Packers' news...

Green Bay Packers 2010 All-Pro Nick Collins,who had neck surgery shortly after being injured,in second game of 2011 season,will meet with his doctors,in March,before making decision on possible return,next season...

Packers in Pro Bowl...

Aaron Rodgers was 13 completions,in 17 attempts,for 141 yards,had a passer rating of 139.6,and two touchdowns,both to Larry Fitzgerald,of the Arizona Cardinals... Greg Jennings had a touchdown catch,from Drew Brees,of the New Orleans Saints,and Clay Matthews had an interception,in the AFC' s 59-41 win,over the NFC,in the Pro Bowl... the AFC scored the last 28 points,in game...

comments,and trivia....

how many times did the Giants sack Tom Brady,in Super Bowl XLII? answer:five times... they have to do that,next Sunday,to disrupt New England's offense all day,to have a chance to win Super Bowl XLVI...

commentary...

i know that this is a Packers' blog,and a blog on NFL football,but sometimes,when bored,i come up with very odd trivia about other things that interest me,so i am not sorry that i do it,because it makes it fascinating to try to make myself happy... doing this blog,along with my other blog on the NHL,and the Detroit Red Wings,makes me happy,because i come up with some great trivia,and nuggets of knowledge that people really do forget,and do not remember... so enjoy!!!!!!!!

odd trivia...

the movie poster,for Jerry Lewis' movie,"Cinderfella",was done,by the famous Norman Rockwell....

trivia...

for a change of pace today,here is some trivia that you may not know,about auto racing?:what driver has won the Daytona 500,Indianapolis 500,the 24 hours of Daytona,and the 24 hours of Le Mans? final JEOPARDY answer:A.J. Foyt...

NFL news...

Chicago Bears hire Phil Emery,formerly of the Kansas City Chiefs,as their new general manager...

sorry,folks....

i am sorry that my blog has been bland in the last couple of days,but the two week break between the Super Bowl,and the Conference Championships,is way too long,because there are only a few times that you can stomach replays of previous games(like Super Bowl XLII),and updates of various players... i love to talk about pro football,but talking about Tom Brady being one of best quarterbacks,ever to play the game,over and over,just bores me... by the way,he is on the list,everyone....

commentary...

to tell you the truth,i have had a grudge,against former Packers' coach Mike Holmgren,because of the way that he left Green Bay,for Seattle,after the 1999 playoff loss,to San Francisco,because he left for Seattle,with a year left on his contract,but Holmgren is being inducted into Packers' Hall of Fame,next July,so it is time to forgive him... he is president of the Cleveland Browns,so that is punishment enough(laughing)... congrats,Mike...

a letter from a seven year old,to 49ers' Kyle Williams...

this letter was from a seven year old,in Los Angeles:(spelling is his,not mine)
Dear Mr. Williams,
we just watched the Playoff game. i just feel bad for you,but i wanted you to know that you had a great season,you sould be very proud,so i wanted to say thank you.

I am your #1 FAN

Owen Shure
Los Angeles CA

p.s. your awsome

Owen was crying,and saying,"why did he have to fumble?",through sobs
his dad tried to make him crying after the tough loss,and he said to him,"if you feel that way,how sad do you think Kyle Williams is",and then Owen asked to write him a letter...*
it teaches you true sportsmanship,and "a child should lead them"... (my quote)
*source: Yahoo News

NFL news...

Tampa Bay Buccaneers hired Greg Schiano,formerly of Rutgers University,as their new head coach...

Packers' news,and a comment...

Packers' quarterback Aaron Rodgers has guessed that if Matt Flynn wants to leave,via free agency,he may be going to Miami,because former Packers' offensive coordinator Joe Philbin,is the Miami Dolphins' new head coach... as a side note,if he(Flynn) does leave Green Bay,i will applaud,with respect,the first time he shows up in Green Bay,and then "boo",with a smile...

commentary...

Packers had a very weak defense this season pressuring the quarterback,and their defensive linemen were nowhere to be found,in last half of 2011 season... when Clay Matthews had six sacks,to lead the Packers,you had an idea that the Packers had trouble on their defensive line... the main reasons that the Packers gave up so many yards,on defense,was their lack of pressure on the quarterback,and the only ones that deserved an "A",ON DEFENSE,were Clay Matthews,Tramon Williams,and "old man"(with deep affection)Charles Woodson,but the overall grade of the defensive backfield was a solid B,but the loss of 2010 All-Pro Nick Collins cost the Packers more than they would ever say,and the defensive line(the front seven,except for Clay Matthews) was a big fat D(AND I DO NOT MEAN DEFENSE,HA,HA)... what defensive line? the only reason that i gave Matthews an A,for his play,was the fact that he had a very good year stopping the run,and pressuring quarterbacks,and he was being double teamed on most plays,in most games... the sacks were down,and yet,he had a very good year,and only can get better....

NFL news...

Indianapolis Colts hire Chuck Pagano,former Baltimore Ravens' defensive coordinator,as their new head coach...

NFL news...

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has a contract extension,through 2018,the NFL reported...

NFL news...

