Comparing The Packers SB 45 Victory To The Eagles in Super Bowl 52

I was rooting for the Eagles in the Super Bowl because the last time they won the NFL Championship it was in Vince Lombardi's second season as the Green Bay Packers head coach. It was also the only time Lombardi lost a playoff game (9-1).

This is actual a photo of the last time the #Eagles won a championship; the year was 1960, it was at the University of Pennsylvania's Franklin Field (academic buildings are in the background) and they beat 2nd year head coach Vince Lombardi and the Packers, 17-13. #SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/zsfgoCyWsc

— ⅔ Of My Face is a Cat (@snowballmaggie) February 5, 2018

The Eagles had been waiting a long time for another championship.

Back to the present, Super Bowl 52 reminded me a little of the Packers win over the Steelers in Super Bowl 45 because of the moment when there was about 2 minutes left in the 4th quarter. Not that it means anything in particular, it was just an interesting memory I had while watching.

In Super Bowl 45, the Packers had a long 5 minute scoring drive late in the 4th quarter to extend their lead to 6 points. But then the Steelers had the ball back with just under 2 minutes remaining and a touchdown would win them the game. Fortunately the Packers' defense held them to only 20 yards on that final drive and forced a turnover on downs. At first it looked like the Packers left too much time on the clock for Ben Roethlisberger but the defense held on for the victory.

In Super Bowl 52, a long 7 minute touchdown drive late in the 4th quarter gave the Eagles a 5 point lead. But they left the Patriots with 2:21 remaining and a touchdown would lose the Eagles the game. That's too much time for Tom Brady. But just as in Super Bowl 45, the defense came up with the plays they needed to win, this time a strip sack and a knocked down Hail Mary attempt in the final seconds.

The Eagles sack that forced a Tom Brady fumble was the turning point in a memorable #SBLII. https://t.co/XmObG4XWfA pic.twitter.com/6rUnrsgD80

— NESN (@NESN) February 5, 2018 

Packers third most likely team to win Super Bowl 50, Bovada says

The Packers' 2014 season certainly came to a rough end, but the oddsmakers apparently still think they're pretty good.

Or at least that's opinion the online sports book Bovada seems to have, with the website giving the Packers 8-1 odds to win Super Bowl 50 in a list released Monday. 

That line is the third best in the league, trailing only the two teams who played yesterday. The Seahawks are first at 5-1, and the Patriots are second at 7-1. 

As for the rest of the NFC North, the Lions are a low 33-1, and the Bears and Vikings are an even lower 40-1. 

Definitely not bad news if you're a Packers fan. 

Packers Listed as 4 Point Favorites For Sunday's Bills Game

The Packers have been listed as four point favorites for Sunday's game in Buffalo.

The Packers are on a five-game win streak right now, but haven't looked great the last two weeks. In both of those games, victories over the Patriots and Falcons, they started fast but struggled in the second half, making them somewhat a mystery team as they hit the road.

As for the Bills, who are currently 7-6 overall and 4-3 at home, they're 2-1 in their last three, playing well in each of those weeks. They blewout the Jets and Browns, and lost last Sunday in Denver by just seven.

Expect their meeting with the Packers to go down to the wire, as better as Green Bay is on paper.

Falcons/Packers Final Prediction

My final prediction for tomorrow's Falcons/Packers game:

Score: Packers 55, Falcons 21

The Falcons are decent, but I don't think they have much of a chance in this one. The Packers haven't lost at home all year, and Atlanta just doesn't seem like they kind of team who'd stop that.

Why?

Because the Packers are a different team at Lambeau Field. On the road, they're okay, but at home, I'm 100% sure they can't be beaten. Last week's meeting with the Patriots seemingly proved that, as New England couldn't take the lead no matter how close they got.

Leave your thoughts bellow on how accurate you think mine are.

Packers Favorites to Win Super Bowl Going into Week 14

All that hard work is finally paying off.

The Packers' odds to win February's Super Bowl (7-2) this week, released by the popular online sportsbook Bovada, are the highest in the league, ESPN.com's Rob Demovsky has pointed out. This isn't a huge surprise considering the Packers just beat the previously-thought-to-be-best Patriots Sunday, but nonetheless, it's interesting.

The rest of the list's top eight:

1. Packers, 7-2

2. Patriots, 15-4

3. Broncos, 17-4

4. Seahawks, 13-2

5. Eagles, 12-1

6. Colts, 18-1

7. Lions, 25-1

8. Cardinals, 28-1

Anybody else have any thoughts? If so, please share them in the comments section.

