Believe it or not; the NFL’s oldest rivalry has seen the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears make the playoffs in the same year only four times.
In those four years, the Packers and Bears have met in the playoffs two times. The last meeting coming in 1941, at Wrigley Field in Chicago. The Bears won 33-14 behind offensive stars George McAfee, Norm Standlee and Hugh Gallarneau.
This time around, it’s Jay Cutler vs. Aaron Rodgers and a battle between two of the best defenses in all of the league. The NFC Championship also serves as a rare rubber match because the two teams split their two games in the regular season.
In addition to a preview, it’s only appropriate I include the music video for the Packers 2011 Playoff Anthem, “Green and Yellow.” To avoid any musical bias, make sure to check out the 2011 Chicago Bears Super Bowl Shuffle Remix.
By: Nick Grays
As the song says, “Everytime we play, it’s a W.” While not entirely the truth, this has been the case for the Green Bay Packers and their last four games. After routing the New York Giants in a must-win game, the Packers haven’t showed any signs of slowing down by beating the Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles and the #1-seeded Atlanta Falcons in consecutive weeks.
Packers QB Rodgers doesn’t really care if he’s playing outdoors or indoors as he has been equally great on both settings. In fact, the signal caller has been one of the best in the NFL when it comes to playing in frigid weather. In ten regular season games and one playoff match-up, Rodgers is averaging a ridiculous passer rating of 105.8 when the temperatures undercut the freezing point.
Those numbers look all fine and dandy, but in reality, the Chicago Bears defense was the one unit to effectively contain Rodgers during the recent hot streak. In the Packers’ week 17 win, Rodgers was an alright 19-of-28 for 229 yards and one touchdown and one pick. If you watched this one, don’t forget how much of a defensive struggle this game was.
And that is why I think Sunday’s game will come down to the Packers defense and Bears QB Jay Cutler. I’m not saying the Packers won’t put up some points because they very well could with the way they’re playing. But either way, I think it comes down to Cutler keeping up with the Packers offense or Cutler making key decisions in a close game.
With that in mind, the Packers have to like their chances in this one. In the previous two weeks, they’ve stopped two Pro Bowl QBs in Michael Vick and Matt Ryan. Not to mention, Cutler’s three interceptions compared to one touchdown versus the Packers this season. Expect Clay Matthews and company to wreak havoc all day long against a less-than-stellar Bears offensive line.
No matter your rooting interest in this one, it will be a historic day at Soldier Field. For that reason, sit back and enjoy a crazy atmosphere that doesn’t come around too often. I think of it as a Midwest Super Bowl before the Super Bowl.
Game Changers:
DE Julius Peppers and WR/KR Devin Hester
Peppers is by far the free-agent pick-up of the year. If anyone can catch Rodgers on the run, it would be this guy. Watch him on the corner as he’s sure to get to backfield more than once. Hester can beat a team all by his self because of his talents on special teams. If the Packers do decide to kick to him, he could realistically take it to the house. Falcons Eric Weems did it last week.
CB Tramon Williams and RB James Starks
On Thursday, Williams joined the roster for the NFC Pro Bowl, replacing Eagles CB Asante Samuel. After three interceptions in his last two games, Williams is pretty sure he won’t be able to play in the Pro Bowl either when the Packers are Super-Bowl bound. Starks leads all running backs in postseason rushing attempts (48) and rushing yards (189). The 6th-round draft pick out of Buffalo is taking the league by storm with some super fresh legs.
Prediction: Green Bay 30 Chicago 20
Who do you have winning the so-called “Midwest Super Bowl”? Who are your game-changers? Let me know by commenting below!
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