Oakland Raiders hire former Denver Broncos' defensive coordinator Dennis Allen,as their new head coach...

commentary...

the Super Bowl(Super Bowl XLVI) is a rematch of Super Bowl XLII,between the New York Giants,and New England Patriots... it should be interesting,but both teams have flaws... New England has an offense that ranked 31st in NFL,this season,in yards allowed,so they have holes in their defensive backfield,that a good passer can exploit,and with the Giants' two pronged running attack(Ahmad Bradshaw,and Brandon Jacobs),the Patriots may be in for a long day... both teams got very lucky,in winning AFC,and NFC Championship,because of goofs,by the 49ers,and Ravens,bad special teams(two fumbles,and a knee)(49ers),and a stripped touchdown pass,and missed field goal(Ravens)... both teams look beatable,and that is the truth... the Patriots have Tom Brady,and a potent offense,but the Giants have also a potent offense,with New England,with the edge,but the Giants have the edge,with a better defense,and both teams have good defensive backfields,but both can be torched,by a very good passer... the coaching edge goes to the Patriots,because no one wants to give Bill Belichick two weeks to prepare,but i have to remind you that the one loss(in Super Bowl XLII),suffered by the Patriots,was at the hands of the Giants(and a great helmet held catch,by David Tyree),so who knows?

commentary...

there is a real debate between pundits,on who is the best Super Bowl quarterback,of that era... if Tom Brady wins Super Bowl XLVI,he will win his fourth Super Bowl title,in five attempts,but Joe Montana,of the San Francisco 49ers,and Terry Bradshaw,of the Pittsburgh Steelers also have won four Super Bowls,but without a loss... Brady is a future Hall of Fame member,even without a fourth Super Bowl... all three quarterbacks are class football players,and even though i "hated"(ha,ha)the Steelers,during their run,of four Super Bowl wins in six years.. i actually give Bradshaw a very very slight edge,over Montana,but the Steelers did have a good offense,and a very good defense(the Steel Curtain),and a very good defensive backfield...

RIP Jim Irwin...

Jim Irwin,longtime Packers' radio announcer,for 30 years,died Sunday,from complications of kidney cancer,at age 77...

trivia...

Super Bowl XLVI will be the fourth time that that two teams have played each other,in a Super Bowl... Super Bowl XLII was played between New England Patriots,and New York Giants,won by New York,17-14... Dallas Cowboys,and the Pittsburgh Steelers played each other,in Super Bowl X(won,by Pittsburgh,21-17),Super Bowl XIII(won,by Pittsburgh,35-31),and Super Bowl XXX(won,by Dallas,27-17)...

comment...

i will have NFL trivia this week,along with Packers' trivia,then concentrate on Super Bowl XLVI,next week...

NFC Championship Game...

New York Giants 20,San Francisco 49ers 17,overtime... 49ers:only one conversion on third down,in entire game,and sloppy special teams play doomed 49ers...

Packers' news...

Packers signed eight free agents,today:WR Diondre Borell,T Chris Campbell,C Sampson Genus,WR Tori Gurley,FB Jon Hoese,DL Johnny Jones,S Anthony Levine,and CB Brandian Ross... all eight were on 2011 practice squad for Packers...

AFC Championship Game...

New England Patriots 23,Baltimore Ravens 20... a stripped touchdown pass,and then a missed 32 yard field goal,to tie game,doomed Ravens...

comments...

can Ravens' defense stop Tom Brady,and the three pronged offense,of the New England Patriots?can Patroits stop Ray Rice,Joe Flacco,and the Ravens' offense... the team who do the best job on the other team,and create turnovers will win...

commentary...

can 49ers' defense stop Eli Manning,and the red-hot Giants offense? can Giants' defense stop Frank Gore,quarterback Alex Smith,and wide receiver Vernon Davis... they did play in week ten,and the 49ers won that game,27-20,but i guarantee both teams have improved greatly,since that regular season game... the key for the Giants will be if they can run with Ahmad Bradshaw,and Brandon Jacobs,and if they can,they will open up the passing lanes,into a very very good defensive backfield,with at least,one All-Pro,in Carlos Rogers...
the key to the 49ers game plan will be running Frank Gore,and not allowing the big mistakes that killed the Packers last week... keep ahold of the football(more turnovers/per team will decide game),and with the weather forecast being rainy,and nasty(muddy),expect some turnovers,for both teams... the team who can run the football will have the advantage,because their receiving corps will have an idea how to run routes,and keep possession of the football,and eat the clock... the team who converts their third downs most likely will win,because they will advantages of possession at critical times,unless one team will go deep,and execute the big play,like both teams did last Sunday...

RIP Joe Paterno...

former Penn State head coach Joe Paterno has died of complications from lung cancer... prayers go out to his family...

trivia...

two memorable Giants-49ers games:one win each,1990:Giants 15,49ers 13... Roger Craig fumbled,in their own end,and the Giants capitalized with a Matt Bahr game-winning field to end 49ers' three peat chance,in 1990 NFC Championship...
49ers 39,Giants 38... 49ers came back from a 24 point deficit(38-14)in last 20+ minutes,but should have been called for pass interference,on muffed Giants' field goal,at end of game(referees actually blew call)...

commentary...

Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots: Tom Brady against Ray Lewis;Joe Flacco and Ray Rice vs Patriots' defense... those are the big matchups that will determine the game... both Brady and Lewis are future Hall of Fame members,but is the Ravens' defense better than the Patriots' offense,who lighted up the Denver Broncos' defense for forty five points,last week... the fact that Brady is a future Hall of Fame member,and does not get rattled too often does not bode well for the Ravens,no matter how many points your team may score against the Patriots... both tight ends,for the Patriots(Rob Gronkowski,and Aaron Hernandez),along with Wes Welker are deadly offensive weapons,for Ed Reed,and company(Ravens' defensive backfield)to contain,for entire game...
Joe Flacco is a quarterback,for the Ravens,that is an enigma to figure out,because the Ravens' offense can be tough to handle,because they have a running back in Ray Rice,who may be underrated in the realm of NFL running backs,this season,but is very tough to tackle,but can Flacco raise his game to keep up with Tom Brady,and company,and torch the Patriots' defense,which was 31st,in NFL,this season,in yards allowed... the Ravens' defense has been dominant this season(they beat 49ers,16-6,Thanksgiving Night,by sacking Alex Smith,nine times),but Joe Flacco has to have his best game,as NFL quarterback,to keep up with the Patriots' potent offense,because no matter what Lewis and company does,it will be up to the Ravens' offense,to take advantage of the Patriots' mistakes,if the Ravens can do it,because Tom Brady does not make many mistakes,but to tell you,the Patriots have won only one game in post-season,since 2007,but they scored 45 points,against Denver,last week...
if i was the Ravens' team,i would score first,and then clamp down,on Tom Brady,with that dominant defense...
if i was the Patriots' team,i would tell Brady and company,to keep foot on gas pedal,and do not let up,at all...

commentary...

San Francisco 49ers vs. New York Giants:49ers have to control Victor Cruz,and the two-headed running attack(Ahmad Bradshaw,and Brandon Jacobs),and have to contain Eli Manning,who dissected the Packers,all day,and even though the 49ers have a very good defense,they can not allow Manning to dissect that defense... 49ers may have the second best defensive backfield,over this season,but they better show up,against the Giants' offense who has torched everybody over the past four weeks... the front seven of the 49ers' defense may be very good,and they are,but it is the 49ers' offense that will be tested in keeping the front seven of the Giants' defense in check,and giving the 49ers' quarterback Alex Smith time to penetrate the Giants' defensive backfield,but the Giants need to be ball hawking the 49ers,every time they tackle...
Frank Gore,and Vernon Davis will have to be on their games to keep the 49ers' offense on the field,and convert third downs,at critical times,and make it very short third down conversions(like 3rd and 3,or less)... by the way,the 49ers did beat the Giants,27-20,in week ten,at Candlestick,but both teams have gotten much better,and this game may be a shootout... however can the 49ers offense play any better than they did,against the Saints,last week... can the Giants,as a team,play any better than they did,against the Packers,last week... both teams played great against their opponents last week,but which team will show up:the 49ers,whose defense has been dominant this season,and whose offense has improved over the season,or the Giants,whose record may not be the best,but whose entire team has picked up their game,in last four weeks,when it does count... interesting game,isn't it?

comments....

the Packers had some nice things to say about their former offensive coordinator Joe Philbin,as he took the Miami Dolphins' head coaching job,recently: "you start personally with his character,he is a family man,a very respected individual on our staff,and professionally,an outstanding communicator... very knowledgeable... great work ethic..." total class,Mike McCarthy!!!!!!

Packers' news...

Packers sign quarterback Nick Hill,out of Southern Illinois,who played for the Orlando Predators,of the Arena Football League...

what odds are these?

i know this a football blog,but one unique piece of trivia caught my eye...
from 1998 to 2002,the final standings in American League Eastern Division never changed...
New York Yankees
Boston Red Sox
Toronto Blue Jays
Baltimore Orioles
Tampa Bay Devil Rays
was the order of the teams...

NFL news...

Miami Dolphins hire former Packers' offensive coordinator Joe Philbin,as their new head coach... good luck,Joe...

2011 Packers' records...

Packers' records this year:points 560;40.1 points average,at home,35 points team average/all year,touchdowns-70,players who scored at least one touchdown-19...
total points is second most,in NFL history,and touchdowns by team is also second,in NFL history,behind 2007 New England Patriots(589 points,and 75 touchdowns)
Charles Woodson is only player,in NFL,to score on an interception return,for touchdown,for last SIX seasons;he did that in week four...
the 31 interceptions by the Packers was the most by the team,since 1970 AFL/NFL merger...
with six sacks,Clay Matthews tied Packers record of most sacks,in first three years(29.5,with Tony Bennett,1990-1992)
the Packers had only 14 turnovers,this season,breaking team record,by two,set,in 2009...
the nineteen game winning streak was the second longest in NFL history,behind New England's 21 game winning streak,in 2007...
Aaron Rodgers had a passer rating of 122.5,best in NFL history-12 straight games of a passer rating of 100,and amazingly tied team record,of 1.2%,of passes intercepted(six,in 502 passes),with Bart Starr,(who in 1966,had three interceptions,in 251 passes)...
the fifteen wins this season was the most wins,by a Packers' team ever...
Jordy Nelson had two 80+yard touchdown catches(84 yards,against Carolina Panthers,week 2,and 93 yard touchdown catch,against St. Louis Rams,week 6)...
Donald Driver became first Packers' receiver to surpass 10,000 yards receiving,as a Packers' player,against Chicago Bears-week 16...
Mason Crosby set records,for most field goals in a row(23,going back to 2010),and longest field goal,in Packers' history(58 yards,at Minnesota,week 7)...
Tim Masthay set punting record for gross punting yards average/per punt(45.6 yards per punt)...
Randall Cobb tied NFL record(108 yards,against New Orleans,week 1)for longest kickoff return,for touchdown,and became first rookie,in Packers' history,to have a punt return touchdown,and kickoff return touchdown in same season...

