NFC Conference Championship: Packers @ 49ers Sunday, Jan 19th, 5:40PM

[OldSchoolSnapper]

I flat out reject the comparisons with Favre and Manning. Those two lost a lot of games being extremely sloppy with the ball. Favre threw 6 picks in one playoff game. They were both all-time players, but they were both also champions of 3 and 4 INT games. When the bad versions of them showed up, they made it virtually impossibly for their teams to win. Favre threw 13 interceptions spanning three playoff games. It just doesn't hold up. I can't recall one playoff game under Favre where the Packers lost because he had to score 40-50 points. They gave up 45 to STL, entirely because of him. I do remember several where he couldn't pull himself together and they lost on FGs or directly because he turned the ball over.

 

As far as Manning goes, the season he "went 3-0" with Denver makes this stat even dumber because he was god awful that season and could barely turn his head.

 

Here are some numbers:

 

27/43

3 TDs

1 INT

308 yards

44.25

 

Those are Rodgers' average totals in 4 games the in which the Packers were eliminated. I included a couple where he didn't play particularly well and it still ends up there. Brady has played a lot worse than that in games "he" won.

 

The last number is how many points the other team scored.

 

I'm aware people look at postseason success. I'm saying I don't, because I think it's stupid. I also think it would be a major, major reach to suggest NFL QBs have more direct influence on a game than NBA superstars where literally one guy can come in and bring a franchise from the cellar to a title shot in a year, but I think that's getting way off topic.

 

Ironically, I'm actually NOT as big a fan of Rodgers as there is, but this is one particular area where I think the argument lacks any merit.

[OldHeidelberg]

JK Scott questionable with an illness (presumably the flu).

 

Sheesh, at least it's not the morning of the game like Bulaga last week but what do you do to replace a punter? Hopefully we won't need to punt I guess.

[HarveysWBs]

JK Scott questionable with an illness (presumably the flu).

 

Sheesh, at least it's not the morning of the game like Bulaga last week but what do you do to replace a punter? Hopefully we won't need to punt I guess.

They have an open roster spot, if I’m not mistaken. That could be by design, for a situation just like this.

[nodakfan17]

JK Scott questionable with an illness (presumably the flu).

 

Sheesh, at least it's not the morning of the game like Bulaga last week but what do you do to replace a punter? Hopefully we won't need to punt I guess.

They have an open roster spot, if I’m not mistaken. That could be by design, for a situation just like this.

Thank goodness. You’d hate to see someone lose their roster spot because the Packers need an extra punter.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Thank goodness. You’d hate to see someone lose their roster spot because the Packers need an extra punter.

 

John Leglue is saying a few Hail Marys regardless I'm betting.

[nodakfan17]

I see the Rodgers playoff debate both ways.

 

On one hand, the notion that he’s a playoff choker is ridiculous. I suspect it’s mainly parroted by opposing fans trying to get a rise out of Packer fans (and someone always bites). On the other hand, if Rodgers wants to be in the pantheon of quarterbacks, he’s got to win another one. It’s the only way to eliminate all doubt. Can he still be an elite, HOF QB with one title? Of course.

[nodakfan17]

JK Scott questionable with an illness (presumably the flu).

 

Sheesh, at least it's not the morning of the game like Bulaga last week but what do you do to replace a punter? Hopefully we won't need to punt I guess.

Unfortunately, he’s also the holder. You’d hate for it to be a close game only to see Crosby shank a FG due to a bad hold.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

He's already in the Hall of Fame. It sucks that they haven't gotten to a second one but I personally find it a very lazy argument. Ben Roethlisberger has been to three and isn't close to Rodgers. Joe Flacco and Trent Dilfer have one. You need a team. Nobody wins or loses Super Bowls alone. Rodgers wasn't even good in the NFCCG he did win.

 

The whole thing about needing rings is more based in American culture than reality IMO. It's simply fun for average people and critics to poke holes in successful people, and specifically to assign group failures to one person. It's the same concept when people freak out about the last play of a game vs. The 100 previous ones that were just as or more significant.

[PeaveyFury]

I assume Crosby COULD punt if needed? The holder point is very fair, though. I do wonder if holder is a position where you could power through the flu for the handful of times you're on the field...

