NFL Backup Quarterbacks Battle Across the League | Ticket King Green Bay

For those of us in Wisconsin, the time discussing the current backup quarterback battle going on in Packers camp between DeShone Kizer and Tim Boyle have taken up all the airspace. However, there are plenty of other backup and third-string quarterback battles going on across the league. Let’s highlight some of them.

Vikings:  This is an organization that has never been to keen on handing the backup quarterback position to a player who has never taken an NFL snap but that is what they are currently considering. Sean Mannion was chosen to be the backup, but Kyle Sloter, the former undrafted free agent, has been nothing but impressive. In his first couple of seasons with the Vikings, during the preseason and practice, Sloter has looked confident and poised. The Vikings could very well hand him the backup quarterback position and cut Mannion. That would probably mean that Jake Browning would head to the practice squad.

Saints: Teddy Bridgewater, the former Vikings first-round draft choice who was signed last year to be the backup, is losing his grip on the role to Taysom Hill. This former undrafted free agent has gotten better and better with each passing day. The Saints could very well elect to trade Bridgewater at the end of camp to a backup quarterback-needy team, recouping a draft choice, and signing somebody they like off of somebody else’s scrap heap to be on their practice squad.

Steelers: This could very well be Big Ben’s final season. If that is the case, the Steelers need to find his replacement. Neither Joshua Dobbs or Mason Rudolph are really the future. They are, however, in a heated battle to be the backup quarterback. Joshua Dobbs’ interception this week didn’t help his cause. This one is really tight.

Chargers: The Chargers backup quarterback battle is between Cardale Jones and the veteran Tyrod Taylor. They are going to have to cut one at some point, as rookie Easton Stick is going to require being kept on the 53-man roster. Right now, the advantage goes to Jones.

Raiders: It should be noted that Jon Gruden has said that Nathan Peterman is growing on him. However, Mike Glennon has been better. In fact, he threw two touchdown passes this week in a very impressive performance that all but solidified his back up job.

Buccaneers: This is a battle between a pair of veterans with some serious game experience. Ryan Griffin is in his sixth season, and in extended play this week he went 14 for 21 for 201 yards and a touchdown pass. Blaine Gabbert meanwhile did not look good, completing 5 of 12 passes, for just 42 yards.

Packers Versus Raiders Final Score | Ticket King Green Bay

Heading into their week 16 match up with the Raiders, the Packers are coming off their best performance over the course of an entire game since their week three win on Monday Night Football against the Chiefs. For a list of various reasons, we believe the Packers played better on Sunday against the Cowboys than they did in Minnesota a few weeks ago, but not by much. The 28-7 win gives the Packers a little bit of confidence as they head out to Oakland.

Packers Run Game Key To Victory at Oakland

Can Eddie Lacy and James Starks do that again? Last week, the Packers ran for 233 yards, their most in a game since 2004. The Packers started out running the ball well to begin the game. For some reason though, they went away from it after their first three possessions. They went back to the running game in the fourth quarter, and basically ran out the clock as both Lacy and Starks each ran for a late touchdown. The Packers success for the rest of this season leans heavily on the play of these two. Remember the Packers of the 1990's? Remember Brett Favre throwing all those touchdown passes and winning those MVP awards? As the pieces started to disappear at the turn of the decade, the Packers went to the ground game, and set modern-era records for rushing that will never be broken. Well, it appears as if history is trying to repeat itself. Aaron Rodgers won MVP's and now, as the pieces begin to disappear, the Packers turn to the running game.

Can the passing game do something down the field? Yes, the Packers need to rely heavily on Starks and Lacy now to carry them to the finish line. However, the passing game needs to do something, anything to contribute here. Aaron Rodgers is going to finish the year with his worst season since before the Packers won the Super Bowl in 2011. He finished fifth in Pro Bowl voting this year among quarterbacks, and 5^th overall. Basically, he is highly unlikely to participate in the Pro Bowl this season, which is fair; he doesn't deserve to be recognized in that regard for this season. However, he and these receivers/tight ends need to figure out something, Starks and Lacy can't do it all.

Can the rushing defense rebound? The one thing the Packers did wrong last week is defend the run. The Packers gave up 171 yards rushing to the Cowboys last week, 111 of which were too Darren McFadden, on just nine carries mind you. Fortunately, Oakland is one of the worst in the league at running the ball, as they are just 26^th in the league in rushing at 91 yards per game.

Final Score: We expect the Packers to run the ball again and do enough in the passing game to beat the Raiders on the road 27-20.  

NFL Rankings Three Years Out | Which Team Has What It Takes For Years To Come? Ticket King Green Bay

Let us begin by stating these are not your typical power rankings. These are “future rankings” meaning that this is who we believe is set up to be very good in a few years. This week we will feature the first half of the rankings.

1. Green Bay Packers - The Ted Thompson strategy always plays well for tomorrow. This team will still be awesome in three years.

2. Indianapolis Colts- It is only a matter of time before Andrew Luck wins a Super Bowl, not if, when.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers - The Steelers spent of the offseason getting younger across the board. Usually youth movements bode well for future rankings.

4. Miami Dolphins- The Dolphins are a team on the rise, and their window is opening right now. Expect them to take control of the AFC East, maybe as soon as this year.

5. Minnesota Vikings- We really, really like the decision making of this organization the last few years. They have finally stopped trying to take shortcuts and have started looking for the long, but correct way to the top. This is a young team on the rise.

6. St. Louis Rams- If Nick Foles is healthy; this is a team set up for a prime run for the next few years.

7. Cincinnati Bengals - The Bengals are a young team that is loaded with experience. But can they finally win a playoff game?

8. Baltimore Ravens- The Ravens understand the value of loading up with cheap young players, which was reflected in their moves during the 2015 off season.

9. Oakland Raiders- The Raiders are finally headed in the right direction, and we believe David Carr is the man who will take them there.
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- This is a young team that is definitely trending upward. But is Lovie Smith the man who can take them there?  

11. Jacksonville Jaguars- They are building something in Jacksonville. Too bad the city will not be the ones to see the end of this rebuild.

12. Carolina Panthers - The Panthers have stuck to their mode of building through the draft, and it will begin to pay off soon. Now they just need to add some offense, and they will be one of the NFL's best.

13. Houston Texans - The Texans are building a nice future. But now they need to find a quarterback.

14. Tennessee Titans - The Titans finally have the quarterback. Now can their defense take shape?

15. Atlanta Falcons - The Falcons are going to commit to the draft more now. They have tried to trade their draft a couple of times for that one big player and that have not worked out well for them at all.

16. New York Giants - The Giants have a nice collection of young players. But how long can Eli Manning play for?

Packers 10-0

The Green Bay Packers moved to 10-0 on the season. I believe their next two games will pose as the biggest challenge on the season for them. They go to Detroit on a short week and play on Thanksgiving, which is like the Super Bowl for the Lions. The following week they go to New York to take on the Giants. If the pack can make it through those 2 games, I really think they have a shot of going undefeated. Ticket King still has seats left for the next home game against the Oakland Raiders.