Packers' history...

in first ever game in NFL,Steelers lost,47-0,at City Stadium(renamed Lambeau Field,in 1957),to Packers,on October 15,1933...

Packers' trivia...

Sterling Sharpe holds Packers record for pass receptions,in a season,with 112 passes caught,in 1993;he had 108 receptions,in 1992... his career was cut short by a injury to his neck(narrowing of spinal column)...

commentary...

Packers hold a 18-14 edge in their games,with Pittsburgh winning seven,of last nine meetings... their first meeting on the football field was on October 15,1933,in Green Bay,with Packers winning the first nine games,in series....

Packers' history...

Super Bowl XLV will be the Steelers/Packers first meeting,in the playoffs,in their storied history...

NFL history...

the only number six seeds,in NFL,since a twelve team playoff format was adopted by NFL,was the 2005 Pittsburgh Steelers,and this year's Green Bay Packers...

Packers' news...

Packers practice in pads,tomorrow,and Saturday,then travel to Dallas,Monday,according to Mike McCarthy,Packers' head coach...

side note...

Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers,and Steelers',and Hall of Fame,defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau worked together,on the Steelers' staff,under Bill Cowher,for three years,from 1992-1994,or 1995,so defenses are very similar....

correction...

the game last season,between the Packers,and Steelers,was December 20,2009,at Heinz Field,a 37-36,last second win,for the Steelers...

commentary...

the last two times Green Bay played Pittsburgh,the Steelers won at Lambeau Field,on November 6,2005,and a last second win,against the Packers,37-36,last season,at Heinz Field... why the Steelers are underdogs,in eyes of pundits? i do not know.... in my opinion,the Steelers should be favored,for many reasons,but the Packers must be the trendy pick,and yet,both teams are so similar that it is surreal... the Steelers should be favored,because they have been recently there... a fact that people forget,is that both Brett Favre,and Aaron Rodgers both had playoff teams,early in their careers,and Super Bowls in their fourth year(Favre),and third year,as starting quarterback,of the Packers(Rodgers),respectfully... Roethlisberger won Super Bowls,in his second,and his fifth years,as quarterback,of the Steelers,so both teams are very similar,and the game should be very interesting to watch...

side note...

Aaron Rodgers is on the Midwest regional cover,of Sports Illustrated,and SI's Peter King wrote the cover story titled,"Pack where they belong"... accordingly to SI,it is the 34th cover for the Packers,behind only the Cowboys(47 covers),and their opponent,in Super Bowl XLV,the Pittsburgh Steelers... actually,i got tired of writing serious blog postings all the time,so i made this funny one...

commentary...

very simple:defense won the game with Bears,but they did not have a perfect day,and yet,they made the big play in game(18 yard interception,by B.J. Raji,to make it,21-7,with about five minutes to play,in game)... Sam Shields had two interceptions,and forced a fumble... Aaron Rodgers was simply human(17 completions,in 30 passes,for 244 yards,with two interceptions),but only one interception was serious(Brian Urlacher's 40+yard scramble that was stopped,and tackled by Rodgers,on a very nice open field tackle),but Packers' offense,after halftime,was simply bad,because a rousing Bears' defense refused to give an inch without a major fight... Rodgers favorite target was Greg Jennings,who caught eight passes,for 130 yards,but caught only one pass,after halftime.... i hate to admit that Caleb Hanie(3rd string quarterback) almost did a Cliff Longley(Dallas quarterback,who beat the Redskins,after Roger Staubach was pulled,one Thanksgiving,i remember that game)on the Packers,but the Packers' defense picked off two passes,including B.J. Raji's return for touchdown,that gave Packers the final points to win game,so i give the Packers' defense the game ball,but yet,have to give the Bears' defense admiration,for stepping up,to give the Bears a chance to win... that is being a true football fan...

Packers' game score...

GREEN BAY PACKERS NFC CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SUPER BOWL BOUND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 21-14,OVER BEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Packers' history...

talking of Davis,and the Packers,they were 15-5,in the 20 games that he played against Bears... on December 4,1960,in his second game,against the Bears,he blocked a punt,and recovered the blocked punt,in end zone,in a 41-13 win,for the Packers,in Chicago... update:Richard Dent will be Bears' honorary captain,for game Sunday... he was most valuable player for Bears,in Super Bowl XX...

Packers' news...

Hall of Fame defensive end Willie Davis(#87)has been named Packers' honorary captain,for the game Sunday,and he is almost as fired up,as when he was playing,for the Packers... just for a chuckle...

