Feeling every bit of that this morning. So many off seasons started with gut wrenching losses. You could make a two hour lowlight reel with all the brutal missed opportunities over the years. I know other fan bases would jump at the chance, but man all those sting.
It wouldn't hurt as bad if they got blown out. The fact they were right there with the chance to win.....last 4 drives of the game. Crunch time.
I hope Love learned something....like throw the ball away on first down instead of across your body to the middle of the field.
Youse guys are all missing the big picture!
The Vikings and Bares tied for the cellar! That's where the Packers were "Supposed " to be!
@Boris posted:It wouldn't hurt as bad if they got blown out. The fact they were right there with the chance to win.....last 4 drives of the game. Crunch time.
For me the blow outs hurt worse in the moment but fade faster. The close ones make you think of the 100 ways it could have gone different over and over for pretty much the rest of time. 
We've had a lot of practice with this so it should be a piece of cake.
Plenty of negatives I could focus on but only positives from me tonight:
+Love. The overwhelming goal this year was to see if Love was the man. Whether yes or no, they needed to know by the end of the season so they can chart the correct course going forward. Well it's the end of the season and we know. He's the man.
+OL. Bosa, Young, Kinlaw, Gregory, Armstead, Warner, Hargrave, and Greenlaw. You won't see a more talented front 7 in this league and they ran for 136 yards and allowed 0 sacks. First 100 yards rusher allowed in 51 games by the 49ers.
+WRs and TEs. By the far biggest question mark on the season were the pass catchers. All 1st and 2nd year guys. All very unproven. Now they may have the deepest group in the league. Just need to see it continue to develop.
+Defense. This defense had no business hanging with the 49ers offense based on what I witnessed for 3/4 of the year. But they stepped up.
+Joe Barry. He called a hell of a game. A few calls I didn't like but no one calls a perfect game. They hold onto those picks and we're calling this an all-time defensive performance.
+Aaron Jones. Not often you get a guy that embodies everything it means to be a Packer. His performance on the field has been outstanding but he's the guy you keep after he declines because you need vets like him in the locker room. But that's not an issue for next season - he's still a top 10 RB on the field. I checked his carry stats and have to give credit, his carries have been so limited that he probably has a few more high performing years.
+The loss. This team wasn't ready for a Super Bowl run. It's almost impossible for a team this young to come out of no where and make a real run. Yes, I fantasized about it but the reality is it wasn't their time. But the Cowboys win then a loss like this should stick in their heads all offseason, and get them working their ass off the next 7 months. That doesn't happen if they lose 42-13. So yes, the loss stings. But I'm seeing it as a positive, like those Cowboys losses in the 90s. Use it as a stepping stone.
@Boris posted:If you think Mason Crosby makes it....I doubt he does. He was horrible in NY.
They put the rookie kicker in a tough spot and said...."Show us what you got!"
I'm all about giving the kid a chance. It didn't work out. Maybe next time......
If Crosby is kicking all year he makes that kick in his sleep.
That said, not expecting the playoffs this was (in theory, anyway) the year to break in a rookie kicker. Carlson, Love, etc. were expected to take some lumps, but they came at a very inopportune time in this game.
Remember when Crosby couldn't hit the broad side of a barn after he had been kicking for years? Fans were ready to hang him. Kickers are an odd lot.
Watch Tyler Bass kicking for the Bills today. That ball will change directions several times on one kick
To me, the 2014 Seattle loss is still the most gut wrenching I’ve felt watching a WI sports event in my lifetime. It literally took about 10 things to happen for Seattle to win that game. It also took me days to get over that one. The good news is karma paid us back in the Super Bowl when Russ threw the pick on the 1 yard line to seal it for New England. F U Pete Carroll you annoying gum chewing bastard.
A second is probably 2015 Badgers championship game v Duke and probably third is some combination of 2018 Brewers game 7 v the Dodgers or 4th and 26 Packers/Eagles or maybe 2007 Giants NFCCG at home.
