Preview: Packers vs 49ers - NFC Divisional Game

Rodgers vs Kaepernick:

• This will be Kaepernick's first playoff game as a starter. This could be either a good thing (Wilson, Flacco, Sanchez, Yates just to make a few QB's who won their first playoffs starts) or this could be a bad thing for him. Since 2008, QB's making their first playoff starts are 8-7. So for Kaepernick, its almost a 50/50 shot at giving the Niners the win. As for Rodgers, he could make this tough on the Niners faithful. Winning he's last 3 playoff road starts, playing on the road doesn't really phase him, but this will be his first ever game at Candlestick Park. Rodgers, who is a California-native, rooted for the 49ers his entire life until he became a Packer. Now he must beat the team he loves dearly in his heart. Likewise for Kaepernick, born in Wisconsin but raised on the west coast, he also has to play against the team he so loved as a child, the Green Bay Packers. It will be a tough game for both of these QB's, on and off the field.

Can Frank Gore do the the Packers Defense as Adrian Peterson did to them this season?

• If we rank the top 5 RB's in this league from the last 5 years, Gore would be on that list. At least he should be. With that being said, this Packers defense had serious issues with the guy would most, if not all, would say is #1 on that list: Adrian Peterson. Lets not forget that Gore also destroyed this defense up at Lambeau back in September for 112 yards, including the game-sealing TD run. If he can run like that again, this Packers defense will be in for a long evening, which isn't good for the Packers. Period.

Battle of the "3-4" defenses: Who wins?

• Well the Niners defense won round one of these battle at Lambeau. This time around, both defenses have had their share of injuries, but now both teams seem to be getting everything back to together at the right now. Its all about the matchups: Which defense can exploit the other offenses weakness? The defense that can do that, and play physical, smash-mouth defense, will be the ones who wins this battle and the game.

Can the 49ers win this game if they score under 20 points?

• Well they scored 30 points at Lambeau (although 23 of those came from the offense). I believe that this will not be an issue for the Niners. I think they'll get over 20 points and so will the Packers.

X-Factor: Dujuan Harris vs 49ers Defense

• Can Harris take some pressure off Rodgers against this 49ers defense??

Confidence Picks: Packers (11) vs 49ers (15)

• QB: Rodgers (2) vs Kaepernick (8)
• Defense: GB (6) vs SF (2)
• Coach: McCarthy (3) vs Harbaugh (5)

Prediction: 23-20, 49ers

Preview: Vikings vs Packers - NFC Wild Card

Ponder vs Rodgers, part III:

• So far this in the regular season match-ups, it's Ponder 1, Rodgers 1. This is by no way comparing both QB's to one another, but it is to say that in their Week 17 match, Ponder made one more play than Rodgers and thus won the game. The real question, can Ponder somehow play up to or outplay Rodgers in this game? That will be the most important task for the young QB who answered some critics concerns last week in his "career-defining" game. As for Rodgers, well the task is simple: Continue to be the best QB in the league and the Packers should win. Well that could be somewhat difficult if the Vikings D continue to be successful on their blitzing, as they were last week. Can Ponder continue to play mistake-free football, as he has the last 4 weeks of the season or will the greatness of Rodgers be too much for the young QB to match-up with?

Vikings Passing Game vs Packers Rushing Attack:

• Here's the facts on these two: Vikes passing offense is ranked 31st while the Packers are 20th in rushing. The winner of this battle within the battle, will mostly lead their team to victory.

Turnover Battle:

• The Week 13 match-up: Vikings - 2, Packers - 1. The Week 17 match: Packers -1, Vikings - 0. Team that can force the most turnovers, will pretty much win this game. The Packers would love to force young Christian Ponder into a few INT's in this game. There chances of doing this will improve when CB Charles Woodson returns to the lineup after sitting out most of the season with a collarbone injury. The Vikings would love to somehow force Rodgers into a few picks or a strip sack or two.

Vikings CB's vs Packers WR's:

• This will be the most important match-up of the game. If the Vikes secondary can keep the Packers WR's at bay, then they defense will have a great chance at getting to Rodgers. Keep in mind that the Vikings will need Veteran CB Antonie Winfield to play in this game. He's very important to a Vikings Secondary that is very different without his presence in the lineup. The Packers will have leading WR Randall Cobb back for this game (he missed last Sunday's game with an ankle injury). In the 3rd Quarter of last Sunday's game, Winfield missed the 2nd half due to that injured hand. Rodgers got hot..very hot and began torching the Vikes younger CB's. 

