ROUND 2: Dirty Birds Lead-Up

[Wilford Brimley]

Turk.

[LUKE23]

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcnorth/post/_ ... s-showdown

But history tells us these opportunities don't come along very often. Do you realize that in the 89-year history of the rivalry, the Bears and Packers have played exactly one playoff game against each other? In fact, as the chart at the bottom of this post illustrates, there have been only four occasions when both teams have made the playoffs in the same season.

Bears and Packers have only made it to the playoffs in the same year 4 times? Wow.

[Turk Nowitzki]

Legit question: Not sure about his status for this weekend but has Walden beaten out Zombo for the OLB spot even if Zombo is healthy enough to start?

[Wilford Brimley]

I would think so, at least hope so.

[humanrefutation]

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcnorth/post/_/id/22484/dreaming-of-a-packers-bears-showdown

But history tells us these opportunities don't come along very often. Do you realize that in the 89-year history of the rivalry, the Bears and Packers have played exactly one playoff game against each other? In fact, as the chart at the bottom of this post illustrates, there have been only four occasions when both teams have made the playoffs in the same season.

Bears and Packers have only made it to the playoffs in the same year 4 times? Wow.

That doesn't seem too surprising to me; it's hard enough to get two teams from the same division in the playoffs, and in the past, the Packers have been good when the Bears have sucked and vice versa.

[Wilford Brimley]

I don't want to play them, I'm such a pussy.

[humanrefutation]

I don't want to play them, I'm such a pussy.

Neither do I, but I still think we'd have a decent shot against them.

[PkrsBcksGphsMqt]

Legit question: Not sure about his status for this weekend but has Walden beaten out Zombo for the OLB spot even if Zombo is healthy enough to start?

He's led the team in tackles the last two games, so probably.

[Wade-A-Holic]

Legit question: Not sure about his status for this weekend but has Walden beaten out Zombo for the OLB spot even if Zombo is healthy enough to start?

McCarthy just said Zombo has a chance to play this week and might practice tomorrow. I like Zombo more against the run, and it would be nice to have him in there maybe just on 1st downs for that reason. Then you also keep Walden a bit fresher for pass rushing.

[Wilford Brimley]

He doesn't seem like a Twitter guy to me, I find this funny for some reason.

http://twitter.com/FalconsQB

[Wade-A-Holic]

From Matt Bowen, who I think is one of the best writers out there at not giving generic analysis (that, and he writes an inordinate amount about the Packers).

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Bre ... yoffs.html

Green Bay at Atlanta
Saturday: 8 EST (FOX)

The Atlanta pressure: The Falcons have developed into a pressure defense that will bring edge pressure along with A and B gap stunts out of their sub packages. Packers’ QB Aaron Rodgers will have to see that pressure and check to the 3-step game, and don’t be surprised to see Green Bay use their screen package early in the first quarter. There are multiple ways to counter pressure looks and they will all be a part of the Packers’ game plan—because I do expect Atlanta to come after this offense.

Woodson’s matchups: I want to see the Packers’ CB move inside of third downs to matchup with Falcons’ TE Tony Gonzalez. That’s what I would do if I was putting together the Packers’ defensive game plan. With Woodson, you get a physical corner with safety size that can align in a press-look vs. Gonzalez and take away the option route, the slant and any double move. Don’t give Atlanta QB Matt Ryan an easy target to move the sticks.

Michael Turner: This Green Bay defense knows what they are going to get from Turner: downhill runs in both one and two-back looks. The Packers front seven has to get off of blocks, attack the line of scrimmage and get some penetration to knock off the pulling guard in the Falcons’ Power O scheme. Turner is going to be featured in the game plan—and now it is on the Packers’ defense to limit the amount production he will get.

