The End Is Mercifully In Sight

Carolina Panthers Vs Green Bay Packers

As a lifelong fan of the Green Bay Packers, today’s game against the Carolina Panthers has me rooting for The Pack. The 6-1 Packers fell from the ranks of the undefeated in last Sunday night’s game against the Denver Broncos.  The 7-0 Panthers eked out a win in OT against the Colts the following night on ESPN’s Monday Night Football.

The Packers roll into Bank of America Stadium looking to bounce back and stay atop the NFC Central Division.  The Panthers are looking to stay undefeated.

Kickoff will be at 1:00 PM ET and will air on FOX.

The Packers demolished the Panthers at Lambeau Field last season 38-17.  If Clay Matthews’ ankle is improved after being injured last week, he will pester QB Cam Newton forcing him out of the box.  Granted Newton’s legs have been a factor in each of their games this season, but the Panthers have been fortunate they haven't faced a green and gold behemoth terrorizing them.

The Acme Packing Company is reporting that Matthews is listed as a “limited participant” in today’s game and “optimistic” he will be “close to full strength” in time for the game.

Newton will be under center Ryan Kalil who has been in a walking boot due to an ankle injury.  Andrew Norwell, Dwan Edwards and Mario Anderson are on the IR.

The Packers are a slight favorite to win today according to oddsmakers.  I say the Packers will definitely bounce back with a win this afternoon.

GO PACK GO!

And because no football post would be complete without some pom-poms, please enjoy the beauty of the Panthers’ Top Cats because the Packers don’t have cheerleaders.

Battle Of The Undefeateds: Green Bay Packers Vs Denver Broncos

Pro football history notes that tonight’s game between my beloved Packers and the Denver Broncos is only the fourth time two undefeated teams with six wins have done battle on the gridiron.  Kickoff is 8:30 PM ET and will be carried on NBC.

I like Peyton Manning, but he’s no longer in his prime.  Aaron Rodgers, on the other hand, is right in the middle of his prime. 

No need to quote stats for this game.  I’ll just say I think the Packers are well rested after their bye week and should be able to win against the Broncos.

GO PACK GO!

And since no football post would be complete without pom-poms, no wait, the Packers don’t have cheerleaders and I won’t post a picture of a cheerleader from the opposing team…ah, wait, I’ve solved the problem…

Green Bay Packers Vs St. Louis Rams

The Rams travel to Lambeau Field today to take on the 4-0 Packers.  Kickoff is at 1:00 PM ET and the game airs on CBS.

I read with amusement that Rams’ Head Coach Jeff Fisher scared the hell out of some of his players this week during practice when he brandished an airhorn to help his defense work on not being pulled offsides by Packers QB Aaron Rodgers’ hard count. 

Rodgers is notorious for luring defenders into jumping offsides and then taking advantage of a “free play” to go deep and flummoxing the opposing team.  He is, in my opinion, the most skilled QB in the NFL.  (Don’t be a hater Brady fans)

The Rams are 2-2, but last Sunday they beat the undefeated Arizona Cardinals.  Their other win so far this season was against the Seattle Seahawks.

I believe Green Bay will emerge the winner today.  Here’s why:  The Rams own the league’s worst total offense per game record, the Packers have won 11 straight home games and Rodgers hasn’t thrown an interception at home in almost 3 years.

The Pack needs to stop rookie star Todd Gurley.  With a defensive line that is ranked third in the league for points allowed and yards allowed, you can check off that box.

I suspect Aaron Rodgers to take advantage of the fact that the Rams are missing Alec Ogletree, their leading tackler who suffered a broken ankle.

GO PACKERS!

And since no football post would be complete without pom-poms, here’s a photo of some enthusiastic Packers fans.  NOTE:  The Packers do not have cheerleaders so we make do.

Things Have Gotten Out Of Hand

My day got off to a good start yesterday.  In the South the holy day is Saturday because of college football.  I was pumped when LSU trounced Auburn and the Dawgs of Georgia mauled the Gamecocks.  (Take that Steve Spurrier!)  I quickly became #SadAlabamaFan when the Ole Miss Rebels caused tears in Tuscaloosa and the Tide tumbled.

I have been nursing my bruised ego in the aftermath of their ignominious thrashing.

Just when I thought I could no longer derive any meaning from life the Panthers beat the Houston Texans and Proof’s beloved Niners ate dirt in their humiliating loss to the Steelers.

