To be honest, it will probably be in a negative light; there will be missed FGs and the team that misses the least FGs will win the game Saturday night. The real difference could be that the 49ers brought in a challenger and the Packers didn’t. Will that make a difference? That is yet to be seen. Mike McCarthy’s approach has been to profess public confidence in Mason Crosby, an average kicker, while the 49ers brought in Billy Cundiff (an NFL castoff) to challenge Akers, one of the (historically) best kickers in the NFL.

I know it’s a tired line and it’s not a positive note, but kicker can win for you or they can lose for you. Crosby has been horrible from 40+ and worse than that from 50+. He’s made 6 in a row and 8/9, but you can call me a skeptic until he kicks a second 40+ FG in the 49ers game. In my opinion the biggest part of the kicking game is managing momentum. When a drive stalls around the 35, it is great to have a kicker who can make a 52 yarder, but when the kicker’s confidence is down the right move is to punt or go for it on 4^th down. I reference the Giants game, where a missed 55yd FG changed the momentum at MetLife stadium.

After trading TDs in opening drives, the Packers held the Giants for a 3 and out and (thanks to a nice 15 yd return by Cobb), started at their own 46 yd line. At that point, the Packers had a chance to silence the crowd and seize an advantage. An end around by Cobb gained 12 and put the Pack in Giants territory with a 1^st down. The drive stalled and Mason Crosby came on and missed a 55 yd FG. Eli Manning and the Giants used the short field and scored a TD, energized the crowd and the rout was on. It ended as the worst loss for the Packers in years.

The crowd matters and the Packers need to play to quiet the crowd early, whether it be on offense or defense. MM almost always defers when winning the toss, so I expect the same this week. A defensive stop will go a long way, but absent an ensuing TD drive, I’d rather have Tim Masthay kicking from the 35 than Mason Crosby.

A perfect solution would be for the Packers to get TDs on their first three possessions and stifle the 49ers offense, but that is a pipedream. Crosby’s leg may be what makes the difference between the Packers hosting the Seahawks at Lambeau and watching the NFC Championship from the couch.

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Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) and Aldon Smith this Saturday will continue the memories that so many Packers vs. 49ers games have brought. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

For those of us who remember the Green Bay Packers teams of the 1970 and 1980s we understand how lucky we have been to have watched as this franchise has become the symbol of excellence in the National Football League.

Many of us remember those teams coached by Bart Starr and Forest Gregg. They always seemed to be respectable, always competed, but could never get over the hump to win games that needed to be won. Too many times, it was the Minnesota Vikings or the Chicago Bears that would dominate what was the the NFC Central Division during those two decades. The Packers were an afterthought and the butt of many jokes.

It was tough being a Packers fan during those times. But we held firm. We understood that time would help; that one day the Packers franchise would once again rise to the level of prominence we remembered from those fabulous teams of the 1960s.

Those days arrived in the early 1990s when Reggie White and Brett Favre stepped off the plane in Green Bay. The jokes faded away and ESPN actually uttered the name of our revered Mecca and did it without having to attach the word “loss” to it.

This weekend, the Packers travel to San Francisco to renew a playoff history that helped lift the Packers from has-beens to elite status. If you remember that history from 1995 until today, you will remember several Packers vs. 49ers playoff games, beginning with the one that made people sit up and take notice.

The date was Jan. 6, 1996, and the Packers had just finished winning the NFC Central with an 11-5 record. The Detroit Lions finished right behind the Packers with a record of 10-6. To start the playoff season right, the Packers defeated the Atlanta Falcons 37-20 to earn the right to advance to play the defending champion 49ers at Candlestick Park.

Nobody gave the Packers a chance, but from the moment CB Craig Newsome picked up a fumble on the 49ers first possession and rumbled into the end zone to give the Packers a 7-0 lead, the gloves were off and it was the Packers time.

Brett Favre

Before the Niners could get their bearings, that gunslinger from Kiln, Miss., had thrown two touchdown passes, one to tight end Keith Jackson and the other to the other tight end, Mark Chmura, the Packers were in complete control of the game and on their way to the championship game at Dallas.

