Packer Buddies Head To Green Bay!

This is a Packer Buddy Weekend!  Here we go!  Our usual itinerary:

1 - Drive from Lancaster, PA to Baltimore & BWI Airport

Last year at the Packer - Ravens game in Baltimore!

2 - Fly from Baltimore to Milwaukee, WI

3 - Rent car & drive from Milwaukee to Green Bay!
          On the way if needed EAT - One our favorites the Hobo Restaurant!

4 - Check into our Hotel
          One of our favorite - Fox Resort

5 - Game Day - Breakfast or lunch at Bay Motel!

6 - Walk to game from a spot halfway between Lambeau Field & Bay Motel
          On S. Military Avenue

7  - Game Time - Today will be Packers vs. Patriots!!

8 - Find a place to eat  maybe the Prime Quarter & some ice cream at Culvers!

9 - Morning Breakfast - maybe back at the Bay Motel & Martha's Club?

10 - Back to Milwaukee & flight to Baltimore & home to Lancaster, PA!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thankful to be a Packer Fan!

Thankful to be able to travel to Lambeau Field every year with my Packer Buddies!!

Thankful for over Twenty Years of AWESOME quarterbacks!  Favre & Rogers!

Thankful for Turkey!

GO PACK GO!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Brady vs. Rogers AND Belichick vs. McCarthy!

OK, on Sunday, November 30, 2014, the Packer Buddies will travel to Green Bay to see, I think, a game to remember!  Yes, The New England Patriots will be playing the Green Bay Packers!  As, we begin breaking down the game, let us begin with………..


Brady vs. Rogers AND Belichick vs. McCarthy!

Coaches

Bill Belichick
Age  - 62
Cleveland Browns head coach - 4 years
Regular Season Record - 36-44 (0.450)
Post Season Record (1-1) (0.500)
New England Patriots head coach - 15 years
Regular Season Record - 207-107-0  (0.659)
Post Season Record - 19-9 (0.679)
Total Regular Season Record 243-151 (0.649)
Total Post Season Record - 20-10 (0.667)
AFC Championships - 2001, 2003, 2004, 2007, & 2011
Super Bowl wins - 3 - 2001, 2003, & 2004

Mike McCarthy
Age  - 51
Green Bay Packer head coach - 9 years
Regular Season Record - 90-48-1  (0.651)
Post Season Record - 6-5 (0.545)
NFC Championships - 2010
Super Bowl wins - 3 - 2010

So, McCarthy is 10 years younger and trying to prove he belongs with the BEST NFL coaches!
Being considered one of the best is:
a - Produce winning football teams - CHECK
b - Make it to the playoffs - CHECK
c - Winning a Super Bowl - CHECK
d - Winning multiple Super Bowls - NOT YET!

Therefore, for Sunday I give the edge to Belichick, in experience.

Next, Rogers vs Brady

Brady
Age - 37
Years in NFL - 15
Total Yards - 52,147
TD Passes - 385
QB Rating - 96.0
MVP's - 2
Super Bowls - 3 (2001, 2003, & 2004)

Rogers
Age - 30
Years in NFL - 10
Total Yards - 27,154
TD Passes - 218
QB Rating - 106.4
MVP's - 1
Super Bowls - 1 (2010)

Just like the coaches, the Patriots have the edge in QB experience!  And just like the coaches, Rogers has a chance to make a statement!

The good news - The teams will each rely on 52 others players & coaches!

Packer & Patriots By The Numbers!

OK. BIG Game!  Let's look at the numbers!

Total Offense
Packers - 9th in yards & Patriots - 7th
Packers - 2nd in points 354 & Patriots 1st with 357 points

Passing Offense - Packers - 8th in yards & Patriots 6th
Rushing Offense - Packers 18th in yards & Patriots 15th

Total Defense
Packers - 23rd in yards & Patriots 14th
Packers - 16th in points allowed & Patriots 12th

Passing Defense - Packers 13th & Patriots 17th
Rushing Defense - Packers 30th & Patriots 14th

QB Comparison
Rogers - 7th in yards & Brady - 6th in yards
Rogers - 1st in QB Rating & Brady - 6th
Rogers - TD passes 2nd with 30th & Brady 4th with 26 TD's
Rogers interceptions 3 & Brady 6

Rushing Comparison
Lacy 12th with 672 & Patriots by committee - Ridley, Vereen, Gray & Blount

Pass Receiving
Packers - Nelson 5th in yards with 1066 & Patriots Gronkowski 812 yards
Packers - Cobb 10 TD's & Gronkowski 9 TD's

Looks like a great match up!  NEXT, more on Rogers vs. Brady!

What Does The Packer Win Over The Vikings Tell Us?

What Does The Packer Win Over The Vikings Tell Us?

