Jan 12, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Donald Driver (80) celebrates with wide receiver James Jones (89) against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter of the NFC divisional round playoff game at Candlestick Park. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

The 12-7 Green Bay Packers went into Candlestick Park and lost to the 12-4-1 San Francisco 49ers by the score of 45-31. The Packers also lost their composure, their swagger, and their respectability. Despite the successes of the 2012 season, the team’s campaign will be remembered for this loss more than any of their wins.

My post-loss depression is simply too deep to go into detailed analysis of how the Packers lost. I’ll let the Thumps and Chest Bumps section below cover most of that. When the Packers look at this loss they’ll see what all of us saw- they didn’t have an answer for Kaepernick and they were beaten primarily at the point of attack, on both sides of the ball, by better 49ers offensive and defensive line players. Of course there’s more to it than that. But not a whole lot more.

Here are the final weekly Thumps (plenty) and Chest Bumps (just a couple) of the season as they apply to the Packers-49ers Divisional Playoff for you:

Jan 12, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Randy Moss (back) catches a pass in front of Green Bay Packers cornerback Sam Shields (37) during the first quarter of the NFC divisional round playoff game at Candlestick Park. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Chest Bump- to Sam Shields. He started out strong with his pick six and played better than any of the other DBs in this game. Which isn’t saying much, but Playoff Sam did what he could do to help the team win this game. 37 always seems to play well in the playoffs. Too bad we can’t say the same for…

Thump- to Tramon Williams. 38 picked a lousy time to suck. I think Tramon is generally the best CB on the team, but he sure didn’t play like it against the 49ers. He was beaten in coverage way too many times and he had costly penalties that kept drives alive. He’ll need to take a long hard harsh look at his performance in this game and realize the obvious: He’s got to play more consistent ball to keep his job. Especially with some talented second-year players coming up behind him next season.

Thump- to Jeremy Ross. I like Ross as the team’s return specialist- primarily because I hate to see Cobb get rocked on returns when he’s so important to the offense. But when you muff a punt in the playoffs you’re going to be banished to the doghouse for a long time. It will take some time for his goof to fade. But I still think he’s the best option on the current roster for a return man.

Chest Bump- to Brad Jones. Jones led the team with 9 tackles and an assist. I didn’t see him blow a tackle opportunity. Like all the LBs he was occasionally flummoxed by Kaepernick, but overall I thought Jones had the best performance in an overall poor defensive outing by the Packers.

Thump- to Dom Capers. The Packers defense played poorly. Capers is the man responsible for that. He didn’t have any kind of effective approach to stopping Kaepernick. I expected to see some kind of different strategy in the second half. Instead I think Kaepernick actually had more success in the second half than in the first. In any case the Packers were still in this game until the second half. Capers’ defense simply didn’t get the job done.

Thump- to Greg Jennings. For a guy playing what could have been his final game for the Packers, Jennings sure went out without a bang. Yes, he caught six passes and his overall performance was decent enough- especially in garbage time at the end of the game. But early in the game he got into it with the 49ers defense and head butted the guy who was defending him. He’s lucky he didn’t pick up a PF penalty for that. There’s nothing good that can come from jawing with the defense 85.

Jan 12, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver James Jones (left) makes a catch against San Francisco 49ers cornerback Chris Culliver (29) during the first quarter of the NFC divisional round playoff game at Candlestick Park. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Chest Bump- to James Jones. JJ had another solid outing, making tough catches and keeping drives alive. He led the team in pass yardage and talking to himself. I think of all the receivers Jones had the best year this season. The Packers receiving corps will probably be overhauled for next season. Jones has proven he belongs.

Thump- to Aaron Rodgers. Let’s be clear. Aaron Rodgers cannot win these games by himself. The expectation is that Rodgers will perform well in every game. But when the Packers defense cannot stop the other team and the Packers offense doesn’t get any opportunities to work, 12 can’t win the game himself. The best he can hope to do is not make mistakes that cost the team. Last night he made a costly mistake with the interception, the end result of which was a 49ers TD. I’m as big a Rodgers fan as anybody, but even he has to be disappointed with his performance against San Francisco.

Thump- to the officials. There were several obvious penalties that went uncalled. Shields was clearly held on one. Harris was obviously facemasked on another. When SF had a close but obviously incomplete sideline play the game was stopped for EVER so they could get the obvious call correct. I know these guys are human but they’ve got to do a better job. Playoff games are supposed to have the best officials working them. Judging by their performance, not so much last night.

Chest Bump- to Randall Cobb. Randall had a solid performance with five catches and two carries. After the Ross muff he took over all return duties and his performance was a little spotty. Cobbernicus is not superhuman. He’s just really smart (hence the nickname) and talented. He’s one of the most diverse weapons this team has. But he’s got to play more consistently if he’s going to continue returning kicks and punts. Never catch a called fair catch inside the ten yard line 18!