X-Factors: Vikings WR's vs Packers Run Defense

• Can the Vikings WR's get 150 yards or more collectively or can the Packers Run Defense hold AP to under 150 rushing?

Confidence Pick: Vikings (17) vs Packers (7)

• QB: Ponder (7) vs Rodgers (1)
• Def: Vikings (4) vs Packers (3)
• Coach: Frazier (6) vs McCarthy (3)

Prediction: Vikings 27, Packers 24

Top 3 for Week 2

Week 2 can be the week that determine how well of a start do teams get off. 16 teams are 1-0, a 75% chance at making the playoffs. 16 teams are 0-1, a 25% chance at making the playoffs. Since 1990, 12 of the 16 teams that start off 1-0 will go to the playoffs while 4 of the 16 teams that start 0-1 will recover and make the playoffs.

1. Bears at Packers: Well the Bears are 1-0 and Packers are 0-1. This is a huge Thursday Night game at Lambeau and this could very well be a huge division win or lost for these teams. The Bears are trying to take a 2-game lead (2 1/2 because of winning one of the two regular season meetings) and for the Packers, being in 4th place in the NFC North wasn't in their plans this season.
2. Lions at 49ers: For the 49ers, last week's game at Lambeau could be the game that puts the NFL on notice: THIS TEAM IS FOR REAL. Dominating defensive performance against the Packers could set this team up for home-field in January. As for the Lions, a very dismal game against the Rams, are looking to show the world that they are not the Detroit Lions of old. Being that this is a Sunday Night Game, what other way to get the world to know your name by beating the 49ers at home after they came off of a dominating win at Lambeau. 
3. Saints at Panthers: For two teams that we're thought to be 1-2 in the NFC South, one of these teams could be last by the end of day on Sunday. With Falcons looking pretty dominate and the Bucs seem to have found their old-school defense, the Saints and Panthers could be in for a uphill battle if they lose. Cam Newton is looking to shake off his performance in Tampa with a performance similar to what newcomer RGIII did to this Saints D last week.

2012 NFC North Preview

NFC North

Review are in order of final standings in 2011

1. Packers (15-1): - The Packers did everything almost perfect, winning at will and dominating all opponents they've faced. Well all except one. Lately, when it comes to playoff football, Lambeau Field and Giants: The Packers don't fare so well. Eli's Giants nipped the Packers again in the playoffs and the Packers great season came to an end just like that. Well the question on this team is can the Packers continue their dominate ways as they did last season?
2. Lions (10-6): - Well for Detroit, this is the first time since 1999 they had a winning record and they could play in the playoffs like its 1999. Well yea, the Lions have come a long way from the 0-16 season that plagued them a few seasons ago. Now with a young, talented and dominating core of players, the next step is to win the division and have a home playoff game for the first time in 20 years. Can the Lions repeat their winning season again and contend for the NFC North title in 2012?
3. Bears (8-8): - Well if the NFL had a 10-game schedule, the Bears would have made the playoffs last season. However, they would not do much after that, considering that they lost QB Jay Cutler and RB Matt Forte in the final stretch of the season. 7-3 was the Bears record when Cutler went down and a week later Forte got hurt and the Bears season went with them. The Bears would of have a team that could of made such a playoff run as did the Giants did last year, had they stayed healthy with their star players. The Bears in the off-season gave Cutler a some brand new toys the play with in that offense, including a toy he once had in Denver: WR Brandon Marshall, who should be a huge upgrade for him. Question for the Bears would be: Will this be the year that Cutler finally take the Bears back to the Super Bowl for the first time in 6 years?
4. Vikings (3-13): - The Vikings could look at 2011 with the first 3 games of the season. After having double digit leads in those games going into or in the 4th quarter, the Vikings lost all 3 games and thus lost their 2011 season. Injuries and ineffectiveness helped paved the way for QB Christian Ponder to take over the helm of this team. Well then as the season of hell continue, it got even worse at the end of the season: RB Adrian Peterson blows out his knee the second to the last game of the season. Vikings are at the process of rebuilding, but this rebuild project have been put on hold over the last few years until this season. They must spend this season seeing if the young players they've drafted over the last few years can mesh and produce wins....not give them away. So the main questions for the Vikings is: Will AP be the same RB he was before the knee injury? Will Ponder be able to take the next step to lead this Vikings team to a championship someday? 