McCarthy Praises Packers After Win Over Patriots: "This is the Most Consistent Team in My Years Here"

Yesterday's win over the Patriots wasn't perfect, but nonetheless, it improved the Packers' record to 9-3.

Mike McCarthy had this to say in response to that fact, courtesy of ESPN.com's Rob Demovsky.

"I think this is clearly our most consistent football team in my nine years here," McCarthy said. "Just from the fact that the way they prepare, you don't have a bunch of personalities that go up and down. It's a very focused, disciplined group." 

The victory was McCarthy's 97th as the head coach of the Packers, the third most in franchise history. Vince Lombardi is second on that list with 98, so it's very likely McCarthy will pass him by the end of the year. 

And really, he should, as the Packers remaining games take place against relatively-beatable opponents in the Falcons, Buccaneers, Bills and Lions. 

Reaction: Packers Hang on Versus Patriots for Fourth Straight Win

It wasn't as pretty as I thought it would be, but I'll take it. Here are my takeways from yesterday's win:

1. The Packers Are Actually Stoppable At Home:

At least kind of. They still emerged victorious, but it wasn't like they did it easily. Say goodbye to games like the ones against the Bears and Eagles, I guess.

2. McCarthy Almost Blew it Again:

Seriously, he's gotta work on getting the last first down late. For the second week in a row, he almost found a way to go three and out with Green Bay up by less than a touchdown in the final minutes, but again, he was bailed out by a nice play. Last week it was Eddie Lacy who made it, this week it was Randall Cobb. Thank you for that.

3. We Can Expect This Winning Streak To Continue:

The Falcons won't beat the Packers on Monday Night Football next week. Enough said (?).

Leave your thoughts below.

Patriots/Packers Final Prediction

My final prediction for today's Patriots/Packers game:

Score: Packers 38, Patriots 27

I don't expect there to be much defense in this one, but the Packers will still probably win.

Why?

Basically just because of the home field advantage. I know that's kind of an akward reason, but I think we can all agree that if this contest was in New England instead, we'd see things a lot differently. 

Hopefully I'm right about that, but then again, the Patriots are still good. I wouldn't be shocked if they found a way to come out on top, as much as I don't like to admit so.

Packers Injury Updates: Adams, Bostick Probable for Patriots Game

Some Packers injury updates for Sunday's game against the Patriots, courtesy of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel:

• OLB Nick Perry (shoulder) questionable
• WR Davante Adams (heel) probable 
• CB Jarrett Bush (groin) questionable 
• RG T.J. Lang (ankle) probable
• LG Josh Sitton (toe) probable
• TE Brandon Bostick (hip) probable

Speaking to the media today, team Head Coach Mike McCarthy said Perry is "making progress", and that more information on him will come tomorrow.

Perry has 12 tackles this season, the third of his career. He had 20 all of last year, so a good last five games could certainly give him a new personal best. 

Packers Listed as 3-Point Favorites For Sunday's Patriots Game

The Packers have been listed as three point favorites for Sunday's game against the Patriots.

The Packers have won seven of their last eight after starting the season 1-2, including their last two contests at Lambeau by 30+. However, last week in Minnesota they didn't look too great, limping their way to a 24-21 victory. 

The Patriots, meanwhile, have a similar story. beginning the year roughly before going on a hot streak. They're currently 9-2 after being 2-2, and are 3-2 on the road.

Nonetheless, since the Packers are the ones with the home field advantage here it seems more likely they'll find a way come out on top, as tough as New England is.

Looking Ahead in the Schedule: Will the Packers Lose Again in the Regular Season?

The question's right there: will the Packers lose again this regular season? In my opinion, no, they won't.

Just look at their schedule. Granted, nothing's guaranteed with this team, but considering their only actual hard games left come at Lambeau against the Eagles and Patriots (maybe the Lions, too) the rest of 2014 definitely appears favorable for three time-defending NFC North Champs. Add onto those matchups visits to three weak teams in the Bills, Buccaneers, and Vikings and walk-in-the-parks at home against the Bears and Falcons also scheduled, and I think we can all agree these next two months will be fun to watch, and very likely undefeated.

Sorry this opinion post was short, but I just had to point something positive out here. You guys are welcome.

Packers/Dolphins Final Prediction

My final prediction for tomorrow's Packers/Dolphins game:

Score: Packers 31, Dolphins 21

Since this contest's going to be played in relatively hot weather, I'm not confident that it'll be a blowout. Nonetheless, since Miami hasn't beaten anyone notable (unless you consider the week-one-and-on-the-road Patriots as so) this season I'm not willing to say Green Bay will lose, as their offense has simply been too good lately. 