[adambr2]

It's a punter. Being sick sucks but barring being so sick you should be laid up in a hospital, you should be able to suck it up, trot out on the field to hold and punt a few times. You've still got 30 hours to sleep and get fluids.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

I think everyone recognizes that but if a bad enough flu can delay reaction time by 1/100 of a second that's sometimes the difference between 3 points a blocked kick or sack on a high snap.

 

I highly doubt he doesn't play.

 

Maybe they are just setting him up for a JK Scott Michael Jordan flu game.

[homer]

Not having a punter -> going for it on more 4th downs - > profit

[adambr2]

Some of this overconfidence I've seen from 49er fans this week is just downright amazing, especially for a team that hasn't sniffed competitive football in years. You'd think this was Clemson against Appalachian State.

 

I don't dispute, the 49ers have a better, more well-rounded team and should win this game 75% of the time. Still, that's 25% of the time that they don't. By the sounds of some of them, it would take nothing short of a miracle. This is the NFL where parity rules and no great distance exists between two teams. This isn't college football where the difference between one program and another might be a 35 point spread. All these guys are professionals.

 

Make no mistake, the 49ers should win this game, but it would be far from a historic upset if they don't. It'd be right on the same level as Minnesota beating New Orleans two weeks ago.

[OldHeidelberg]

To be honest I don't remember how well Rodgers played in the playoff losses, probably because I always avoid media coverage on them for a few days after such losses. But looking at the stats it hasn't been great, he was lights out in the first Zona game(where he also blew the game winning throw and fumbled away the game ), probably had his worst games in the most significant losses NY 2011 and SEA 2014, and had some of his better statistical games in blowout losses at ATL and SF. He must have been awful before his last 2 throws in the second Zona game. I don't know, as the best player in the game it seems like it could have been better.

 

I think I started this with comments I relayed from a radio show that IF they lose tomorrow that will be the narrative. That hasn't happened yet and I am optimistic about this game.

[stalton]

This is what I feel Packers fans are thinking.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

To be honest I don't remember how well Rodgers played in the playoff losses, probably because I always avoid media coverage on them for a few days after such losses. But looking at the stats it hasn't been great, he was lights out in the first Zona game(where he also blew the game winning throw and fumbled away the game ), probably had his worst games in the most significant losses NY 2011 and SEA 2014, and had some of his better statistical games in blowout losses at ATL and SF. He must have been awful before his last 2 throws in the second Zona game. I don't know, as the best player in the game it seems like it could have been better.

 

I think I started this with comments I relayed from a radio show that IF they lose tomorrow that will be the narrative. That hasn't happened yet and I am optimistic about this game.

 

Because if they do lose tomorrow it will be warranted criticism. The offense didn't hold the team up this year, the defense did. That's literally never been the case. The 2014 team had an OK defense that did end up playing really well at the end of the year. But 2010 and 2014 have been by far the best defenses Rodgers has had to this point.

 

Rodgers deserves a lot of criticism for the offense's limitations this year, IMO. But the idea that he's responsible for not winning more Super Bowls with defenses consistently in the bottom 12 of the league, nah, I can't buy into that.

 

For his entire career the cry has been to get him a defense. They did, so it's time for him to finish.

[OldHeidelberg]

Totally agree on having a defense now, I may be singing a different tune tomorrow night if the defense gets stomped on but I don't think it will, 27 points and probably even 24 should get us to the Super Bowl. That's a tall order against that D but Rodgers still has it in him. We may need a defensive TD or at least a short field though. Speaking of which, have the Packers scored a defensive TD all year? I don't remember one, if not we are due.

[olliegjw]

Totally agree on having a defense now, I may be singing a different tune tomorrow night if the defense gets stomped on but I don't think it will, 27 points and probably even 24 should get us to the Super Bowl. That's a tall order against that D but Rodgers still has it in him. We may need a defensive TD or at least a short field though. Speaking of which, have the Packers scored a defensive TD all year? I don't remember one, if not we are due.

 

I don't think they do. Also, Z. Smith does not have any INT's this year. Therefore, I will predict that Smith will have a pick 6 tomorrow.

[MrTPlush]

I don’t think our defense is all that special, but I predict tomorrow it is going to do a rarity in the Rodgers era...carry us. I think there is only one case in the entire Rodgers era the defense was the reason we won, Bears NFCCG game.