I went out for a while and when I came back I found things had gotten out of hand.  I found my little furkid, Sophie, had invited Bully inside to watch some YouTube™ videos of last year’s NFC Championship Game in which the Seattle Seahawks defeated my beloved Green Bay Packers.

I didn’t mind that so much but when I discovered she had also let Nibbler J. Puffcheeks join them in the TV room to swill beer I got upset. 

You try to raise your pets the right way.  Sometimes they go a little astray.  You see, ‘ol Puffcheeks was arrested on a B&E last November by the Curmudgeon PD.  That character is bad business.

I took a broom to the fuzzy-tailed bastard and sent Sophie to her doggie bed without supper.

I’m letting Bully stay to watch tonight’s game against Seattle because he’s already donning his Packers jersey and cheesehead hat.  Hopefully, my boys can rock Lambeau Field and dish out some sweet revenge.

GO PACKERS!

NFC Championship: Green Bay Packers Vs Seattle Seahawks

The NFC Championship game kicks off at 3:05 PM ET on FOX between the Seattle Seahawks and the Green Bay Packers for the NFC Conference Championship.  Both teams finished their season at 13-4 and oddsmakers have the Pack down as 7.5 point underdogs.

Of course, the talk all week has revolved around QB Aaron Rodgers’ torn calf muscle. He’s been struggling with that injury for roughly four weeks.  He has assured his teammates and Packers fans that he still has 120 minutes left in him.

Earlier in the season Rodgers told fans to R-E-L-A-X when the regular season started out rough. He showed them they could have confidence in their team and the Pack is now playing for a chance to be in Super Bowl XLIX.

I have written before how I’ve rooted for the Packers all my life.  I would love nothing better than to see my team come away with the win today.

I will be perched on the edge of my seat during the game.  Seattle will be tough to beat.  The game will be a nail biter as long the front line can protect Rodgers and keep them in contention.

I’ve got my fingers crossed.  Sophie, my furkid, loves her some Aaron Rodgers.  The challenge for Sophie today will be to find a way to sit in my lap while I’m jumping up and down rooting for the boys in green and gold.

GO PACKERS!

And no football post would be complete without a cheerleader and some pom-poms.  There are no Packers cheerleaders so we’ll have to make do with a lovely young lady in a low-cut tee.  That’ll do won’t it?

Divisional Playoffs: Dallas Cowboys Vs Green Bay Packers

Last night during the pathetic game between the Panthers and the Seahawks, NBC showed images of the field crew’s efforts to keep the turf at Lambeau Field from freezing for today’s meeting between my beloved Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys.  Kickoff is 1:05 PM ET on FOX.

The last time these two teams played against each other in the playoffs in Green Bay, the temperature was minus 23°.  The date was December 31, 1967 and came to be known as the “Ice Bowl”.  I remember that game well.  Today’s game, however, won’t be any “Ice Bowl”.  The temperature will be around 20° and may still be a challenge for QB Tony Romo who is 1-2 in his career in freezing temps.

It's that time of year. #DALvsGB https://t.co/dc2QsWJmRQ
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) January 10, 2015

There were some controversial calls in last Sunday’s game between the ‘Boys and the Lions.  Some folks are even citing stats that Detroit’s performance in the game showed they were better than the Cowboys.  The Lions outgained Dallas 397-315 and outrushed them 90-73.  The Cowboys pulled out the win even if it was somewhat tainted by a controversial call.

I have been a lifelong fan of the Packers going all the way back to 1963 when Vince Lombardi was the head coach, Bart Starr was the quarterback and the Chicago Bears were the National Champs.  The Packers are arguably the most storied franchise in the NFL.

When the Packers take the field today, QB Aaron Rodgers will be playing with a “significantly strained” and torn calf muscle that could affect his mobility.  I’m sure he’ll do his best to overcome it.  This is for all the marbles.

I have to apologize to blogger friend Randy who is as dedicated a fan of the Cowboys as I am of the Packers. I’d like to wish you luck Randy, but I simply can’t.

GO PACKERS! 

And because no football post would be complete without some pom-poms, here is a photograph of a Dallas Cowgirl sporting a really, really big smile IYKWIMAITYD.  I posted this because the Packers don’t have cheerleaders and to make Randy happy.  You’re welcome.

Carolina Panthers Vs Green Bay Packers

The 3-2-1 Panthers face the 4-2 Packers at Lambeau Field today.  Kickoff is 1:00 PM ET on Fox.

