdown run.

The second half, as any nail-biting Packers fan will tell you, was a different story. Cincinnati ran 27 of its 40 plays in Green Bay territory and gained 109 yards.

Flacco completed 14 of 22 passes for 98 yards and two touchdowns (104.0 rating) beyond the 50 in the second half. His scoring strikes to Tanner Hudson and Chase pulled the Bengals to within one score in the third and fourth quarters, respectively.

But Green Bay countered with 99 yards on 14 plays in Cincinnati territory. Jacobs scored on a 14-yard run and Tucker Kraft hauled in a 19-yard TD pass to keep the Packers out front until newcomer Lucas Havrisik all but put the game out of reach with a 39-yard field goal with 1:52 to play.

Extra Point
On Oct. 20, 1994, Green Bay permitted the Vikings but one play beyond the 50 in the first half in the Metrodome, but wound up losing 13-10 in overtime.

Binary Code Defense
The 12 regular-season games at Lambeau Field in which
the Packers allowed their opponent to run either zero or
one offensive play from beyond the 50 in the first half.
 
Date                       Team        0/1    Result
Oct. 12, 2025          Bengals         1        GB won, 27-18
Sept. 15, 2024        Colts              1        GB won, 16-10
Dec. 4, 2016           Texans           1        GB won, 21-13
Oct. 2, 2014            Vikings          0       GB won, 42-10
Dec. 21, 2006         Vikings          0       GB won, 9-7
Nov. 10, 2002        Lions              1        GB won, 40-14
Sept. 24, 2001       Redskins       0        GB won, 37-0
Oct. 15, 1995          Lions              0       GB won, 30-21
Nov. 30, 1975        Bears              1        GB won, 28-7
Dec. 3, 1972           Lions              0       GB won, 33-7
Oct. 3, 1971            Bengals         1        GB won, 20-17
Oct. 5, 1958           Lions              1       GB tied 13-13

An Extraordinary Coincidence

 by Nick Webster

What do you know, through week 5 of the NFL season, the two top active pass rushers named Smith (Preston and Za'Darius - no relation) are tied with precisely 70.5 sacks. In fact, between 2019 and 2021, both Smith's were rushing the passer for the same team - the Green Bay Packers. For 2025, Preston has landed back with his original team in Washington (though you may have heard they've changed their name since he left) and Za'darius has caught on with the Philadelphia Eagles

Speaking of the Washington and Philly franchises - two players who began their careers in those locals are in a similar boat. The two top active pass rushers named Sweat (Montez, who started in D.C. and Josh who started in Philly - also no relation) are also tied with 48 career sacks.

And while these two are actually related, if TJ Watt managed 3.5 more sacks before the Smith's and Sweat's tally anymore we'll have a 3rd same-name tie on the Career Sack leaderboard with TJ and his brother JJ tied at a more impressive 114.5.

TUESDAY TIDBITS: "Huge Character Win"

By TJ Troup 

Baker Mayfield

There is no doubt that every week this season there are going to be "nuggets" to share with all of you.

Ready? 

Here goes -- Baker Mayfield becomes just the third quarterback in league history to throw for at least 375 yards with less than 5 incompletions, joining Kurt Warner and Petyon Manning. Recently had an enjoyable conversation with one of the best football writers ever in Rick Gosselin and he shared his thoughts on Mayfield; his quote, "Baker Mayfield is Drew Brees with swagger". 

When Seattle took the field against Tampa Bay last Sunday, they wore the style and colors of the original uniforms from 1976. How refreshing; though wish Seattle would wear them every week. Watching the Lions demolish, destroy, overwhelm, hell you folks picks the adjective the Cincinnati Bengals this past Sunday showcases when an organization has a man of strong leadership qualities in charge. 

At the close of the 2021 season, the Lions finished 3-13-1, while the Bengals finished 10-7 and played so well in the playoffs that they earned the right to play for the Silver Trophy. Look at the records and direction of both teams now! 

Has the window closed on Cincinnati? Will Detroit advance to the NFC title game? Would relish any and all thoughts on these two teams. 

You all know my belief in team pass defense, and right now the bottom five teams in the category of the defensive passer rating category are 28) Saints, 29 Ravens 30), NYJ,  31) Cowboys, 32) Miami and the combined record of these five teams is 5-19-1. 

The October 2nd Thursday night game featured the two teams that each and every year demonstrate they are well coached and find a way to win. The 49er victory over the Rams just continues the legendary rivalry between these two teams, and the title for this week's column is a quote from Kyle Shanahan after the victory. 

Speaking of the 49ers, this coming Sunday, the 12th, marks the 73rd anniversary of one of those early-season wins that stands out. The two main contenders trying to dethrone the champion Rams in '52 are the Lions & Niners and they square off in Detroit. The 2-0 49ers put a stranglehold on the Lions offense, which gained just 65 yards on 48 offensive plays. San Francisco allows just 4 first downs to set a team defensive record that will stand for 21 years. 

Joe Perry carries against the Detroit Lions, 1952

Future Hall of Fame running backs Joe "The Jet" Perry & Hugh "the king" McElhenny combine to gain 136 yards rushing on 32 carries (Detroit allowed only 95 yards a game rushing all season). Y.A. Tittle was an efficient 13 of 18 for 90 yards passing as San Francisco built a 21-0 3rd quarter lead. 

Future Hall of Fame quarterback Bobby Layne completes just 5 of 15 for 43 yards. Lion passers are sacked five times for 49 yards, and the Leo "the Lion" Nomellini led the d-line stonewalls the Detroit ground game which gains just 40 yards on 17 rushing attempts. 49er linebacker Don Burke returns an interception 35 yards for a score in the 4th quarter, and the victory is complete. 

San Francisco registers their first shut-out in team history 28-0!