Thump- to Erik Walden. Walden was the poster child for confused and outplayed LBs against Kaepernick. Several times he looked like he had absolutely no clue what was going on. Now some of that was probably coaching. But coaches coach and players play. Walden didn’t do a lot of playing. He only had two tackles and three assists- primarily because it looked as if he was out of position for most of the game. The good news is that Walden’s performance in this game was what it was…one game. And in all fairness he certainly wasn’t the only defender who got faked out of his shoes by 7.

Thump- to the entire defense, including coaches. The defense did not play with a sense of urgency- especially in the second half. Even though the defensive performance in the first half wasn’t good, the team was still in the game. It turned out that between the lack of urgency and lack of a plan to stop Kaepernick, they weren’t in the game in the second half. Maybe whatever adjustments they made after halftime just didn’t work. Maybe fatigue was a factor. Whatever the reason the defense lost this game. The offense didn’t win it, but the defense lost it.

Jan 12, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; Green Bay Packers running back DuJuan Harris (26) runs the ball for a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter of the NFC divisional round playoff game at Candlestick Park. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Chest Bump- to DuJuan Harris. Harris didn’t have a bunch of yards, but he ran hard and scored an important TD in the first half. The thing about Harris is he runs hard. He might not have the same talent as other backs. He might not have as much speed. But he does not go down easy and he fights for every inch he gains. I expected to see more of him in this game, but because the defense sucked the offense was in catch-up mode all night- which doesn’t bode well for RB carries.

I’ll do a Chest Bumps and Thumps column for the season this coming week on LombardiAve.com. You have been warned!

Here are some selected tweets I broadcasted during the game- last ones listed first. Scroll down to read from the beginning of the game. They frame many of the comments made above. Yes…following me on Twitter is like drinking from a fire hose. Deal with it. Wife Deneen said I should cut a few of these out of my post-game rants, so I did. You can follow these live if you follow me on Twitter. Review these the day after they were shared at your own risk:

- Thanks to everybody 4 a great season! Packers will be great next year! Look 4 some insightful analysis at http://LombardiAve.com . Go Pack!

- Well we lost the game to SF and John Dorsey to KC. One hurts now. Which hurts more long-term? Who else bails? Stay tuned 4 offseason 2013.

- Oh come on guys…no BS like this please. Just play it out. (During the last Packers drive players pushing and shoving).

- Dagger time. Niners score yet again to make it 45-24. Packers just didn’t have an answer for Kaepernick. I thought they would. They didn’t.

- Nice. Packers jump on 4th and 1 and it’s over. Rodgers can’t win the game if the defense can’t stop anything and there’s no time left! Sad. (Rodgers can’t help win the game if he’s on the sidelines).

- So close. But close doesn’t count and Packers D comes back out. Gotta get a stop or TO here guys. Nothing else will do. (Rodgers pass to Jennings just off his hands).

- Niners score again and it’s 38-24 Niners. Gotta get offense moving. Legacy building time Aaron.

- This drive is the dagger. Hate to say it. Hope I’m wrong. But it feels like it’s over unless Rodgers can somehow get untracked. (Niners drive to the eventual TD).

- Sheesh. What a time for 38 to suck. Dammut! (38 still betting beaten in coverage).

- Tramon needs to man up right now. Crabtree is eating him up! (38 still getting beaten in coverage).

- It feels like if the Pack O doesn’t match SF TD for TD they’re in trouble. Time for a big play on defense!

- So much for halftime adjustments for Kaepernick. Something has to be done. And done now. Niners up 7 again. Rodgers time again! (Whatever halftime adjustments were made weren’t working).

- Whew…Cobb didn’t fumble ‘cuz his knee was down. Crosby squeaks the FG inside the upright and we’re tied at 24. Time for a big play D!

- Cobb should have let that one go, but he probably didn’t see that defender so close. O starts in a hole.

Jan 12, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) is tackled by Green Bay Packers strong safety Morgan Burnett (42) and defensive back Charles Woodson (21) during the second quarter of the NFC divisional round playoff game at Candlestick Park. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

- Nice work by 21 to force the punt. Come on offense! (Woodson delivers a pass defensed).

- So much for the offensive domination. Let’s go defense! (Offense sputters on first 2^nd half possession).

- First half stats suck. It’s over. Time to dominate!

- Time for some halftime valium! Niners lead 24-21. Pack with ball first in 2nd half. Way too little dominating going on 4 Packer Nation!

- Well as long as the expert thinks it’s an incomplete pass… (The sideline hand-on-the-line incompletion that was obviously an incompletion- to everybody but the refs).

- Too bad Burnett couldn’t finish on the pick there. (42 got his hands on a pick but couldn’t finish).

- No holding call on Ginn for clutching Playoff Sam? Seriously? Refs seriously SUCK in this freaking game! (Refs miss another obvious holding call).

- Rodgers answers with a TD bullet to Jones and it’s 21-21 with enough time left 4 more! Let’s go D!

- If they had picked that flag up I would have been really mad! (The helmet-to-helmet hit by Goldson on Harris).