2012 NFC North Champion: Chicago Bears

CHI: (11-5)
GB: (10-6)
DET: (9-7)
MIN: (8-8)

Recap: NFC Divisional - Giants vs Packers

Giants 37, Packers 20

Recap:

• 1st Down: Manning vs Rodgers - This game was a "legacy-making" game for both QB's. Primarily for one Eli Manning, who before the season proclaimed himself as an a "elite" quarterback. I don't think we'll have to proclaim much longer, he is one. Now that would depends on what he could do in the postseason this year, but certainly he's playing at his best as of now. As for Rodgers, could the game against the Bears on Christmas being the beginning of the end for his 2011 season? That was the last time Rodgers played a game before this game. Rest over Rust? Well that will be debated all off-season. Advantage: Manning
• 2nd Down: Which defense would you trust the most: Giants or Packers? For the whole season, the Packers D wasn't as good as advertised. Even though they led the NFL in interceptions, they couldn't hide the fact that they're defense wasn't that good. Manning and the Giants proved that point. Although Manning threw an Interception, it was the only turnover that the Giants committed all game. As for the Packers, they were very generous to the Giants D by turning over the ball 4 times. 4 vs 1.....not going to win in the playoffs with that. Advantage: Giants Defense
• 3rd Down: Which overall offense will out duel the other? Well this was the game. The Giants WR's and RB's played way better then the Packers WR's and RB's. Timing could of been a factor with the Packers, but the young Giants receivers just took over the show. Hakeem Nicks put on a performance such as the one Plaxico Burress put on in the '07 NFC title game. Advantage: Giants
• 4th Down: 2007 NFC Championship game all over again? Well this game looked like that very very very and I mean very cold game in 2007. It wasn't as big as that game, but the result was the same: another Giants win at Lambeau. Advantage: History and the Giants.

What's next: Giants go out west to play the 49ers in the NFC Championship game. These two teams have plenty of postseason history against each other.

4 Downs - NFC Divisional: Giants vs Packers

Giants vs Packers

• 1st Down: Eli Manning vs Aaron Rodgers - Well for both Quarterbacks, this game may mean a lot for not only this season but for their careers. Manning stated before the start of the season, that he's an "elite" QB in this league. So far, he's proven that he could get some STRONG consideration for that slot. Rodgers, by default of being on the defending world champion, is already put as an "elite" QB, even though he's only played 4 full seasons vs Manning's 7 seasons. Both QB's have won the Super Bowl (and Super Bowl MVP) and are both seeking championship #2. Of all the NFC QB's playing this weekend, only Alex Smith is without a championship. So the race for ring #2 is on for these two "elite" QB's.
• 2nd Down: Which Defense should you trust the most: Giants or Packers? - This is the battle of two of the bottom 5 defenses in the NFL. If it wasn't for the cold weather, this game would be high 30's, low 40's, but the weather at Lambeau may be the better defense on Sunday. Packers have the good secondary and LB's vs. the Giants front-4 and ability to pressure opposing QB's without blitzing. The defense who's able to make the other offense make more mistake should win this game. If one of these defenses can get a defense score, then that should help as well.
• 3rd Down: Which overall offense will out-duel the other? - What I mean by this is which Running Backs and Wide Receivers can out play the other. Giants will have Mario Manningham, Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks vs the Packers Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, and Donald Driver for WR's. Expect all of these guys to have decent success against the defenses playing in this game. As for the Running Backs, the Giants Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs vs the Packers James Starks and Ryan Grant. The game will be won and lost here, considering that both teams don't have success running the football.
• 4th Down: 07 NFC Championship Game all over again? - With the except of the very cold weather, 20 degrees around kickoff on Sunday vs. -1 degree (the kickoff temps in the 07 NFC Championship Game). Both teams have considerable amount of players left over from that 2007 season, so it's gonna be interesting to see how some Giants players feel going back to a place that they won at to go to Super Bowl and for the Packers players who could never forget that night. Well their be a Brett Favre sighting there on Sunday? No not physically, but could one of these QB's make an imitation of one Favre with a costly turnover in the last-minutes of the game. This game could be in the hands (hand) of one of these two QB's.

