It IS encouraging.
What this tells me is none of them won the SB. Oh well. Only one team a year wins it.
In 1999 Tennessee made it to the SB while 14-2 Jags and the 13-3 Colts didn't. Even with their record they were the #3 seed and beat both teams, on the road. They lost to another 13-3 team in the Rams team that was lead by Marshal Faulk and Kurt Warner.
In 2009 the Colts made it to the SB. They were the #1 seed and faced another 13-3 team in the Saints.
Would anyone be happy with the Packers simply being in the SB? Based on the preseason predictions almost everyone should. 2 out of 9 teams is a 22.2% chance.
Then 3 teams made it to the league championship game.
2001 Steelers lost to New England.
2011 was the 49ers. You remember THAT season don't you? GB was 15-1 and lost the #4 seed Giants who then beat SF and New England.
2012 Falcons lost to SF 28-24 after SF beat GB the week before 45-31.
Odds of making it to the NFCCG 55.6%
Less than half of the teams lost in the divisional round.
We already discussed the 1999 Colts losing to Tennessee.
In 2001 it was the bares so no one cares. They were embarrassed by Philly. But 4 NFC teams had 11 wins or more and the Eagles were 11-5.
In 2009 the Jets were the Cinderella team seeded #5 they beat both Cincy and SD.
2010 it was Atlanta's turn to lose to the red hot Packers who won it all. So that worked out pretty well.