This loss stings a bit less than all of those games given how the rest of the year went. I mean, Love played one bad quarter over the last 2 months where you could argue he was the best QB in football.
Not sure what happens with Barry but they have a lot of draft picks and should have some cap space as well assuming Bak doesn’t return. Aaron Jones absolutely needs to return.
- Five playoff losses in a row to San Fran. Losing to those bastards again in another game we should have won makes me sick to my stomach. I really, really despise that team.
+ This season far exceeded my expectations and there are a lot of positive takeaways. Have to let the sting of this one marinate for awhile and then objectively reflect on what looks to be a bright future for this very young team.
Levi Stadium was a deflated nervous mess after Jones 54 yard scamper followed by Wilson’s 10 yd run to the 25. I heard SF Fans seriously shitting their pants.
The energy in that place flipping after Carlson missed is something I’ll never forget. It got effing loud.
@Herschel posted:If Crosby is kicking all year he makes that kick in his sleep.
But he wasn't kicking all year. Bounced between Rams and Giants....hell even the Niners were talking about picking him up because their rookie kicker Moody was sucking.
@Herschel posted:That said, not expecting the playoffs this was (in theory, anyway) the year to break in a rookie kicker.
Exactly....it's quite obvious the dude needs to improve, especially between 40-49 yards. I think he was better from 50+
They'll bring competition in for training camp and we'll see if he responds.
To blame Carlson for the loss last night is just flat out wrong.
This didn't feel at all like 2014 vs. SEA. Heavy underdogs at a stadium where SEA was invincible, the Packers damn near dominated for 55 minutes. That may have been the worst loss in franchise history, at least in the same league as SB 32.
They went into SF heavy underdogs but they certainly didn't dominate at any point in the game last night. Did they play better overall than SF? Maybe. But that was a tough, tight, hard fought game that could have gone either way. Every team that loses a close one will have had missed opportunities to have come out on top. SF won because they did what they had to do at the end. They were the better team when it needed to be.
SEA won in 2014 by making a few big plays but also with a shit ton of luck.
Did anyone here think when this team was 2-5 and then 3-6 that we'd make the playoffs, destroy the #2 seed in a wild-card game, and then go toe-to-toe with the #1 seed and come six minutes away from knocking them off? That really happened! I'm glad I woke up this morning a GBP fan and not a Vikings or Bears -- or for that matter, Lions -- fan because they know that as formidable as GB became this year, the best is still ahead.
++++ Love played a good game until he didn't. He never got off one of the "wow" passes, but he was solid until Q4. He wasn't sacked because he has a nice feel for when to drift or bail and the OL played a hell of a game. Nine different guys caught passes last night and he targeted one more. SF did a great job hiding their coverages; those D guys didn't move an inch until the ball was snapped and then they hustled into their call. A lot of DCs should take notice; you don't need all the jumping around and faking. You do need discipline and smarts.
+++ The young receivers. They had to adjust routes on the fly because of the unknown coverages, and that takes time to learn and be on the same page as the QB. They block like crazy and are unselfish, an unusual combination in WRs. Doubs is going to be a star. Melton's potential is emerging. It was disappointing Wicks didn't have a catch; I think MLF had more plays for Watson, who was a disappointment. On the last throw, Watson saw the ball was going to be short and there was an SF guy, but he didn't try to come back -- he watched it happen like he did earlier this year. Disappointing. Other than Watson, I got nothing but good things to say about this WR group.
+++ The OL. For the majority, they played above their draft slots all year and played their asses off last night. Tom, Walker, Jenkins, Runyan/Rhyan (penalty aside)... First 100-yard rusher in how many games? And they weren't small holes Jones was flying through.
+++ Jones. Can't say enough. Epitome of what it means to be a GBP. Hope he's back. Wilson also showed some things last night after not playing for so long and as a rookie. Dillon either takes the vet minimum or he's gone. Wilson's ready.
