One thing I hate about the NFL playoffs is there is not enough time to enjoy victories like the one the Packers had over the Atlanta Falcons Saturday. I celebrated well into Sunday morning and then woke up to watch the Bears pummel the Seahawks to set up the rubber match, and like the phrase indicates, this one can go either way.
The Green Bay Packers are playing as good of football as I have seen in a long time, 2007 including. In 2007 the Packers took advantage of an easy schedule and an easy home playoff game against an inferior opponent to reach the NFC Championship game. They also had a bye as the No. 2 seed and benefitted from the No. 1 seed losing in the divisional round so the game was at Lambeau. I do not think that 2007 team was as battle tested as this year’s Packers.
This year’s Packers have been a story in resiliency. They just keep fighting back even though players were dropping left and right early in the season. Next man up better get the job done. They lost games because of injuries which is why they are a six seed, but the last month or so they have had better luck and have definitely gelled. The Packers have been in one-and-done mode for four games and have answered the call each week.
I hope they didn’t peak Saturday night, though. The 48-21 thrashing of the top-seeded Falcons was a thing of beauty. It’s hard to imagine they can play that way again Sunday against a ten-times better defense in the Bears. Against the Falcons the Packers were simply unstoppable, not punting once. Against the Bears the Packers’ offense will have to fight for every yard. We will get our occasional big pass play but the key will be finishing drives with touchdowns and not missed field goals.
I almost hate to bring up Aaron Rodgers so as not to jinx him. The Bears are probably already sick of hearing about his great performance against the Falcons. In my lifetime I can only think of one other quarterback performance so good and that was in 1983 when Lynn Dickey completed his first 20-some passes in lighting up the Oilers in Houston. That was the regular season opener, though, not a playoff game.
Of course, Brett Favre also had a few games like that but his were more for the great individual plays than there were for efficiency. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but I hope Rodgers’ style of play results in a few more big playoff wins than Favre’s style did. Rodgers has already taken a huge step in that direction with his play in the last four games and if he can maintain that level for two more games he can remove the monkey from his back once and for all.
Lost in Rodgers’ performance was the continued good play of the Packers’ defense, which will be the key against the Bears and Jay Cutler this week. The Packers’ defense held the Falcons to 14 points even though the Falcons strength was running the ball, which is the Packers’ defense weak spot. Of course, playing with a big lead the whole second half didn’t hurt their cause as the Packers could tee off on Matt Ryan who is not exactly mobile.
The Packers’ defense has held the Chicago offense to one touchdown in two games this year so they should feel fairly confident going into the game, but Jay Cutler has played better than I thought he could the second half of this season and has much more escapability than Matt Ryan. Once the Packers had a good lead against the Falcons it was all over, the Bears will be able to come back and come back quick.
This is going to be a huge chess match between Mike McCarthy and Lovie Smith. When you know a team as well as these teams know each other you have to execute better than ever because they pretty much know what you are running. The key is you also have to throw a wrinkle or two into on both sides of the ball that that while risky could win the game for you. Good stuff.
Bear week! NFC Championship week! I am in all my glory. At least for one more week.
Go Pack!