The Packers are 8-3 - THAT IS GOOD

The Packers are in first place in their division - THAT IS GOOD

The Packers have the second best record in the NFC - THAT IS GOOD

The Packers won this Sunday over the Vikings - THAT IS GOOD

Eddie Lacy had 125 yards rushing - THAT IS GOOD

Rogers had no turnovers & 2 TD passes, to someone bedsides Nelson & Cobb - THAT IS GOOD

The Packers ran out the clock at the end of the game running the football - THAT IS GOOD

So, Packer fans, R-E-L-A-X!  And enjoy the first place Packers!  THAT IS GOOD

Next up, the New England Patriots, Bill Belichick & Tom Brady!  THAT IS FUN!!!!!!

Packers - Vikings Rivalry

True rivals - what does the Packer - Viking Series look like?

Overall - Packers  56 wins &  Vikings 49 wins - 2 ties

1960's - Packers 11 wins  & Vikings 7 wins

1970's - Packers  4 wins  & Vikings  15wins & 1 tie

1980's - Packers 14 wins  & Vikings  5 wins

1990's - Packers 8 wins  & Vikings 12 wins

2000's - Packers  12 wins  & Vikings  wins 9

2010's - Packers  8 wins  & Vikings 1 win & 1 tie

So, Packers have the momentum!

Keys to victory

Packers run for 140 yards  - say, Lacy around 100 & Starks 40?

Protect Rogers!  Give up 2 Sacks at the most - NO Packer turnovers!

Rush the Rookie QB Bridgewater!  3-4 sacks, 3-4 knock downs & 2 interceptions?

Continue to see a fast start for offense!

Defense continue aggressive play & attack!  Keep moving Matthews around!

Final Score Packers 31 - Vikings 14

Go Pack Go!

What Can We Learn From The First Packer - Vikings Game This Year!

What Can We Learn From The First Packer - Vikings Game This Year!

Score at Lambeau - Packers 42 - Vikings 10
The Packers need to focus and "keep the hammer down!"  No let up & keep to the trend of getting on top early!  Start FAST!

Stats
Packer Rushing  Lacy - 105 yards & Starks 46 yards!  Total for the team - 156 yards rushing
Viking rushing Asiata - 72 yards & McKinnon 24 yards!  Total for team - 111 yards rusing
Packers must do the same, win the rushing battle!!!!

QB's
Rogers - 12 for 17 and 176 yards & 3 TD's & 0 interceptions!
Ponder - 22 for 44 and 222 yards & 0 TD;s & 2 interceptions!
No more Ponder for Vikings, the rookie Bridgewater is at the helm!  More athletic, but hopefully the PAck can add to their interception totals!  The Vikings will put heat in Rogers - they are tied for 3rd with 30 Sacks on the year!  So, keep an eye on the battle on the line of scrimmage!  And the rushing game should slow up the rush!  So, screen plays & play action passes should help!

Receivers
Packers - Cobb 3 for 34 yards & 1 TD  Lacy 3 for 27 yards  Nelson 1 for 66 & a TD
Vikings - Thielen 4 for 57 yards  Ford 3 for 31 yards  Wright 3 for 27 yards  McKinnon 3 for 27 yards.
The Pack did not need to throw that much!  Rogers had 12 completion & 3 TD's - VERY EFFICIENT!  Will the Viking receivers had 0 TD's!  More of the same in needed!

Drives
Packers had 13 drives - 5 TD's, 6 Punts, 1 Interception, 1 for the end of game!
Vikings had 14 drives - 1 TD & 1 FG (ALL IN 4th QUARTER) 7 Punts, 2 Interceptions!

So, watch the film of game 1 & STAY FOCUSED!

Checkout Packer Website - NO LET DOWN!

Packers At The Vikings AND The Game Is OUTSIDE!

No Dome.  No snow bringing down the roof!  The Vikings are where they should be OUTSIDE!

OK football fans, all is well for the Packers at Vikings football game!  Although, just for the next 2 years!  What will be the focus?

The Vikings are suffering from today's world!  First, NO Adrian Peterson!  And he Packers have at times allowed the Viking running back to run wild!  And, it looks like Peterson is finished for the year after child abuse charges for hitting his child with a tree branch!

Also, Vikings are starting a rookie QB - Terry Bridgewater - 1479 yards - 4 TD's - 6 Interceptions

The Vikings playmakers?
Running Backs
Matt Asiata - 484 yards - 6 TD's
Jerick McKinnon - 279 yards - 0 TD's

Receivers
Greg Jenning - 38 rec - 463 yards - 2 TD's
Cordarrelle Patterson - 28 rec - 232 yards - 1 TD
Jarius Wright - 26 rec - 315 yards - 0 TD's

On the defensive side:
Leading in Tackles
Robert Blanton - 68, Anthony Barr - 62

Interceptions
Harrison Smith 4

Sacks
Everson Griffen - 9

The Vikings Team Totals
Total Offense - 30 out of 32 teams
Total Defense - 12 out of 32 teams (THIS IS PRETTY GOOD!)  Pack is 25th!