Though Emmitt Smith, Troy Aikman and company would win the game, it was the momentum the Packers earned in that playoff run that led to their 1996 Super Bowl Championship over the New England Patriots. It would also act as the springboard that would propel the Packers to becoming one of the most revered and competitive franchises in the league. It would lift Brett Favre to three consecutive Most Valuable Player awards and would not only endear Reggie White to Packers Nation, but would put an exclamation to the end of his career.

From that January game in 1996 to Saturday’s matchup, the Packers and 49ers have played many memorable games – in both the playoffs and regular season.

This Saturday’s game no doubt will continue the tradition between the two teams. Again, we have to playoff-caliber teams going head to head in their biggest game of the season. Many are saying this could be Super Bowl as either the Packers or 49ers will most likely defeat either the Seattle Seahawks or Atlanta Falcons.

That’s debatable and will be debated, but regardless of how you feel about that, Saturday’s game, once concluded, will most likely be viewed as another one to log in the memory banks … no matter which team wins.

Just like the 1996 game that propelled the Packers to prominence, the game this coming Saturday should be one that will be talked about many years from now.

Both Packers and Niners fans should enjoy the ride … while it most likely will come around again, staying at the top of this league is a fickle thing.

We here at Lombardiave.com are proud to say that the Packers are still playing in January and that the future for both the Packers and Niners looks bright indeed.

Our hope is that we will be here in another 18 years looking back on that Jan. 12, 2013, as one of the best ever.

Here’s a rundown of every game between the two teams:

Here is a rundown of every result in the history of this series:

November 26, 1950: Packers win 25-21 (GB)
December 10, 1950: 49ers win 30-14 (SF)
December 9, 1951: 49ers win 31-19 (SF)
December 14, 1952: 49ers win 24-14 (SF)
November 22, 1953: 49ers win 37-7 (Mil)
December 6, 1953: 49ers win 48-14 (SF)
October 10, 1954: 49ers win 23-17 (Mil)
December 5, 1954: 49ers win 35-0 (SF)
November 20, 1955: Packers win 27-21 (Mil)
December 4, 1955: Packers win 28-7 (SF)
November 18, 1956: 49ers win 17-16 (GB)
December 8, 1956: 49ers win 38-20 (SF)
October 20, 1957: 49ers win 24-14 (Mil)
December 15, 1957: 49ers win 27-20 (SF)
November 23, 1958: 49ers win 33-12 (Mil)
December 7, 1958: 49ers win 48-21 (SF)
October 11, 1959: Packers win 21-20 (GB)
December 13, 1959: Packers win 36-14 (SF)
October 23, 1960: Packers win 41-14 (Mil)
December 10, 1960: Packers win 13-0 (SF)
September 24, 1961: Packers win 30-10 (GB)
December 10, 1961: 49ers win 22-21 (SF)
October 21, 1962: Packers win 31-13 (Mil)
December 9, 1962: Packers win 31-21 (SF)
November 24, 1963: Packers win 28-10 (Mil)
December 14, 1963: Packers win 21-17 (SF)
October 11, 1964: Packers win 24-14 (Mil)
November 15, 1964: 49ers win 24-14 (SF)
October 10, 1965: Packers win 27-10 (GB)
December 19, 1965: Tie 24-24 (SF)
October 9, 1966: 49ers win 21-20 (SF)
December 4, 1966: Packers win 20-7 (Mil)
November 19, 1967: Packers win 13-0 (GB)
December 1, 1968: 49ers win 27-20 (SF)
September 28, 1969: Packers win 14-7 (Mil)
November 1, 1970: 49ers win 26-10 (SF)
November 5, 1972: Packers win 34-24 (Mil)
November 26, 1973: 49ers win 20-6 (SF)
December 8, 1974: 49ers win 7-6 (SF)
September 12, 1976: 49ers win 26-14 (GB)
December 18, 1977: Packers win 16-14 (Mil)
November 9, 1980: Packers win 23-16 (Mil)
October 18, 1981: 49ers win 1303 (Mil)
October 26, 1986: 49ers win 31-17 (Mil)
December 6, 1987: 49ers win 23-12 (GB)
November 19, 1989: Packers win 21-17 (SF)
November 4, 1990: 49ers win 24-20 (GB)
January 6, 1996: Packers win 27-17 (SF) (Divisional)
October 14, 1996: Packers win 23-20 (OT) (GB)
January 4, 1997: Packers win 35-14 (GB) (Divisional)
January 11, 1998: Packers win 23-10 (SF) (NFCCG)
November 1, 1998: Packers win 36-22 (GB)
January 3, 1999: 49ers win 30-27 (SF) (Wild card)
November 29, 1999: Packers win 20-3 (SF)
October 15, 2000: Packers win 31-28 (GB)
January 13, 2002: Packers win 25-15 (GB) (Wild card)
December 15, 2002: Packers win 20-14 (SF)
November 23, 2003: Packers win 20-10 (GB)
December 10, 2006: Packers win 30-19 (SF)
November 22, 2009: Packers win 30-24 (GB)
December 5, 2010: Packers win 34-16 (GB)
September 9, 2012: 49ers win 30-22 (GB)