NFL news...

this year is only the fourth time that both teams(Bears,and Packers)have advanced to the playoffs,in the same year...

NFL history...

on December 21,1941,Chicago Bears beat New York Giants,37-9,at Wrigley Field,after beating Green Bay,33-14...

Packers history,and trivia...

according to Art Daley,longtime Green Bay Press-Gazette sports reporter(94 years old):in 33-14 win,on December 14,1941,Bears rushed for 277 yards,119 yards,by George McAfee,and 79 yards,and two touchdowns,by Norm Standlee,as Bears erased a 7-0 Packers' lead,scored on a one yard run,by Clarke Hinkle,after Bears fumbled opening kickoff(by Hugh Gallarneau),but Bears scored 30 straight points,when Gallarneau ran back a punt,81 yards,to start the onslaught... Don Hutson,had a injury,possibly a leg,and only caught one pass,for 19 yards... Green Bay gave Chicago their only loss,of the season,a 16-14 win,on November 2nd,1941,while Chicago gave Green Bay their only two losses(25-17,on September 28,1941,and game mentioned above)...

commentary...

when Packers drafted Aaron Rodgers,out of University of California,i actually cheered,because i saw his huge talent,and to be Brett Favre's understudy,for three years,and to see how Favre prepared for a football game,week after week,was a plus... he was the only quarterback,to beat USC,at home,during their Reggie Bush years,before their NCAA sanctions,and he was dangerous,when playing California,in his years,there,and now you can see his talent coming out,and now the Packers are in the NFC Championship....

NFL news...

QB Brett Favre has filed his retirement papers,with NFL,meaning that he has retired...

Bears-Packers trivia...

going into Sunday's game,the Bears lead the all-time series,92-83-6(181 games)...

commentary...

can Chicago out-score Green Bay? the biggest advantage,for Chicago,may be weather,but honestly,Green Bay will not care about the weather,because both cities are on Lake Superior,(actually,Green Bay,is named,for an offshoot,called Green Bay)and Green Bay may be colder,in winter,than Chicago,so that edge may be minimal... can Jay Cutler be as consistent as Aaron Rodgers has been? i honestly give an slight edge to Green Bay,on offense...i honestly give the slight edge to the front seven of Chicago's defense,but give a big edge to Green Bay's defensive backfield... coaching goes to Chicago,ever so slightly,except on defense,with Dom Capers,as defensive coordinator... Aaron Rodgers is a better quarterback than Jay Cutler,and the overall running game,goes to Chicago,but the receiving corps have a Green Bay edge,and a big edge... season fact:Green Bay,going into game,has not trailed by more than seven points,at any time,all season... think about that.... eighteen games,and not once.... so Sunday's game will be a war,between the oldest rivals,in NFL history,and amazingly,for the second time in their storied history,they will meet in playoffs... i am looking forward to round three,this season,and i honestly expect a total dogfight,and war,Sunday... both teams hate each other,but totally respect each other...

commentary...

it will be game number 182,between Packers and Bears,but only second time,in teams' history that they have met in playoffs... it will be 69 years,1 month,1 week,and two days,between meetings,in playoffs... i believe that the Bears are the only original team that has beaten the Packers more times,than the Packers had beaten them,but that is history... Packers do not like the Bears,and Bears do not like the Packers,and it is the longest rivalry in pro football,starting in 1921,and continuing,next Sunday,in Chicago... Bonus trivia:where was game played,in 1941? hint:stadium still stands... Bears and Cubs shared Wrigley Field,from 1921,to 1970... WAR TIME,SUNDAY!!!!!!!!!!!! GO PACKERS GO!!!!!!!!!!!

NFL news...

Jets/Steelers,AFC Championship game,next week...

Packers' history...

Packers/Bears,NFC Championship game... only second time,Bears have met Packers,in playoffs,amazingly... last time:December 14,1941,in Chicago,won by Bears,33-14...

commentary...