- Somebody get me a doctor! FCOL the near strip of 12 nearly croked me on the spot! (Rodgers is stripped but recovers the fumble).

- Looks like the Packers are destined to keep having to play catch up. 21-14 Niners after pick and another 7 TD pass. Time for O to step up!

- There was 12′s playoff mulligan. Hope it doesn’t cost points though. I would like to know what he saw though…like everybody else! (After the Rodgers INT).

Jan 12, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh reacts against the Green Bay Packers during the first quarter of the NFC divisional round playoff game at Candlestick Park. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

- Harbaugh has such an awesome psycho angry face! Wish MM had a better one, but let’s not force him to use it!

- FWIW Ross is still my favorite option for returns. I hate seeing Cobb get rocked when he’s tackled. Ross won’t drop another punt soon. (And I still think so. The muff was one play and it didn’t cause the loss. Cobbernicus too valuable to do returns).

- 14 all after the Ross muff and a wide open Crabtree TD. Time to man up again offense!

- Dammut! Ross muffs the punt and it’s SF ball on the GB 9.

- Nice play Mr. Moses. Way to stop 7! (Moses has his one tackle of the game but it looks good).

- Tramon needs to step it up. Not looking good so far. Crabtree will eat him up if 38 let’s it happen. (Williams continues to get beaten).

- Harris with the up the gut run for the TD and it’s 14-7 Packers! Way to come back and shut the crowd down offense! Man up now D!!!

- I cringed when Rodgers threw that but Jones made that WORK! (The 44 yarder to Jones to set up the Harris TD).

- No facemask? WTF? Seriously? Come on refs! (Refs correctly call the facemask penalty then pick up the flag.)

- Packers run Harris on 3rd and one…and make it!

- Nice job Playoff Sam on the pass defensed to force the punt. Let’s go offense!

- Somebody needs to hit Moss. Legally. But really hard. (Moss gets a catch and starts jawing the DBs).

- This game is gonna get chippy quick. (Players jawing and pushing each other after plays).

- I’m already tired of Kaepernick. Playing him is like cheating. Isn’t it? (Kaepernick killed the defense).

- And we go three and out with a dropped pass and a head butt by Jennings. Inauspicious start by Packers O. Come on D! (Jennings taunts a CB and probably should have been flagged for it).

- Gotta have better contain on 7. Game now tied 7-7. Playoffs football.

Jan 12, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) runs the ball against Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Clay Matthews (52) during the second quarter of the NFC divisional round playoff game at Candlestick Park. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

- Claymaker gets to Kaepernick for his first sack of the game.

- Chuck almost got that one! (Woodson almost had a pick).

- And another BS DH call on 38. Lovely…thanks refs! (Defensive holding call on Williams was marginal at best).

- Way to go Sam 37! Woo hoo! That’s the way to start D!!!!!! 7-0 Pack!!!!!! (Playoff Sam and his early pick six).

- Here we go D!

- Settling in for Packers at Niners. Rodgers ready. Driver and Starks active. Big game. Big stage. Go Pack GO!

- No Packers on AP All Pro first team. Only 12 and 52 on second team. Nine 49ers on combined team. Thanks 4 the extra motivation tonight AP.

With regard to the Fearsome Predictions I made prior to the game, just remember this: they’re not really fearsome, nor are they really predictions! I missed almost all of them, but I’ll keep doing them.

The Green Bay Packers had a lot to be proud of this season. Their loss to the 49ers in the most important game of the season isn’t on that list. OK…so it’s over. We’ve got an offseason to process people. Who stays? Who goes? Who comes in? Who retires? Who gets plucked for jobs with other teams? We already know John Dorsey is the new GM in Kansas City. How will that affect the front office? One thing is for certain: The Packers will be back stronger than ever for the 2013 season.

I’ll continue to work the draft and put up interesting, humorous, and thought-provoking columns. They couldn’t keep me away! Go Pack GO!

On Saturday night the 12*-5 Green Bay Packers will visit Candlestick Park to play the 11-4-1 San Francisco 49ers as the next stop on their road to Super Bowl XLVII. Much has been made of the game the two teams played back in week 1 this season at Lambeau. In my opinion the two teams are different enough that there isn’t much that happened in that game that is applicable to this game.

Both teams have changed a great deal since week 1. Green Bay has kept working on forging a running game and a better defense. The Packers are better in both those areas as they approach their game with the 49ers.

The primary difference in San Francisco is their quarterback. QB Colin Kaepernick brings the element of mobility at the QB position to the 49ers offense. Previous starter Alex Smith was not as mobile as Kaepernick but he has more experience. The Packers faced a quarterback with similar mobility in Joe Webb when they beat the Vikings last weekend. Kaepernick is a much better passer than Webb, and adding that factor ups the challenge quite a bit.