+++ MLF proved his success wasn't all due to Rodgers. That said, he still has to adjust faster and get a better DC. But, he held this team together in the pits of the season, his offense is proven, and the guys play hard for him.
--- Carlson's miss. I don't want to cut him yet; I think about his brother who blew three FGs in a tie against the Pack -- two in OT and the last one a 35-yarder as time expired -- in his second game. Daniel was cut the next day, and has been more than solid for the Raiders. (Spielman said he regrets that decision above all others.) Give the kid another year -- with competition, of course.
--- Barry. Giving up a lead twice yesterday in crunch time. 'Nuff said.
Hell of a season, just a hell of a season! Looking forward to next year.
@Boris posted:But he wasn't kicking all year. Bounced between Rams and Giants....hell even the Niners were talking about picking him up because their rookie kicker Moody was sucking.
Exactly....it's quite obvious the dude needs to improve, especially between 40-49 yards. I think he was better from 50+
They'll bring competition in for training camp and we'll see if he responds.
To blame Carlson for the loss last night is just flat out wrong.
The loss was down to mistakes and the reaction to them. Green Bay didn't capitalize on them, San Fran did at the end.
@Herschel posted:If Crosby is kicking all year he makes that kick in his sleep.
That said, not expecting the playoffs this was (in theory, anyway) the year to break in a rookie kicker. Carlson, Love, etc. were expected to take some lumps, but they came at a very inopportune time in this game.
Exactly. It was a youth movement year so why not use it to break in a new kicker? Doesn't make the decision right but there was a plan that made sense. IMO, they should have brough in a vet kicker in week 13 once the playoffs were a real possibility.
Yes, I would've liked to see them bring in competition in weeks 13-17. Rams did it and their rookie kicker responded. Competition has a way of making or breaking the kickers. They need it....it helps them focus
Tough loss no doubt-
This O-line is better and deeper than I thought-
The inexperienced, little bitty receivers blocking Young and Bosa were highlights for me. I don't watch a lot of football other than the Packers--I've heard so much about Young and Bosa I thought they would be the second coming of Reggie White and Lawrence Taylor--they were very good, but not great. Maybe it was the rain or maybe the Packers have decent edge support.
And Love looked more like a first year QB at times. But Purdy was awful and flat out lucky he didn't throw multiple picks. Like bosa/Young, I was surprised at how poorly he played after everything I've heard about this guy. The Niners have a great team, but he is going to limit them--Green Bay on the other hand can continue to build around Love--that is a plus
Purdy came through when they needed him. It's something he hasn't done and hasn't had to do in his career yet. But he checked that box last night. Like Brady in that NFCCG vs. TB, he sucked until he needed to be good enough.
They paid a heavy price to get a full evaluation and they got it. They were more than patient and hopefully the kid worked his way into receiving some serious competition in training camp next year. I understand it's a crazy job, but there's bad and then there's what he put out there.
We also really need a new long snapper. I don't even know the guy's name but he was off a lot this year.
Love vs. Rodgers vs. Favre in crunch time
Love: throw down the middle to the triple covered guy.
Rodgers: don't throw down the middle to the wide open guy.
Favre: don't throw down the middle to the wide open guy, throw to the triple covered guy instead.
@Fandame posted:Did anyone here think when this team was 2-5 and then 3-6 that we'd make the playoffs, destroy the #2 seed in a wild-card game, and then go toe-to-toe with the #1 seed and come six minutes away from knocking them off? That really happened!
Hell of a season, just a hell of a season! Looking forward to next year.
Someone should revive one of the thrashing and wailing threads from october to help everyone remember just how dire everything looked at that time.
QB stinks, might need to draft another - maybe RD1. OL stinks, need at least two new starters including LT. WR's stink, need to sign a good vet. RB's stink - 33 too old and always injured, Dillon tripping over his own quads. Defense - slushy. How could Gute surround Love with such garbage?
