NFC CHAMPIONSHIP PACKERS 21 @ BEARS 14 Final

[Orange and Brown]

A black and blue ribalry for the NFC Championship!!

Thoughts

[gymrat88]

Nice to see two teams with great football tradition represent the NFC. At this point I have to go with the Packers. Beating Philadelphia and Atlanta on the road is impressive.

[dazed&confused]

THE PACK IS BACK! I actually have a cheesehead I bought at Lambeau Field!

[farmer]

The Pack should win. Hard to think Cutler will not throw some ints the way the Packs defense is playing.
They said on tv that this will be the third meeting in the playoffs for these two teams.

[Orange and Brown]

The Packers have been impressive in ther 2 playoff road wins thus far, but I was impressed with how well Jay Cutler played against the Seahawks. I think this will be a close game. If the Packers can keep Rodgers protected then I think they will win by 10. If the Bears spend all day in his grill then I say the Bears will win by 3.

Soldier field in January, The NFC championship on the line, 2 great NFL rivals.....I'm excited about this one.

[Space Cowboy]

IMO, This will be the best game of the post season and this one could go either way.

[Orange and Brown]

Vince Lombardi and George "Pappa Bear" Halis Have to be looking down and smiling right now.

[mister b]

To bad this one isn't at Lambeau Field, the new Soldier Field is an eyesore along the Chicago waterfront.

I picking the Packers.

[91blue14]

the packers should win. cutler will throw the interception and keep the defense on the field.

[seofan_via_dublin]

The last and only time these two met in the playoffs, it was the week after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941.

At that time, there were 10 teams in the NFL, the minimum wage was 30 cents per hour, the cost of a first class stamp was 3 cents, and GAHS4ever was only 55 years old!

[dazed&confused]

Most of the media are picking the Packers. On paper, they are the most talented team and at the crucial QB position, it is not even close in favor of the Packers. Most people think of the Bears as a defensive team but the Pack actually has the better defense in NFL rankings. So with all that going for the Packers, I'm picking them to lose in some disappointing fashion just because I am rooting for them and that's just the way it goes.

[ACCBiggz]

As a Bears fan I am beyond excited. However, unlike most of the population I am not surprised they are this deep in the playoffs. I slated them to win the Super Bowl this season:

NFC North: Chicago Bears
I know, probably thinking this is just a fandom pick. But I am not as high on the other two NFC North teams as most analysts are and Cutler is a smart guy and could excel with Martz’ offense. I’m expecting the offense to be dynamic by mid-season. Everyone is taking shots at the secondary, but the thing is when you look on paper yes it’s a weakness… BUT defensive pressure makes medicore secondaries look good… Julius Peppers + Tommie Harris (if healthy) can create pressure with just the front four leaving the talented linebackers to blitz or drop in coverage as needed.

While not dynamic as expected (I have expected more Forte screens and such) it was mid-season when they started to produce on that side of the ball. And people just could not forget the Giants' game. Under the new system that Martz brought in many expected instant results, but it takes time and that's why.

As for this game: I am SICK of hearing about the Packers "now" having a running game. Last time I checked you needed consistency for that, but when the media loves you they'll ride the bandwagon as soon as any sort of silver lining shows. Week 17: Packers top rusher was Rodgers with 21 yards in a 10-3 game. Last week against the Falcons I stopped watching after a quarter and a half thanks to Buck/Aikman calling every Packer that touched the ball a playoff hero. *facepalm*

A lot of attention is being paid to Rodgers/Cutler, but the key to this game is the defensive line. Whichever line creates pressure will win. The Packers are far more likely to do this because of the Bears' offensive line struggles, but with Peppers and company the Bears could win this battle. Whichever side wins the battle will win this game. It's a relatively even match-up. Green Bay should be the favorites heading in for good reason, I'm just hoping for a good outcome.


And as a Bears fan, I do NOT care about getting to OR winning the Super Bowl. I just don't want Green Bay to come into Solider Field and win Papa Bear's trophy. That's it.

[boilermaker]

Go Pack!

[dazed&confused]

If the Browns can't be there, I'm tickled the Packers will be there. Got my cheese head ready!

[farmer]

The people getting on Cutler for not playing the second half is becoming a story. He maybe hurt but many former players are saying that as big of a game it is they need to drag you off the field. As well as pointing out how he seemed on the sidelines. Standing without crutches or showing facial expression of being in pain. Many different reasons given but they are questioning his heart and desire. This is not the first time this has come up about Cutler. If he does not have a significant injury many of the Bear fans and players may never be able to forget it.

When Cutler went out Collins was just a waste of snaps. Hannie looked good the first int is thrown by a lot of very good QB's because you just do not think the guy of that size would be dropping back into coverage. It seemed like Green Bay knew the play was coming. The last Int was a player trying to make a play without much time. Hannie did get the Bears moving which Cutler could not. This will be a long off season for the Bears to answer some of these questions.

[farmer]

No one took his helmet away from him.
Now it is reported he has a torn MCL. People are still questioning his heart. Seems like Brady had foot surgery after the season. Ben has been hurt all year. Even today one of Brees team mates said that he played the last 5 or 6 games with a torn MCL but taped it up. So other QB's have played this year with injuries and played in games not as important as a chance to go to the Super Bowl. With Ben doing it in more than just the game to get to the Super Bowl. That is what people will question about Cutler. This comes the year Farve gets beat up and finally has to be carted off the field to keep him from trying to get back on the field. Some are saying Cutler is a QB but not a leader and that may lead to some reasons why people did not like what they seen.

People will always have opinions on Cutlers actions. As some remember that Jack Youngblood played on a broken leg in the Conference Championship then played in the Super Bowl. As well as others who overcome injuries to play.

[farmer]

Heath Evans a FB on the Saints said today that Drew Brees played the last 5 or 6 games with a torn MCL.

Getting paid over $22 million to play this year I would think he would have sucked it up and played for a chance to get to the Super Bowl. That is the reality that many players who played their entire career and never made it to a Super Bowl. Ben sucked it up this year and he has already been to and won Super Bowls. Guess $22 million just doesn't buy you much anymore.