Dec 23, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers linebacker Dezman Moses (54) during the game against the Tennessee Titans at Lambeau Field. The Packers won 55-7. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

The Packers will have to play defense much the same way in this game as they did in their last. They’ll need to set an edge and maintain it to prevent Kaepernick getting to the outside. Gap control and discipline inside the tackles will be every bit as important against the 49ers because of RB Frank Gore and Kaepernick. Again this week the Packers will face a steep challenge on defense. I believe they’re more than up to the task.

On offense the Packers bring an improved and more diverse run game and the healthiest group of receivers they’ve had since week 1. Add Aaron Rodgers’ ability to create plays on the move and the 49ers have defensive challenges of their own. DuJuan Harris and Ryan Grant have been getting most of the carries in the run game lately, but Alex Green is healthy and word has it that James Starks is close to being able to play again. I think Harris could have a big impact on this game because he’s small and can get into and out of smaller holes than the other Packers RBs can. Against the 49ers stout D line and LBs, those holes just might be small too!

Both teams have been dealing with inconsistency in their kicking games. San Francisco PK David Akers and Green Bay PK Mason Crosby have both had disappointing seasons. The difference between the two is that Crosby has been kicking better of late. Neither team wants to see this game come down to a FG to win it, but I’d have more confidence in Crosby than Akers.

The playing surface at Candlestick has been getting some press for its bad condition. After the Seahawks-Redskins game last weekend playing conditions (in that case atrocious conditions) were brought into sharp focus. I don’t know that the surface at the Stick is going to make a difference. Generally the offense has the advantage on poor surfaces because they know where they’re going and the defenses have to react. Hopefully this game won’t be affected by the surface upon which these two excellent teams are playing.

Dec 2, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers guard Josh Sitton (71) during the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field. The Packers defeated the Vikings 23-14. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

The Packers players were in large measure ignored for in-season honors this year. It’s my belief that it’s time for those players who felt slighted by the writers and voters to put their best effort on the field Saturday night and make believers out of some people. People outside Packer Nation that is. We already know how good they are!

We’ll all be burdened with Joe Buck and Troy Aikman as commentators for the game on Saturday night. Every now and then we all have to take one for the team. I’ll have more to say about them in the Fearsome Predictions section below.

Here are some things I’ll be looking for while I watch the game:

Packers offensive line. The Packers O line has been more or less stable for a few weeks now. That’s not to say they have the kind of experience playing together they would like to have, but there’s nothing they can do about that now. Evan Dietrich-Smith is an upgrade at center simply because he can move better than previous starter Jeff Saturday. Don Barclay has provided some well-received work, especially in the run game, at RT replacing the injured Bryan Bulaga. Newhouse at LT, Lang at LG, and Sitton at RG are who and what they are.

Many pundits are pointing to the Packers collective O line as a team weakness. I’m not so sure. The 49ers will make some plays on defense. But the Packers O line will make some as well. I don’t think they’re the weakness others seem to want them to be. I’ll be watching these guys to see how they handle 49ers pass rushers- especially Aldon Smith and Bowman. Which guy will the Packers decide to help with extra blockers? If Justin Smith can play he’ll still be nursing a torn muscle, which usually doesn’t work out too well for whatever the muscle is supposed to be attached to. I’ll be watching to see how long 94 in red lasts if he gets in there.

Packers run game. As of late the Packers have been able to move the ball on the ground. If they can keep that up against the 49ers it will bode well for their chances to win this game. I don’t believe either team will rush consistently well against the other because the run defenses are both too good. Harris can do things the other Packers RBs can’t, and I’ll be watching to see how the Packers utilize him in this game. I don’t expect to see much of Cobbernicus in the backfield this time around, but it worked fairly well in the first game. I’ll be watching for the Packers to use the run to set up the pass. See- this game really is simple.

Jan 5, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) during the game against the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Wild Card playoff game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Packers passing game. The Packers receivers come into this game almost as healthy as they were in week 1. They know how important it will be for them to create separation and to fight for YAC. They know every dropped pass will sting and every bad route will be obvious. They’ll have to play their best game of the season in order to be open when called upon to make a play and catch everything that comes close to them. I’ll be watching to see how Finley and the other TEs do in the potentially soft middle of the 49ers defense and how well the WRs block on the outside- for run plays and for each other.

I expect QB Aaron Rodgers to have to turn sideways to go though doors because the chip on his shoulder is so big Saturday night. By now everybody knows where Rodgers is from, how the 49ers took Smith over him, and how he still resents it. If all of that helps to fuel 12’s passion for excellence and drives him to succeed to excess I’m fine with that. I just don’t want to see Rodgers lose his composure should the Packers go through a rough stretch in this game. Not that I expect him to do so, but this is as big a game as Aaron has played and he’ll have to be up to the task for the whole contest in order for the Packers to win it. I’ll be looking for him to deal the ball to everybody with touch, accuracy, and velocity when required. He’s the best in the league. He just has to play like it. Anyone for another heaping helping of Rodgers legacy-building?