So, do not take them lightly!  The defense seems to be stingy!  The offense is young & has some play makers.  After two BIG scoring weeks, we need to look out for a let down!

Total History
Packers 56 Wins
Vikings 49 Wins

What Does A Blowout Win Over The Eagles Tell Us?

Packer 53 - Eagles 20!

I will say it again louder!

Packer 53 - Eagles 20!

As a fan, this is just what I wished for!  A win over a good football team!!

This is what I saw……..

1 - Packer at Lambeau Field!
Sept 14 - Packers 31 - Jets 24
Oct 2 - Packers 42 - Vikings 10
Oct 19 - Packers 38 - Panthers 17
Nov 9 - Packers 55 - Bears 14
Nov 16 - Packers 53 - Eagles 20

That is 5 wins & 0 losses!  Average score - Packers  43.8 - Opponents 17.0.
Packers winning by over 26 points!  Packers are playing GREAT at home!!!

2 - Offense - Rogers is on a roll!
Packers had 10 total offensive drives - 4 TD's & 2 FG's & 1 missed FG,
1 Punt, 1 Punt blocked, and End of game kneel down!

So, the two bad things to clean up - Blocked Punt & missed FG!
Good news, Rogers has the offense flying high!

3 - Defense - Making BIG plays!
Of the Eagles 13 offensive drives - 2 interceptions & 2 fumbles!  THAT IS GOOD!
Of the 4 turnovers - 2 returned for TD's!
4 - Eagle Punts!  Make the opponents PUNT! and…. one punt returned for TD!!!
2 - held Eagles to FG's - that is good!
2 - Eagles scored, that is not good, but against this offense, OK!

4 - Special Teams!  TD!
It is always great to score at least one TD on Special Teams!
The blocked punt is a concern - should make that Punt Team focus the rest of the year!
1 missed FG

So, a great win, and overall a GREAT TEAM WIN!!!

A Packer Buddy Preparing For the Game!

It is Saturday Night, and one of our Packer Buddies, Bill is having his pre-game ice  cream!  A Turtle from Culver's!!!

BRING HOME A WIN BILL!!!!

Will Packers Become A Contender On Sunday

There are many ways to get to the Super Bowl.  And, as proven the past 10 years, it is not always predictable!  Evidence for this ………….

2013 - Seahawks  - Regular Season Record 13-3
     Defense & a running game!  Old school approach!  Was NFC #1 Seed.  A short QB can win
the Super Bowl!

2012 - Ravens  - Regular Season Record 10-6
     Defense!  A hot & cold QB finished the year hot!  Won, division, but needed to go through
the wild card game!

2011 - Giants  - Regular Season Record 9-7
     Wild Card team, qualifying in last game!  QB, got hot at the end of the year!  Good defense!

2010 - Packers  - Regular Season Record 10-6
     Wild card team, all 6 of there loses were by four points or less!  Entered play offs as the
sixth seed!

2009 - Saints  - Regular Season Record 13-3
     Won the south division.  Top seed in NFC, but lost last 3 regular season games!

2008 - Steelers  - Regular Season Record 12-4
     Won AFC North.  Great defense - #1 yards allowed & points!

2007 - Giants  - Regular Season Record 10-6
     Wild Card route!  Beat an undefeated Patriots (18-0) to win Super Bowl!

2006 - Colts  - Regular Season Record 12-4
     Won AFC South.  Was the 4th season for the Colts of 12 wins in regular season!

2005 - Steelers  - Regular Season Record 11-5
     Got to super bowl as a wild card team.  Was second in AFC North.

2004 - Patriots  - Regular Season Record 14-2
    Won AFC East and was second seed entering playoffs.

So, as the past ten years show, there are MANY ways to win a Super Bowl!  Four of the last
ten, were wild card teams!  Two were the top seeds.  Some had great defenses, and here is a list of QB's:

2013 - Russel Wilson
2012 - Joe Flacco
2011 - Eli Manning'
2010 - Aaron Rogers
2009 - Drew Brees
2008 - Ben Roethlisberger
2007 - Eli Manning
2006 - Peyton Manning
2005 - Ben Roethlisberger
2004 - Tom Brady

Two of the QB's have 2 wins & E. Manning & Roethlisberger are above average QB's.  Four, Rogers, P. Manning, Brady, & Brees are probably hall of famers!  Flacco & Wilson are QB's that will be around for a long time!

So, looks like you need an above average QB right now, a good defense, and stay healthy!