Confidence Pick:

• QB: Manning (3) vs Rodgers (2)
• Defense: Giants (5) vs Packers (7)
• Team: Giants (5) vs Packers (7)
• Giants (13) vs Packers (16)

My Pick: Giants 27, Packers 24

Divisional Confidence Picks

This format is simple: I'll use 3 categories (Overall Team, Quarterback, and Defense) and then I'll rank those categories by using the numbers 1-8 (1 being the most confident and 8 being the least confident). Of those 3 categories, I'll combine the total and get the confidence number. Remember, the lower the number wins for each game.

Quarterbacks:
1. Brady
2. Rodgers
3. Manning
4. Brees
5. Flacco
6. Tebow
7. Yates
8. Smith

Defense:
1. Texans
2. 49ers
3. Ravens
4. Broncos
5. Giants
6. Saints
7. Packers
8. Patriots

Overall Team:
1. Saints
2. Ravens
3. 49ers
4. Patriots
5. Giants
6. Broncos
7. Packers
8. Texans

Saints (11) at 49ers (13)
Broncos (16) at Patriots (13)
Texans (16) at Ravens (10)
Giants (13) at Packers (16)

Results of the confidence picks suggest that the Saints, Patriots, Ravens and Giants will win over the weekend. However, I do believe that the Saints/49ers pick is the only pick I would change. I think the 49ers will win that game, it will be close.

2011 Packers vs 2007 Patriots

The "perfect season" has only been successfully accomplished once in the NFL, 1972 Miami Dolphins. Over the last 15 years this feat has been challenged several times, unsuccessfully of course with the most recent being the 2007 New England Patriots. Could 2011 be the season that a team goes undefeated in an NFL season ,counting both Regular and Post-Seasons? Many believe so, but I'm writing this blog in relation the last two teams who have challenged this feat: 07 Patriots and current Packers.

I will not compare the whole season of these two teams, as the 2011 season isn't completed, but I'll compare the two teams as to their position as if the Week 14 within their respective seasons.

2007 Patriots: 

The Pats were coming off the lost in the 06 AFC Championship game against the eventual Super Bowl Champs the Indianapolis Colts. The Pats upgraded their Wide Receivers with a huge trade for Randy Moss, who was with the Raiders and former Dolphins WR Wes Welker. These two pick up proved to be key to the Pats 2007 season. With the help of these two players, the Pats started off 2007 by scoring 24 or more points and each of its first 9 games (30 or more in 8 of those games). The only team that could of possibly beaten the Pats where the Colts and they played week 9 of that season, otherwise known as Super Bowl 41&1/2. This would be the first time the Pats played the Colts since that classic AFC title game, and this game lived up to the hype and some. Pats won this game 24-20 and thus started the "undefeated" talks that would plague the rest of their season.

However, I'll limit this for another blog in the near future, but I want to talk about a game in week 13 against the Baltimore Ravens. This game was the final true test that stood in the way for the Pats as their quest for the undefeated season. This was a Monday Night game and everyone was watching, as the Ravens game it their all against this juggernaut.

2011 Packers:

Coming off their Super Bowl win against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Pack started off their season against the previous Super Bowl champs the New Orleans Saints. The Pack wasn't so dominate in their first half of the season, but they won every game by at least 6 points. That is until week 13 match up against the New York Giants. This game, as to date, is considered to be the Packers final test in their quest to go undefeated in a season.

Now on to the real reason for this blog, I wanted to compare the two teams and their week 13 match-ups. Both teams were on the road and faced two teams who were capable of beating these two powerhouse teams.

It was strange when I saw the Packers win this game against the Giants because it reminded me so much of when the Patriots defeated the Ravens, as both games were had its share of controversial calls from the refs. 

12 vs. 12:

Both QB's, Aaron Rodgers for the Packers and Tom Brady for the Patriots, play beyond great in these respective years. Rodgers could be putting up the stats that would be considered the best ever when it comes to single-season performances. I remember hearing about this same thing 4 years ago, oh yea I did, in Tom Brady.

Aaron Rodgers: As of week 13 in '11: 3,844 yards with 37 TD's and 5 INT's . 70.6 comp%  and a 125.3 QB rating. 

Tom Brady as of week 13 in '07: 3,696 yards with 41 TD's and 5 INT's. 71.5 comp % and a 121.8 QB rating. 

Pats vs Pack Super Bowl Match-up?
There are some comparisons to the two that are highly striking and the ironic thing is that with both teams on a possible collision course for the Super Bowl. Picture this: Could it be the Patriots, who had their streak ended in Super Bowl 42, stop the undefeated streak of the Packers in Super Bowl 46 this season? Less than 2 months away, it would be very interesting game if this were to play out.