Packers defensive line / LBs. The big guys up front and their roving LBs will be hard pressed to ensure that neither Gore nor Kaepernick have room to ramble past them and make explosive gains on the ground. Their work will go a long way toward determining the outcome of this game. They played well against Minnesota last week. They’ll need an even better performance this week. This is the playoffs. Every team left standing is good. The Packers defense has come a long way since last year and they’re also better than they were in week 1. I think the 49ers are in for a surprise. I’ll be watching to see how well the guys up front are getting off the blocks and flowing to the ball, and how often they get to Kaepernick.

Oct 14, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Green Bay Packers cornerback Casey Hayward (29) returns an interception against the Houston Texans in the fourth quarter at Reliant Stadium. The Packers defeated the Texans 42-24. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Packers DBs. The Packers DBs will face a better passing attack this week than last, coupled with a QB who can move around, extend plays, and make things happen with his feet. Bad things. The Packers DBs will have to ensure their coverage is tight and that their tackling is effective. The presence of Charles Woodson, with his bigger shoulder pads, lineman’s facemask and all, should allow Capers to do some things with his defense he wasn’t able to do previously. I’ll be watching to see just what those things are, and how effective they are. I’ll also be watching for the DBs to step up and tackle when called upon to do so.

Packers special teams. Crosby will have to be on top of his game this week. Masthay will be called upon to flip the field via his talented right foot. The Packers coverage teams will have to tackle and block effectively if Cobbernicus and Ross will be effective on returns. None of this is any revelation. But I think there will be a big play on special teams in this game, and it will favor the Packers. I’ll be watching to see who makes the tackles and the blocks, and for 18 or 10 to go long with a return…maybe for six.

Fearsome Predictions:

DISCLAIMER: The writer assumes no responsibility and claims no expertise in the area of predicting random occurrences during sporting contests. If something accidentally occurs that the writer predicted, it is entirely coincidental and not the fault of, nor can credit be attributed to, the writer. Blah-blah-legalese-blah.

- Aaron Rodgers will throw for three touchdowns and run for another. He’ll have his best game of this season. He will be throwing on the move, from the pocket, under duress, and with guys hanging on him or getting ready to hit him. He will once again make the 49ers see what it’s like to go up against a real QB.

- John Kuhn will score at least one TD. After all…it’s the playoffs!

Jan 5, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers running back DuJuan Harris (26) during the game against the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Wild Card playoff game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

- DuJuan Harris will lead the Packers in rushing yards.

- Greg Jennings will lead the Packers in receiving yards.

- Ryan Grant will be the second leading rusher for the Packers.

- The Packers will have over 100 return yards.

- Rodgers will be sacked three times.

- Mason Crosby will not miss a kick.

- Cobbernicus will catch at least one TD pass.

- Kaepernick will be sacked four times. Matthews will have two of them. Woodson will get one.

- Kaepernick will be picked twice. Shields will get one, and Woodson the other.

- The Packers will have fewer penalty yards than the 49ers.

- The Packers will have more first downs than the 49ers.

- The national television audience will be treated to several close-up shots of the playing surface and commentary about how it either is, or is not, affecting player performance. Every time somebody slips or falls down. For the whole game. And please, for the love of peet, let there be no serious joint injuries Saturday!

- The national television audience will be mistreated to the usual Aikman quips and complaints. For this game Troy’s big bruised brain will compel him to throw out at least two “I don’t think that should be a penalty / I don’t see a penalty there / I don’t agree with that call” calls and a couple of “that was a textbook tackle / that was outside the rules / he didn’t lead with his helmet / he led with his helmet” laments as well.

Feb 6, 2011; Arlington, TX, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers poses for a photo with his family after defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

- The national television audience will be shown Aaron Rodgers’ hometown of Chico, the llama farm he lived on for a while as a kid, his family in attendance at the game, and how he looked when he attended both Butte CC and Cal.

- The national television audience will be treated to mentions and highlights from the classic Packers –Niners playoff games of the 90s. Unfortunately for Packers fans, those highlights will inevitably include “The Catch” but not “The Fumble” that preceded it.

Because the game will be played Saturday night and will be nationally televised, we plan to watch the game from the comfort of our comfortable couch. We’ll be making plenty of noise, wishing we were at the game, and rooting for a Packers victory!

I’ll be tweeting random thoughts on the game and the telecast to all those who dare to follow at @PackersTX.

Watch LombardiAve.com for the post game analysis.

Bring it 49ers! It’s win or go home! Go Pack GO!

The 12*-5 Green Bay Packers did what they had to do and defeated the 10-7 Minnesota Vikings 24-10 at frozen Lambeau field Saturday night. The Vikings go home. The Packers travel to San Francisco next Saturday for their next playoff game!

The idea that allowing an opposing RB 99 yards can be viewed as a success seems to require some kind of perspective adjustment, but Peterson was not the factor he had been in the previous two games between the Packers and the Vikings this season. Peterson was not allowed a run longer than 18 yards this time around. That was the primary difference in this game. In both previous games AP had several runs longer than that and each time it looked as if the defense was completely inept. Not on Saturday night though. Well done Packers defense!