Readers of this blog are accustomed to seeing the mascots of each team depicted in front of an image of the stadium where the game is being played.  This was not possible this week.  Why?  Green Bay doesn’t have cheerleaders and it doesn’t have a mascot.  With that in mind, I decided to show a bulldog donning the world-famous Cheesehead Hat® since the two teams are going to fight like cats and dogs.

My “Angry Kitties” lead the NFC South.  Green Bay is currently tied for first place with the Lions in the NFC North.

Ever since Packers QB Aaron Rodgers told fans to R-E-L-A-X, the team has won three straight games.  The Panthers are struggling on both sides of the ball.  All the experts say today’s game is crucial to the NFC playoff picture.

I have been a Packers fan since 1965 when they defeated Johnny Unitas and the Baltimore Colts.  I have been a Packers fan since 1967 when they beat the Cowboys 21-17 in the legendary “Ice Bowl”.  I was cheering for Green Bay when Vince Lombardi was the team’s head coach and Bart Starr was their quarterback.

Today, I’m rooting for the Packers against my Angry Kitties.  The Panthers are celebrating their 20^th year in the league.  The Packers have had my heart for 49 years.  I’m not a turncoat.  I’m not a traitor.  I am loyal and remember when football was played by honorable men.

GO PACKERS!

And because no football post is complete without pom-poms, here is a picture of Top Cat Samantha since Green Bay is too chilly for cheerleaders in skimpy outfits.

Ref who pulled Kuechly from pile was wrong to eject him. Cam Newton SUCKS. Why not put in Derek Anderson? #CARvsGB
— PoliticalClownParade (@Carry_That_Load) October 19, 2014

Two Cold. One Very, Very Cold.

The No.1 coldest game in NFL history was the “Ice Bowl” between the Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys.  According to the record the temperature at game time was -13 degrees with a wind chill of -48.  BRRRRRRR.

The second coldest on record was the game between the San Diego Chargers and the Cincinnati Bengals where the temperature was -9 and the wind chill was -59 degrees.  Again, I say, BRRRRRRR.

Climatologist and former NASA scientist, Roy Spencer Ph.D., is predicting that Sunday’s game between the Packers and the Niners, which kicks off at 4:40 PM ET, could overtake the record for the second coldest game ever with a temperature of -8 degrees.  He says it all depends on how fast the cold air moves into Lambeau Field on Sunday.

Tony Manfred cited a tweet from ESPN’s Erin Andrews which included at picture of the field declaring, “Right now the stadium looks like absolute DEATH.”  And internet comedian, Iowahawk quipped, “Let’s face it; ‘wind chill factor’ was invented because humans enjoy exaggerating their misery.”

Wind chill factor notwithstanding, the only game that won’t be impacted by “globull” warming will be the game between the Chiefs and the Colts because they’ll be playing in a domed stadium.  The other six teams are going to freeze off their fourth point of contact.

NBC Bay Area posted a little something I found intriguing.  According to the article, Head Coach Jim Harbaugh is blowing off the notion that his 49ers might “have some difficulty playing well this Sunday.”

Dismissive that “cold hands, rock-hard footballs or freezing winds” may cause some mistakes the article mentions five factors that will determine the outcome of the game.

Frozen asses, hands and feet and a distinct unfamiliarity with negative temperatures will have an effect on the Niners and Green Bay will have the mental edge.

If the Niners are foolish enough to think that going sleeveless in Sunday’s game is a sign of toughness, I say they are stupid.

I don’t care what the oddmakers say and I don’t think anyone’s predictions will hold for a game that’s going to be played in such forbidding conditions. I’ve been a fan of the Packers since Bart Starr was their quarterback and I remember well the Ice Bowl.

Go Packers!  Sorry Proof, Odie and Stogie.  

In the basement...curling my 125's...pondering how ferocious a winter storm named "Hochuli" would be.
— Ed Hochuli's Guns (@EdHochulisGuns) January 3, 2014

@rww25 I thought about wearing some large women's tights, but they'd have runs everywhere. Would just be a mess.

— Ed Hochuli's Guns (@EdHochulisGuns) January 4, 2014

Hochuli in the rolled up sleeves in negative 10 degree weather in Lambeau Field on a Sunday night is just about the perfect NFL visual.

— P. Schrager (@PSchrags) January 2, 2014