Official Packers vs. Eagles Discussion Thread

[mraynrand]

I have said before, and will repeat now, that I've always been much more comfortable watching the Packers when the defense is good but the offense is not so good (as opposed to the other way around) - not that this has happened much in the past decade or three. So, like you, I too am really enjoying this season, because you can count on the defense. For that reason, 2011 was my least favorite year - even though the team was winning and the offense was going up and down the field, I hated knowing the defense was an absolute sieve.

Yeah, that season started to feel like '83, where even though they had a juggernaut offense, the defense just couldn't hold up. But like most teams that rely on offense, some team eventually comes along and puts them in their place. '97 Packers got punked, '98 Vikings got punked, and the 2007/2011 Packers and Patriots got punked by the same team. Defense wins championships. In 1996 and 2010 and hopefully for the Packers in 2019!

[mraynrand]

Last I read, there were some discussions about some chick named Hope. I thought that might have something to do with the thread disappearing. Or am I delusional?

I hope not! Keep Hope alive!

[hoosier]

Yeah, that season started to feel like '83, where even though they had a juggernaut offense, the defense just couldn't hold up. But like most teams that rely on offense, some team eventually comes along and puts them in their place. '97 Packers got punked, '98 Vikings got punked, and the 2007/2011 Packers and Patriots got punked by the same team. Defense wins championships. In 1996 and 2010 and hopefully for the Packers in 2019!

Defense wins championships: Sometimes. And sometimes balance wins championships. And sometimes a good offense lets an ok defense look like a good one. And sometimes (not quite as often) bad defenses win championships, either because the offense is elite or because one unit becomes dominant. 2011 Giants are a good example. 1997 Packer defense was actually quite good statistically, better than Denver's. https://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/teamdef/1997I suspect the difference between the two teams boiled down to game planning and who wanted it more.

[mraynrand]

Defense wins championships: Sometimes. And sometimes balance wins championships. And sometimes a good offense lets an ok defense look like a good one. And sometimes (not quite as often) bad defenses win championships, either because the offense is elite or because one unit becomes dominant. 2011 Giants are a good example. 1997 Packer defense was actually quite good statistically, better than Denver's. https://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/teamdef/1997I suspect the difference between the two teams boiled down to game planning and who wanted it more.

I take your point, up to a point.

Denver's defense played better when it mattered most.

Anyone know offhand the worst defense to win a Super Bowl?

[Joemailman]

2009 Saints were ranked 25th in Yardage. However, they did force 45 turnovers.

[mraynrand]

2009 Saints were ranked 25th in Yardage. However, they did force 45 turnovers.

What a bounty!

[hoosier]

I take your point, up to a point.

Denver's defense played better when it mattered most.

Anyone know offhand the worst defense to win a Super Bowl?

Depends on how you measure your wurst. If you go by DVOA, looks like it would be '76 Raiders at +9.4%. 2006 Coats come in as second worst at +8.5%. Worst defense in history of NFL championships is 1964 Browns at a whopping +19.85. If you prefer florid metaphors to cold numbers, that's not a sieve it's a hole you could drive a truck through. As a point of contrast, 2011 Packers defensive efficiency was +12.1%.

[mraynrand]

Worst defense in history of NFL championships is 1964 Browns at a whopping +19.85.

The exception that proves the rule!

And the Colts were both #1 offense and defense too. Those road championship games are a killer...

[gbgary]

dicey game tonight. phi D isn't great but it doesn't have to be since we can barely sustain a drive. their O is going to be a real test for the D. again i think it's going to be a low scoring affair with them attacking our weakened middle. hopefully the scripted plays and our D can get us a win.

[Spaulding]

Gary sucks. His rush from the left was almost to Ashwaubanon before he turned in.. No chance to get to the Wentz in time to make an impact play.