Jan 5, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) rushes with the football during the third quarter quarter of the NFC Wild Card playoff game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

How did they limit Peterson? The Packers tackled. First and foremost, independent of scheme changes and personnel differences, the Packers tackled. It certainly helped that the Packers were going against Joe Webb instead of Ponder. It also helped that the Packers primarily emphasized a single-level defense, as opposed to defense-in-depth, at the line of scrimmage. It was great to get Charles Woodson back too. But individual players with opportunities to tackle Peterson, as a general rule, did just that. Peterson is a great back. But as I said in my pregame piece, he’s just like any other running back in one regard. Tackle him using technically proficient methods and he’ll go down just like any other RB. He did.

Offensively Rodgers threw to 10 different receivers. The running game was clicking, if not exactly overwhelming. Several times Rodgers made those plays only he can make. He rolled out and threw 35 yards with pinpoint accuracy downfield. He shuffled around in the pocket to get just enough time to deal a first down flip to one of his RBs or a quick pass to a WR. No picks. 3 sacks, and a couple of those were because he held on to the ball too long. But the inescapable fact is that Rodgers will not lose a game for the Packers. Add another chapter to Mr. Rodgers’ legacy!

Here are some Chest Bumps (plenty) and Thumps (just a couple) from the Vikings – Packers Wild Card Playoff game for you to ponder (pun intended):

Chest Bump- to the Packers defenders for tackling. This cannot be emphasized enough. When the Packers defense tackles the way they did Saturday night they should win every game they play. The LBs also did a great job of setting and holding the edge so Peterson couldn’t get outside. They’ll need to keep their tackling suits on going up against Gore and the 49ers next Saturday night in San Fran.

Thump- to Mike McCarthy for continuing to use Randall Cobb for punt returns. Perhaps MM has concerns about Jeremy Ross catching punts. There could be several reasons for his approach. But Cobbernicus is an important and integral part of the Packers offense. To risk him in the lost potentially violent plays in any football game seems like a dicey proposition. At least think about it, OK Mike?

Jan 5, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers cornerback Sam Shields (37) intercepts a pass intended for Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Devin Aromashodu (19) in the fourth quarter of the NFC Wild Card playoff game at Lambeau Field. Green Bay Packers defeated the Minnesota Vikings 24-10. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Chest Bump- to Sam Shields for his tackling and his pick. Sam made a couple of impressive one-on-one tackles of AP, led the team in tackling, and his pick was a tough catch that seemed to deflate the Vikings just a little bit more than they already were. Sam has stepped up and he’s playing good football. There were a couple of times he was beaten in coverage but Webb couldn’t deliver on the throw because of the improved pass rush. Nice work overall 37!

Chest Bump- to Clay Matthews. The Packers defense really looks different when 52 is on the field. Clay had two sacks, including the strip sack of Webb on 4^th down. Granted, he collected a sack by being in position to have Webb trip over him, but a sack is a sack. His presence in the defense, much like Woodson’s, seems to make everybody else play better.

Chest Bump- to DuJuan Harris for his running and his pass catching. Harris had 100 all-purpose yards and he quick as well as strong on his runs. He was able to slip out of the backfield or several dump-off passes. The one catch he didn’t make early in the game on third down was at his feet and he was moving away from it. I think he made up for it with his touchdown and his overall strong performance.

Chest Bump- to the entire team for doing the little things well. The Packers had fewer penalties than the Vikings did. Both were line of scrimmage infractions. Ordinarily I would probably say there’s no excuse for that, but the one on Kuhn on the kickoff was marginal and Neal’s encroachment wasn’t a factor in keeping anything going for Minnesota. There were no false starts. No illegal hands. No DPI or OPI. Golly NFL…can we get this crew to work the rest of our playoff games this year?

Thump- to the entire team for not displaying killer instinct. OK, yes I know they won the game. But the Packers were playing good football for long stretches, interspersed with periods where the Vikings looked like they might climb back into the game. Case in point: The Jenkins TD. It came with 3:39 left in the game, which was admittedly garbage time as it turned out. But had the Vikings been able to execute the onsides kick they tried after the TD things could have turned sour in a big hurry. I was looking for another 55 point performance the way the Packers doubled up before/after halftime. I still haven’t seen a dominant game for a whole game from this team.

Chest Bump- to John Kuhn for two touchdowns. Kuhn was soundly thumped on Twitter when his short yardage play at the goal line was stopped. Lang whiffed on his block allowing the Vikings D lineman contact behind the line. Nobody else would have done any better. But Kuhn’s touchdown run was a thing of beauty and the catch and run for his other TD was awesome. Kuhn always seems to come alive in the playoffs. Looking good 30!