So many Packers fans have a superstition they feel helps the team and prevents them from losing. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

This week, I decided that I needed help from my Green Bay Packers family. I knew that I had a superstition problem, but I also knew that I wasn’t alone.

So, with that in mind, I threw out a call to all Packers fans to offer their own superstitions when it came to the Packers. Needless to say my superstition of the need to be sure my bath towel label always faces in wasn’t the only unusual superstition.

There were those who told us about their need to close their eyes, the need to face away from the television and to only watch replays; the need dress their children in specific clothing.

But without giving away too much, I thought it important to allow the folks who responded to our post to speak for themselves.

Check them all out below:

• 

   Allison Leapard Recently I’ve been closing my eyes during field goals….seems to be working.

  Yesterday at 9:00pm · Unlike · 3
• 

  Chance Zombor The Pack tends to lose when I’m not watching (or at least following the game). Sounds funny, but they seem to need my psychic energy.

  Yesterday at 9:01pm · Unlike · 4
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  Matt Burke I rub the “G” on my Packers hat like a talisman should the team ever get behind. LOL

  Yesterday at 9:03pm · Unlike · 2
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  Sharon Chartraw Vlasak My dog has to be wearing her Packer bandana. It’s not often I forget it, but when I do – we lose.

  Yesterday at 9:06pm · Unlike · 1
• 

  Lori Kitzhaber I can’t wear Packer stuff on game day UNLESS I am AT the game! Seriously!!

  Yesterday at 9:10pm · Unlike · 2
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  Sal Parker 5×7 framed pic of Vince- with lit candles next to it !

  Yesterday at 9:11pm · Unlike · 2
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  Melodie Peltier-Thorp Every game we have lost I had my Rodgers jersey on. Got a new Jersey (Cobb) and those are winning games.

  Yesterday at 9:13pm · Unlike · 2
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  Victoria Ahuna I have to be in team colors by kick off and remain in them. If i spill something on myself I have to wait until halftime to change and I have to change into other Packer clothes, not just green and yellow.

  Yesterday at 9:13pm via mobile · Unlike · 3
• 

  Ken Walden Not allowed to use the restroom during the game or else the opposition gets a big play against us

  Yesterday at 9:15pm via mobile · Unlike · 2
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  Dinger Mueller Have to have the Packer flag posted on the front porch. Have to be wearing Packer gear. Can’t miss kickoff, Whether it’s on tv or I’m at the game. Nitschke picture has to be near or on the t.v. Also, since I’m a teacher, any Packer pictures the kids drew for me are displayed near the t.v. That pretty much covers it.

  Yesterday at 9:21pm · Like · 2
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  Sheryl Elizabeth Kolka I HAVE to have my Donald Driver Jersey on… it’s a must..

  Yesterday at 9:21pm via mobile · Like · 1
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  Mary Pat Rohde Every time I sit in a chair to watch the game, the Packers lose. So I sit at my computer, my back to the tv, and only turn around for replays or at commercials. I have been to 1 game at Lambeau, and they lost that one. I just can’t watch the actual game. So please keep me posted on game day; I won’t be watching.

  Yesterday at 9:31pm · Unlike · 3
• 

  Renato Priest Carter I put on some Green Bay Gear and watch the game.

