With the Packers back on top of the NFC North, and the Vikings eliminated as a wild card team, it was already a pretty satisfying day for Packer fans even before the kickoff at Lambeau yesterday. Improving upon the last couple seasons of disappointing mediocrity is all most reasonable fans expected from new head coach Matt LaFleur and also GM Brian Gutekunst. But to make it to the NFC Championship is pretty damn satisfying.
It’s only fitting that the first play of the first Packers drive was a 33-yard run by #33 RB Aaron Jones — if anything, his spotlight just isn’t bright enough. Whatever the reason, we did not see much from RB Jamaal Williams last night, but Jones was more than able to carry the running game. I’ve mentioned it before, but Jones is our modern Ahman Green and it shows in this postseason.
Aaron Rodgers seemed to play well and keep his head in the game and his emotions in check. He and WR Davante Adams wreaked havoc on the Seahawks’ defense with Adams claiming 160-yards receiving along with 2 touchdowns. Historically, we all know what happens when a Packers QB and his WR1 are insync throughout the playoffs. Beautiful things happen in this scenario. Although that botched push pass in the red zone during the 2nd quarter was not all that beautiful.
It wasn’t a sexy game at all for our rising star, WR Allen Lazard. After taking a hand-off from Rodgers in the 1st quarter, Lazard ran for 4-yards. The following play, Lazard was called for a critical offensive pass interference that stopped the momentum of the drive. He pretty much disappeared from the game after that mistake. He also was hit pretty hard at the end of the second quarter in a collision with RB Aaron Jones. He returned in the second half from the ankle injury, but was not targeted.
Lazard was an undrafted free agent that made his way through the Jaguars roster to eventually land on the Packers practice squad, and ultimately as a starter at WR2. I am certain he is grateful for the opportunity to even be on the field in the playoffs, but let’s hope he is able to show more of his ability against the 49ers.
It should be mentioned that TE Jimmy Graham did show up last night and was the blocking/receiving tight end he was intended to be.
Seahawks QB Russell Wilson was just overwhelmed by the Packers defense most of the game. Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith each claimed two sacks — also, Kenny Clark had one sack on Wilson(after having to chase down Wilson – Clark really wanted it). One fact still remains: Wilson is a damn good QB and still has plenty of wins to bring to Seattle in the future.
The great Marshawn Lynch comeback was a bust. Just as he was against the Philadelphia Eagles last week, Lynch was mostly a non-factor outside the redzone.
Looking Ahead
I am certain that the Packers vs 49ers rematch will be more difficult than anyone left in the AFC for the Packers to face in the Super Bowl. As great as it is for the Packers to be playing in the NFC Championship as a team in a rebuilding phase, it is also not so lucky that their opponent will be someone that embarrassed them earlier in the season with Rodgers playing one of his worst games. Also, unlike the Seahawks who are scrapping by at this point the best they can in the running back department, the 49ers’ rushing-by-committee is still in full force. They’re a more “complete” opponent right now than the Seahawks were last night.
Best sign at any #NFL game. Ever. @packers fans are the best! 💚💛💚💛 #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/cjKyQKk3M6
— Andrea Cunnington (@Andrea_lee_38) January 13, 2020
FINAL: The @packers are advancing to the NFC Championship Game! #NFLPlayoffs #GoPackGo #SEAvsGB
(by @Lexus) pic.twitter.com/xh66oV2XKM
— NFL (@NFL) January 13, 2020
Ok…It’s Monday morning….
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Let the Rodgers bashing commence.
Rodgers played better, had some nice passes. He certainly looked better than he has the last 3-4 games. He had to or the Packers would have lost. Graham had a good game, came up big at the end on a low pass by Rodgers.
Yea…lets give him another game before we bring in Boyle.
With Rodgers playing well and throwing dimes, i wonder what some people will talk about.
Dannica is that you?
I guess they’ll talk about Danica…go figure right.