Jan 5, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joe Webb (14) is sacked in the first quarter of the NFC Wild Card playoff game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Chest Bump- to the Packers pass rushers for putting the heat on Webb. I think every lineman and linebacker had at least one pressure or hit on Webb in this game. Webb was in the grasp when he threw one toss-up and was called for intentional grounding the other time he made the same mistake. It wasn’t just because he’s inept. It was because the Packers pass rush was getting after him. They turned in a much better performance than their effort in the last game of the season. Nice work big fellas!

Thump- to Randall “Cobbernicus” Cobb for giving up ground on punt returns. A couple of times 18 gave up yards he had no chance of getting back on his punt returns. He’s gotta stop doing that. I get it…the potential for yards to be gained by giving up a few to get around the first coverage man is a temptation, but it’s a mirage Randall. Resist the temptation!

Chest Bump- to Charles Woodson for making his first game back an impactful one. 21 had four tackles and two assists against the Vikings including a couple of nice one-on-one stops of AP. I think the defense plays better when he’s on the field. I love the new guys, but give me old Charles when it’s time for a big play in a big game. He delivers.

Here are some selected tweets I broadcasted during the game- last ones listed first. Scroll down to read from the beginning of the game. They frame many of the comments made above. Yes…following me on Twitter is like drinking from a fire hose. Deal with it. Wife Deneen said I should cut a few of these out of my post-game rants, so I did. You can follow these live if you follow me on Twitter. Review these the day after they were shared at your own risk:

- Bring on the 49ers! Packers play at San Fran next Saturday. 12 quarters to another Lombardi trophy!

- This one’s in the books as a 24-10 Packers WIN! Look for the postgame analysis with chest bumps and thumps on http://LombardiAve.com . Go PACK

- Aw come on defense! Who missed the assignment on the Jenkins TD? (Jenkins was wide open.)

Jan 5, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers cornerback Tramon Williams (38) breaks up the pass intended for Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Michael Jenkins (84) during the fourth quarter of the NFC Wild Card playoff game at Lambeau Field. The Packers won 24-10. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

- Oh FCOL get Rodgers out of there. Did we sub the O line and I didn’t notice? (Rodgers is sacked).

- Williams with the nice pass defensed and it’s Packers ball. One more score and Wayne starts talking about playoff cutlery! (On third and 10 and again on fourth and 4 Tramon denied the Vikings. As it turned out Wayne thought Kuhn’s second TD was the dagger. Go figure.)

- Thanks for tackling Mr. Woodson. Glad to have you back. (Charles sticks his nose in and makes another tackle).

- MM PLEASE let Ross return punts too! Cobbernicus is too important to risk on punt returns!

- Too bad Webb overthrew even Woodson on that first down pass! (Woodson, even though he was deep coverage, was the closest receiver on this Webb overthrow).

- Shucks. Nothing to show for two turnovers. No killer instinct tonight. Better get some if the expectation is to keep playing in 2012 Packers. (Packers O can’t move the ball after 37’s pick or the muffed punt recovery).

- I knew Webb would throw one and sure enough he does! Sam37 makes the tough sideline catch for the pick.

- Wood blitzes…Webb runs for the first down. (Just an observation…Webb did run for a first down.)

- Plenty of time left. Pack needs to keep pedal on the floorboard! (Pack D looked a little lethargic at this point.)

Jan 5, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews (52) recovers a fumble during the third quarter quarter of the NFC Wild Card playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

- Claymaker strikes again! Strip sack of Webb on 4th down. Pack O can take over and give KUHN a shot at the hat trick.

- Way to tackle Sam 37! Nice work! (Shields with another one-on-one stop of AP).

- Walden with another nice stop of 28. Keep it up Erik! (Walden and the other LBs set and held the edge effectively all night).

- KKKKKKUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUHHHHHHHHHHHNNNNNNNNNN again. You can’t stop him…you can only hope to contain him. 24-3 PACK! (The Vikings do pay out for the free first down. Kuhn’s TD catch/run and helicopter spin at the goal line).

- Thank you Vikings for the free first down. You’ll pay for that one! (Vikings stopped Packers close to the goal line and then they had 12 guys on the field for the FG try. First down!)

- C Mouth perhaps the last commentator in the galaxy to make the Harris in 2012 to Starks in 2010 comparison. Great insight Chris! (My obligatory shot at Collinsworth. He wasn’t as bad as usual Saturday night, but he wasn’t bearable either).

- Watch out America. Rodgers is taking over. He has assumed control! (Rodgers was looking very sharp early in the second half).

- Kuhn with the TD and it’s 17-3 Pack at the half. Pack with ball first in 2nd half. Step on their throats and don’t let them up Packers.

- Hometown Neenah gets what’s probably its first ever mention on national TV. Hope they liked their stay. We did! (Commentators mentioned Neenah, my Wisconsin hometown, a couple of times because they had to stay there…all the GB accomodations were booked).

Jan 5, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers fullback John Kuhn (30) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter quarter of the NFC Wild Card playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

- KKUUUUUUUUUUUHHHHHHHHHNNNNNNN!!!!! (Kuhn scores on a 3 yard TD run. Kuhn Call sounded great).