  Yesterday at 9:41pm via mobile · Like · 1
• 

  Marcie Mullen Hummel Rodgers T-shirt, GB earrings, necklace, slippers, flag out front, dogs collar on ALL season and her jersey if necessary at half-time, drink in hand! I think that’s it!

  Yesterday at 10:00pm via mobile · Unlike · 2
• 

  Loreeli Kennedy Swoboda It is not lame! Whatever you do, is something you should continue to do, it’s tradition. I do two things before every game, no matter even if I’m able to watch the game that day. One, before the game, I find a quiet spot and I pray for the Packers, I pray that The Lord will be with each player, to not get hurt, for all the coaches, & I pray that He will put His hand upon each one & that He will guide them to a win, if it be His will! Then every time, they are struggling I pray again! I also thank The Lord for every TD, FG, & interception, every challenged call that goes our way, I give Him the praise & say, To God Be the Glory! I believe that everyone has a gift & the Packers have a gift & I really believe that The Lord provides for them & helps them, it’s only through Him we are blessed! Then I wear my Packer shirt or sweatshirt all day that day of the game. I have so many, but I also have my favorites. I try to get everybody to that I’m with to wear theirs as well. At our families Group home, when I’m with the Residents & have a party for them almost every game. I get them excited! We hang one of the Residents signed Jersey of Jordy Nelson on the fireplace for good Luck! It’s worked almost everytime. The times I haven’t been watching, they seem to lose! Haha! Now that’s a big superstition, but it’s mine & I’m sticking to my story!

  Yesterday at 10:07pm via mobile · Unlike · 4
• 

  Darryle Brown I “gear up” with my Cheesehead hat. I’ve worn it every game since the first several games and they have been on a winning streak ever since.

  21 hours ago · Like
• 

  Daniel Stuntz During the 2010 Super Bowl run, I grew a beard and didn’t shave for nearly two months until they won. I had shaved just before the loss to the Pats, but they won out all of they’re remaining games…

  15 hours ago · Like
• 

  Kris Aguilar Like Allison above, I’ve started closing my eyes during Crosby FG attempts, and he hasn’t missed one since. I also seem to subconsciously hold my breath from the snap of the ball until the play is complete–to prevent turnovers, y’know!

  15 hours ago · Like
• 

  Stacey Ehlenfeldt During the 1996-97 Super Bowl Run we put our 3 month old baby in a larger fitting Packer outfit. We noticed every time he didn’t wear the outfit the team would lose SO we kept stuffing him in the same outfit all the way through the Super Bowl. A few years later we sent the outfit to Favre to be signed. We got it back 7 months later signed. We have it framed, hanging on the wall in a hallway. Very Cool!

  6 hours ago · Like
• 

  Stacey Ehlenfeldt If I wear my Grant jersey during the game, they lose. I wear anything but that jersey now.

  6 hours ago · Like

Dec 30, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder (7) passes against the Green Bay Packers in the third quarter at the Metrodome. The Vikings win 37-34. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Not everyone from the other side are viewing Saturday Night’s Wild Card Playoff game between the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers through purple colored glasses – at least Dan Zinski, the editor over at The Viking Age, is seeing the light.

Christian Ponder
Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Q. Christian Ponder played his best game of the season last week, but the Packers backed off on their normal blitz packages. Do you think Ponder has it in him to turn in another performance like he did last week?

The blitz question is the key thing. The Packers sort of let Ponder operate. He didn’t have the kind of pressure in his face that he’s had at times this year. And you saw that on a couple of occasions when the Packers did get pressure he didn’t make good throws. That one fluke throw that popped up in the air and Jarius Wright came down with, that was with a man in his face. That ball never should’ve been thrown. If the Packers bring more of that it could really be a problem. But if they just play back I think the Vikings can work the passing game. Bill Musgrave did a good job last week of getting guys open. And of course there’s the whole Adrian Peterson factor. The things he forces a defense to do. If Ponder gets the time, he can play another good game.