Why?

Because the Packers are the better team here. Maybe that's not a good reason, but to me it is enough of one to say the Pack will be 4-2 at this point tomorrow.

Leave your thoughts below on whether or not you think I'm right here.

One More Look at the Packers' 2014 Schedule

I know it's only been one week, but still, I feel the need to predict the Packers' schedule right now. So, here are my assumptions for what both the best and worst case scenarios for them currently are: 

BEST: 14-2

This one's pretty obvious. When it comes down to it, Green Bay is really only an underdog in one other game, something that definitely makes them going 14-2 possible.

WORST: 11-5

In my opinion, the Pack won't lose more than once at home this season. Still, since the Lions and Bears are always tough to beat at their respective stadiums it's tough to guarantee those contests as wins, with Week 13's battle with the Patriots also falling into that category. 

Leave your comments below on how accurate you think my thoughts are.

Forbes Ranks Packers Fans NFL's Best

Forbes has ranked Packers fans NFL's best.

Immediately behind Green Bay on the recently-released list are the Broncos, Saints, Patriots, and Ravens, with the arch-rival Bears also making the top 10 with the ten spot.

According to Forbes, 84% of adults in the Green Bay Area are fans of the team, an unsurprising statistic considering Lambeau's constant sellouts.

Also, since the Pack have probably the NFL's most notable history you can't exactly even be proud of this news, as likable as it is. 

Remember, in their history the Packers have impressively won a league-best 13 titles, something that can only be expected to draw supporters.

Packers Trade Worthy to Patriots for Late Round Pick

The Packers, in a move that really needed to be made, have traded third-year DE Jerel Worthy to the Patriots for a potential late round pick, ESPN.com's Rob Demovsky reports. 

After being drafted 51st overall in 2012, Worthy hasn't done much for Green Bay, recording just 2 1/2 sacks in 14 games that season before suffering a severe knee injury in Week 17.

Since then, unfortunately, things haven't been too good for the 24-year-old, who ended up missing all of 2013 before appearing in just two contests last season. 

To make things even worse, the youngster also hasn't even practiced this summer, likely making this move an easy one for Green Bay, as it includes no risk and potentially high reward.

Finley Working Hard to Return to Packer Nation

So far this offseason, Jermichael Finley hasn't done much.

The longtime Packers Tight End, currently a free agent after undergoing spinal surgery, was medically cleared by his personal doctor and talked to by the Patriots last month, the last action he really saw.

Still, Finley's apparently pretty confident about his future right now, telling ESPN Wisconsin's Jason Wilde earlier today that he's "working hard to return to Packer Nation."

Now obviously, that quote doesn't prove anything, although it's definitely interesting to notice that it implies a wanting to come back to Green Bay, an idea previously considered dead by some.

Seahawks Reportedly Done Pursuing Finley

The Seahawks have decided to stop pursuing Free Agent Tight End Jermichael Finley, Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio reports. 

Finley, a six-year veteran who had a deal with Seattle earlier this offseason disbanded after he failed a physical, was cleared by his personal doctor Thursday, making a few other teams (most notably the Packers, Giants, and Patriots) join the sweepstakes for him.

Despite that, the Hawks just don't seem to be interested in giving the veteran the high price he's asking for, which makes sense considering that Finley's NFL future (or personal future for that matter) is currently a mystery.

Predicting the Packers 2014 Season

While the fact that they're opening against Seattle is overall stupid, the Packers really did get lucky with their 2014 schedule. They only have to play against 2 good teams on the road, so, in my opinion, they should be able to win 12+ games as long as they stay somewhat healthy. It's not guaranteed, but yea, it's likely.

I mean, the Pack beating the Seahawks or Saints probably won't happen since Green Bay never does that kinda thing, but besides those the whole list of contests looks like a gift. The Jets, Vikings, Lions, Bears, Eagles and Falcons definitely won't win at Lambeau no matter how bad the Packers play those days, while their other two home opponents (the Patriots and Panthers) will put up nothing but a fight. They'll score 20+ points and make it close, but in the end I don't see any way the Packers drop those games. 

As for the road half of the schedule, as I've already said, I don't see Green Bay winning in Week 1 or 8, but I still see them going 6-2 away from Lambeau. Not because they'll necessarily play well, but simply because they're playing weak hosts. I mean really, the Dolphins, Bucs, and Bills? The league can do better than that, can't they?