RIP Etta James...

Blues singer Etta James died today from complications from leukemia... prayers go out to her family...

commentary...

it has been a rough few days for me,because of emotions,over the Packers' loss... being a shareholder of the team means a great deal to me,and the loss,as a shareholder,gave me new pride,and feelings that,as a fan,you do not experience,because you are part of the Packers' ownership,and you,as a fan,do not realize how personal the feelings get,when you,as a shareholder,realize that how the Packers perform on the field,because they represent you,as shareholder,and you get pride,on how they perform on the field every week of the season,and for seasons to come...

Packers' news...

in last press conference,Packers' head coach Mike McCarthy said that he was concerned about poor tackling,on defense,and said that,"we will improve..."...

Packers' news...

the Green Bay Packers are slotted to draft players in the 28th position,in the 2012 NFL Draft...

NFL news...

Indianapolis Colts fired head coach Jim Caldwell,after a 2-14 season...

Packers' news...

Packers' offensive coordinator Joe Philbin,and quarterbacks coach Tom Clements have scheduled appointments with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers,to discuss coaching positions...

funny story...

i know this has nothing to do with football,but i find this absolutely hilarious:Alexis Rodriguez opened his hospital bill,from Bronx-Lebanon hospital,in NYC,last week,expecting a $300 bill,and "found out" he owed hospital,$44 million dollars... he almost had an asthma attack,and is in stable condition... the hospital's billing firm,PHY Services,is blaming a system error,in putting the bill's invoice number,into the "amount due" spot,on bill... do not get sick in New York City...

funny story...

Miss America 2012 Laura Kaeppeler,of Wisconsin,asked Packers' quarterback Aaron Rodgers to call her,during Saturday night's broadcast of the pageant...

commentary...

the Packers were rested,ready,and healthy... AND they laid the biggest egg,in my opinion,in team history... people may say that the Giants had a great game plan,and they did,but the Packers dropped passes-a-plenty,missed wide open receivers,and the defense gave up plenty of yards,in first half(311 yards),and by the time the defense stiffened up,to help make team make a run at the Giants,the Packers' high powered offense short-circuited,in a big way... New York(the city)had more electricity,in 1977,during that famous blackout,than Green Bay's offense,last night... enough of the funny stuff...
Aaron Rodgers and the Packers' offense,and the coaches played game,like they could turn on the offense at will,and most of the year,they did,but the Giants' defense had a different idea;they clawed,hit,and went ball hawking,after every tackle,trying to strip the ball,resulting in four turnovers(three fumbles,and an interception),and Eli Manning was not spectacular,but he was very very good,on offense,making big play after play,after the Giants' defense stymied Rodgers,with a defensive game plan that made the Packers try to hold onto the football,too tight,and try to make the perfect play,which New York made the best of four turnovers(including a strip of Rodgers,in the pocket,when Greg Jennings was running free down the left sideline,for a big play),but the big play never materialized,for the Packers,and the last second play(Hail Mary,37 yard touchdown pass,in first half)was the turning point,for the Giants,momentum-wise,because it gave the Giants hope,for the second half,but it was the first touchdown(a 66 yard pass play,by Hakeem Nicks,on a missed tackle by Charlie Peprah)that told me that it may not be the Packers' day,because the Giants confidence,and momentum,but the Packers' offense was not effective all day,and Randall Cobb lost football,as he hit ground,on first Packers' kickoff,after New York was stopped for a 3-0 lead(call was down by contact,and was upheld by review officials)...
Green Bay then played "hot potato",in second period,dropping passes,and then after the Hail Mary,at end of first half,it only got worse for the Packers,because they had to play,"catch up",with a Giants' offense that was not only good,but made the best of the Packers' big mistakes,to put game out of reach,in fourth quarter... Packers looked lethargic,and out of sync(the entire team,players,and coaches),the entire game... it looked like Aaron Rodgers' first year,as starter(2008-2009),because he did the same things he did back then,but i have to give the Giants credit,for a game plan that was very good,and a defense that was ball hawking,from opening kickoff,going for the strip of the ball,on most hits,and tackles,sacking Aaron Rodgers four times,and giving the Packers fits,almost every possession,by hitting,and clawing,at football,causing three fumbles,at critical times,making the Packers look inept,throughout the game...

commentary...

first of all,i am very happy about the entire year,becoming a shareholder in the Packers,and being a shareholder in the Packers,you have to take the good and the bad of the game of football... today was a very big disappointment,because i just thought they would have been played better,and now i understand what it means to say,"wait until next year",because it is very difficult to repeat,as Super Bowl Champions... i am a proud shareholder of the Packers,and that had been my dream,for a very long time,and that is more important to me,than the game,but the fact that i am part of Packers' history,and their legacy makes me feel proud... i do wish that the Packers would have been Super Bowl Champions,but that was not to be,this season,and they have won four Super Bowls,so next year,will come and go,but my pride in the Packers will never change... i may not have,but one share,and yet,i still smile about the fact that i am part of the Packers legacy,as a shareholder,and not one game will dim that pride...

game score,and commentary...