It’s hard to predict 200 yards for any player, even Adrian Peterson. I think he will have a good game because the

Adrian Peterson
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Packers simply are not a good tackling team. I don’t see them cleaning those problems up in one short week. Let’s put it this way. If the Vikings’ plan works, Peterson may very well get 200 yards, because the plan will be to get up early and run it to work clock and keep the ball out of Aaron Rodgers’ hands. So Peterson will get a ton of carries.

The Vikings will be in trouble without Winfield. He’s the guy they count on to cover the slot in the nickel. We saw with the long pass to Jordy Nelson how a team like Green Bay can exploit third corners trying to cover the slot. Marcus Sherels had no chance on that. Winfield has the unique ability to both cover small slot men and be physical enough to handle bigger receivers when teams slide them into the slot looking to create match-up issues. Winfield can come up and pop big receivers at the line and disrupt timing. The Vikings don’t really have another corner who’s capable of matching up that way. Josh Robinson was the guy they drafted to sort of slide into that role but he’s not gotten it done. I think we might see a lot more playing off with the corners if Winfield isn’t in there. We might see less rushing and more dropping into Cover-2 and just letting Rodgers dink and dunk.

Josh Robinson (21) tackles Green Bay Packers wide recevier James Jones.
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Q. The Packers’ offensive line was so-so again last Sunday, especially in pass protection. Do you feel the Vikings will bring everything they have against Rodgers or will the defense sit back and hope for some coverage sacks?

This relates directly to the last question about Winfield. Being able to blitz is really about trusting your DBs. I’m not sure Alan Williams will have the same trust with Winfield not out there. And Harrison Smith is also nursing a bit of a bad shoulder. So this could be a rush-four kind of game. We know how deadly Rodgers can be against the blitz anyway. The Vikings have done well with a more aggressive approach but you need the personnel to play that way.

I’m going to get crushed for this by any Viking fans who happen upon this post but I’m taking the Packers. I’m taking the Packers by a lot. I just think the Packers have too much on the line in this game. The Vikings have played well the last month but they’re banged up physically now and I just don’t see the offense clicking for a second straight week. I think the Pack will bring some heat against Ponder and force turnovers. Adrian Peterson will get his yards but they will be dry yards. Lots of good running between the 20s and settling for field goals.

Packers 31 Vikings 13

To ensure a Vikings victory Sunday, Christian Ponder will have to play better than he did two weeks ago when the Vikings played the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Dan Zinski, the editor over at our fansided.com sister site, The Viking Age, took a few moments to answer our five top questions about Sunday’s upcoming tilt between the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings.

Defensive end Everson Griffen returns an interception for a touchdown against the Rams. Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

I chalk it up to defensive coordinator Alan Williams fully implementing his scheme. We saw flashes of it earlier in the season – the blitzes, the disguising, the varied looks – but the last few weeks it’s really come together. He’s been very aggressive in dialing up pressure and it’s been very effective. The last three weeks especially they’ve been causing nightmares for quarterbacks. I think part of it is trusting his secondary to hold up. The emergence of Everson Griffen as a terrifying pass rusher has also been a big part. And of course rookie safety Harrison Smith emerging as a terrific player in coverage and run support. Personnel and scheme are greatly improved this year and it will be fun to see what they are able to put together next season after filling a few more remaining holes on the roster (middle linebacker, nose tackle, second safety are the main issues). Of course, blitzing against Aaron Rodgers is always iffy. He has such great chemistry with his receivers and is so good with his reads and adjustments. We’ll see how aggressive Williams is. He didn’t have any problem pulling the trigger against Jay Cutler and Matt Schaub. And both those guys had terrible games.

Christian Ponder
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

The word “lead” is the key. For the most part when this team is successful it’s because Ponder plays his little role and doesn’t make any big mistakes. The defense and running game win it. Ponder contributes by converting third downs at a decent clip and, hopefully, not turning the ball over. So I guess what I’m getting at is this: If Ponder has to truly lead the team, then the plan has already failed. Adrian Peterson and the defense must lead the team and Ponder must play his part. That’s the way this team is set up.