I'll repeat this from WK18 - I'm not sure we as Packers fans could get any more spoiled than we are right now. We may not get back to the SB with this bunch but at a minimum it looks like we're not "going back to the 70's/80' dark ages" that several around here suggested we were doomed to. We just saw the end of a 30yr HOF QB run. Who could argue much that we didn't deserve some down time? Yet here we are with what we just saw since Thanksgiving.
@DH13 posted:it looks like we're not "going back to the 70's/80' dark ages" that several around here suggested we were doomed to. We just saw the end of a 30yr HOF QB
Fans from "other" teams 
were counting on that. They are collectively shitting their pants right now. I'm saddened by the loss but I'm still smiling with that fact.
What a difference a year can make.
@Packiderm posted:Should have thrown it on that first half 3 and 1. If you miss it kick the FG. If you want to get real crazy. Back peddle out of the Love Shove on the snap and toss it to one of the TE's leaking out
That sequence pissed me off when it happened, and ended up being a huge momentum suck that MLF did to his own squad. Idk if it was addressed after the game, and we can play the woulda, coulda, shoulda game all offseason, but the idea that you'd run two plays into the teeth of the defense in such a critical spot is an epic fail. The fact that you hurried to the line on 4th down with such a young, inexperienced offense is inexcusable. Not in that position. MLF and his staff had a great plan coming in. But his coaching in-game is awful time and time again. How many times do you want your fucking lunch taken by that ratface on the other sideline?
@artis posted:That sequence pissed me off when it happened, and ended up being a huge momentum suck that MLF did to his own squad. Idk if it was addressed after the game, and we can play the woulda, coulda, shoulda game all offseason, but the idea that you'd run two plays into the teeth of the defense in such a critical spot is an epic fail. The fact that you hurried to the line on 4th down with such a young, inexperienced offense is inexcusable. Not in that position. MLF and his staff had a great plan coming in. But his coaching in-game is awful time and time again. How many times do you want your fucking lunch taken by that ratface on the other sideline?
Agree totally artis. That was another one of MLF's classic in game brainfarts. Going for it instead of taking the points was questionable enough but the 3rd and 4th down calls were horrible.
The hurry up in that situation felt like MLF thinking he was being too clever.
You guys are hilarious. You started the year predicting 6 wins and calling the team trash all year. They made the playoffs against your expectations, put up one hell of a fight against NFC heavy favorites and you are pissed?🤣🤣🤣🤣
@Boris posted:If you think Mason Crosby makes it....I doubt he does. He was horrible in NY.
They put the rookie kicker in a tough spot and said...."Show us what you got!"
I'm all about giving the kid a chance. It didn't work out. Maybe next time......
Elliot Fry makes it.
Parker White makes it.
Mason Crosby makes it.
Carlson sucks.
@Brak posted:Elliot Fry makes it.
Parker White makes it.
Mason Crosby makes it.
Carlson sucks.
Bullshit.....but let's be the Vikings and just cut Carlson so he comes back in Minnesota and beats the Packers for 2 decades.
Give him competition in TC next year of course but to completely give up on the guy with that leg, disagree.
Still, though. He sucks.
@Goalline posted:You guys are hilarious. You started the year predicting 6 wins and calling the team trash all year. They made the playoffs against your expectations, put up one hell of a fight against NFC heavy favorites and you are pissed?🤣🤣🤣🤣
True. The youngest team in playoff history beat the 2 seed on the the road and almost beat the 1 seed on the road.
Last night sucks but perspective is in order.
I think it’s hard to judge the playcalling with this young team. Many of their key players are rookies. Not only are they new to the offense but also new to the nfl. It would be difficult to institute plays/adjustments that aren’t still very basic.
They played a very tough team and stayed in it until the end of the game. I think they did that through shear grit. It just was too much. I’m proud of this team. If they keep learning and improving their technique this will be a very good team.
