NFC Championship: Vikings at Saints

So as the nightmare scenario for Packer fans draws nearer, I thought I’d go over this game in detail. Going to examine three parts to this game, what the Vikings need to do to win, the Saints, and 3 ex-packers who could determine the outcome of this game.

What do the Vikings need to do to win?

Essentially play the exact same game they did last week against the Boys. It starts with their D….if they can control the line of scrimmage with their front four, I believe the Saints have no chance. Jared Allen again will match up with a backup left tackle. The only difference is this guy, Bushrod, has already played a few weeks. Really though, if the Vikings can protect Favre while get constant pressure on Brees, they should win this game. But its not that simple, this game is on the road….Here are their road games this year..

W – 34-20 @ Cleveland

W – 27-13 @ Detroit

W – 38-10 @ STL

L – 27-17 @ PITT

W – 38-26 @ GB

L – 30-17 @ AZ

L – 26-6 @ CAR

L – 36-30 @ CHI

The only team they beat this year on the road with a winning record was Green Bay. Now its not the Vikings fault that they had a cake schedule but Sunday they face one of the best offenses since Kurt Warner’s Rams, on the road, in a dome.

How do the Saints win this game?

Strike first and often. The Saints need to score first and fast. Like a quick 80 yard punt return or long pass. This will put a sting into the heads of them Vikings. And it might bring the gunslinger back on the other side of the ball. They also have to bring some heat to Favre, disguising their blitzes…do something they haven’t done all year maybe. I also think for the Saints to win Reggie Bush has to have an impact in more ways than one.

Ex-Packers to watch

  1. Brett Favre – I think how the first quarter goes will determine how his game goes. If the Vikings don’t fall behind early he will stay with what the Saints give him and not take many chances. And if he has another game with not being touched then look out, he can control this game. Last week, the Saints were able to get in the face of another old, veteran QB, can they do it again?
  2. Darren Sharper – He’s always talking a big game, this is the time for him to back it up. He needs a pick in this game…
  3. Ryan Longwell – After hearing him on KFAN the other night, I’m thinking he’s the best bet for potential goat. If the Vikings need him at the end, for like a 45 yeard FG…I’m thinking he’ll miss it.

Prediction

I see the Vikings coming out thinking they are the better team, which they are mostly. Most analysts are going with the Vikings, the same dumbasses who picked the Cowboys. The Saints will come out early, get up by 14. Favre leads the Vikes to a furious comeback in the 3rd quarter…then Reggie Bush drops a bomb…then Longwell chokes.

Saints 38 Vikings 37

Published on January 22, 2010 10:53 am.
Filed under: 2009 Season, NFC Championship, NFC North, Predictions, playoffs Tags: , , , , ,

Dom Capers sleeping during playoff game

Dom Capers sleeping during playoff game

So just saw this, pretty clear video of Dom Capers nodding off while the Packers Offense was on the field during the 3rd quarter of last Sunday’s Wild Card loss to Arizona…very classy! First thing I thought, how could anyone fall asleep during this game, one of the most entertaining games ever? And this guy is coaching the defense that’s getting absolutely lit up!

Published on January 15, 2010 7:58 pm.
Filed under: 2009 Season, Game Summary, Videos, playoffs Tags: , , ,

Playoff picks: Cowboys @ Vikings

Playoff picks: Cowboys @ Vikings

Favre knows how to relax...so much more to add to this photo but..

So this game isn’t going to unfold like everyone expects…all the analysts are crazy over how good the Cowboys are, but I bet the Vikings will show up this week for these reasons…

  1. They are 8-0 at home
  2. Favre has had two weeks of rest (he is 40 and has never missed a game for 18 years, time off benefits him more than any player)
  3. The Vikings are the 2 seed and by all accounts, they are the underdog
  4. Adrian Peterson is so due

The Cowboys are a talented team and they finally got the monkey off their backs but I can’t see them winning Sunday.

Key Matchup

Cowboys OLBs Spencer and D. Ware versus Vikings OTs McKinnie and Loadholt – I see Favre neutralizing this matchup by doing screens to Taylor and AP while mixing up little dump offs to Shiancoe and P Harvin. And then at some point this will slow them down thus opening up the deep pass to Berrian and/or Sydney Rice.

Prediction – Vikings 34-17

This is the perfect setup game for Viking fans, big win and then big diss next week. Favre has been good in the divisional playoff games at home, and poopy in other games. But what do I know, I was 0 for 4 last week.

Other picks: Cardinals 38 Saints 24, Colts 23 Ravens 17, Chargers 27 Jets 6.

Published on January 15, 2010 1:33 pm.
Filed under: 2009 Season, Predictions, playoffs Tags: , , , , ,

The play that will be replayed over and over again

The play that will be replayed over and over again

Until next season starts, Aaron Rodgers will be reliving this play….First play of overtime in a game tied 45-45… reminiscent of an infamous Favre TD throw to Jennings in 2007. Man, if AR completes this pass it would’ve capped off one of the most improbable comebacks in NFL history. Down 31-10 in the 3rd Quarter, AR and the offense stormed back into this game. Neil Rackers would’ve been the biggest choke artist in Arizona, missing a 33 yard field goal at the end of regulation that would have won the game. Rodgers would’ve finished the game with 504 or so passing yards and 6 TDs (one rushing).

Well maybe he’ll get over it this quicker than most fans do but here it is….What if he lays a little air under this throw? Or if, how Troy Aikman points out, what if Jennings flattens his route out a tad? Or if Rodgers realizes he has a little more time to get this out? Was a valiant effort to get back in this game though. The Packers know they have a lot of promise for years to come.