My oldest sister is a big fan of the Packers but not very football savvy, admittedly so, as she is a fairly casual observer of the game. She thinks Jimmy Graham is a great player. At Christmas when we were all together we gave her so much grief for that opinion it was almost embarassing (she took it well). Last night I called her at the end of the game and apologized to her for how bad we hassled her. Graham has defintely been a bust, but he finally had the type of game he was signed for last night. She then told me she’d just got off the phone with our dad who had called for the same reason!
NICE!
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As always…props given to a player when deserved, that bumbling stumbling tight end thief came through on 3rd downs when we needed him.
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Packer fan…”I brought my lucky Packer socks….and we won!!” (You go girl!!)
Also….Props to big man Andy Reid and the Chiefs. Outscoring Houston 51-10 in the last 3 quarters of a historic comeback and beat down.
Obviously want to see the Packers win it, but would be nice to finally see him win it
Just saw the game . Most is said in the previous thread. What I don’t understand Packers is challenging down by contact which is reversed to a fumble. Then who did recover the bal was said not to be clear??? Okay. The next down has to be played from the previous spot since it was not a cache. How can we then loose that challenge and be charged with a time out?
Both defenses quickly find out holding wouldn’t be called much:-)
What happened to the Lambeau Leap?
Yeah I didn’t really understand the rule there either after they moved the ball back to the original LOS. To me, the ruling determined that it was a catch and fumble with no clear Packer recovery – so possession should default back to the Seahawks (it did) and the spot should be at the point of the fumble (it didn’t). I can understand GB losing the challenge as a result, but not the spot.
This is my favorite Packers team of the Rodgers era, I don’t care how they finish out. If they can build on what they’ve done this year, draft well, and stay as healthy as possible, this is the type of team Rodgers should end his career with.
Wild ass ride this year.
I like your post my man…kudos.
This isn’t my favorite Packer team with Rodgers by any stretch, but i like your passion and sensibility about where this team is.
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Now… if Rodgers had better talent receiving, i would call this a Championship team without blinking an eye. The offense would be scoring at a better clip. The defense wouldn’t be gassed out and therefore may stop more long drives, thus giving up less points. It’s a team game, nobody should ever forget that.
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I righteously believe if Rodgers had better, more refined weapons, this offense and defense may very well both be…..top 5.
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Keep up the good posts, you’re an asset to this website.
Right. Lets see, one of the top receivers in football and one of the top RB’s in football behind one of the top olines in football. Yeah poor Rodgers.
The Packers are 14-3, going to the NFCCG. Can’t you just be happy instead of being a dick?
Man PF4L i AM HAPPY the Pack is 14-3. Shit this whole season not having to endure Mccarthy’s bullshit play calling and post game interviews (where he pretended to be smarter than everyone) has been a god send. This is a pretty boring offensive team, to be honest, but it doesnt line up with 5 wide on 3rd and 1/2 yard so thats a major plus.
Your constant defense of Rodgers even in reply to a post that has no anti-Rodgers in it is whats making me frustrated.
I miss the old PF4L who used to offer lots of good insight and opinions (other than Rodgers). Bring that guy back man…..
First…Your response was classy, and appreciated, and maybe i didn’t deserve it, but thanks.
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I’d like to think i still offer good insight and opinions, but ok.
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Yes, i defend Rodgers all the time, and probably will long after he’s gone. I may defend him to much, but that’s probably because he’s bashed obsessively by some, i’ll always defend him.
I have never shied away from pointing out Rodgers shortcomings, But i defend him, i’m not a Rodgers apologist, there is a difference.