@Goalline posted:You guys are hilarious. You started the year predicting 6 wins and calling the team trash all year. They made the playoffs against your expectations, put up one hell of a fight against NFC heavy favorites and you are pissed?🤣🤣🤣🤣
I can't be happier about how they played the last two months. Unlike many here, I stuck with the Love project the whole way through. He struggled in the 4th qtr last night, you could see he tightened up, and I can live with the mistakes he made. The o line was as good as anyone could expect. The defense, with the exception of missing plays they made a week ago, played well enough to win. Jones took a beating and showed what he is made of. Doubs showed up in a big way.
Yes, I am pissed at our head coach, because he can't gtf out of his own way in critical moments during the game. As many plays and points as were left on the field last night, he was outmaneuvered again by a superior coach, even if the difference was razor thin last night. The plan coming in was vg. The team executed throughout for 50 plus minutes, fought through a ton of adversity. But a veteran head coach, who understands he can't get over that hump continually against the same teams/coaches, needs to be better when his players need situational coaching.
This isn't some new grievance. It's happened in each year since he's been in GB. I'm not calling for his ass to be fired. But he needs to truly take this and learn from it. The idea that he once again let his DC play soft against a qb who was begging to throw one to your secondary all night...ended up being the one difference SF needed in those last two drives. Zero pressure, all kinds of time for Purdy. There was no way that was going to end well, and Matt should fucking know this by now.
MLF is trending in the Marty Schottenheimer direction.
Great regular season coach. Great offensive schemes.
Tends to lose in the playoffs when key guys make the same types of mistakes they've made before.
Marty's San Diego kicker kept missing clinching FGs. Earnest Byner fumbled a lot in the regular season and fumbled at the worst time in the playoffs.
MLF has a safety who can't play the ball in the air and tends to fail to make plays (Savage mistiming his jump on a Brady lollipop in the 2020 playoffs that kept the Bucs close in the first half), dropping an interception yesterday, etc.). His kicker has been iffy all year and costs them a game. His special teams were horrible all year and costs them in 2021.
By and large MLF is a good coach, but what is this shit telling national announcers that they "just pray" every time Carlson went out there this year. If you are going to keep your kicker, you can't say that. It's idiotic. You can still be honest and just say, "We know he's struggled a bit, but we really like his potential and how he's grown and I have 100% confidence in him if we need him." Make or miss, you really think that helps Carlson at all when he inevitably hears the quote?
It was the same type of comment about hoping his STs didn't lose a game in 2021. He has to stop doing that stuff with the announcers so he can be buddy-buddy with them.
I said this earlier today but if confidence was an issue before I can’t see how that MLF comment that’s now public record will help matters going forward with Carlson.
There is zero chance the Packers were going to stop the 9ers at the end with Joe Barry playing his typical soft ass zone coverage. No way. We’ve seen this movie far too many times and we know how it ends.
They had a decent season and did pretty well but once again in critical moments it’s SSDD with this group. Shanahan and the Niners are in the head of MLF and the Packers and the close but no cigar crap gets old.
I’m hopeful for the future but as long as MLF is head coach I’m not exactly thrilled once he’s in a high pressure situation that he will come through and deliver. Just doesn’t seem to be in his DNA.
@Benzene posted:They played a very tough team and stayed in it until the end of the game. I think they did that through shear grit. It just was too much. I’m proud of this team. If they keep learning and improving their technique this will be a very good team.
They had just played 5 weeks of playoff football. Lose once and they were done. That is mentally tough for seasoned vets let alone a bunch of rookies and 2nd year men. Sure, the D had more vets, but they were mentally exhausted too. Alas the 4th quarter failure.
If we're still playing "history repeats", i.e. all the Favre/AR, AR/Love, Love first year stats comparisons, beating CHI to get into the playoffs, beating DAL in the playoffs, losing to SF in the playoffs.
GB went 14 years between winning SB31 and SB45. It'll be 14 since SB45 this coming season; SB 59.
