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: , ,

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: , , , ,

Week 15 Picks

Green Bay @ Pittsburgh

Do the Steelers have fight left? The Packers have won five straight while the Steelers have done the opposite. If the Packers can limit turnovers and not allow more than 2 sacks I think they’ll win like 27-16. If not, Steelers win 31 – 28.

Vikings @ Carolina

I wish the Vikings could choke this game but the fact is the Vikings dominate run-first teams. (As was proven last week) Vikings 27 Panthers 13.

Bears @ Ravens

Who cares? Bears are done. This will probably be  snow game though. Ravens 24-9.

Cardinals @ Lions

Lions got no chance. Arizona 35-10.

Published on December 19, 2009 9:29 pm.
Filed under: 2009 Season, Predictions Tags: , , ,

Favre was so overdue for this!

It was about time for the real Brett Favre to stand up….he finally had some crazy, uncalled-for passes during last night’s 30-17 loss. The Vikings finally played a good all around team last night. And once the Cardinals were up by two scores everything changed. First there was a pass that Adrian Wilson should have return for a TD but dropped. Then another almost INT. Finally after two dropped INTs the Cardinals came through and Favre through picks on two consecutive drives.

The Vikings also came out of that game with a number of injuries. Including a tragic one to LB McDaniel. That didn’t look good. Next week they have to play against another good all-around team, the Bengals.

Sterling Sharpe had some great picks this week, wish I would’ve trusted them.

“I’m picking the Cardinals this week because I don’t think the Viking are that good. You don’t believe me now so obviously nobody is listening to me, even though you should.” Sterling Sharpe, 12/4 NFL Network NFC Roundup.

After yesterday’s games, tonight’s Ravens / Packers game is huge for both teams. The Packers can open up a 1.5 game cushion on the Wild Card spot with a win while the Ravens can get a slight edge for their Wild Card spot with an upset tonight in Lambeau. Hopefully Green Bay comes to play tonight because this is the biggest game of the year for them.

Published on December 7, 2009 9:08 am.
Filed under: 2009 Season, Favre, Game Summary, Old Packers Tags: , , , , ,

Week 13 Predictions

Who really cares about the Lions and Bears this week…

Vikings @ Arizona - This is the first good team the Vikings have played in a while. Cardinals 35 Vikings 32

Ravens @ Packers - Going to be a cold, tough game. Both teams can’t afford anymore losses. Better team wins this game. The key, like many cold weather games, will be special teams and both team’s running game. Unless McCarthy comes out in a snowsuit with an electric heater…Packers 26 Ravens 17

Published on December 6, 2009 8:56 am.
Filed under: 2009 Season, NFC North, Predictions Tags: ,