 

I think the Packers are going to have a great defensive game plan and are going to execute it. Going back to the first game the defense was actually quite solid, especially in the second half. I think people are underestimating the Packers because of that first meeting score, but I think it is much closer than people think. The 49ers offense isn’t special and can definitely turn in a dud performance. If our offense doesn’t shoot our defense in the foot (short fields/not giving them a break) I am incredibly confident the 49ers will max out at 21-24 points.

 

I think a potential key to the game (outside of the turnover battle) is avoiding drive killing sacks. In a lot of our games our offense is night and day different depending on the kind of sacks we give up. When teams get those early down sacks our offense crumbles quick and never gets going. I am very concerned about the running game, but maybe we just need a more creative offensive gameplan.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

I think their defense is special. They get to quarterbacks when the game is on the line and time and time again this season when they need a stop to win a game, they do it.

 

I'm not expecting much running the ball. I honestly think their only legit shot is a) the defense playing a great game and b) Rodgers making enough magic to score 20+points.

 

The defense can help with a turnover or two but Rodgers is going to have to make a few special throws. If the defense can keep us in it where a couple plays from Rodgers is the difference, they have a chance.

 

I'm optimistic. For no other reason than I still think our QB is vastly superior even if statistically he hasn't been this year. Jimmy isn't going to evade sacks and run for 60 yard touchdowns. He has a propensity for throwing a couple really bad passes a game. If the 49ers can't run at will it's going to be a good game.

 

I don't know why but I feel good about the game. I'm going with 23-20 Packers. Shanahan turtled the passing game the moment he threw a pick against Minnesota and it didn't matter because they did whatever they wanted. I think the Packers will force them to have to throw enough that they get a break or two.

 

I think Rodgers is going to have a legacy game. He won't blow up the box score but he'll play really well and end up winning the game for them.

[CheezWizHed]

Thank goodness. You’d hate to see someone lose their roster spot because the Packers need an extra punter.

 

John Leglue is saying a few Hail Marys regardless I'm betting.

 

I'd let Rodgers handle the Hail Marys...

[MrTPlush]

With how dumb DBs are these days just go for it on 4th down and throw a bomb to the safety. Pretty much assured they will catch it and you can get a 60+ yard punt.

 

I wish that could be in blue, but I can’t even recall the last team a DB intentionally dropped a 4th down pass for better field position.

[brewcrewdue80]

With how dumb DBs are these days just go for it on 4th down and throw a bomb to the safety. Pretty much assured they will catch it and you can get a 60+ yard punt.

 

I wish that could be in blue, but I can’t even recall the last team a DB intentionally dropped a 4th down pass for better field position.

 

I remember a Packer doing it probably within the last 6 years.

In the moment it's a smart play. In the player's history that INT can go a long way on historical stats to get in the HOF.

 

 

I was at the Arizona game the 2009/2010 postseason(Only ever been to 2 games) All the TDs I think GB scored were on the side of the field my buddy and I were sitting at. Jermichael Finley was a large imposing man compared to what Arizona had on defense. Can't believe he didn't have a big career. Anyway, I had forgotten the missed FG but I can remember now. The crowd went from like a furious 12, to 8, to 5, to almost dead silent as we got the kick for OT. They basically knew they weren't going to stop the Packers on offense. So when the strip sack fumble happened, we were on the opposite end of the field completely out of view what transpired. Just remember the crowd behind the end zone suddenly is a massive ruckus and the rest of the stadium joining in a second or 2 later. We were dumbfounded. Never seen the hand in Rodgers facemask prior to just reading the pages moments ago. It was a long night. I think I got tickets for like $110 for two.

[nodakfan17]

Over under on the number of times we’ll have to see Terrell Owens score the game winning TD in the 1998 playoff game? They never mention how Jerry Rice fumbled on that drive with 40 seconds left. It should have been 27-23 Packers and then we’d never have to hear the stupid ‘Owens, Owen, Owens’ clip.

[adambr2]

We've got a ton of "recent" playoff history with the 49ers including that awful game. Beat them in the NFC championship game a year prior and the year before we won the Super Bowl. Beat them once in a WC game I think in the early 2000s. Then the Kaepernick game and that close one at Lambeau they we lost both of. So this is at least our 7th meeting in the last 25 years so hopefully they don't harp on the TO game that much.

 

The only NFC team I can't recall facing in the playoffs is the Saints.