USA TODAY "If Defense wins Championships, Pack could be in Trouble"

[pbmax]

The problem is that the playoffs are different. Defenses shut down big-time offenses. Remember New England's nearly-undefeated season? The Jints stopped Brady and Company.

I'm concerned about the Packer defense. Greatly. It's harder to manufacture points in the playoffs than it is during the regular season.

The playoffs are different because the teams are better, not because there is a fundamental advantage to the defense. Even the two week advantage before the Super Bowl is lessened because of the media and league demands of the teams the week prior to the game make it difficult to prepare more than normal in the extra week.

Defense doesn't win championships, defense wins Pulitzers. Point differential wins games and championships.

Super Bowl Defenses

Year	Team		Pts	Yds	PtDfRk	PtDif
2010	Packers		2	5	2	148
2009	Saints		20	25	1	169
2008	Steelers	1	1	5	124
2007	Giants		17	7	13	22
2006	Colts		23	21	9	67
2005	Steelers	3	4	5	131
2004	Patriots	2	9	1	177
2003	Patriots	1	7	6	110
2002	Buccaneers	1	1	2	150
2001	Patriots	6	24	7	99
2000	Ravens		1	2	2	168
1999	Rams		4	6	1	284
1998	Broncos		8	11	2	192

The outlier: Giants were going nowhere until the offense caught fire. Matchups play a role too.

The Packers this year?

2011	Packers		19	32	2	201

The Packers most resemble the 2009 Saints and that is not a bad thing.

[Harlan Huckleby]

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/packers-defense-had-better-step-up-763p0vp-137361578.html

McGinn describes defense as horrible.

[Pugger]

It is a major mystery why this group of defenders has all these problems. The personnel hasn't changed except for 2 starters nor has the coaching. What is up, really? Here is my take.

Jenkins could have helped the pass rush but because besides Raji and Pickett our D line is full of below average guys that are really more suited as backups who can't shed a block to save their souls. Nobody besides CM3 is playing worth a damn at LBer except for Bishop at times but he's missed a few games and Walden has been horrid, especially lately. Losing Collins was big because he could cover up the screw-ups in the secondary. It didn't help to have the slow footed Peprah, a one handed kid who was still basically a rookie and a corner with a bum shoulder try to cover folks running wild while the opposing QBs had all day to throw. With all of this going on is it any wonder why we yielded yards at an alarming rate? If it wasn't for turnovers and the offense playing out of its mind we wouldn't be in the playoffs, let alone the #1 seed.

[pbmax]

The problem with all theories is that they all have holes. Walden was not horrid until the domestic abuse deal. His contain wasn't fantastic but he wasn't getting abused and his pass rush really had picked up in midseason. He might have been the third best player on defense at the 3/4 pole. But then all heck broke loose.

[esoxx]

For this game, I would take a page out of the Broncos mindset of the late 90's. They had a dominating offense and a subpar defense. They brought the house from all angles and basically forced the issue. The Packers defense has demonstrated they are going to hemorrhage yardage at frightening levels. Instead of a slow bleed, I want to see them fire blitz and bring the heat. Yes, big plays will occur but so will punishment to Eli and we may even get a sack or two out of it. Big plays will also occur on defense with this mindset.
Worse thing that can happen is the game turns in to a high scoring shootout. Fine with me since Rodgers > Manning.
Bottom line: Punish Manning for the yardage he's going to get instead of letting him sit back with no concern of duress.

[denverYooper]

I just want to see Bishop get home up the middle once, like when he popped Brady at the start of the NE game last year.

[esoxx]

Again I ask. Why not bring the house? Manning is sitting back there way too comfortable, Packers can't tackle on the back end anyhow. Bring the fucking heat and at least make him pay a price for his completions.

[Bretsky]

just back from watcing this hellhole unfold; have to agree with Esoxx. What was to lose ? Let's call a spade a spade. McGinn was right; this was a horrible defense. Rated 32nd in passing yards and 30th in sacks.

The above phrase rang kind of true this weekend. The two powerhouse offenses in the NFC went down hard.

[mraynrand]

Again I ask. Why not bring the house? Manning is sitting back there way too comfortable, Packers can't tackle on the back end anyhow. Bring the fucking heat and at least make him pay a price for his completions.

That did happen a couple of times

[Bretsky]

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-playoffs/09000d5d826184b0/Dominant-defenses

[pbmax]

just back from watcing this hellhole unfold; have to agree with Esoxx. What was to lose ? Let's call a spade a spade. McGinn was right; this was a horrible defense. Rated 32nd in passing yards and 30th in sacks.

The above phrase rang kind of true this weekend. The two powerhouse offenses in the NFC went down hard.

McGinn was also predicting Pack to the Super Bowl on Peter King's podcast and other outlets. So his butt was covered.