James Starks: Continue to have a balanced offensive attack. That has to be the No.1 goal for Mike McCarthy as they head to the stadium on Saturday night. Green Bay doesn’t need another 100-plus yard performance from their rookie RB, but they do need to control the tempo of this game. Give Starks multiple opportunities to run the ball in their power schemes out of their Tank (1 WR, 2 TE, 2 RB) and 3 RB personnel that gives them the “full house” backfield look. Doesn’t have to be flashy, but nothing is in the playoffs. Line up and attack this Atlanta defense.

Matt Ryan and the sprint game: Move the Atlanta QB out of the pocket. Ryan is productive in the sprint game because he can keep his eye down the field and square his shoulder to the target. This also allows the Falcons to counter the multiple blitz looks that they will see from Packers’ coordinator Dom Capers. The route scheme? Look for the flat-7 (flag) combo—especially vs. pressure. That gives Ryan two outside breaking routes to target.

Explosive plays: Who can pick up explosive plays on offense? Is it Roddy White or do we see Greg Jennings get behind the secondary? One area of the field to look for play action is between the 40’s. This is when NFL offenses will take a shot down the field and test the top of the defense. I’m all for having a balanced attack on offense in playoff football, but a big play can win a game. Both clubs need to take some shots early.

I dare Atlanta to blitz Rodgers.

[LUKE23]

I hope they blitz a ton.

[trwi7]

Out of curiosity, what about Atlanta do you hate? They aren't arrogant, or a rival, or have a douchey coaching staff. If we lose I personally hope they take it all if they happen to beat Green Bay.

I'm also kind of blown away by the dislike of the Falcons. That team has never done anything to make me dislike them at all... Other than beat the Packers, which was annoying.

I think a lot of it stems from Cowherd's love for Ryan and hate for Rodgers. I am still on winter break so I've been watching/listening to a lot of ESPN the last couple of weeks. I would hate to see Ryan get to a Super Bowl before Rodgers because it would fuel the fire that Ryan is a better QB than Rodgers and that Ryan can win the big game and Rodgers can't. Also I don't think the Bears would have any shot in the Super Bowl, if I thought they did have a shot then I'd probably be cheering against them more.

I don't hate the Falcons. The only thing I hate is the ridiculous Matty Ice nickname. On par with Vanilla Ice imo.

[RiotPunch]

No one is better against the blitz than Aaron and his wicked quick release.


Can this game come faster plz?

[Wilford Brimley]

Something about this game being in a dome, in GA, on a Saturday night is really exciting to me.

[chuckleslove]

The Bears had told Starks they were going to draft him.

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/NFL ... -card.html

I hope he gets a chance for some revenge next year.

[PkrsBcksGphsMqt]

The Bears had told Starks they were going to draft him.

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/NFL ... -card.html

I hope he gets a chance for some revenge next year.

Interesting. I love all of the inside stories the NFP has, they have some of the most interesting NFL articles and a lot of them are Packers related because of Andrew Brandt.

[trwi7]

I feel awful for the guy who wrote that. Having Starks on the phone saying they're going to draft him and then Angelo comes in and says we're going with someone else and having to tell that to Starks. If I was him I would've said screw that and made Angelo tell him.

[PkrsBcksGphsMqt]

I feel awful for the guy who wrote that. Having Starks on the phone saying they're going to draft him and then Angelo comes in and says we're going with someone else and having to tell that to Starks. If I was him I would've said screw that and made Angelo tell him.

Yeah, I think the fact that it was in the 6th round made it worse too. If it was a first round guy who was still going to get picked in the 1st or 2nd it wouldn't be quite as bad. But Starks went from thinking he was going to be drafted to wondering if he was going to be drafted at all. I'm happy Angelo f'd up though, I think Starks could be real good.

That same scout was with the Giants when they had Ryan Grand he had also graded him really high, but they had so many RBs at the time that they had to trade him.

[James1980]

The Bears had told Starks they were going to draft him.

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/NFL ... -card.html

I hope he gets a chance for some revenge next year.

Next week.