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Confessions of a Polluted Mindset - Packers Took Command (ers) I'm writing this on a plane headed to Idaho (visiting some friends) and by the time you read this it will have been a full six days since the Packers - Commanders contest. So it's unlikely for me to write something you haven't heard yet, but I'm still going to do this. Also, I won't be able to do my "Three plays..." until the week after the Packers very rudely show a lack of gratitude and run over Jerry's cowpokes. Watching last week’s Packers Transplants, Corey Behnke said something I found very interesting. This particular discussion was about Micah Parsons (surprise!) and how he affected the game against the Lions. Corey called Parsons “The Great Distractor.” Fast forward to the game against the Commanders and those words played out before our eyes on numerous occasions. There was the play where Jayden Daniels bolted from the pocket to avoid getting sacked and as he’s running, he keeps looking back to see where Parsons is, who is in hot pursuit. He was so worried about Parsons behind him that he ran straight into Javon Bullard, who rightfully flattened him. Then there was the play where the Commanders legitimately triple-teamed Parsons as Daniels dropped back to pass. Parsons never got to Daniels but talk about being a distraction! One of the most obvious results of the Packers swarming to the ball on defense is it has gotten them off the field in situations where last year teams were able to extend drives. I remember being so frustrated last season when in many third or fourth down situations, the Packers could have prevented a first down but the ball carrier was able fight through a Packer would-be tackler for the extra couple of yards needed for the first down. What we’ve seen so far this season is as soon as the first tackler makes contact, he has immediate help from other players, preventing the ball carrier from getting those extra couple of yards for a first down. This has been a key to the Packers’ defensive success through the first two games. It’s been only two games, but I already see Jordan Love taking the next steps to become the quarterback we hope he can be. The first thing I’ll mention is something he did against the Commanders we rarely saw from Love, knowing when to throw the ball away and live to play the next down. I counted at least four occasions where Love realized discretion is the better part of valor and didn’t try to force something that wasn’t there. That shows growth. The second thing that was noticeable in the Commanders game was how sure his passes on out routes were. He was stepping into the throws and zipping the ball to the sideline with confidence. The footwork was some of the best we’ve seen from Love. As for the deep throws, his accuracy was better overall against Washington. You’re probably sick of hearing it, but I still have an issue with choosing the right situations to take those shots. I have no doubt that Love is being encouraged to take those shots by LaFleur, who loves “explosive plays.” He says it all the time and believes it – “you must have explosive plays to win games in the NFL.” I don’t necessarily agree on the “must” part, but yeah, it sure helps. However, the one caveat is, we always hear how they “left points on the field” and taking deep shots when you have drive extending opportunities will contribute to that. Barryn Sorrell: - I mentioned Sorrell during the preseason as having "juice" in pursuing the quarterback. Of course, that was preseason and he wasn't going against top NFL talent in those games. So one could have reasonably assumed that he would come down to earth a bit when the real games started, but that hasn't happened at all. Here's a real interesting look at Sorrell's first NFL snaps against first stringers in a game that matters: It's pretty clear the Packers had a new plan starting out this year which included looking absolutely horrendous in preseason to throw everyone off, especially the Lions who came in expecting to do to the Packers what they just did to the Bears. They fooled me as well. Even though I know better than to take preseason too seriously, their level of suckiness tricked me into thinking this was going to be another slow start for the Packers right out of the gate. Sheepishly, I must admit I had the Lions winning a close one 19-17 but couldn’t be happier about how things transpired. I hopped back on the Packers train for the Thursday night game and I’ve booked my ticket for the Super Bowl or Bust Express. Go Pack Go Filed Under: FeaturedJersey Al Bracco PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHEESEHEAD NATION WEEKLY NEWSLETTER HERE. __________________________ "Jersey Al" Bracco is the Editor-In-Chief, part owner and wearer of various hats for CheeseheadTV.com and PackersTalk.com. He's a lifetime Packers fan living in the land of the Giants (and Jets). Follow Al on twitter at @JerseyalGBP. __________________________ NFL Categories: Green Bay PackersWashington CommandersTags: Green Bay PackersPolluted Mindset2025 Like 0 points http://dlvr.it/TN77Jk