Potential Packers/Saints matchup in NFC CG

Armored, have you posted your prediction on the Saints run this year in the postseason? I haven't looked. You know your shiit, especially with your club. Will it be GB vs NO or something different. If they meet in GB who do you like?

My gut tells me that it will be Saints-Packers in the NFC Championship at Lambeau. I think it will be high-scoring and close, like the season opener. The Saints are a better team than the one the Packers faced in Week One, but that was in September. This matchup will be this month in bone-chilling temperatures. A tall order for a dome team, to be sure, but not insurmountable. A few years ago, the Michael Vick-led Falcons (another dome team) came into Lambeau in the snow and upset the Pack, so anything's possible.

Brent Fart no longer plays in GB.

quote:

Originally posted by Pakrz:
Brent Fart no longer plays in GB.

And Sugar Bear is in Texas.

Drew Brees - NFL MVP
Aaron Rodgers - 2nd SB MVP

Brett Favre - Surprised they didn't so it sooner.

And I think it's announced the weekend of the conference title games.

Nagler tweeted a few days ago that dome teams playing outdoors in the NFCC are 0-10 all time. Means nothing to this year's teams, but sure wouldn't mind carrying on tradition should we reach that point.

The match-up I am really looking forward to seeing is the Saints @ SF to see who comes to GB on the 22nd. Get the Saints outta the comfort of their dome and into the swamp that is Candlestick and it will make things interesting. SF has the defense to make life miserable for Brees. Wouldn't surprise me if the Niners is the team who comes to Lambeau. Assuming, of course, the Pack gets rid of the Giants/Falcons.

quote:

the Michael Vick-led Falcons (another dome team) came into Lambeau in the snow and upset the Pack

that GBP team was on life support. I think a few played on crutches that day. It sucked to give up the "unbeaten in the playoffs at Lambeau" but it was a mercy killing nonetheless.

Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised in the least if San Fran beat NO in the divisional round

quote:

Originally posted by Sterling84:
Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised in the least if San Fran beat NO in the divisional round

Same here. Defensively, I think they're probably the closest thing to what the Packers were last year, though they don't force as many turnovers and are a little better against the run than the 2010 Pack was.

At home, I think San Fran's good run blocking (not quite as good pass blocking) offensive line will give them a chance to run some ball control against whomever it is they face in the divisional round. Alex Smith is good enough to win at home if they've got the other parts of their team working right. On the road... I'm banking that they might not play as well if they come to Lambeau.

Certainly, it's a huge edge at QB for New Orleans if they face San Fran, but an older nearly washed up Matt Hasselbeck was able to outduel him last year. I think Smith may have enough magic in him for 1 home win against a mediocre defense used to playing in domes.

quote:

Originally posted by Pakrz:
Brent Fart no longer plays in GB.

Meaning no potential replay of the 2007 NFCCG either, when Pantywaste didn't want to come out of the tunnel, and MM wanted to bench him at halftime. You just know it had to bother McCarthy to no end when Limpy ended up launching up that frozen duck to end the game. He practically predicted it at halftime.

No way in heck McCarthy lets something like that happen on his watch again. No way.

They asked MM about it yesterday, and he hinted as much when he said this time, unlike then, they have a heated field so they can practice outside.

quote:

Originally posted by IL_Pack_Fan:
Nagler tweeted a few days ago that dome teams playing outdoors in the NFCC are 0-10 all time.

Warms my heart.

As did Jermichael Finley's quotes yesterday about how much the players are liking other teams having to come into the cold at Lambeau for the playoffs.

Home field advantage is back.

Think about it: of all their accomplishments, this team has yet to do a playoff Lambeau leap.

The NFL will be very happy with a Packer vs the aints at Lambeau for the NFCCG. I will be happy to see GB beat anyone who advances NFCCG but that cannot be detoilet as they are the lowest ranked NFC team and GB would have to pummel them in the Divisional game.

I agree the Saints have improved as the years has gone on, but it's hard for me to forget the egg they laid in Chicago a few years back in the NFCCG, when I thought they might keep the Bears out of the Super Bowl.

They were putrid outdoors, and I fear the same fate may await them in Lambeau.

The Saints were putrid last year in Seattle as well

They are a completely different team on the road, and the conditions in SF will be terrible for a team like New Orleans that wants to play up tempo and throw the ball all over the place

They've probably had the sprinklers on at Candlestick for a week now. A friend of mine (SF fan) says that in their heyday they'd purposely water down the field to slow down opposing teams and it usually worked.

Too many people assuming that the Saints will just roll into GB but I'm not so sure they even get there. Heck, if GB can't tighten things up defensively they might not get to see a GB/NO matchup either.

Found on the internet:

quote:

ALL TIME POST SEASON RECORDS

PACKERS ARE 15-3-0

LIONS ARE 5-1-0

49'ERS 18-7-0

FALCONS 3-2-0

SAINTS 4-3-0

GIANTS 11-9-0

Seems like the Pack lost more than three. One Lombardi, two Sherman, two MM.

Packers correct post season record is 29-16 all time.