Giants 37,Packers 20... i have to give credit to the Giants... they have put it to the Packers,and backed up their boasts,about the game... i will criticize the Packers later,but i need to get over this horrible effort by the Packers,on this day... you can talk about rust,but the Giants had their best game of their season,and Aaron Rodgers,and the entire Packers' team,including the coaches,got an old fashioned style whipping,from pillar to post,and they had their worst game played in over a year,and maybe a few years... hat tip to the Giants...

AFC Divisional games...

New England Patriots 45, Denver Broncos 10...
Baltimore Ravens 17,Houston Texans 13...

Baltimore at New England,next sunday,for Super Bowl berth...

one final season stat that you may want to see...

New York Giants scored 394 points;Green Bay Packers scored 560 points;New York Giants allowed 400 points,on defense;Green Bay Packers allowed 359 points,on a much maligned defense... so think about that,Giants' fans!!!!!!

unique playoff trivia...

last team to win a playoff game,with committing five turnovers,was the 1982 New York Jets,who beat the Los Angeles Raiders,17-14,on January 15,1983,in Los Angeles

game score...

San Francisco 49ers 36,New Orleans Saints 32...

injury report...

only one Packers' player is listed,as doubtful,and that is backup linebacker Robert Francois,and he also plays on special teams... for example,three players did not play in season opener,against New Orleans... so Packers are as healthy as they can be,for tomorrow's game,against the New York Giants...

trivia...

Brett Favre had sixteen 3,000 yard passing seasons,from 1992-2007,for the Packers,and eighteen overall...

NFL news...

St. Louis Rams hire former Tennessee Titans head coach,Jeff Fisher...

funny NYC paper,back cover...

today's New York Post has a back cover drawing of Eli Manning,dressed as John Rambo,with the heading of."RAMBEAU II",and with sub-heading of,"Eli drew first blood,in 2008,and he is back for more",and he is standing in a drawing,of Lambeau Field... what fans!!!!!!

trivia...

both the Giants and the Packers have been in 45 playoff games,records in playoffs:New York Giants 21-24,Green Bay 29-16;NFL Championships(includes Super Bowl Wins):New York Giants,seven NFL Championships(3 Super Bowl Wins):Green Bay Packers,thirteen NFL Championships(most all-time)(4 Super Bowl Wins)...

commentary...

for your information,of the 53 players that were on the Lambeau Field turf,for the 2007 NFC Championship game,against the Giants(a 23-20,overtime loss),only sixteen remain on the roster,and one Giants' receiver,among others,(Plaxico Burress),who caught eleven passes,from Eli Manning,that chilly January night in 2008,now plays for the New York Jets... i respect the Giants very much,and this is only my opinion,but the Giants,honestly,scored too soon,to tie the game,in week thirteen,at 35,thinking about overtime,and Aaron Rodgers dissected the Giants' defense,in last 58 seconds,of game... funny thing if the Giants had run one play,there would have been overtime,then who knows what would have happened... the Giants have looked very good,in games,and looked very bad in games,too,and from a person who has seen most of the Giants' games(on NFL REDZONE),every Sunday,and they looked very good defensively,Sunday,it should be a very interesting game,between the Packers,and Giants,Sunday... Packers have scored 321 points,in eight games,so far,at Lambeau Field,and given up only 171 points on much-maligned defense,this year at home(41 points of that,in a meaningless game,but a win,two weeks ago,against Detroit Lions-in which starters were rested)... pundits believe that the Giants have a chance,and they do,but looking at these numbers,they better shut their mouths,and strap their helmets on,and prepare for a dogfight,because the Packers are not going to just roll over,and play patty-cake,with them...

Packers' news...

Packers' offensive coordinator Joe Philbin is on indefinite leave,because of the death of son,in Fox River,in Oshkosh,Wisconsin... RIP,Michael,and prayers go out to his family throughout this tragic time...

trivia...

Packers are 29-16,in NFL playoffs,all-time,with a .644 winning percentage,which is best winning percentage,in NFL history,trailing only the Cowboys,and Steelers who have 33 wins,all-time...

comments...

actually,i am just giving you facts about the game(every opponent)the week of the game coming up,and with the bye week,i needed to catch up,with not knowing who the Packers were playing until Sunday,and so i had started with trivia gathering during Giants/Falcons game,and i was going over my blog posts the week of the last game,between the Giants,and Packers(week 13),and keeping blog current with injury report,and nuggets of game trivia...

Packers/Giants trivia...

the Packers are 6-0 against NFC playoff teams,this season... they have beaten the New York Giants,New Orleans Saints,Denver Broncos,Atlanta Falcons,and Detroit Lions(twice)... they are 3-0 coming after a first round bye,in playoffs... they were number one seeds,in 1996,and number two seeds,in 1997,and 2007,and have won six of the last eight games between the teams...

trivia...

before the Giants are anointed:trivia question,what team has lost to every playoff opponent,still standing,to the Seattle Seahawks,the Philadelphia Eagles(once),and to the Washington Redskins(in two embarrassing losses,28-14,and 23-10),this year... answer:the New York Giants...

Raiders fire head coach...

