Should be a good game today. So excited to see these teams play today. Some folks are saying it could be a Superbowl preview, but I think it’s way too early to be predicting that. First time Brady vs Rodgers. Seems unreal that they’ve never seen each other until now. I am quietly hoping the Pats can pull off an upset, but winning at Lambeau is not going to be easy.
Who’s watching? Whatcha drinking? Only tea for me since I just had a scope done on my knee, but I would love to open a nice bottle of red.
Pretty psyched for the game. I think the Pats match up pretty well–GB’s run defense is a little weak and they have trouble covering TE’s so Gronk could have a huge game, it’s the type of defense (strong against WR’s, weak run D) that Brady tends to carve up. On the other side I think Revis can largely keep Cobb out of the picture and Browner/McCourty should be able to contain Jordy reasonably well. The big question mark, for me, is how the Pats run D does against a big, powerful back like Lacy. If they’re even mildly successful containing him I think the Pats win in a relatively close, high scoring affair–something like 31-28 or 35-31.
Either way, these are the two hottest teams in the NFL. All it would take is a big injury or a terrible game from Brady or Rodgers to bounce either of them from a possible SB rematch but right now this is a clear elite matchup, I can’t WAIT!
If this was not in Green Bay I would expect NE to win by 14 or more. In Green bay it might be a close game. Sorry not a believer in GB yet. Detroit beat them just saying
If this was not in Green Bay I would expect NE to win by 14 or more. In Green bay it might be a close game. Sorry not a believer in GB yet. Detroit beat them just saying
To be fair, KC *smoked *the Pats, and NE also looked like crap against the Jets and Raiders. Every team has a stinker now and then.
Now that said, GB also has very few wins against quality opponents. A squeaker against Miami and the blowout against Philly. Beyond that their schedule has been pretty easy, in fact against teams with a winning record (Seattle, Miami, Detroit, Philly) they’re just 2-2. The Pats have played seven teams that currently have winning records (Miami, KC, Cincy, Denver, Detroit, Indy, Buffalo) and are 5-2 in those games.
Obviously strength of schedule isn’t a teams fault, but I think the weak schedule for GB suggests that we don’t yet know how elite/dominant they really are. Today will reveal a lot, against a team that’s just beaten three straight divisional leaders.
I agree - Gronk’s going to have a huge game. Biggest question is how well the Pats secondary can shut down GB’s two big receivers. I would have been more nervous about this except they were very successful against Indy and their two big WRs.
Great Game!!! We’ve got Packer tickets we share in the family - - - We share so no one wakes up with their throat cut. My son and I drew next week against the Falcons. BTW, my uncle also had season tickets but he gave them up (as a protest) when stadiums prohibited smoking. He did not ask if any family members wanted the tickets. Needless to say he died a lonely and forgotten man, no one showed at his funeral.
Agreed. Nice to watch a close game for a change. That TD before the half was the game changer, unfortunately.
Pats D could have really used Chandler Jones tonight, a little pressure on Rodgers without selling out would have been nice. I think the Pats moved away from the run too much, should have worked on keeping the GB offense off the field more and grinding it out, as they did toward the end.
Good game, tough loss…it’s clear these two teams are very good and very evenly matched, I’d love to see a rematch in a few months. As long as the Pats keep home field advantage I think the Seahawks are the only team that might keep that from happening cause I don’t see another squad beating either of these teams in their conferences, especially on their home turfs.
Didn’t they try to run in the first two series and got nowhere fast? I could be wrong, but I thought they tried to run early and got shut down. It was only after the passing game started clicking that the run started working too. Blount had a good game and poor Jonas finally got a few snaps.
The defense played very, very well other than the pass rush. It will be good to get Chandler back.
Didn’t they try to run in the first two series and got nowhere fast?
First drive, three rushes, only one successful (one stuffed, one for two yards, one for six). The next series was three and out, all passes. Two runs for 18 yards and a TD on the third drive. The next drive they scored a TD without a single running play.
I think the Pats reacted poorly to the Packers quick drives and tried to do the same, rather than stick with a solid-yet-boring gameplan. Weak Packers run defense, two power backs (three if you count Bolden), run it down their throats. I don’t think it was their undoing, the lack of pressure on Rodgers and some poor deep coverage is what killed them, but more of a commitment to the run early would have helped later imo.
Just got back to the parents house from the game. Waaaaaaaaay too many points left on the field. Packers should have won by 21 or more. But, I will take it! More of a playoff atmosphere than most playoff games. Brought home a game worn autographed framed Eddie Lacy jersey from the silent auction to go with the ones from Aaron and Donald Driver I got last year.
Ah, come on! You’ve got to give the Pats’ red-zone defense a little credit!! The only obvious points missed out on was the drop that would have been a TD, but otherwise, the Pats played very well to prevent red-zone TDs. One of the few good take-aways.
Waaaaaaaaay too many points left on the field. Packers should have won by 21 or more.
The packers got a lucky touch down at the end of the first half and got shut down
fair and square in the red zone 4 times (3 FGs and a miss). But your reasoning is
that they should have won by 21. I’ll admit your assessment is consistent with many of your
other observations.