They just couldn’t let us be happy for another three days, could they? Unfortunately, with the Green Bay Packers week 11 matchup vs the Titans being on Thursday Night Football, we were only allowed to enjoy Sunday’s win for about four days. We were then brought right back down to the sad reality that has been the Packers’ 2022 season.
One of my biggest frustrations with this year’s team is the inability to play complimentary football. The Defense gets a big stop, excitement builds, but then the Offense comes out and goes three and out. Or the Offense scores on a big drive, but then the Defense seemingly sits on its hands and allows a quick score in the other direction. Sometimes, those sides of the ball don’t even complement each other. There could be a long gain down the field on offense, but then the next three plays could be terrible runs or missed passes and the drive is over. It’s become hard to cheer for a big play when it feels inevitable that the next few will be frustrating.
However, if Thursday night’s game holds onto any positivity, it’s that our young players still have fight in them no matter what. The future of the 2022 season may look bleak, but there could be some diamonds in the rough to help us stay positive. We’re not used to reading these on Fridays, but a short week calls for changes. Here’s the Packers Week 11, Toasts and Roasts.
Toasts
In the words of Qui Gon Jinn, “He is the chosen one, you must see it.” Could Christian Watson be the Packers next star wide receiver in the making? This week I read quite a few people celebrate Watson’s breakout game on Sunday, but also a few say it was a fluke. Christian Watson made sure that no one could call his breakout game Sunday a fluke on Thursday night, as he caught two more touchdowns, and now leads all rookie receivers in TD catches. If this is what we can begin to expect from Watson on a weekly basis, I’m definitely here for it.
For Christian Watson this week, I’m toasting Nitro Hot Cocoa by Southern Tier brewery. This beer is exactly as it sounds. Its taste is exactly like a nice, creamy, delicious cup of hot cocoa with some hints of marshmallows. A perfect imitation of the favorite beverage to have on a cold winter day.
I chose this beer for Christian Watson because as the temperatures outside have dropped, and unfortunately so have hopes on the Packers 2022 season, Watson has been that nice treat. His success has definitely warmed up a good chunk of the fanbase with some excitement that we might have another star player in the making. So, cheers to you Christian Watson on your unbelievable last two games. Let’s keep that heat up and finish the season strong.
Quay Walker has had some up’s and down’s this season. Thursday night was definitely a great showing for the rookie linebacker. He recorded 12 tackles, one for a loss, and 0.5 sacks. It may have been half a sack shared with Preston Smith for his first ever credited sack, but it was a good one. Previously in an article I wrote about a month ago, I noted that I wanted to see Quay Walker come flying up the middle on pass rushes, and that’s exactly how he got to the Quarterback for his first sack.
This wasn’t Quay’s only highlight however, as late in the 2nd quarter he stopped Derrick Henry on a big 4th and 1 play. Quay came firing from the edge passed his defender and was able to wrap up Tennessee’s star running back to force the turnover on downs.
For Quay Walker, I’m toasting Speedway Stout by Alesmith brewery. This is a dark chocolate stout brewed with coffee that packs a 12% ABV punch. Despite this being a heavy stout, it’s a very smooth-drinking beer that’s always enjoyable. Also, if you decide to age this beer, sometimes it gets better as you let it mature.
Speedway Stout fits Quay Walker as he is always tracking the ball wherever it may be using his speed. But even for a speedy guy, he still packs a punch to get through the line of scrimmage and punish ball-carriers. Like Speedway Stout, I think Quay Walker is going to get much better as he matures.
Roasts
What is this defense? What is its identity? It feels like the identity is to stay as far away from opposing receivers as possible. Is the hope that the receiver drops the ball? That maybe the Quarterback just doesn’t see them? Whatever it is, it’s not working.
This defense is just a model of inconsistency. Sure, they did a decent job of holding Derrick Henry to a 3.1 avg per carry, but that’s about all they did well. They then let Ryan Tannehill gash them for 333 yards and 2 touchdowns through the air. The secondary looked absolutely lost out there. I don’t know if it’s blown assignments, poor communication, or what, but it’s just terrible. I also don’t know how many more times I can watch defenders playing 7 or more yards off the line of scrimmage in short yardage situations. There’s no reason I should be watching the Titans defense playing up close on our receivers and be envious.
Joe Barry this week is getting roasted with Schlitz beer. I chose Schlitz because it’s a beer that just hasn’t aged well. It may have had its moment, but that moment is long gone. You think of Schlitz right now, and you think of just a cheap beer that you can buy to just have a beer.
That’s what I think of Joe Barry. He’s basically an average or even below average coach that you can just plug in to your staff and not expect much. Maybe a few people that he was a good coach at one point, but that’s just not the case anymore.
In the End
The Packers now have basically a quasi-Bye week where they get to enjoy a few more days in between games to recover. After that however, they have a very successful Eagles team on Sunday night football. Hopefully they have a good Thanksgiving, because the next few days will be difficult.
The Eagles were stunned by the Washington Commanders this past week for their first loss of the season. Perhaps the Packers can take a look at that loss and try to imitate what Washington did to tame the beast. They have a little extra time to get healthy and prepare, so hopefully we can stun the Eagles as well. Go Pack Go.
Greg Meinholz is a lifelong devoted Packer fan. A contributor to PackersTalk as well as CheeseheadTV. Follow him on Twitter at @gmeinholz. for Packers commentary, random humor, beer endorsements, and occasional Star Wars and Marvel ramblings.
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