Packers vs. Bears on opening day? Say it ain't so· Page 2

get_louder_at_lambeau
Registered

13 years ago

This is a ratings-driven league, and that matchup probably won't be a marquee pull for the league.

"Nonstopdrivel" wrote:

I don't know where this idea came from, but it's totally, totally wrong.

The Packer/Bear Monday night game last year was the highest rated cable program of the year, and the NFC Championship was the highest rated ever for an NFCC in the early TV slot.

http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/01/24/packers-bears-nfc-championship-on-fox-averages-51-9-million-viewers/79980

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/nfl/news/story?id=5627301

http://packersnews.net

StoicFire
Member

13 years ago

#12

The Packer/Bear Monday night game last year was the highest rated cable program of the year, and the NFC Championship was the highest rated ever for an NFCC in the early TV slot.

"get_louder_at_lambeau" wrote:

Good call with those ratings! I somehow forgot about that when I started commenting on this thread.

The numbers seem to suggest that either people don't mind low scoring affairs, or they really respect this rivalry. Though I know it could also be partly due to the fact that NFL popularity is rising nation and world wide, but still... ratings don't lie, so it looks this is a desirable season opening match-up from the league's perspective.

"the Quarterback can run if he wants to, but with this rocket attached to your body... who would?" -Aaron Rodgers

porky88
Veteran Member

13 years ago

#13

I would pencil in Saints at Packers. Theyre the last two Super Bowl champions with the two best QBs arguably in the NFC. Not only would it pull high ratings, but also the weather should be nice and that would allow both QBs to showcase their talents.

Bears at Packers should be November and December games. It just feels right.

With that said, you would think the Packers benefit from playing Chicago early in the season. Then again, GB won last year's December and January matchups and loss the September matchup. So maybe not.

http://www.row12.com/

Wade
Veteran Member

13 years ago

#14

Well, if I were an NFL type trying to max the bottom line, I wouldn't waste the Packers/Bears on the opening game.

I'd pick a game that involves two serious contenders, but if you're going contender game, then I'd avoid rivalry games. Rivalry games can be marketed any week, especially early in the season. (Sometimes not late in the season if, say, the Bears, turn out to be bumblers.)

I'd pick a game of possible contenders OR a game of rivals. But not a game that, at lest potentially, could involve both. Its a waste of resources.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:2 (NKJV)

beast
Select Member

13 years ago

#15

I prefer key match ups be later on... Also Packers seem to usually start slow and then get better as the season goes on. (some seasons like 07 weren't like that, but I think most have been for a while).

But I guess you got to have one division game early...

Off subject a bit but is anyone else a bit worried about facing the Lions?
wow how strange to say that... but they did out muscle and game planed better last time they faced.

Greg C.
Registered

13 years ago

#16

This is a ratings-driven league, and that matchup probably won't be a marquee pull for the league.

"get_louder_at_lambeau" wrote:

"Nonstopdrivel" wrote:

No kidding! The author mentions that the average score of last year's games was 16-12. That means they were CLOSE games, and that's what fans want to see. Although nobody wants to watch a low scoring game between two teams that don't matter, when it's a close game involving two of the most popular teams in the league, who are both contenders, this is a slam-dunk from a ratings standpoint.

Wade is the only one who cites a good reason for not opening with this game, which is that the matchup may be too good to waste on a game that almost everyone is going to watch anyway. I happen to favor Packers-Saints slightly, just to mix things up a bit, but you can't go wrong with Packers-Bears.

The author's idea of Packers-Lions is of course ridiculous. The nation is force-fed Lions football every Thanksgiving. The Lions need to have at least one good season before they play in a marquee game like this.

blank

djcubez
Senior Member

13 years ago

#17

"Next year at home, the Packers will play New Orleans (11-5), Tampa Bay (10-6), Denver (4-12), Oakland (8-8) and St. Louis (7-9)." Plus the 3 divisional teams.

Out of all those match-ups I'd easily take the Bears. I'd probably rather see them open against the Falcons like Silverstein said but that's an away game. I also agree that the Saints don't seem to be the powerhouse they used to be making that match-up more of a wild card. Bears-Packers games are usually a safe bet for a close game so it's the easy pick.

porky88
Veteran Member

13 years ago

#18

Off subject a bit but is anyone else a bit worried about facing the Lions?
wow how strange to say that... but they did out muscle and game planed better last time they faced.

"beast" wrote:

I believe the Lions are going to playoffs this year. And that defense is going to be the reason why.

http://www.row12.com/

Stevetarded
Registered

13 years ago

#19

"djcubez" wrote:

I'm all for a close game as long as it is well played and tough. Packer/Bear games while close are sloppy and ugly. Not very fun to watch IMO. While the Saints may not seem like a powerhouse anymore the Bears never really seemed that way at all.

blank

TOPackerFan
Registered

13 years ago

#20

The downside to this is that we probably then go to Soldier Field in December/January. The NFL is trying to have meaningful division games at the end of the year and I don't think either Queens game will have much meaning this year and Packers Lions is probably a year away from being a really big game. That being said, the home schedule this year doesn't have many games worthy of the openeing Thursday nighter other than the Bears or Saints, so it's at least 50-50 we open at home against the Bears.

Show me a good loser, I'll show you a loser - Vince

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