I hate to say it but I kind of saw it coming. I just never had the same feeling of excitement I did when the Packers entered the playoffs as a 6th seed in late 2010-11. Its funny because its not like we were an undefeated team heading in to the playoffs but for some reason that team gave me the sensation they would not be denied. The defense was confident and stopping people when it mattered and the offense was capitalizing on everything, albeit with a new running game; but a passing attack that I believe we may never see again.
It pains me to sit here knowing I won't be watching the Packers in Atlanta next week. I would like to think of what may have happened had we had the opportunity, but I digest. However I am going to do my best to conjure some good memories that were created in the process of a season that has officially come to an end.
I am sure I was not alone in being concerned after the embarrassing week 5 outing in Indiana that gave us one more L in the win/loss column and took our number one running back...for the rest of the season. I was very excited when I learned they added Cedric Benson to the roster. I was patient with the offense as they tried to develop strategies around how best to use a running back the likes of which we haven't seen since Ahman Green. During the first half of that week 5 game at the Colts I was sitting in a Buffalo Wild Wings with my Dad thinking they had figured it out. He only had 7 carries for 20 yards and 2 receptions for 21 yards, but one of those carries went for 9 yards and one of those receptions went for 18.5 yards and he was close to breaking that one for a lot more. The really beautiful thing that had been created was a balanced running/passing attack. That game displayed the new look Packers. A run to set up the pass offense. Aaron Rodgers averaged 5 rushes for 11.5 yards a carry; which is actually better than Colin K . averaged during the regular season in the read/option offense. The actual numbers for the game were 24 runs and 20 passes. Had Cedric Benson remained healthy through the duration of that game we would have had the number 2 seed in the playoffs. Had Cedric Benson remained healthy through the whole season, who knows.
So after week 5 our record was a dismal and disappointing 2 and 3. The next game on the schedule was @ Houston Texans. This would be the defining moment in the season. I remember watching the game alone in the comfort of my bedroom, my wooby close by, just in case. I did not ask God for him to bring me Aaron Rodgers circa 2010-11, but he did anyway. I feel like he may have been wanting to see it one more time as well. It was a perfect display of dominance. Both offensively and defensively. Our receivers were making all the catches, and Aaron was making all of the throws. It was one of those," we will not be denied, not like this", moments. We also had a little help from Wade Phillips. Thank you Wade, you will always have a special place in my heart. I sent out and received roughly 100 texts to my Dad and both my brothers during the game. A thing of beauty.
That game was the beginning of a 5 game winning streak. We went on to beat the Rams, Jags, Cardinals, and the Lions. Looking back, that run doesn't seem all that impressive. It beginning with the Texans, was. After the first victory over the Lions we traveled to New York where something happened, I can't recall exactly what it was. Its weird, almost as if my mind has repressed it. What is my brain trying to protect me from? Oh well, I'm not going to dwell on something I can't even remember, so we'll just move on to the next game.
The passing of the bye week was entrance into a part of the schedule that saw us going head to head with all of our division opponents in 5 of the 7 remaining weeks. If ever there was a feather in Mike McCarthy's cap it has to be the one that is purple/yellow, blue/orange, and blue/silver. He is the undisputed king of the NFC North, both in the regular and the post season. Minnesota, Detroit, and Chicago can bow down until further notice.
Randall Cobb is a glimpse of hope for the future of a franchise that has been more than blessed with a bevy of incredible wide receivers. James Jones, where did you come from and where have you been all my life. I love you in the way that only a real man can, so much! "Little" known running back Dujuan Harris gives us all kinds of things to work on and look forward to. This dude is a breath of fresh air in an otherwise smoggy backfield. Can he catch? Yes. Can he run? Yes. Does he fumble? No. Does he have a nose for the endzone? YES! Too bad we only had him for a month. It will be fun to see his development once he has had a full off-season with the playbook and the staff.
It was nice to see we can win a playoff game at home. I was beginning to wonder. Hopefully next year will be different. When your a Packer fan getting to the playoffs is expected. To other teams it may be enough to just taste the post-season. Packer Nation wants to devour it and bask in our self-named Superbowl trophy.
I will leave you with a few pics to help cement a good feeling of our franchise as we move on. I want to personally thank the Green Bay Packers organization for all the memories.
My next post will delve into the mind of one of the NFC's head coaches, and my new favorite person to make fun of. There will be pictures and possibly a poem. Don't worry Pete, I'll be gentle.
Oh, come one. Don't give me that look. You knew this was going to happen. You had to know.
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