21-16

A couple things before I get started:

1.  Obviously it has been awhile since I've made any attempt to post anything.  I knew this would happen.  Vacation/Christmas/New Years is not conducive to me spouting off on sports related events online.

2.  The Packers won today (see the title of the blog) so I am in a good enough mood to write without filling it with sarcasm, frustration, and general negativity.

Football at its highest level in my mind can be broken down to a few basic principles.  Protect your quarterback.  Pressure the opponents'.  When the opportunity comes to make a big time play, you have to make it.

No one saw Seattle making a game of it against New Orleans.  But playing at home the Seahawks never really allowed the Saints to get comfortable for more than a series or two in a row.  Hasselbeck was able to make the plays he needed to from the passing game to put points on the board, and when the games was on the line Marshawn Lynch made one of the most manly runs I've ever seen in NFL Playoff history.

Indianapolis & New York played out a battle between one of the great QBs of all time and one of the great defensive minds of this generation.  The Colts put together what they thought was a game winning drive with Vinatieri hitting one of his late game, heroic field goals.  But the Jets got good field position and were able to put a few first downs together and hit a game winning field goal of their own.

Not a lot of people gave Kansas City much credit either going up against Baltimore.  They hung in there during the first half, but turnovers killed the Chiefs in the 2nd half.  The irony is the Chiefs were historically great at protecting the ball during the regular season (top 5 all time).  I guess it goes to show you how much that matters.

That brings me to Green Bay vs. Philadelphia.  The Packers have not had good luck against the Eagles in Philadelphia throughout history.  The Eagles are the only team to ever beat the Packers in the Playoffs in the Vince Lombardi era.  4th & 26 in 2003.  Need I say more.  But like I said the Packers were able to give Rodgers time to make plays for the most part while Vick looked a little lost out there.  Vick made his share of plays, but uncharacteristic misses by Akers gave the Packers a huge lift and at the end of the game Tramon Williams made the big play intercepting Vick's pass with under a minute to go.

Now it is time for things to really begin.  Chicago, Atlanta, New England & Pittsburgh are the 4 best teams in the league.  Seattle, Green Bay, New York & Baltimore are familiar with their opponents and are ready to bring it in the Divisional Round.  This is why people love the NFL.  Every week matters.  Win, or go home.