Its Beginning To Look A Lot Like 2007??

I was just looking back at some history with the NFL and I happen to see a comparison of some sorts that I wanted to discuss. This blog will be cover the New York Giants as I compare the 2007 and 2011 seasons. Now why did I pick just these two season for? Well as you know, the Giants are in the midst of another 2nd half collapse, but I'll focus more on the good things and not bad.

Looking at the two seasons, I see some similarities in it. At this time in 2007, the Giants were 7-4 and behind the Cowboys in the NFC East race. This season, the Giants are 6-5 and behind the Cowboys in the NFC East race. Well only a game difference between the two seasons, but more similarities to follow. In 2007, the Giants ended the month of November with a blowout lost to the Minnesota Vikings at home 41-17. Just this past week (the last Monday Night game in November) the Giants lost to the Saints 49-24.

Questions arose from the New York media after both games, and doubt was put into people's head as to question will the Giants go to the playoffs? Should Coach Tom Coughlin be fired? One thing about the Giants under Coughlin is that they respond to criticism well when it comes to situations like this. The game following that Vikings loss in 07, the Giants played another NFC North team the Chicago Bears. They won in Chicago 21-16, a game in which most picked the Bears to dominate the Giants. Fast forward to 2011 and this weekend's game against another NFC North team, the undefeated Green Bay Packers. This game, like the game in 2007, could very well be for the Giants season, in which if they lose this could give the Cowboys a 2 game lead in the NFC East and would put the Giants behind a few teams in the NFC Wild Card race.

We'll keep the Green Bay Packers in mind, the 2007 team played them as well (lost) and played them again in the NFC Championship game (won in OT). The 2011 team could very well see this team again in a few weeks (Considering that they win on Sunday), at the same place and possibly have the same seed they did in 2007. Now I do somewhat believe in divine intervention, but for Giants fans who though that they're season is over with, may need to just relax. 2011 Giants are just as talented as the 2007 Giants team, but Eli Manning as grown more over the years. Remaining schedule doesn't look too good for the Giants (Packers, Cowboys, Redskins, Jets and Cowboys), but with their backs against the wall, they usually respond.

Could this be a repeat of Super Bowl 42 (2007) against the Giants and Patriots? Remember these two teams played this year as they did in 2007. If the Giants make the playoffs as a wild-card team, they'll face the NFC South winner, as they did in 2007 against the Bucs. If they win that game, they could possibly face off against the winner of their division the Cowboys, as they did in 2007 (Considering if the Cowboys win out and the 49ers lose some games). With the showdown at Lambeau Field against the Packers, for whom they would of have already played them in the regular season, just as they did in 2007. Get where I am going with this now Giants fans?

Of course all of this isn't what's going to happen, but then again who's to say that divine intervention can't run it's course again. I mean the Giants are collapsing again in the 2nd half of the season for a second year in a row right? Right? Only time will tell.

Undefeated teams in December + New York Giants = ???

Well it's that time of the year again, if you're a Giants fans, the feeling of "here we go again" comes around. However Giants fans I will deliver some facts for you to ponder about as your Giants prepare to face the NFL's best team in 2011: the Green Bay Packers. But this isn't the first time that a team who is trying its might at history, has faced a Giants team who's fighting for a playoff spot at the Meadowlands. Remember the 1998 Denver Broncos and the 2007 New England Patriots as examples of what can happen this weekend. One good, one bad, but where will the Packers fate go on Sunday?

Fact #1 - 1998 Broncos 13-0 going into the Meadowlands

The Broncos we're going into this game as favorites against the Giants, who had nothing to play for and was just waiting to end the season. Going to Giants Stadium, I am sure the Denver Broncos, let alone the whole country, wasn't expecting nothing less than the Giants winning on the road. Kent Graham game-winning drive against the King of all comebacks, John Elway, helped the Giants defeat the Broncos on that very weird December afternoon at the Meadowlands. End Result: 13-1

Fact #2 - 2007 Patriots 15-0 going to the Meadowlands

The Patriots had came into this game needing one more victory to become the 2nd NFL team in history to go perfect in the regular season. The Giants gave the Pats all they could, but at the end the Patriots were too much for the Giants on that cold December night at the Meadowlands. However, this may have come at a cost. The Patriots may have showed too much to the Giants, as they lost the the same team 4 weeks later in the Super Bowl. End Result: 16-0 (However a few short weeks later the Giants got the Patriots back in Super Bowl 42.)

