Packers-Cards featured a combined 13 TD’s, over 1,000 yards of offensive production, 62 first downs, 17 penalty flags, 4 turnovers, and absolutely no defense. The Packers deserve credit for scoring 5 TD’s in the last 23 minutes of the game, but the Arizona offense deserves more credit for withstanding the onslaught and never giving away momentum. Both QBs scored 5 TDs each.
As good as this game was, the Packers’ loss deprives NFL fans of the ultimate NFC Championship dream scenario, which would have been Green Bay vs. Minnesota for the 3rd time this year. Both the Cardinals and Packers played well enough to win and bad enough to lose, so it was fitting that the barn-burner went into overtime after AZ kicker Neil Rackers’ choke job with less than 14 seconds to play. He booted a 32-yard attempt wide left to give the Packers the ball back with 9 seconds to play.
Mr. Rackers, your wife called. She said you left your testicles in the bathroom this morning.
Pro kickers are supposed to live for that moment, be ready for it, and eat it alive when given the chance to win the game in the playoffs. But I think there is only a handful of those brass-balled PK’s out there, and Neil Rackers apparently isn’t one of them. That was the kind of shanking that usually only goes on in a county holding cell, right next to the payphone.
NEW: JETS HOMER SECTION
I went from merely being on the Jets’ bandwagon to all-out in love with the scrappy, overshadowed whippersnappers from New York. There’s some deep connections between this team and Chicago, so I doubt I’m the only Bears fan out there that has found himself pulling for the Jets. Thomas Jones, Doug Plank, and Rex Ryan all have some Chicago blood in their veins, and RB Shonn Greene hails from the University of Iowa, my Orange-Bowl winning alma mater.
It’s real easy to like Mark Sanchez, who took full advantage of the spotlight to take a shot at Pete Carroll, who is jumping the USC ship ahead of the media torpedoes about to be launched at the entire program, for not “being ready” to coach the Seahawks. Sanchez plays with refreshing enthusiasm, just like the Jets’ defense, which has to feature one of the best defensive secondaries I can remember. Lito Sheppard, Darelle Revis, and Kerry Rhoades are all some of the best in the league at their positions. They allow the defense to play recklessly, which they should be able to do against San Diego next week as well. The Chargers finished the season 20th in rushing defense, as opposed to Cincinnati, who placed 7th.
The Jets should be disappointed that they gave up 171 yards on the ground, but at least they matched that total on offense, and their ability to control the ball could lead them to a huge upset of San Diego next weekend.
COWBOYS/VIKINGS HATER SECTION
You’ll notice that I put the Cowboys first in the above section title, because apparently, my hate for Dallas trumps all other biases that I must cling to for the remainder of this season. I was already rooting for Minnesota next week against my will in the hopes of seeing the Packers beat the Vikings at home in the NFC Championship, but even now with the Packers out, I still can’t bring myself to root for Dallas. There’s no way. Go Vikings. Just puked a little.
A buddy asked me this weekend if I would root for the Packers over the Vikings in that scenario, and I said yes. No question. I am a Vikings hater, and I will finish the year as a Vikings hater. And I am not rooting for them to win the Super Bowl, but I am wanting them to beat the Cowboys. I’d rather see the Favre story get played out to it’s full potential anyway, why not? I’ve put up with it this far, might as well let him actually go to Miami just to incite the media into hyperventilation over all that is SilverFox-Gunslinger-Wrangler Jeans-Jesus.
My guy who asked the question of me is a Vikings fan, and if they do win, knowing he got rewarded with a championship will make the pill slightly less bitter to swallow, but I have to go down with this Purple Haterade Ship.
RAVENS BANDWAGON-JUMPER SECTION
I think the Ravens can win in Indy next week, and I don’t know if it will even be too difficult. The Ravens can not be reasoned with. Baltimore’s running game can steamroll worthy opponents. The chip on the shoulder of the Ravens will grow with each road game they play. Peyton Manning, while he is certainly capable of winning, better eat his Wheaties this week.
contact email: nick.thomas@flyingpigskin.com
