I like our chances against anybody. ANYBODY.
In '09 we were eliminated from the playoffs on a technicality.
In '10 we won it all.
In '11, we were depleted on defense and the offensive coordinator's son died days before the game.
In my mind, that's all that has kept us from a threepeating.
If we do not go all the way this year, it will be an upset, IMHO. The only reason we don't have the second seed right now is due to the FAIL MARY game. Now also calculate that we started Jarrett Bush against the Niners.
Our other two losses were against the Colts and Giants, both teams playing at home with an extra bye week to rest up. That is a distinct advantage in the NFL, and one that may be repeated in the playoffs.
Still, I like our chances.
DEFENSE: Definitely improved over last year, even with all the injury losses.
OFFENSE: Aaron Rodgers still refuses to let go of his stat whoring ways and adhere to WCO fundamentals, but the Packers now also have a competent (and potentially explosive, IMHO) running game. It seemed to me that the Bares were actually bringing safeties up at times yesterday. It just seems to me that IF Aaron can play within fundamentals, move the chains and dominate time of possession, the offense will be dominant again. However, even though he continues to feel irresistably compelled to go deep way too damn often, the run game still helps this offense get it done. And with fewer drops this year, I like the Packers chances.
Defenses know how to beat us. Play cover two to prevent the big play. Force Aaron to get bored moving the chains and let him start "pulling a Favre" and throwing deep all the time. Once Aaron mans up and starts practicing what everyone is preaching to Finley, we'll be back on track.
If the OC's family can manage to stay alive for the next two months, I think we could really go places.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Crosby has two games to get it together. I do think he's earned the chance. But make no mistake. Ted's got a rolodex with names in it.
“Winning is not a sometime thing, it is an all the time thing. You don't do things right once in a while…you do them right all the time.”