Football is a funny sport.
In the NFL playoffs system of lose and you’re out, upsets are bound to happen, leaving teams that no one ever expected suddenly contending for a championship.
Of course, those upsets are part of what makes the NFL so perfect.
As wild card weekend approaches, fans around the country are picking the team they will root for be the dark horse this season, the team that makes a stunning run to the conference championships or Super Bowl.
The answer may be a team that has made this type of run before, and owns claim to one of the three best quarterbacks in the league: The Green Bay Packers.
After starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers went down with injury, the pack somehow survived eight games of atrocious quarterback play to make the playoffs. Now, with a fully healthy Rodgers back, the Packers offense is clicking and poised to make a run.
So let’s go game by game, and take a look at what it’s going to take for the Packers to go all the way:
NFC Wild Card Round, home vs. San Francisco 49ers
These two teams will be playing each other for the third time in less than a year. When you have that type of familiarity with each other, the game is almost always a toss-up — just ask any Ravens or Patriots fan.
In situations such as these, it’s important to look at intangibles. By intangibles I mean the fact that the weather in Green Bay is forecasted to subzero for the game. I don’t trust teams playing on the road in below zero weather, and neither should anyone else. San Fransisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick has improved his throwing ability, but I say he struggles here, leading to a Packers victory.
NFC Divisional Round, at Seattle Seahawks
Prepare yourself for the 592,657 replays of the “Fail Mary” involving these two teams last year. This game will receive plenty of hype.
I’ll admit; if you put a gun to my head, I’d take Seattle in this one. The Seahawks are almost impossible to beat at home, and they lead the NFL in total defense, allowing only 273.6 total yards a game.
The Pack may not have the better roster from top to bottom, but in one game, they have a shot. With all of the talk surrounding the Seahawks, they have become the team with the target on their back. And as we saw with the Broncos last season, that can be a dangerous thing.
NFC Championship, at Carolina Panthers
This matchup reminds me of the NFC title game two years ago, when the New York Giants beat the 49ers 20-17 in overtime. The Giants, like the Packers, had barely snuck into the playoffs, but contained a core group that had won a Super Bowl before. The 49ers, like the Panthers, were the surprise team who had never been in a big playoff atmosphere.
I’m not saying results will be the same, but the Panthers, despite a boatload of talent, have little to no experience. That usually doesn’t bode well come January.
Super Bowl XLVIII, Denver Broncos
Manning. Rodgers. Super Bowl. God Bless America.
Once again, the Packers would find themselves playing against a more talented team. Peyton Manning continues to excel, despite his age, and he’s got a superb running back in Knowshon Moreno, as well four different players who caught 10 or more touchdowns.
Unfortunately for Denver, this just had to be the Super Bowl played in New Jersey, where temperatures will more than likely be below freezing. Manning’s record when the temperature goes below 40 degrees is an unattractive 11-12, while Rodgers has gotten used to the cold playing in Green Bay for nine years.
That along with a Denver defense that ranks 27th in passing yards allowed, and the Packers might be able to produce enough offense to outscore the Denver juggernaut.
Admittedly, many breaks must happen for all of this to go down. But when you have an elite quarterback on your side, the Lombardi Trophy is never out of reach.
Contact Tommy Romanach at [email protected]