Oakland Raiders fired head coach Hue Jackson... Jackson boasted,after Al Davis' death,that he was going to be involved in personnel decisions,after engineering trade for Carson Palmer... apparently,his loud,and big mouth got him canned,today,by new Raiders' general manager Reggie McKenzie... way to go,Hue... good riddance,to bad garbage!!!!! next time,if you get second chance to be head coach,in NFL,just shut your big,and loud mouth!!!!!!

commentary...

on the back of the New York Daily News,today,the giant headline about how confident the Giants' players may be:it quoted one of the players,in calling the Packers,"Cheese Puffs"... i respect the Giants very much,but their mouths may have to cash a check too big that their rear ends can not cash!!!!!!! if i was them,i would have shut my mouths,and let their talents show up on Sunday,but unfortunately,they may have the same fate,as the Atlanta Falcons,and the Detroit Lions,who lost games,after badmouthing the Packers...

commentary...

people have forgotten how powerful the Packers have been this season... fifteen wins,in last sixteen games,and twenty one of the last twenty-two games... Aaron Rodgers,forty-five touchdowns,and only six interceptions... Packers' defense,thirty eight turnovers,thirty-one interceptions,this season... they lost one game,to the Kansas City Chiefs,but only by five points(19-14)... the Packers may have been 31st in yards allowed(NFL rank),going into game,against the Lions(and 32nd,now),but they were ranked 12th,in points allowed(NFL rank),and they rested three major starters,on defense,and major starters,on offense,against the Lions... if the Packers gave up more points over this season,i would be worried about the Packers' defense,but the fact that the Packers' defense helped win more games than people realize... the coaching staff is overall the best in the NFL,and nobody works harder in preparing for the game than Aaron Rodgers,Mike McCarthy,and Packers' defensive coordinator Dom Capers,who may be the finest defensive coordinator,right behind Pittsburgh Steelers' Dick LeBeau,and everyone is on the Giants' bandwagon,because of the domination of the Atlanta Falcons,but they have only played three great games,in a row... the Packers have played very well in the last twenty two games,leading throughout the fourth quarter,in twenty games,of those twenty two games,but won last game,against the Lions(won that one with a great performance by Matt Flynn,and a game winning drive),so Packers have averaged a NFL best 35 points/per game throughout this season(outdoors,and indoors),and even the much maligned Packers' defense only gave up 22.44 points/per game... the problem was that the Packers' defense just gave up sixteen points/per game,last season,and people remember that little fact,so they ask,"what is wrong with Packers' defense,this season?"... i admit that they have not played as well as last season,but last year was last year,but with an offense that scores 35 points/per game,the defense gets on the field a little more often,and gives up more garbage yards,in the fourth quarter,and with teams trying to catch up with the Packers' dangerous,and potent offense,they are victimized with more yards than they should have given up... they scored 40+points,six times,and only gave up more than 30 points,only four times... people believe that the Packers are beatable,and they are,but you have to out-score them,and play very good defense to do it,but the Packers are the defending Super Bowl champions,until they are beat,and only one team has done the deed,so far(the Kansas City Chiefs),and they are at home watching the NFL playoffs,and i do respect the teams that are in the playoff hunt this year,but they all have weaknesses,in their teams,including the Packers,but the Packers(they say)are banged up on the offensive line,but (NEWS ALERT)the Packers are as healthy,as they were in opening game of the season(small bangs,and pains do not count),and everyone who can play,will play Sunday,against the Giants... CHEW,AND SMOKE ON THAT,GIANTS' FANS!!!!!!

bulletin board material...

Jason Pierre-Paul,of the New York Giants,has guaranteed victory for the Giants,this Sunday,against the Green Bay Packers... BACK IT UP,NOW,AND BRING IT ON!!!!!!!!! GAME ON!!!!!!!! i have respect for the Giants,but they are way too confident,for this game,so it is time to shut them down,and hopefully shut their mouths!!!!!!

tragedy in Oshkosh...

Michael Philbin,son of Packers' offensive coordinator Joe Philbin,was found in Fox River,in Oshkosh,Wisconsin... reports say that he supposedly fell through the ice,about 2:30 am,Sunday... prayers go out to Philbin family,at this time...

2007 NFC Championship score,and commentary...

Giants 23,Packers 20,overtime loss;Brett Favre threw interception that cost Packers game,and his last pass,as a Packers' quarterback... Packers are not the same team,today,as they were in 2007... Giants have different players too,and they are tougher,no doubt,but so are the Packers... they have a quarterback,in Aaron Rodgers,who has thrown only six interceptions,all season,and has thrown only four interceptions,in red zone(from 20 yard line on in,to goal line),in his entire career... i have nothing but praise for Brett Favre,but he was high risk/high reward,as a gunslinger...

commentary...

