Packers Bye Week with Mina Kimes!

·27 min·2 clips

ESPN's Mina Kimes joins to unpack the Packers' bizarre 40-40 tie with the Cowboys.

The episode begins with hosts Maggie Loney and Perri Goldstein introducing surprise guest Mina Kimes from ESPN. They immediately address the Packers' recent 40-40 tie with the Dallas Cowboys, framing it as a bizarre outcome to discuss. Kimes analyzes the game, noting the Packers' offensive resurgence despite injuries and Jordan Love's strong performance until the final play. She delves into defensive concerns, explaining how Dak Prescott's quick release neutralized the Packers' pass rush and exposed cornerback limitations. The conversation shifts to Jordan Love's development in his third year, with Kimes praising his accuracy and ability to carry the offense despite a struggling run game. They critique head coach Matt LaFleur's conservative play-calling in critical moments, comparing it to Kyle Shanahan's tendencies. Kimes then assesses the NFC, ranking the Eagles as front-runners despite offensive concerns and placing the Packers and Lions in a competitive cluster. She discusses the Bears' improving offense but weak defense, and mentions the Cowboys as a potential wild-card threat. Kimes reveals her preseason Super Bowl pick of the Packers over the Ravens, citing their balanced roster and the winnable NFC. The hosts explore the impact of offensive line injuries and the importance of health after the bye week. They touch on the '27 theory' linking Jordan Love's age to past Packers quarterback success. The episode concludes with Kimes expressing optimism about the Packers' season and encouraging listeners to check out her podcast.

As heard by us

A strange 40-40 tie turns into a focused debate over Matt LaFleur, late-game caution, and the Packers' ceiling.

The Packers' bizarre 40-40 tie gives the episode its central tension: how far a team with Super Bowl ambitions should lean into aggression when the game gets tight.

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Why you'd press play

You want to know whether a 40-40 tie sharpened the debate over Matt LaFleur's late-game conservatism.

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