I think Packers are 15-3 at Lambeau, not positive on that

Could be home records in the post season.

Packers only lost to the Falcons, Vikings and Giants. IIRC

quote:

Originally posted by Tdog:

quote:

the Michael Vick-led Falcons (another dome team) came into Lambeau in the snow and upset the Pack

that GBP team was on life support. I think a few played on crutches that day. It sucked to give up the "unbeaten in the playoffs at Lambeau" but it was a mercy killing nonetheless.

If I recall correctly, that was the game that Sharper missed because he injured his knee running an interception out from the end zone instead of taking a knee. (Reminds me they dodged a bullet when Shields tried the same thing earlier this year) I never forgave Sharper for that in addition to the two plays against SF and Philly in the playoffs.

Back to subject, the one difference maker is that if the Saints get past SF and Detroit they are going to have a lot of momentum. That is why it is important for the Packers to have a great (or at least decent) defensive game against the Giants/Atlanta to get them some confidence.

One difference on defense is that the Saints only had 9 interceptions vs the Packers 31 this year, that is a big difference.
On the other hand, Brees is such a good quarterback at finding the open receiver and getting the ball there.
I see a shootout similar to the AZ playoff game where either a turnover makes the difference or the team with the ball last wins.

At least one of the Packers postseason wins was in Milwaukee (1967 Western Conference Championship vs. Los Angeles).

If you watched the last ATL/NO games Brees loves throwing into tight windows double-covered players.

ATL should of had 3-5 ints that game. As it was he gave up 2.

Lets see what happens when he has to throw the ball outdoors in the cold.

Peter King predicts the Saints to beat the Pack at Lambeau in the championship game, then go on to win the Super Bowl

SI

I get the argument that the Saints have the ability to come to GB and win. I just don't see it. SF is going to break out the sprinklers and put away the lawnmowers. That grass is going to be soaking wet and Favre inches tall by kickoff. That game is going to be epic.

King say's 9 teams have a shot. 6 teams have a really good shot. AR wins the MVP, Saints and Pats play in the SB. He's made a living out of trying to make picks while trying to keep everyone happy.

Then again he picked the Falcons and the Chargers to play in the SB 4 months ago. Sorry about that Atlanta.

Saints may be missing Lance Moore this weekend

Not sure if it will affect them that much though.

Vegas gives the best odds to the Pack. Sorry Norm.

quote:

Originally posted by Boris:
TBH, I don't think the Saints will get past the Niners

Personally, I'm not too worried about the Niners. They beat a gimpy Big Ben (who never should have been on the field in the first place), lost to John Skelton and were one fortuitous Tarvarus Jackson fumble away from losing in Seattle.

The Saints run defense has improved greatly over the last few weeks (they stopped Chris Johnson in Tennessee and held Michael Turner to 39 yards on the ground). If they can do the same thing to Frank Gore, the pressure will fall on Alex Smith to carry the team. This is Smith's first time in the postseason, so I don't see him rising to the occasion on the big stage just yet. Maybe in a couple of seasons, but not now.

IMO, the Saints beat the 9'ers by double digits if it gets to that ... IMO, the Saints will have more trouble with the Lions.

Not sold on the 9'ers 1 iota.

The Niners are this year's version of the Falcons.

We'll be very lucky if they end up coming to Lambeau.

The more I think about it, the more I think NO may have more problems with Detroit than I first thought. I expect NO to play up to expectations, but I think Detroit plays significantly better on defense than they played against GB, and to have similar success offensively. I think Detroit comes into the NO game with a chip on their shoulder after effectively being embarrassed by GB's "back-ups" when they really needed a victory. That a-hole Schwartz will have them keyed up to play in the dome, and I expect a hell of a shoot out that Detroit may very well suprisingly pull out. Then again, I'll probably be way off and NO will win 72-3.

Here's a scenario: Lions upset NO, come to Green Bay, get beat again.

Giants beat Atlanta AND the Niners on the road.

Come to Green Bay for NFCCG as another underdog. Last two NFC teams to win as low seeds go head to head for the Super Bowl.

Media orgasms would be off the chart.

Wait. Joe Namath picks the Falcons.

Broadway Joe predicts

Yeah.

And Joe thought he had a chance with Suzy Kolber.

He got to first base. Considering Suzy dig's holes instead of sticks it's quite an accomplishment.

After watching the game, I see the Saints taking care of the ball much better than they did vs. The Lions. Niners are in trouble and tbeir fans know it.

Meanwhile....back on the ranch in Green Bay.... the Packers prepare for a team they already faced. Should be fun!!

quote:

Originally posted by ChilliJon:
He got to first base. Considering Suzy dig's holes instead of sticks it's quite an accomplishment.

Pix?

I want the Niners in the Championship game for sure, we already beat all these other losers...

Gotta be the 'Aints. They must have at least 6 HOFer's. Who's better than Drew Brees?

Can't wait.

The Lions needed almost a perfect game and I counted at least three dropped picks. Payton is a good coach, but I don't care for his style at all and I'm glad TT went with MM.