AARON RODGERS:31 COMPLETIONS,IN 36 PASSES,FOR 366 YDS,THREE TOUCHDOWN PASSES,ONE RUSHING TOUCHDOWN... PACKERS' DEFENSE:FIVE SACKS,FOUR TURNOVERS,WITH INTERCEPTION RETURN(70 YARDS,BY TRAMON WILLIAMS),AND TOUCHBACK INTERCEPTION,BY WILLIAMS... ENOUGH SAID!!!!!!!!! DOMINATION!!!!!!!!!!!!! 48-21,OVER FALCONS!!!!!!!!!! Rodgers set NFL record,with 10 touchdown passes,in first three playoff games,breaking record,set by Dan Marino,Darryle Lamonica,and Jeff George... the 48 points was franchise scoring record,in their storied playoff history... the interception return for a touchdown,as time ran out,in first half,by Williams was,most likely,the turning point in game... they were eight for twelve,on 3rd down,and they never punted in game... the Falcons' defense gave up 346 net passing yards(20 yards,in sacks),96 rushing yards,but Packers' defense gave up 149 net passing yards(37 yards,in sacks,and only 45 rushing yards,so total domination.... in fact,there were cheers by Packers' fans,saying,"Go Pack Go!",as Falcons' fans left the stadium,audible on television...

Packers' game score...

Packers stomp Falcons,48-21... analysis,tomorrow morning...

Packers' news...

Packers/Falcons,tonight... second game of day... game score,tonight,and analysis,after game...

Packers' history...

all-time series,between Packers,and Falcons,stand at 13-13,including 1-1,in playoffs...

Packers' history...

this post-season game between the Packers,and Falcons,will be only the third game that has been played,in Atlanta,between the teams,since 1992...

Packers' history...

Vince Lombardi's Packers' coaching debut,was a 9-6 win,over the Chicago Bears,on September 27,1959,in Green Bay... he got carried off the field,the first,of a total of five times,carried off the field...

commentary...

the Packers have been the M*A*S*H team this year,in the NFL,losing fifteen players to injured reserve,including six starters,but are in the second round of the playoffs... no matter what happens this Saturday night,they have been a very good team this year...

Packers' trivia...

this year is the first time,since 1993,that the Packers have had two road postseason contests(at Detroit,at Dallas,at that time)...

correction...

Packers.com reports that the win,in Philadelphia,was the first road win,since January 11,1998,in San Francisco,a 23-10 win,for the 1997 NFC Championship... it was my mistake;just did not dig deep enough,for the nugget,and had information,before posting last blog... will not happen again,if i can help it...

commentary...

James Starks ran 23 rushes,for 123 yards,and Aaron Rodgers threw 18 completions,in 27 passes,for 180 yards,and three touchdowns,but the defense sacked Michael Vick three times,and limited his running to thirty-three yards,and long run,of fourteen yards... Rodgers had a fumble,to allow the Eagles to close within 14-10,very early in second half,but Packers bounced back with a 80 yard drive to go up,21-10,and defense did the rest of it to keep Vick,and company in check... Vick,and company,scored touchdown,to make it,21-16,but it took four downs to get football,in end zone,and actually two attempts(because of penalty),and did not get it,because of pressure on Michael Vick,in pocket,on two-point conversion attempt... the three sacks of Vick,by the Packers' defense,were of the variety,of the smashes,of at least five yards lost,on every sack,including a nine yard loss,on the very first offensive play,of the game... Vick did throw for 292 yards,on 20 completions,on 36 passes,but only had two big plays throughout the game,and had been hammered by the Packers' defense,throughout the game... Starks set Packers' rookie rushing record,with 123 yards,on 23 carries,in playoffs... previous record:Travis Williams ran for 88 yards,against Los Angeles Rams,in playoff game,on December 23,1967,in Milwaukee... James Starks was sixth round pick,out of the University of Buffalo,this year,and was out of the first eleven games,with an injury... Starks was the most important piece of the puzzle,on offense,because it allowed Rodgers,to relax,and just play game... Starks' first carry,of the game,went for 27 yards,and his 32 yards,during the final Packers' 80 yard drive cemented his place,in Packers' lore... Packers' history:the Packers won on the road,in the playoffs,for the first time,since January 6,1996,when they beat the defending Super Bowl Champions(at that time)San Francisco 49ers,27-17,at Candlestick(3 Com) Park... Brett Favre had 21 completions,in 28 passes,for 299 yards,with two touchdowns,and Craig Newsome scooped up a fumble,for a 31-yard fumble return,for a touchdown... Packers,that day,went up,21-0,at halftime,on the 49ers...

PLAYOFF WIN...

Packers win 21-16,over Philadelphia... analysis,tomorrow...

side notes...

Bring on the Eagles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO PACKERS GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! analysis,after game...

Packers' news...

getting tired of talking of Packers/Eagles... Game tomorrow... Bring on Eagles... Go Packers Go!!!!!!!!!!

NFL news...

NFL announced QB Aaron Rodgers named NFC offensive player of the month for December...

