Cover 3: Your Weekly Insight Delivered Every Wednesday

Cover 3 is a digital newsletter that covers 3 different stories around football every week. From the locker room to the front office, we’ve got you covered.

Each Wednesday, an email will land in your inbox from me, Jordan Palmer.

Our goal is not only to give you the stories you won’t get anywhere else - but another perspective that can help you build your relationship to the game, your family, and all the people you enjoy spending time with.

Green Bay's Next Dynasty, Two Stat-Filled Teams To Watch, & How To Stop A Powerhouse Offense

In today’s email:

We’ve followed Green Bay’s QB dynasty for a few decades now. First Favre passed the torch to Rodgers who gave us 15 years of awe-inspiring performances. Is Love going to be the next QB we follow in Green and Gold for the long run?

Two teams in College Football are putting on a show every weekend - USC and Florida State. FSU’s schedule seems less daunting while USC has a streak of top opponents coming up. Their stats so far are nothing to scoff at.

When facing a powerhouse offense, what’s the right call? Do you aim to stop them on defense or do you extend your own drives and try to control possession for as long as possible?

The Green Bay Guarantee: From Favre to Rodgers, and Maybe Love

You know, the game of football is punctuated with eras. Dynasties rise, champions are crowned, and legends are made. But few positions are as influential in shaping these eras as the quarterback - on the field or even in society. For the Green Bay Packers, they've had an embarrassment of riches at this position for over three decades. And as we examine the next phase post-Rodgers, there's an intriguing angle that I see emerging.

The Rodgers Era

Let's rewind: 15 years of Aaron Rodgers at the helm in Green Bay. Fifteen! That's not just consistency; that's a dynasty. And what did that spell for the Packers? Four MVPs, a Super Bowl, and the assurance that every Sunday, they had a world-beater ready to don the iconic Green and Gold. Save for a few unfortunate injuries, Rodgers was the epitome of excellence. A guarantee of the Packers having the better quarterback in the matchup and thus a better chance of winning. Almost every single week, for over a decade.

Up Next

But transitions are a part of sports. They're inevitable. As Jordan Love steps into those monumental shoes, we're reminded of the similar narrative almost two decades ago. The Great One, Brett Favre, passing the torch to a young Rodgers. Today, Love might just be echoing that narrative, playing the Rodgers to Aaron's Favre. History does have a way of repeating itself, doesn't it?

Yet, as we pan out and look at the NFC North, the dynamics are fascinating. For the Detroit Lions, a matchup with the Packers now exudes a confidence previously unseen. Home or away, there's a belief in being the superior team. For the first time in 10+ years. Over in Minnesota, there's an assertion that their squad is top-tier, perhaps even above the Packers.

The Old And The Next

I remember my time with the Bears vividly. Facing Rodgers was akin to climbing Everest. I recall that week 17 NFC North play-in game where, with the clock ticking down, Aaron converted three 4th downs on the final drive, eventually connecting with Randall Cobb on a post against cover zero for the win.kicking us out of the playoffs. Standing there, freezing, that sinking feeling was all too familiar. Sure, there were moments of hope, games we thought we might just edge out. But deep down? With #12 under center for Green Bay, we never truly felt "better."

Even in our win at Lambeau on MNF, Aaron's injury played its part as he broke his collarbone in the first half. It was the first game I'd signed mid-season with the Bears after Jay Cutler had gotten hurt, and as much as we celebrated that victory, it came with the asterisk of Rodgers' injury.

Consider this: from September 20th, 1992, to January 8th, 2023, Green Bay had a decisive edge. Superior quarterbacking, with an unmatched competitive spirit, and thus, the better team on the field in most cases. Now, as we usher in a new era, there's a seismic shift in the air.

Is it the end of an era or the birth of a new dynasty? Only time and the play on the field will write this next chapter of the NFL. But one thing's for sure: the changing of the guard in Green Bay has made the NFC North all the more compelling. Buckle up, folks. This ride is just getting started.

USC & Florida St. : Meeting High Expectations

Sometimes it's the numbers that tell the story. USC and Florida State entered this season with pundits and fans alike waiting for them to substantiate the hype. So far, they haven’t just met expectations, they’ve backed them up with solid statistics.

An ACC Front-Runner

Florida State's victory over LSU wasn't just another win; it was a seismic 45-24 victory that sent ripples across the college football community. With an impressive 4-0 start, the Seminoles have outscored opponents 173-90. Their quarterback, Jordan Travis, boasts a commendable 61% completion rate with 10 touchdowns and 1,028 passing yards in just four games. As they look ahead, games against Virginia Tech, Syracuse, Duke, and Northern Alabama seem less daunting. Their offensive average of 43.25 points per game positions them well. Finishing the regular season against Florida, after almost a certain win against North Alabama, will undoubtedly be their defining moment.

A West Coast Powerhouse

On the West Coast, USC's Trojans are echoing a similar dominant narrative. Sitting undefeated at 5-0, they’ve accumulated over 1,600 passing yards, averaging a stellar 11.4 yards per attempt and outsourcing opponents 268-121. Their defense has been backed them up, allowing only 24.2 points per game. With big matchups like Notre Dame, Utah, and the much-anticipated Oregon on their radar, their resilience will be tested. And, with the historic USC-UCLA rivalry, which I’ve watched every year since I was 6 years old, anything is possible.

USC's QB, Caleb, has a passer rating of 217.7. He’s been more than just a steady hand; he’s become and holds the spotlight as the face of college football this season. His name is already a heavy favorite to win the Heisman and is a lock to be the top pick whenever he turns pro.

Will They Make The Final 4?

Both Florida State and USC, with their combined record of 9-0 and impressive stats, are stamping their dominance on the College Football Playoff conversation. It’s not just about talent and hype anymore; it’s about the numbers, the tangible results they’re producing every week. As the season continues, keep an eye on these statistics – they might just predict where the championship is headed.

Stop or Conversion?: Valuing a Stop on Defense vs Extending a Drive on Offense

There's an evolving debate in the football world: What’s more vital when you're up against offensive powerhouses like Buffalo or Miami? Do you aim to stop their electrifying offenses, or do you strive to extend your drives, essentially robbing them of a possession?

Picture This

Picture this: It's the 4th quarter, the clock is ticking, and you're facing the Buffalo Bills, with an offense that’s been averaging 28.7 points per game. Their red-zone conversion rate is at a staggering 75%. Do you bet on your defense to stop that sort of firepower? Or do you turn to your offense to control the ball, chew up the clock, and take a possession away from them?

Statistics offer us some guidance. Historically, the top offenses in the NFL have conversion rates north of 48% on 3rd downs. That's almost a coin flip every time they face a 3rd down situation! So, when you’re playing the numbers game, extending your own drive starts to look pretty appealing.

The Level Difference

In College and High School football, where the spectrum of team strengths can be even more varied, this strategy becomes even more pronounced. A team's ability to maintain possession, especially against schools known for their offensive prowess, can level the playing field. It's a tactical chess match, leveraging time against scoring capability.

So, back to the question: Is it harder to halt the #1 offense, regardless of the level of play? Or is the real challenge taking a possession away? From my perspective, given the offensive strengths we’re seeing today, working to maintain and extend your own drives often becomes the more strategic choice. The longer you keep those high-octane offenses off the field, the better your chances of coming out on top.but the key to extending the drive is finishing the drive with points.