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Why do i defend him? 2 reasons, i don’t think he’s lost much, except some talent around him. You don’t just kick Jordy out the door, sign Graham, get rid of Cobb, take 3 wide outs in the draft, and call it fixed. It obviously isn’t fixed, and if someone didn’t call this receiver group the weakest since 1991, i’d call him a liar or uninformed. Gute giving Rodgers this weak group is almost criminal in my mind. Gute thought it was fine, and/or just ignored it, it’s that simple. The other reason i defend him so much is because i didn’t forget all the years he carried the team on his back. He far outplayed his contracts back then, and never complained. HOF QB’s don’t come around often, but when you have one, make sure they have targets, otherwise trade him. They wasted enough of his years under Ted. how many is enough?
I was thinking the same watching the games the last 2 weekends, imagine if we had picked Emanuel Sanders and kept Cook this offence would be unreal. Probably asking a lot though, Gute has blown me away with all of the other signings contributing, this defence is such a breath of fresh air even though they got soft for a bit yesterday, and Ervin and Valdeer look genius.
Look im a Gute fan so far, but lets be honest, his first 2 drafts have been poor. He has done so many other good things thats its fair to give him a few more shots. But look, he HAS to hit more in the draft if this team is going to keep moving up.
I see your points, in the last off-season they bolstered up the D thinking MVS and Davis would be the 2 and 3 WR, huge disappointment there. So Rodgers is relegatedted to throw to a 1,2,3 all in one WR. At TE the thought was Graham would fill that void along with Lewis. I am glad Tonyan has stepped up. Happy we are where we are, and hats off to Coach for a great season no matter how it ends.
I think they were counting on ESB as well. When he got hurt they probably should have looked for another body. I don’t understand how Allison went from averaging like 60 yards per game last year pre injury to nothing this year
I just did some research on the current 49ers coaching staff. While we know that Matt LaFleur worked for Kyle Shanahan for 3 different teams and we know that Matt’s brother Mike works on the 49ers and that Robert Saleh was Matt’s roommate, what isn’t really known is that by my count five different 49ers coaches, including Kyle Shanahan worked on Pettine’s Cleveland Brown team. No wonder it seemed like the 49ers knew everything the Packers were going to do in that game.
That’s good insight. I had no idea the connections ran that deep and even crossed over to Pettine.
I saw some comment(s) a while back from someone who was under the impression that LaFleur was saving some more of his creative plays for when needed (e.g. playoffs, if applicable). I saw a handful of pretty nifty stuff last night that I don’t recall seeing in the regular season. One in particular that stands out to me, the reverse toss to Tyler Ervin, had great misdirection built into it and potential for a big gains.
I can only hope that MLF has inspired his staff, including Pettine, to develop some surprise schemes for similar situations. You would think the SNF game against the Niners earlier this year would have warranted it based on the stakes at that time, but that match-up went to shit on the first drive of the game.
Here’s to blissfully hoping we bring something successful to the table this weekend.
Great win. But what it gods name were they doing with their timeouts. That shouldnt be happening at home
Yeah, that is frustrating to burn through timeouts so quickly. That will come back to haunt them
Yeah after running for 33 yards to open the game, then abandoning the run for 2 drives and wasting our timeouts I really tought Mccarthy was back in charge.
But then we ran 3 straight times for our last TD, then I knew Mccarthy was truly gone. After the first failed run we would have been in spread offense with 5 wideouts for the last 2 plays…..
Pretty rich for Seahawks fans to bitch about the first down spot. It was damn close, but one thing to keep in mind is the yellow line on the broadcast was at least half a yard further than the actual first down mark. Two, even if he was like 6″ short of the first, Seattle fans can he
*Seattle can eat a dick. After the Fail Mary, and then the blown fumble in the first quarter, well, fuck them. GB likely would have converted 4th and inches. Would Seattle likely have scored on the ensuing drive? Decent shot, but not a guarantee. Same could be said for GB having the ball at Seattle 35 on the fumble that should have been called. Eat. A. Dick.
Amen. If Pete Carroll thinks the Fail Mary was a TD, then Jimmy Graham had that first down by a fucking mile. Carroll can eat an unlimited amount of dicks, Kobayashi style.
What Kato said X10. Throw Lance Easley and his bullshit book in there too.