Packers' trivia...

on January 11,2004,Philadelphia beat Green Bay,20-17,in overtime,in what some Packers' fans call,"the 4th,and 26" game,in which Donovan McNabb executed a 4th down,and 26 yards,to go,to force overtime,at Lincoln Financial Field,in Philadelphia,in one of the Packers' biggest disappointments,as a team...

Packers' trivia...

on December 26,1960,Philadelphia Eagles beat Green Bay Packers,17-13,at Franklin Field,in Philadelphia,for the NFL Championship... only playoff loss,by Packers,under Vince Lombardi... they then won nine games,in a row,during the Lombardi era,in the playoffs,including five NFL titles,two Super Bowl titles,and three consecutive NFL titles(1965-1967)...

new overtime rules...

new overtime rules apply to games this weekend:if team,who wins coin flip,scores a field goal,in overtime,other team gets football to try to re-tie game,with field goal,or win game,with touchdown... however,if team,who wins coin flip,scores touchdown,then game is over,as always...

Packers' news...

since 2000,the top two winning teams,in the NFC,will play Sunday... Eagles have record of 113-62-1(.645),and Packers have record of 105-71-0(.597)... in NFL,they are number four,and number five,in winning percentage,since 2000...

Packers' history...

Jim Taylor scored 81 rushing touchdown,from 1958-1966(9 seasons),to have Packers' record,for rushing touchdowns,in a career...

ode to a gunslinger...

when people talk about ironman streaks,they talk about Lou Gehrig's 2,130 game streak,and Cal Ripken's 2,632 game streak---all great streaks,no doubt,but i am going to talk of two other streaks---Jim Marshall's 270 game streak,playing defensive end,playing for the Minnesota Vikings-20 years,slogging through the NFL trenches-admired him,but hated the Vikings,even then... when people think of Brett Favre,in the future---the first thing they will talk about is starting,and playing 297 straight games,with three different teams;he threw 10,169 passes,completed 6,300,for 71,838,yards,with 508 touchdowns,and 336 interceptions,both NFL records,and sacked 525 times-the last one basically ending his great Hall of Fame career-with a concussion... he could do things with a football that many people could not even attempt,earning him admiration,and respect,from teammates,opponents,and his toughness and grit through the years,playing with major injuries,and just refusing to give up,and loving every moment,of a career,that should end in Canton... his teammates loved him,and opponents feared him,with him having the ball,with less than two minutes,left in game,or in overtime... i remember one play,against Denver(Monday Night Football),when game went into overtime-one bomb later,game over... announcers were stunned by Favre's play,and so was i,but that was Brett... he even played,after his father died,on Monday Night Football,and lighted up the Oakland Raiders,with 35 points,and over 300 yards,in the first half... he led Packers to an over 30 game home streak,with a win,and ended two seasons with an interception(both NFC Championship games-2007,and 2009),had two Super Bowls,1997,and 1998-one win,and one loss)... his 336 interceptions ended many a drive,but his 508 touchdowns gave life to his teams,and fear to the opponents.. when he played,he played all-out,with a passion,not seen too often,and only in the all-time greats... he may not be the greatest quarterback in history,but very few had the heart,passion,was a character,and had true football character,than number 4,whether it be in Packer green,and yellow,Jets' green,and white,or Vikings' purple,and white... he was a true warrior,and he fought like Patton,and had many highlights,some low points,but he was a real champion,like Jim Marshall,who played also with a true grit,and passion,very people ever have,or seen... Marshall is in the Hall of Fame,and Brett Favre will be there,and he deserves it,with a passion,and grit,like the all-time greats... i will miss Brett... see you,at the podium,in Canton...

Packers' news...

Green Bay Packers/Philadelphia Eagles,next Sunday.... rematch of week one,in which Packers won,27-20,in Philadelphia...

Packers' trivia...

Greg Jennings,Donald Driver,Jordy Nelson,James Jones,and Brandon Jackson,each have at least 40 catches,for the Packers,and it is the first time in 30 years,that the Packers have had that happen,as a team...

Packers' game score...

PACKERS ARE IN PLAYOFFS!!!!!!!!!!!!! Packers 10,Bears 3...

odd trivia...

Raiders will become first team,since the AFL-NFL merger,if they win game,at Kansas City,to sweep their division,and not make the playoffs... UPDATE:Raiders 31,Chiefs 10...

Packers' history...

Ahman Green holds Packers' rushing record for a season,rushing 355 times,for 1,883 yards,in 2003...