New York Giants/Green Bay Packers,next Sunday...
last playoff game,at Green Bay:2007,New York won in overtime,NFC Championship game(last Packers' game played,by Brett Favre,ended with Favre throwing interception,giving Giants field position,for winning field goal)... pundits will try to say that it is the same Giants' team,with Eli Manning,at helm,that came to Green Bay,and won that game...
however,the one drawback about Favre,was that he was high risk/high reward,and being a gunslinger,and known for throwing a lot of interceptions,and Aaron Rodgers was back-up,to Favre,and now it is Aaron's team,and the pundits will try to downplay the 38-35 win,by the Packers,in week thirteen,and Packers have fought for homefield advantage,and they will not be as easy to beat,at home,where they were unbeaten,this year...

commentary....

you may believe that the Saints are tough to beat,and they are,but the Lions had them down,dropped two,or three bad passes thrown,by Drew Brees,and yet could not stop them on 3rd,or 4th down... that is the difference in this game... the Saints are not unbeatable,but they played well,against the Lions,tonight... however the Packers' defense is much better than the Lions,and New Orleans must play better,because they can be beaten,with a better overall game plan... Saints play San Francisco 49ers,next weekend(outdoors)... Packers play the winner,of the Atlanta Falcons/New York Giants game,next weekend...

trivia...

name the only center ever to be named NFL MVP? answer:Mel Hein,New York Giants,1938...

Packers' unique trivia...

in 1994 NFC,16-12,Packers' wild card win,over the Detroit Lions,how many yards did Barry Sanders gain that day,for the Lions?
a:50 yards on 10 carries...
b:minus-1,on 13 carries...
c:150 yards,on 20 carries...
d:15 yards,on 13 carries...
answer:it was b,the Lions rushed for a NFL playoff record minus-4(still the record,for fewest rushing yards,in a playoff game...)

NFL news...

Reggie McKenzie,the Packers' director of football operations,has become the Oakland Raiders' general manager... he played for the Los Angeles Raiders,for five years,so he will be familiar with the organization...

commentary...

Green Bay may play a week from Sunday,but to Aaron Rodgers,the playoffs start next Monday,because he wants to get mentally prepared for the playoffs,and he wants to see the same heightened urgency,he saw last year,when the Packers won Super Bowl XLV,in the eyes,of the team,and coaches,going into the second round,of the NFL playoffs... one good fact:Green Bay will be a very healthy team,going into this year's playoffs,compared to last year,when they had 15-16 players on injured reserve,going into last year's playoffs... that one little fact means trouble for every team in the playoffs,because they steamrolled everybody last year,and i am not saying that the Packers are going to win,but a very healthy Packers' team,is just bad news,for everybody else... one game at a time,folks!!!!!!!!!

injury update...

it appears that wide receiver Greg Jennings,running back James Starks,center Scott Wells,linebacker Frank Zombo,and inside linebacker D.J. Smith will play in two weeks(January 15th)... Clay Matthews,and Charles Woodson appear to be preparing to play,too...

Packers' trivia...

what two teams has the highest scoring game,in Monday Night Football history? answer:on October 17,1983,the Green Bay Packers beat the Washington Redskins,48-47,in the highest scoring game,in Monday Night Football game history...

Packers' news...

Green Bay Packers finished,6-0,for the first time,since divisional format started,in 1967...

NFL,and Packers' news...

2012 home and away opponents announced...
home:
Chicago Bears...
Detroit Lions...
Minnesota Vikings...
San Francisco 49ers...
Jacksonville Jaguars...
Arizona Cardinals...
Tennessee Titans...
New Orleans Saints...
away:
Chicago Bears...
Detroit Lions...
Minnesota Vikings...
Seattle Seahawks...
St. Louis Rams...
New York Giants...
Houston Texans...
Indianapolis Colts...

unique seeding trivia...

since 1990,fifteen teams,ranked number one,or number two(nine number one seeds,six number two seeds)have won the Super Bowl...

schedule update...

the playoff game,at Lambeau Field,will be played January 15,at 1:30 pm,and will be last game played,that weekend...

NFL news...

Indianapolis Colts fired vice-chairman Bill Polian,and general manager Chris Polian...

commentary...