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Aside, I’m kind of surprised they don’t assign an official to the markers at all times. One reason on last nights spot, was the sideline official needing to run and catch up to the play as Jimmy was going down. Even I thought his initial spot was a little generous. They moved it back a touch from where he put his foot down but had he already been at the line to gain, there may have been less “uncertainty” about it.
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I know that on the 1 and 2 yard line, we scored TD’s. But it seemed like a big struggle to gain a yard or two for a TD. The run got stuffed a lot. I think a lot of those are why Jones’s average per carry was so low.
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What i wondered was, why wasn’t Jamaal Williams used at all? I didn’t see him on the injury list with an injury, or illness. It just seems to me that Williams is a downhill runner that can power through attempted tackles. Isn’t that where he should be used?
I was a little surprised myself too. Especially later in the game when they were trying to chew clock
I’d like to see some semblance of the screen pass return against the 49er’s this weekend. Otherwise I think it’s gonna be a tough day running against their defensive front. If they can sustain some long drives and change up the offense so the RBs have a little space while milking some time off the clock, do you see Jimmy G. being able to keep pace score for score with Rodgers and the Packers? Lots of things have to go right on offense obviously. I feel the defense is in a better place than it was when they met during the regular season as well. House money! Can’t wait for Sunday!
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On another note. Those poor fans in Cleveland deserve so much better. Was all set to root for them as sentimental favorite second team this past season and they imploded. Now it looks like Haslam is just doubling down and vying with Snyder and Jones to become the most dysfunctional organisation in the NFL. McCarthy getting the band back together in Dallas! Looking forward to how THAT turns out before unrest grows in Dallas.
I actually am sort of surprised that they haven’t gotten Tyler Ervin involved in the passing game given his speed does pose a bit of a mismatch? Especially out of the backfield. Maybe this is the week?
Yea Empac….I was hoping to see more passes out to our backs, J Willy had 1 catch for 9 yards, and Jones HAD two throws catching one for 4 yards, that’s it.
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I agree that’s a nice play to counter the pressure that the 9ers will put on our O-line. i’m of the belief that the Packers have to play a near perfect game to win. Here’s the thing though…back when they handed us our ass and ate our lunch, our coaching staff found out what doesn’t work. So hopefully, they’ll build up a better game plan because they are ahead of that learning curve from experience. And damn right you are…HOUSE MONEY!
Also not fumbling inside the 10 yard line on the opening possession and giving the 49ers offense only a yard or two to score a TD would be highly preferable lmao.
The problem is nothing has changed from a personal stand point. Their defensive line really made our normally good offensive line look really bad. I have never in my years of watching Bak and Bul seen those guys get manhandled the way they did in San Fran. I dont see how that changes?
Our defensive line wasnt real good either against their oline, though they mostly got the ball out quick and ran the ball so hard to say there.
Pete Carroll was caught visiting the NFL offices to whine and complain about the officials and the fact that was not a first down. Rooooooggggggeeeeerrrrrrr this isssssnnnnnnn”ttttttttt faaaaaaaiiiiirrrrrrrrrr. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh, Rooooooooggggggeeeeeerrr, weeeeeeeeeee protest.
Whiny Bitch Dick.
If it was not Russell Wilson at QB, Green Bay would have had 12 sacks in the game.
First… We sent the Seahawks packing, ending their SB hopes. Payback, and some feelings of closure regarding 2014NFCCG.
Second… well, as some of you have said, “HOUSE MONEY, BABY!”, which has became the slogan for the attitude mostly shared here for the 49ers game. I don’t mind the results too much beyond this point, the team has gone way above what was expected. Yes, we still should give our best to get to the SB, but for a first-year rebuilding team, we already exceeded expectations, and dare I say, the talent level of KC and SF is two notches above ours. Nevertheless… “any given Sunday”? GO PACK! Let’s fill Silicon Valley with 49er tears.