- Welcome back Jordy Nelson! (Nelson has a couple of huge catches in the drive toward the Kuhn rushing TD).

- Ease up on Kuhn people. Lang missed his block. Nobody would have done any better. And it’s not cuz I’m wearing a 30 jersey either! (Kuhn’s 3^rd and 1 run that didn’t go anywhere.)

- Big Pack sack! D line getting after it tonight! (Walden got the credit but Webb was surrounded).

- Crosby delivers and it’s 10-3 Packers. Should be 14-3 but Pack ball control will limit Vikings opportunities. 28 can’t hurt Pack from bench.

- Yes…4th and 5 converted. Risk…reward.

Jan 5, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers tight end Tom Crabtree (83) jumps over a Minnesota Vikings defender in the second quarter of the NFC Wild Card playoff game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

- Crabtree going all next level with the hurdle. (Tom catches a pass and hurdles the first defender. Then he gets hit three times in the way to the ground.)

- Come on Cobbernicus…don’t give up ground on returns. My man love for 18 knows no bounds but bring on Ross for punt returns please MM!

- Nice pass defensed by Sam 37.

- Drive stalls and Vikes get ball back. WWPD…What would Ponder do?

- Smith shows Packers DBs how to tackle.

- About freaking time refs. Webb can’t just put the ball up for grabs like that to avoid a sack. But he can do it all night long if picked! (The second Webb toss-up to avoid a sack).

- End of 1st quarter for the second time tonight. Packers up 7-3. (Because the challenge put time back on the first quarter clock the quarter ended twice in the game.)

- Nice challenge MM! Packers running game looking dangerous! (Review of the Harris rushing reaching TD).

- OK Grant and Harris both look strong tonight. The kind of problem MM can’t have enough of. (Grant looked good on the screen to get the ball down to the 9 for Harris).

- Act like you’ve caught a pass 4 a first down before 88! (Finley again goes a little nuts with his first down catch celebration. Nice catch. Keep playing 88).

- Looks like Red Batty put a lineman’s facemask on Wood’s helmet too. Bring it 21! (Charles is sporting a new lineman’s facemask on his brain bucket).

- I guess the in the grasp thing doesn’t apply anymore,eh? (Webb was in the grasp when he tossed the ball toward a gaggle of guys. Too bad nobody could pick it off).

- That was lame. Oh well. D back up after the punt. Better get used to Webb run first pass second. Until Pack D stops it anyway. (Packers fail to keep their drive alive).

Jan 5, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers safety Charles Woodson (21) celebrates a play during the fourth quarter of the NFC Wild Card playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field. The Packers won 24-10. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

- Webb completes one to the Lambeau turf and the D holds Vikes to 3. Pack O up next. Unless Jeremy Ross takes it 2 the house!

- Nice to have you back Chuck Wood! (Woodson makes his first one-on-one tackle of AP).

- Packers better man up against Webb. No way they can let that happen and still win this game. (Webb made some yardage on the ground early. Gladly it didn’t continue).

- Is it just me or is Wood wearing bigger shoulder pads? He looks determined! (Charles looked very intense during the pregame. Glad it carried over to the game!).

- Get C Mouth a new mic please. Not that I really want to hear him but the ground fault hum sounds craptacular in 5.1 surround! (CC’s hand mic had a bad connector during the two shot in pregame. Too bad we could still hear him over the hum!).

- Settling in for Vikes vs Pack. No Ponder. Webb instead. Problem? We’ll see but Packers gotta tackle anyway. Go Pack GO! (Twitter was blowing up with posts about Ponder being out and Webb being a running QB and that it would be like having two Petersons on the field).

Jan 5, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers running back DuJuan Harris (26) dives into the end zone for a touchdown in the first quarter of the NFC Wild Card playoff game against the at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

With regard to the Fearsome Predictions I made prior to the game, as usual I hit a few and a few weren’t even close. Matthews had two sacks. Rodgers was sacked three times. Shields did get a pick. And the defense did limit Peterson to fewer than 100 yards. Harris had a TD on the ground. Cobb didn’t throw or complete a pass (admittedly I took a flyer on that one), but he did have some rushing yards. Rodgers didn’t throw for over 300 yards nor was he second in rushing yards. Oh well…you guess some right, you guess some wrong. Hey…they won. Besides- there is a disclaimer in place!

The Packers next play in San Francisco next Saturday night against the 49ers. That will be a great game! Neither team is the team it was on opening day. It’s my belief that Packers have a more versatile offense and a much better defense than they did on opening day. The rookie DBs in particular have made the Packers D better over the course of this season. The 49ers have a different QB, with different capabilities, but I still think the Packers are the better total team.

Follow me on Twitter if you like this stuff. And look for a pregame analysis post Friday on LombardiAve.com

The Packers said goodbye to the bye and so long to the Vikings! Bring on the 49ers! Go Pack GO!