the defense for the Packers does worry me,and is "the weakness",in this team... giving up yards,does worry,and yet,the Packers have a very good defensive secondary,but honestly the neck injury to Nick Collins(All-Pro,in 2010),in the second game of the 2011 NFL season hurt the Packers' defense,more than the people at 1265 Lombardi(Lambeau Field)will tell you,because you take an All-Pro out of their defensive secondary,and there is a big hole,in that defense,but Tramon Williams,Charles Woodson,and the rest of the defense,has been stout most of the year,except for giving up yards(most in garbage time)... 31 interceptions will do that for them(leading the NFL)... unfortunately,for the NFL,and unlike last year,the Packers will be mostly healthy,going into playoffs,and resting,i believe,eight starters,yesterday,and still getting the win,does not bode well,for the rest of the playoff teams,in the entire NFL,and the fact that there was an inch of snow on the ground,in Green Bay,yesterday,and very windy,and both teams(Lions,and Packers)lighted up the NFL,but that type of game does not happen too often,and the Packers know that they will refuse to quit,and the funny thing is that the Packers had nothing to really play for,and the Lions had playoff seeding to play for,and the Packers could have mailed it in,and let the Lions have the fifth seed,and avoid New Orleans Saints,in New Orleans,next week,but the Packers just refused to mail it in,and hurt the Lions' playoff run,and their seeding,by having New Orleans in their sights,instead of the New York Giants,who the Lions wanted to play the NFC East champion,instead... if Detroit can get past the Saints(good luck on that!!),they will face Green Bay again,because the Packers will face the lowest seed,after next weekend... resting starters,and injured players,yesterday really helped the Packers,in the long run,and that may not be good news for the NFC playoff teams...
the defense does worry me(giving up yards does suck)but most of the time,they were ahead in their games,but only the Saints worry me,but the Saints' defensive backfield is not as good as the Packers(their weakness)... the 49ers have had an very good year,and i do not degrade that fact,but the 49ers' offense,is not as explosive,as they need to be(having the Packers averaging 35 points/per game,and the Saints averaging 34.18 points/per game,and yet only 28.1 points/per game(in seven outdoor games-one of their road games was in St. Louis-in a dome),and the 49ers averaged 23.75 points/per game,so they have offensive woes,even though their defense is one of the best in NFL,do the 49ers have enough firepower to beat New Orleans,New York Giants,or even Green Bay... even though the Giants lost 38-35,to Green Bay,earlier in the season,they used the big play,against the Packers,to even get close,and yet they only averaged 24.625 points/per game... Eli Manning can light it up,but can he keep it going,in the playoffs... the homefield advantage that the Packers have in playing at Lambeau Field,during the playoffs,is not only the cold,but the fact that the fans are probably the most passionate,and they cheer no matter how cold it gets in Green Bay,and the winds off the Great Lakes makes it miserable for any team playing the Packers... they have said that dome teams are soft,but can the Saints,49ers,or even the Giants beat Green Bay,in Lambeau Field... yes they can,but they will fight,not only the Packers,but the elements,and most of the time the elements win,along with the Packers...... defensively,i have the 49ers the edge,offensively i give the Packers the slight edge,because the Saints,49ers,and Giants have to stop Aaron Rodgers,and the Packers' offense,all day,and the Packers' defense is getting healthy,and they take the football away,at critical times,so the Packers,who are getting healthy for the playoffs,are the team to beat,because very few teams can out-score them,and if the Packers' defense improves(and that is a big IF,giving yards does suck),and takes away the football with regularity... i have not said that the Packers will win Super Bowl XLVI,or even represent the NFC,in the game,but they do have a good chance... just one week at a time,i say,so far...

NFL news...

St. Louis Rams fire head coach Steve Spagnuolo,and Tampa Bay Buccaneers fire head coach Raheem Morris,after the Rams finished 2-14,and with 2nd NFL entry draft pick in 2012 NFL Draft,and the Buccaneers finished 4-12,and finished with a ten game losing streak...

beatdown of the week...

New England Patriots 49,Buffalo Bills 21... simply put,giving up 49 unanswered points,after being up 21 -0,gets your team the dubious honor of beatdown of the week...
Atlanta Falcons 45,Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24... simply put,giving up 42 points,in first half,without scoring a point,and gets your coach fired(my opinion),gives your team the dubious honor of the beatdown of the week,for the second week in a row...

my MVP ballot...

1:Drew Brees,New Orleans Saints(5,476 passing yards;46 touchdowns,16 interceptions;110.6 quarterback rating)...
2:Aaron Rodgers,Green Bay Packers(14-1 record;45 touchdowns,6 interceptions,122.5 quarterback rating)...
3:Tom Brady,New England Patriots(5,235 passing yards,39 touchdowns,12 interceptions,105.6 quarterback rating)...
4:Jared Allen,Minnesota Vikings(22 quarterback sacks-second all time,in a year(Michael Strahan-22.5 sacks-2001)...
must be a shocker to see that list-had Rodgers played today,my vote would have changed...

commentary...

now for some criticism of the Packers,the 520 passing yards,to the Lions' Matthew Stafford,given up by the team,was a team record,breaking the 503 passing yards,given up to Ben Roethlisberger,during a 37-36 loss,to the Steelers,in Pittsburgh,two years ago... a rare oddity,even though the Packers are 15-1,their defense gave up more overall yards,than the offense gained throughout the sixteen games,of this season... the major difference between a 15-1 team and an average team,is the quick strike ability of the Packers' offense,and the simple fact is that the Packers took away the football with regularity(leading the NFL,in interceptions,and second in NFL,in total takeaways),and most of their yards given by the defense were in mop up mode,in fourth quarter,or in between the 20's,and they were tight in the red zone(20 yards on in to goal line)in giving up points,except for field goals,and then giving up points early(and yards,of course),they buckled down on their opponents,giving few points,in the second,and third period(example:the Rams,Raiders,Lions(Thanksgiving Day),and Buccaneers,all scored early,and scored few points,in those two quarters,and were behind,in the fourth quarter,and then chasing the Packers' offense,to run the clock out on the game)... Packers are the best overall team,going into the playoffs,record wise,but they can be beaten,and yet,when healthy,they are the team to beat,and resting the injured Packers,the first round bye,and the Frozen Tundra should help them out in their playoff run... come to Green Bay,NFL teams... welcome to the Frozen Tundra!!!!!!!!!!

game score,and commentary...

Packers 45,Lions 41... Matt Flynn 31 completions,in 44 attempts,for 480 yards,and six touchdown passes;Matthew Stafford,36 completions,in 59 attempts,for 520 yards,for Detroit,and five touchdown passes... no one could stop anyone,in the wildest shootout,of the year... Packers 15-1... both totals are Packers' records,for touchdown passes,and passing yards,and 1,000 yards passing is,i believe,a NFL record,for both teams,in a game...

BREAKING NEWS...

Aaron Rodgers,Clay Matthews,and Charles Woodson are inactive for today's game,against the Lions... Rodgers is being rested today...