Adrian will run tough because it’s who he is. But everyone has their limit. He pulled himself out of the Houston game late after the Vikes already had a lead. He said flat out he just couldn’t go

Adrian Peterson
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

anymore because of the pain from the abdominal injury and it would be selfish of him to stay in there. So that shows Adrian is human. Houston really knocked him around and he just couldn’t go anymore. It raises the question of whether the Vikings have put too much on Adrian this season. Maybe they should’ve given him a few series off here and there and saved him for this run. But of course no one saw this run coming. Anyway, Adrian will give 100% effort because he always does. If the Packers batter him I think the Vikes will say the heck with the record and let Toby Gerhart take some carries in the second half. The playoff run has to come before the record.

Going into Lambeau and winning is always going to be tough. Going in there with a less-than-great QB and a banged-up Adrian Peterson? It would be a long-shot for the Vikes to win. Then again, I seem to recall a game a few years back when the Vikes went into Lambeau in the first round of the playoffs as a long-shot and pulled off the huge upset. Of course this team doesn’t have Randy Moss and Daunte Culpepper. They don’t have Moe Williams either. Does the name “Moe Williams” still make Packer fans flinch?

I think the defense is in a place right now where they can make life very difficult for Aaron Rodgers. So this might come down to whether Rodgers can pull off some road magic and make a couple big plays in the second half to win it. Naturally, the Vikings’ offense will have to get it done as well. This means Adrian Peterson shrugging off his injury and running like the beast he is. From Ponder I just hope to see a sound game without any big mistakes. I don’t expect Ponder to go out there and win it. It’s all about forcing turnovers and not coughing the ball up. If the Vikes win the turnover battle, they usually win the game. They can’t fall behind early or give the ball away because they simply lack the offensive firepower to come back. The formula has worked perfectly three weeks in a row. It just has to work one more time for them to make the playoffs. Yes, they can do it. And I think they will do it. 24-21 Vikings in a thriller. Blair Walsh with the last second field goal, probably after a Mason Crosby miss.

The Packers have two games with the Lions, two with the Vikings and one with the Bears down the stretch. Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

The Green Bay Packers headed into week 10 desperate for a bye, and that’s exactly what they got.

The 2012 Packers, much like the Super Bowl Champion 2010 Packers, have been yet again decimated by injuries. The injury list continues to get larger every week, for now it is headed by Clay Matthews (hamstring) Charles Woodson (collar bone) Nick Perry (wrist, IR) Cedric Benson (foot, IR) (Greg Jennings – hamstring surgery) the list goes on and on. The Packers have rallied from injuries before, and we all expect nothing different from this deep team going forward.

So, moving forward, where will the Packers be after Week 13? Let me tell you.

Packers at Lions (11/18)

Under Head Coach Mike McCarthy, the Packers are 5-1 coming off their byes. This game is tough, but only because it is in Detroit. The Lions are coming off an embarrassing loss at Minnesota and appear to be heading in the wrong direction after a bit of resurgence over the past few weeks.

The Packers on the other hand will be rested and ready for their division rival, mark this one as a Packer’s victory. (7-3)

Packers at Giants (11/25)

This is by far the hardest game left on the Packer’s schedule, along with the Bears game arguably.

The Giants started the years 6-2, but have been outplayed back-to-back weeks by “lesser” teams, in terms of record. The Giants will have a bye this week, so they will have plenty of time to prepare for the Packers.

The Packers beat the Giants on a Mason Crosby field goal as time expired in New York last season to keep the Packers’ undefeated season alive. However, the Giants would get the ultimate payback knocking the Packers out of the playoffs for the second time in four years last season. I think the Giants will win this game because the extra time to prepare, and I’ll gladly concede this game to the Giants because I believe we will see them in the playoffs and our victory then. (7-4)

Packers vs. Vikings

The Packers have absolutely dominated this series the past six seasons, going 9-3 against their hated rival since the 2006 season.

The Packers get this game at Lambeau coming off the projected loss to the Vikings, which doesn’t bode well for the Vikings. If the Packers are able to shut down Adrian Peterson they should be able to win this game easily. However, if they let the Vikings hang around, this game could remain close. The Vikings play very good defense, better than they have in recent years. The Packers hung 78 points on the Vikings last season. That won’t happen again this season. With all that said, the Packers will be motivated and will win this game. (8-4)

There you have it, the Packers will go 2-1 in their next three games, suffering a tough loss to the Giants next Sunday in New York.

