Where is bar set for Lions game?

[Harlan Huckleby]

So that explains your vote in the Pack v Patriots prediction thread?

What safe prediction did I make there? Or was I reckless? I think I said Packers had to score a zillion points to win.

[George Cumby]

2009 - Packers smoke the resting Cardinals. Lose in a shootout a week later.
2010 - Packers win a very ugly game against the Bears to claim a Wild Card spot and then roll to the Super Bowl.
2011 - Packers beat the Lions despite Flynn starting. Get blown up by the Giants a week later.
2012 - Packers lose to the Vikings, then beat the Vikings a week later. The 49ers then run all over them.
2013 - Packers win vs. the Bears in thrilling fashion, and then fall to the 49ers on a game winning FG.

Momentum/confidence is important, but that doesn't mean squat if it doesn't carry over. Just win, get the bye, and get everyone healthy and ready to go. 40-0, 40-35, 10-3, doesn't matter how.

You can look at the recent Super Bowl winners and see their uneven performances in December. The Seahawks last year went 2-2 in December and then turned it on for the playoffs. The Ravens went 1-4 in 2012 but still won the Super Bowl. The Giants did go 3-1 in 2009. The Packers were looking great offensively though they did drop the game vs. the Chiefs. The Saints went 2-3 in 2009 (including resting Brees in the final game).

Etc, so on, and so forth.

Striker, on the other hand, is bringing his "A-Game" this December.

Many question whether he can sustain this for the playoff run. Peter King says he's just a flash in the pan. Jaws has been critical of his mechanics. Michael Irvin snorted a line of blow from between a hookers boobs and then babbled incoherently. Howie Long scowled.

Wood Buck posted a non sequitur, Rand posted something insulting, Tank posted something slightly inflammatory but funny nonetheless.

Maybe Harlan can make a pole.

[Harlan Huckleby]

I think this is an unusual year. I can't remember another year where Packers had a very good team, but another team in NFC looked about as unbeatable as a team can look. Packers have never demonstrated that they have the horses to go into Seattle and win. It would do wonders for their confidence, or at least mine, to see them look good against a strong defense Sunday. That task remains on their 2014 bucket list.

[hoosier]

I think this is an unusual year. I can't remember another year where Packers had a very good team, but another team in NFC looked about as unbeatable as a team can look. Packers have never demonstrated that they have the horses to go into Seattle and win. It would do wonders for their confidence, or at least mine, to see them look good against a strong defense Sunday. That task remains on their 2014 bucket list.

You only have to go back four years or so to find a close parallel.

[woodbuck27]

2009 - Packers smoke the resting Cardinals. Lose in a shootout a week later.
2010 - Packers win a very ugly game against the Bears to claim a Wild Card spot and then roll to the Super Bowl.
2011 - Packers beat the Lions despite Flynn starting. Get blown up by the Giants a week later.
2012 - Packers lose to the Vikings, then beat the Vikings a week later. The 49ers then run all over them.
2013 - Packers win vs. the Bears in thrilling fashion, and then fall to the 49ers on a game winning FG.

Momentum/confidence is important, but that doesn't mean squat if it doesn't carry over. Just win, get the bye, and get everyone healthy and ready to go. 40-0, 40-35, 10-3, doesn't matter how.

You can look at the recent Super Bowl winners and see their uneven performances in December. The Seahawks last year went 2-2 in December and then turned it on for the playoffs. The Ravens went 1-4 in 2012 but still won the Super Bowl. The Giants did go 3-1 in 2009. The Packers were looking great offensively though they did drop the game vs. the Chiefs. The Saints went 2-3 in 2009 (including resting Brees in the final game).

Etc, so on, and so forth.

Good research and yes.

The Packers aren't a swaggering style team anyway.

I've got zero problem if the Green Bay Packers stomp on the Detroit Lions. Simply be grateful for that and with humility prepare for the next BIG Game in two weeks.

[Harlan Huckleby]

You only have to go back four years or so to find a close parallel.

what was that?

Packers had no success against good defenses, and there was a defensive juggernaut in NFC?

I'm looking at the PAcker shortcomings throughout entire year.

[woodbuck27]

You only have to go back four years or so to find a close parallel.

The Packers did bounce back from a loss to Detroit late in the 2010 Season to win the Super Bowl.

[Harlan Huckleby]

In the last 4 games, Seattle has allowed 3, 14, 17 and 6 points.

The Packer offense has not solved physical defenses, especially on road.

From what we know, why should we think that the Packers are more than unlikely to win in Seattle?

I'm not saying a strong showing against Lions proves all. But it goes a way towards showing the Packers are up to bigger task.

[Harlan Huckleby]

The Packers did bounce back from a loss to Detroit late in the 2010 Season to win the Super Bowl.

And they may get creamed by Detroit this Sunday and go on to win Super Bowl. Anything is possible.
Given the way this season has gone, a solid victory this Sunday means a lot.

[vince]

In the last 4 games, Seattle has allowed 3, 14, 17 and 6 points.

The Packer offense has not solved physical defenses, especially on road.

From what we know, why should we think that the Packers are more than unlikely to win in Seattle?

I'm not saying a strong showing against Lions proves all. But it goes a way towards showing the Packers are up to bigger task.

That's fair I think. Shit the Packers have a bunch of hurdles to get over before they even get to Seattle. They'll have to get through Detroit and probably Dallas before they get to Seattle. They'll need to get hot and probably catch a couple breaks too against Seattle if they get there. The thing about Seattle is they don't usually give the other team many breaks.

Detroit, Dallas, Seattle - yeah baby

[mraynrand]

what was that?

Packers had no success against good defenses, and there was a defensive juggernaut in NFC?

I'm looking at the PAcker shortcomings throughout entire year.

Packers had a lot of shortcomings in 2010, and were playing with some total scrubs and rookie FAs. They had some rough showings against good defenses, especially after Finley was lost and of course when Rodgers was out. The comparison to Seattle would be the Steelers who were the #1 defense in points allowed and #2 in yards allowed - I think Seattle ranks exactly the same this year.

Of course, every year is different.

[George Cumby]

Packers had a lot of shortcomings in 2010, and were playing with some total scrubs and rookie FAs. They had some rough showings against good defenses, especially after Finley was lost and of course when Rodgers was out. The comparison to Seattle would be the Steelers who were the #1 defense in points allowed and #2 in yards allowed - I think Seattle ranks exactly the same this year.

Of course, every year is different.

You almost sound........ Optimistic?

[Striker]

In the last 4 games, Seattle has allowed 3, 14, 17 and 6 points.

The Packer offense has not solved physical defenses, especially on road.

From what we know, why should we think that the Packers are more than unlikely to win in Seattle?

I'm not saying a strong showing against Lions proves all. But it goes a way towards showing the Packers are up to bigger task.

In their last 5 games (adding another game where they allowed 3 points) they have also played Drew Stanton, Colin Kaepernick, Mark Sanchez, Colin Kaepernick, and Ryan Lindley.

I would hope they can keep their opponent locked down in those cases.

[Harlan Huckleby]

OK, Striker. Guess Seattle defense ain't much.

[Striker]

OK, Striker. Guess Seattle defense ain't much.

That's not what I'm saying. What I think is that they are being overestimated because of the last 5 games, and it's being hailed as a resurgence of their dominance, but look at the level of their competition. They're doing exactly what good/great defenses should do. A lot of Packer fans still remain unconvinced due to the level of who we've played. Yet they don't seem to care as much for Seattle.

Both teams will be tested in the playoffs. Dallas will be tough to slow down.