Published on January 11, 2010 9:24 am.
Filed under: 2009 Season, Game Summary, Videos, playoffs Tags: , , , ,

Aaron Rodgers – Where’s the facemask?

Aaron Rodgers - Where's the facemask?

Maybe its sour grapes but looking at this picture it seems pretty clear that this was a facemask. And on 1st down when the Packers were called for holding Rodgers took a shot to the head. Normally that’s a 15 yard personal foul. Anyways, what a crazy game, by far the craziest playoff game I’ve seen. So now the Packers have lost two of the craziest Wild Card games ever. (The last being T.O. and 49ers) Lame.

If Rodgers completes that pass to Jennings on first down he would’ve ended up with 503 yards, 5 passing TDs and 1 rushing TD. What if?

Oh and here’s the play..

Published on January 10, 2010 10:12 pm.
Filed under: 2009 Season, Videos, playoffs Tags: , ,

The last time the Cowboys won a playoff game…

The last time the Cowboys won a playoff game...

Go waaaaay back to 1996, when guess who won the Super Bowl? The Green Bay Packers. Ya this doesn’t mean shit, but someone had to mention it. With the Cowboys victory, I’m just glad that the Packers won’t be distracted by any rematch with the Vikings next week. I think Dallas really has a good shot, they can pressure the QB and have a hot QB.

Hi I'm Wade, looks like we are seated at the same table!?

So both rematches from last week ended up the same today with the Jets winning 24-14 and the Cowboys beatdown of the Eagles, 34-14. Can Green Bay keep it rolling? On a sidenote, as long as the Eagles have Michael Vick, karma won’t be on their side.

Oh and yes I realize Favre’s only Super Bowl win also coincides with the last Cowboy playoff win…

Published on January 9, 2010 9:49 pm.
Filed under: 2009 Season, playoffs Tags: , , , , ,

Wild Card Week: Packers at Cardinals

Wild Card Week: Packers at Cardinals

So looking ahead to this Sunday’s showdown between Green Bay and Arizona. Last year the Cardinals were the epitome of a dark horse team. Talented but limped at the end of the regular season. They got shelled by the Patriots and the Vikings. Then they went on to barely lose to the Steelers in last year’s Super Bowl.

This year they have been up and down but again aren’t getting much attention coming into the playoffs. The Packers have been flying just above the radar. I think if they didn’t lose on a last second TD pass to the Steelers things would be different for them. They would’ve finished the season on an 8 game winning streak and for some reason it seems the sports media picks more up on that then a team that won 7 of 8.

Anyways, I think this game will be totally unlike last Sunday’s game. Hopefully the Packers won’t come in over confident after dismantling a uncaring Cardinals team 33-7. But the Packers are on a roll and have lots of skilled players healthy and playing at a high level.

Players to watch

  • Clay Matthews – Is there anyone that can block him on AZ?
  • Greg Jennings – So due for a gigantic game and he’s the type of player who shines in big games
  • Kurt Warner – He’s either really good or really bad
  • Adrian Wilson – Hasn’t played in either game against Packers but I’ve always liked him
  • KR on AZ – Not sure who this is, but Packers are real susceptible to the big returns

Key Matchups

Warner vs Packer’s secondary – No question the scariest matchup for the Packers. I’m hoping this ISN’T a repeat of the Steelers game a few weeks ago where Roth threw for 500 yards. For sure AZ will look to exploit the Packers depth in the defensive backfield by spreading them out with 4 wides…IE Jarret Bush, Josh Bell, Underwoord.

In my mind, the main difference here is AZ doesn’t have an all-pro type tight end to contend with AND Boldin is either out or will be hampered by the knee.

Rodgers vs Cardinals secondary – Well they’ve played twice already (even though it was preseason) and Rodgers has absolutely lit them up. Will things change this time when everything is on the line?

Ryan Grant / Brandon Jackson / Ahman Green vs Cardinals D-Line – If the Packers can run the ball that will only add to their O’s dominace in this game. Another thing to look for in early.

Packer Defensive Pressure vs AZ O-line – This will probably determine the game. How AZ deals with Green Bay’s 3-4 and Capers blitz packages will be key early on. If the Packers can get constant pressure and hit warner and stuff the run (like they’ve done the past 9 out of 11 games) this could get ugly quick.

I'm all in

Whisenhunt vs McCarthy – This is the wild card of the game. Green Bay plays pretty much the same D as the Steelers and Whisenhunt used to coach against that D every day in practice when he was offensive coordinator. Look for them to do deep posts or deep crossing routes in the middle of the field against Green Bay. It seems to me that its some sort of known hole in this D. I’ve seen Pittsburgh, Cincy, and AZ in the preseason do this successfully against Green Bay.

Predictions

I have a feeling McCarthy gets the last laugh on Sunday. If this game is close watch for a ballsy call to lift the Packers. If you were playing poker with him, McCarthy would be the type of guy who quietly plays by the book until you relax and think you know what he’s up to. Then when your not looking he bluffs his way through the biggest pot of the night on like 8 high.

The Cardinal players are trying to make the case that everyone is doubting them and what not…But thats hogwash, they were in the Super Bowl last YEAR! And Green Bay was 6-10!! So really, the Packers have NOTHING to lose and should play loose. Plus they are mostly young and out there having fun bashing heads around. Oh and talent wins in the playoffs and while they may be young, Green Bay has more…During their 7-1 run, they’ve stayed away from mental breakdowns also.

What gives? Plus the NFL is fixed right? And there’s no game bigger for the sponsors then a rematch of Favre’s Vikings and the Packers.

Green Bay 38 Cardinals 24

Published on January 7, 2010 9:59 pm.
Filed under: 2009 Season, Predictions, Uncategorized, playoffs Tags: , , , ,