However, I think that the Packers’ loss to the Giants will be their only loss the remainder of the season, as they win the NFC North with a record of 12-4.

“We are very confident,” Pierre-Paul said after the Giants killed the Falcons 24-2 in Sunday’s NFC wild-card game.

“Last time [the Packers] came in here and they beat us (38-35 on Dec. 4), which they shouldn’t have. It’s going to be cold and the atmosphere will be theirs, but we’re going to be ready to play. We know what’s at stake, and we know it’s one–and-done. We aren’t going to let that happen. We are going to go out there and give [an] all out effort, and we are going to walk away with a win.”

Though the Packers shouldn’t need motivation, this is the Playoffs after all. But should they be looking for something to hang their motivational hat on … there it is – handed directly to them by Pierre-Paul.

Don’t get me wrong – the Giants are a dangerous team that’s peaking much like the Packers did last year on their run to a Super Bowl championship. They have a Super Bowl-winning quarterback, they’ve got a defensive line that is pummeling the opposition, their receivers are dynamic, their running backs punishing.

But you don’t have to tell the Packers who they will be facing come Sunday. Every team in this tournament is good. They all have their reasons why they have advanced to this stage – the eight best teams in the league.

However, one of the differences we will see won’t be on the field. It will be in the professionalism of the players. The Packers don’t need a mouthpiece like Pierre-Paul to come out and say something stupid. They need to take their fight to the field. The Giants are going to come out with what they want to be a lethal punch. The Packers simply only have to counter those punches with winning attitudes and abilities.

That’s the true mark of a champion.

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Matt Flynn threw for 480 yards and 6 touchdowns against the Detroit Lions - franchise records. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Matt Flynn … holy cow.

The Green Bay Packers’ backup quarterback’s name will forever be linked with that latter phrase, not only in Packers Nation, but across the NFL.

In fact, his six touchdown passes today will not only be admired by Packers coaches, players and fans, but it no doubt will lead to a big payday in the coming months. That said, it most likely will not be with the Green Bay Packers.

So, what about the game?

Well, to say the Packers’ 45-41 win over the Detroit Lions on this first day of 2012 was a shootout is a vast understatement. Flynn and Matthew Stafford, quarterback of  the playoff-bound Detroit Lions, went toe-to-toe in this one, punching and counterpunching all day long, matching touchdown for touchdown.

In the end, they combined for 1,000 passing yards and 11 touchdowns – an NFL record.

With those numbers, the impression was there was no defense in this one. You could certainly argue that, but in siding with the Packers, they played without linebacker Clay Matthews and Charles Woodson as coach Mike McCarthy reached deep into his bench on that side of the ball to give his starters time to rest and to give the backups some much-needed game experience.

For more about this incredible game, take the jump and don’t forget to Like Lombardiave.com at Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

(more…)

Clearly, the Lions are excited about making the NFC Playoffs

With the Green Bay Packers having nothing really to play for tomorrow other than how nice it would be to have a record of 15-1, the Lions come into Lambeau Field needing to win so they don’t end up playing the New Orleans Saints.

At least they have something for which to bust their butts.

So, with that said, I’ve put together this little poll for you:

Brett Swain with Packers Hall of Famer James Lofton.

Hey take a look over at what’s going on in San Francisco … do you remember Brett Swain?

You should … he was on the Packers roster last year and received some significant playing time at the end of the season when Green Bay was riding its meteoric arc toward its first championship in 14 years.

After Swain was cut with two weeks to go in training camp back in August, he parted ways amicably with the Packers … understanding that the business and the depth of talent at his position on the roster prompted the move by Green Bay.

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Erik Walden’s big game in Green Bay’s 10-3 victory over the Bears last Sunday helped propel the Packers to the playoffs this weekend: Following the game, Walden, who was signed off the street in October, was credited with 11 tackles and two sacks.

After reviewing game tape, the NFL credited Walden with 16 tackles — and his performance earned him NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors.

If Walden manages to repeat his performance against Michael Vick and the Philadelphia Eagles this Sunday, there could be a lot of happy Cheeseheads.