Which lead me to this week's opponent: 2011 Packers 11-0. 

Well if the Giants need a win, this would be the best week to get it considering that they have a huge divisional showdown in Dallas after this game. The Packers come into this game as hot as the other two teams did, so can the Giants find a way to stop history for a 3rd time? Most would say that this is the only chance the 2011 Packers have at losing this season, as the same was said in '98 and '07. With the Packers playing a schedule that would favor history, the Giants are fighting for their playoff and division chances for 2011. Not to mention a possible coaching change if they don't make the playoffs. One thing about the Giants under Coughlin is that they usually stand up to challenges like this, so to say that they can't win this game is playing into the Giants hands.

End Result: 12-0 or 11-1??? If you doubt the Giants ability to stop history, just ask the 98 Broncos and the 07 Patriots........history could be in trouble this December weekend at the Meadowlands.

Turkey Day Football Games Recap

Well had a good time with family and friends yesterday. Three football games, upset stomach, and a headache later.....I am here to give a recap on the football games from Thanksgiving.

First game was the Packers vs. Lions and this game was noted more for what one player did than the whole grand scheme of the Packers winning again going 11-0 for the season. Ndamukong Suh was ejected from the game in the 3rd Quarter after an act for which I'll say is just plain "stupid", this changed the game. The Packers just got stopped on a key 3rd & Goal and should have been kicking a FG to make it 10-0, until that incident. The Packers got the ball on the 2 and scored a few plays later. From that time on, Stafford throw a few INT's and the Packers scored on those mistakes and before you knew it was 24-0 and the game was essentially over.


Second Game featured the Dolphins vs Cowboys and this game, the Dolphins effort wasn't question this time around. Matt Moore played well against Tony Romo, whom despite two 1st quarter INT's, lead the Cowboys on a few good scoring plays of his own. This game came down to a last-second FG, and no it's wasn't snowing this Thanksgiving for all of you Leon Lett fans, but Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey nailed the game-winning kick in a 20-19 victory for the streaking Cowboys.


Third and final game was between the 49ers vs Ravens, the headline of this game was the Harbaugh family, bothers Jim and John Harbaugh teams faced off against one another in a possible Super Bowl preview. This game was just a defensive battle. The Raven's defense sacked Alex Smith not 1, not 2, not 3 (okay I'll kill the Lebron James reference) but 9 times. Joe Flacco threw the only TD of this game as the Ravens won 16-6.

What could be.......

I've decided to write this morning. Remember the 2005 NFL Draft? It wasn't that eventful, but I'll just take two players from that draft for the purpose of this blog entry. Aaron Rodgers and Alex Smith will forever be linked to this day, in which two franchises took two different paths to a run at a championship.

Before this draft most people, including myself, believed that Aaron Rodgers would be the #1 pick to the San Francisco 49ers, but the 49ers took a different approach that day. They took Alex Smith at #1. Keep in mind that this year's draft wasn't the most Quarterback-friendly drafts, considering that the new wave of QB's were still a few years away and the previous draft had Eli Manning, Philip Rivers and Ben Roethlisberger.

As for Alex Smith, being the #1 pick, he hasn't lived up to that standard and has plenty of times come very very close to having his career ended by inconsistent play and injuries. However, this could be the comeback of all comebacks if Smith can pull off the unthinkable by getting the 49ers back to the Super Bowl.

As for Aaron Rodgers, he's gone from rags to riches over the years. From being snubbed by this favorite team, the 49ers, to winning a championship with his current team. He was protected from early failures by being the backup to one Brett Favre, before he was inserted into the lineup at the start of the 2008 season. 3 years later, Rodgers is arguably one of the top 5 QB in the league. Coming off of a Super Bowl win, most could say that the Packers made a great choice that day in 2005, when it picked Rodgers at 24th in the draft.

Now the true reason why I am writing this is because both the Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers are on a collision course to see each other sometime in the playoffs, particularly in the NFC Championship game. This would be the 1st time that Alex Smith will make the playoffs (considering that he gets in as to date) and for Aaron Rodgers, this is his first time defending a Super Bowl title and could be his first time winning the MVP.

As I said before, these two men will be forever linked with each other, but they could start up a late rivalry against one another if both teams stay young (Packers are the 2nd youngest team in the league and the 49ers are the 9th youngest).