NFC North Champions!! WOOOOOOO!!!! That was some SHIT right there!!! I mean holy SHIT!!!! What a season. This is as satisfying a division championship as I can remember. There's just something about clawing your way through all kinds of adversity that makes you appreciate the accomplishment that much more. Props to Matt Flynn and the coaching staff for navigating Aaron Rodgers' absence with aplomb. Huge props to Aaron Rodgers for coming back after eight weeks off, shaking off early mistakes, and engineering a magnificent 15 play, 87 yard, game-winning, come-from-behind drive that featured three fourth down conversions. Anyone got anything to say about Aaron Rodgers in the clutch now? I didn't fucking think so. Here's a joke: Matt Forte, Jay Cutler, Brandon Marshall, Julius Peppers, and Lance Briggs walk into a bar.... to watch the Packers in the playoffs. We've got the Niners in Lambeau this week, and regardless of what anyone has said or continues to say, we are a dangerous team right now, particularly at home. We're in the tournament and get at least one more week of meaningful Packer football. Life is pretty good right now. Here's what I liked and didn't like:
What I Liked:
Jordy Nelson: Quick, name three wideouts better than Jordy Nelson. Take a second. That's right, you can't. Maybe if you had four or five minutes you could come up with four that are better right now (I've got Josh Gordon, Calvin Johnson, A.J. Green, and maaaaaybe Antonio Brown), which puts Jordy Nelson at number five. He's got the ability to come down with most any pass thrown in his general vicinity, has well above average speed for a receiver, runs excellent routes, and clearly has a rapport with Aaron Rodgers, as evidenced by his 16 targets this past Sunday. He's a superstar that has averaged over 1100 yards and 10 touchdowns over the last three seasons. He's under contract for a paltry $2.55 million in 2014, and set to be a free agent in 2015. Extending his contract is obviously a priority this off-season, but he's outplayed his current deal by a country mile. He's gonna get paid, and I'm quite sure the Packers will be writing the checks.
Running Game: With star running back Eddie Lacy hobbled by a sprained right ankle, the running game had to be a team affair on Sunday, and that's exactly what it was. Lacy gamely fought through pain 21 times for 66 yards and a creative score, but Jimmy Starks really picked up the slack, going 88 yards on just 11 carries. Add in the absolutely crucial fourth down one yard carry by John Kuhn and a five yard first down pick up on that same final drive by Rodgers, and we had a darn good day on the ground. 34 carries to 39 passing attempts is some nice balance on offense, something we'll need this week against the stout Niners defense.
John Kuhn: I was all set to post an attempt at satire poking fun at John Kuhn, and then he goes out and proves what an idiot I really am. He saved our season not once, but twice on Sunday, picking up a yard on fourth and one, and then picking up an untouched Julius Peppers on fourth and eight. He's a stalwart on this offense and deserves some fucking credit. Thank you John Kuhn for being our unsung hero.
BALLS: What does it take to go for it on fourth and one in the fourth quarter deep in your own territory? Balls. What does it take to play running back in the NFL on a sprained ankle? Balls. What does it take to convert not one, but THREE fourth downs on the final drive to comeback against your biggest rival with the season on the line? Balls. And what does it take to throw a 48 yard touchdown on fourth down with Julius Peppers in your face? That's right, big old giant fucking balls. Let's see what kinda balls you got San Fran.
What I Didn't Like:
Safeties: Getting real tired of writing about you guys. Getting real tired of it. Can't you just play an average game so I can at least shit on someone else? Seriously, I like you guys, this hurts me more than it hurts you. Anyway what that hell was Morgan Burnett doing on that long pass to Alshon Jeffery? The defense was clearly two man under, with Shields playing his position perfectly and expecting help over the top. Burnett, whose job is simply to NOT GET BEAT DEEP inexplicably bites on a shallow(er) crossing route, leaving Jeffery comically open 40 yards downfield. Oh and by the way, Tramon Williams officially tackles better than all of you. If that doesn't motivate you, I don't know what will.
Kick and Punt Coverage: I know he's Devin Hester, but this is 2013 Devin Hester, a long way removed from six touchdown, shit-your-pants-scary 2006 Devin Hester. He's averaging 25 yards per kick return this year, and has just one return touchdown total. He's still good, don't get me wrong, but I shouldn't have to be terrified every time he touches the ball. I know I wasn't the only one holding my breath on that last return. Special teams have to be air tight against a team like San Fran, but we do have the benefit of playing in the not-so-friendly confines of Lambeau Field.
Pass Rush: Virtually non-existent. It's a good thing Jay Cutler sucks, because any good qb would likely have shredded us. Anybody that underestimates the importance of Clay Matthews is an idiot. He's so clearly the second most important player on our team. Andy Mulumba had our only sack (a sack he definitely earned), and Mike Daniels got close a couple of times, but that is all you can say for our pass rush. Colin Kaepernick is averaging just 1.3 TDs and under 200 yards per game. If we can get pressure on him we can shut him down. We'll have to be disciplined in how we rush so that we don't open huge running lanes for him, but we have to get pressure. We've seen what he can do with time.
Extra Points:
- For once, McCarthy had no significant injuries to report following Sunday's game.
- Jay Cutler is now 1-8 against the Packers as a Bear. Which is just terrific.
- Clay Matthews will not play against the 49ers, but may return at some point if we continue to win games.
- Randall Cobb had two targets in his return. For two touchdowns. Including the game winner. And I love him.
- Mason Crosby finished the season with a field goal percentage over 89%, having connected on all 22 attempts from inside 40 yards. Congratulations on an excellent bounce back season.
**I WAS WRONG**
I said that in order for the Packers to make the playoffs, Aaron Rodgers needed to come back by the first week in December. It appears I underestimated the skill and determination of this franchise. I was wrong, Matt Flynn was right.
**BONUS QUOTE OF THE WEEK**
"I'm called 'the poorest president,' but I don't feel poor. Poor people are those who only work to try to keep an expensive lifestyle, and always want more and more."
- Jose Mujica, former left-wing guerrilla and current President of Uruguay, known for donating 90% of his $12,000 monthly salary to charities that benefit destitute people and small business owners, and eschewing this palace for this farmhouse and this car. He's also an atheist who recently legalized marijuana. In other words he's my kinda guy.
**WHAT WAS I DRINKING**
Corona. It was awful. (not pictured: Corona)
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