Packers better than any team Cards faced last post-season?

[PJ1]

I enjoy the back and forth when it concerns legitimate football knowledge. I'm here because I like to learn things about my opponents that I don't get from crunching numbers and reviewing game film myself. I like the perspective home fans can bring. My frustration stems entirely from this mindset of backing into a shell regarding this last week's game, and then trying to convince yourselves the Packers blew our wad in a week 17 contest that had no more real meaning to us than it did to you. There was 11 guys on the field for each team. With active roster sizes the way they are, that doesn't mean that you can field a team of 11 scrubs on every down. Heck, a top 2 WR in the entire NFL played all four quarters, for whatever reason. And your coach had no problem allowing them to get run over. Could it be an effective motivational tactic? Maybe. But has anyone even considered the possibility that it could backfire?

So yes, in that sense, I am questioning Wisenhunt. You forget another coach in this game made a deep playoff run in his second year, and was a Favre overtime INT away from a Super Bowl appearance. Wheels are turning up on Lombardi Avenue as much as they are down in Tempe.

For the record, I'm here to advance my football knowledge. Be it statistically, schematically, something regarding intangibles, the make up of a locker room, the impact of certain events (injuries, specific games) and how it relates to this matchup and both NFL franchises. That's all I want. I will argue my case, and I can promise you I won't be unprepared in doing so.

Well your coach came CLOSE to a Super Bowl in his second year. He isn't questioning Whiz and what he did in this game. It is you who is questioning him. If you want to believe we didn't have mostly scrubs in this game go right ahead. Not sure how you prepare for this argument as without Warner we all know we won't win this week. Without Dansby, Hayes, Wilson, Dockett we have no doubt we would get killed. For the life of me I don't get the continual arguing about the game.

 

[LoyaltyisaCurse]

the Pack played in 7 games (6 teams) vs winning teams Pack were 4-3 Cards were 2-2

Secondly, Cards played 7 games vs. teams with with losing records and 5 games vs teams with .500 record.

Pack played 8 games vs. teams with losing records and 2 games vs. .500 teams.

So in total, Pack played in 9 games vs .500 or better record and Cards 9 games with .500 or better.

Pack played 6 games vs. teams with 10 or more losses this season and Cards played 5 games vs. teams with 10 or more losses.

All in all, it seems pretty even to me.


I will end this by saying ANY team from the NFC has a legitimate shot at the Superbowl and you cannot say that about the AFC this year.

To underestimate any team will lead to peril.

 

[MrYeahBut]

All this info back and forth doesn't mean much to me if DRC doesn't play

 

[DanThePackerFan]

All this info back and forth doesn't mean much to me if DRC doesn't play

On the radio up here they were talking about DRC "being able to run but having problems backpedaling and turning." Anything different coming out down there? That doesn't sound good.

 

[82CardsGrad]

On the radio up here they were talking about DRC "being able to run but having problems backpedaling and turning." Anything different coming out down there? That doesn't sound good.

He didn't practice today. And was quoted as saying that if he can't practice tomorrow, he won't play on Sunday.

 

[PJ1]

He didn't practice today. And was quoted as saying that if he can't practice tomorrow, he won't play on Sunday.

This would be devastating to say the least. DRC was the one I wasn't worrying about.

 

[ajcardfan]

Interesting response thus far on the playoff seeding issue. For what it's worth, I've been to various NFC East team forums and discussed the same answer, and they're all in the OTHER direction. Even the champions.

The Philly fans bitched about it all week last year. Although they still all claimed that we still had very little chance to actually win. Much like you are.



I'll tell you what I told them.

It'd be stupid to dilute the importance of the division games. First of all, even last place teams have realistic chances to hope for playoff glory in the next season because all they have to do is leapfrog three teams they play twice each. (Note how the NFC South had that run of "last to first" teams for several years.) Maybe the best thing about the NFL is fans of a bad team have more realistic hope for the upcoming season than any other major sport. It's really not even close.

 

[Russ Smith]

This would be devastating to say the least. DRC was the one I wasn't worrying about.

Agreed not having DRC would hurt us significantly because we can let him go 1 on 1 and we don't have anybody else who can do that.

I'm hoping it's gamesmanship but it doesn't sound like it is. Remember he's been playing with turftoe and clearly not 100% as it is, so having the knee contusion as well may just be too much.

 

[DanThePackerFan]

The Philly fans bitched about it all week last year. Although they still all claimed that we still had very little chance to actually win. Much like you are.



I'll tell you what I told them.

It'd be stupid to dilute the importance of the division games. First of all, even last place teams have realistic chances to hope for playoff glory in the next season because all they have to do is leapfrog three teams they play twice each. (Note how the NFC South had that run of "last to first" teams for several years.) Maybe the best thing about the NFL is fans of a bad team have more realistic hope for the upcoming season than any other major sport. It's really not even close.

It wouldn't rob anyone of playoff glory. You would still be one of the six teams in the field to represent your conference in the Super Bowl. You can guarantee yourselves a playoff spot by leapfrogging those three teams. But how you handle the other ten games in addition to the divisional slate will determine what sort of advantage you get come playoff time - an analysis of the entire 16 game body of work, not just the state of the division (be it poor or excellent).

 

[82CardsGrad]

Not surprising really... think about it. How many times does a Wild Card team come out of the East vs the West? And I would guess that the East Wild Card possesses a better record than the West, or even the North Division Winners a large number of times...

It wouldn't rob anyone of playoff glory. You would still be one of the six teams in the field to represent your conference in the Super Bowl. You can guarantee yourselves a playoff spot by leapfrogging those three teams. But how you handle the other ten games in addition to the divisional slate will determine what sort of advantage you get come playoff time - an analysis of the entire 16 game body of work, not just the state of the division (be it poor or excellent).

To the above I would now ask, why then have divisions within a conference at all? Under your scheme, there would be no need for division any longer, just conferences. You're essentially arguing for a NBA style arrangement. I happen to believe that divisional rivalries are GREAT and a bedrock of what makes the NFL the NFL. It might be old school, but heck, I've been called worse...

 

[ajcardfan]

It wouldn't rob anyone of playoff glory. You would still be one of the six teams in the field to represent your conference in the Super Bowl. You can guarantee yourselves a playoff spot by leapfrogging those three teams. But how you handle the other ten games in addition to the divisional slate will determine what sort of advantage you get come playoff time - an analysis of the entire 16 game body of work, not just the state of the division (be it poor or excellent).

Then, you are going to choke some of the life out of the NFL. Win the division = I'm going to a home playoff game. Who doesn't want that chance when they plunk money down for season tickets? It would also reduce upsets in the playoffs and make them more predictable.

I like the NFL being as far away from the BCS as possible. That would be a small step in that direction.

 

[187]

No way in hell they are better than last years Steelers team and I don't think they are any better than the Eagles team we faced as well. The Eagles and Packers have a strong secondary and their front 7 is good as well. Both can pass the ball easily, but I think GB is a better running team with Grant. Hell Carolina was a good team too until Jake Delhomme exploded and it was all down hill for him from there.

 

[Russ Smith]

To the above I would now ask, why then have divisions within a conference at all? Under your scheme, there would be no need for division any longer, just conferences. You're essentially arguing for a NBA style arrangement. I happen to believe that divisional rivalries are GREAT and a bedrock of what makes the NFL the NFL. It might be old school, but heck, I've been called worse...

Exactly you beat me to it. No point having divisions if the playoffs are seeded strictly on record.