For the Eagles - QB?  Sanchez no!  Foles, maybe.  Defense, maybe?
For the Packers - QB?  Rogers YES!  Defense, this week will tell a lot!

What Must Packers Do To Beat The Eagles?

This game, against the Eagles, will be another measurement for this Packer team!  Every week of an NFL season will test a team.  So, let the exam begin!

Packer Wins - Jets - Bears - Vikings - Dolphins - Panthers - Bears
Packer Loses - Seahawks - Lions - Saints

Eagle Wins - Jaguars - Colts - Redskins - Rams - Giants - Texans - Panthers
Eagle Loses - 49ers - Cardinals

Both the Packers & Eagles have lost to good football teams!  The most impressive Packer win? Probably the Dolphins.  Most impressive Eagle win - Colts.  So, looks like both teams have something to prove!

The Eagles are using their back-up QB!  The Packers have Rogers - BIG advantage Packers!

Eagle defense?  Total Yards Given Up?  Total 21st - Pass 22nd- Run - 19th
Packer defense?  Total Yards Given Up?  Total 23rd - Pass 9th - Run - 30th

Looks like a defensive toss up!
Can the Packers stop the Eagles running backs - McCoy & Sproles?
Can the Eagles contain the Packers top receivers - Nelson & Cobb?
Which Matthews brother do you want? Clay or Casey?

I'll take Clay - advantage Packers!

Offensive

Sanchez or Rogers?
Maclin & Cooper or Cobb & Nelson?
Celek & Ertz or Quarless & Rogers?
McCoy & Sproles or Lacy & Stark?

The BIG difference MUST be Rogers!

And its is a HOME GAME for the Packers!

And the Packers owe them one!

And the Packers win 31 - 21!

The Eagles Are Back in 2014!

Here we go again!  Eagles are in town two years in a row!!  That is rare for a non-division opponent!

Remember last year?  My Packer Buddies & I were there!  And I even brought my Pastor from Lancaster, PA, who is a crazy Eagle fan!  And even though I would like to forget last year's game, here are some facts:

1 - The Packers started the day with their second string QB, Seneca Wallace!  If that is not bad enough, Wallace went down early in the game and in comes our 3rd stringer!!!  Scott Tolzien!!!

2 - We make the Eagles punt &  drive the ball down the field & MISS a field goal.

3 - Eagles get a lucky bounce of one of our d-backs!  Bounces into DeSean Jackson's hands - BINGO 55 yard TD!!

4 - Packers drive ball to the Eagles 3 yard line, Tolzien throws interception, Eagles return it 76 yards and Eagles miss a field goal!

5 - Packers, with 3rd string QB drive down field, BUT miss another field goal, this one from 42 yards!

Are you getting the picture!!  Eagles eventually win 27-13.  But, Pack was driving late and Nelson makes a great catch for a first down, but officials call it incomplete!!

And I think, the worst part of the game, with over 9 minutes on the clock, the Eagles go on a drive and run out the clock!!!

That was last year!  Even with a 3rd swing QB, the Pack could have won!  And, remember, Matthews was playing with that club, protecting his thumb!  And we had other injuries!

So this year, healthy Rogers & Matthews, Lambeau Field crowd, and the Eagles with back-up QB Mark Sanchez!!!!!

Go Pack Go!

Veteran's Day - Lambeau Style!

When find yourself worried about a football game - R-E-L-A-X.  Think about what your veterans have done for you!  Our freedom, as they say is not free!  When you have a chance, thank a veteran for their service!

Veterans,

Thank YOU!

For your service!!!!

Packers Cage The Bears!!!

OK, let's look at & comment on my pre-game comments:

OFFENSE
1 - Aaron Rogers - Mobility  One of the main reason that Rogers is special is his ability to extend the play!  Will that hamstring hold up?
Yes, Hamstring looked good, and Aaron had adequate mobility in the pocket!

2 - Packer running game - Sitton & Lang are banged up at guard.   Will they play?  If so, can Lacy go over 100 yards?  If they cannot play, can Lacy go over 100 yards?
Yes, Sitton & Lang played!  Tough guys!!  Lacy did not get 100 yards - this still concerns me!

3 - Jordy Nelson - are teams taking away Jordy Nelson?  Need 100 yards & a TD!
Jordy stats - 6 receptions - 152 yards - 2 TD's - Well done!

4 - Will a Packer Tight End step up and make some big plays?
Quarless - 2 receptions - 10 yards & TD
Rogers - 2 receptions - 6 yards
Bostick - 1 receptions - 1 yards & TD
Starting to add something to the offense!

5 - Will DuJuan Harris ever get a chance on offense?
Harris played in the second half as a "mop up" running back!  I still LOVE his shiftiness!!

For the Pack Defense………

1 - Stop the run?  Hold a team under 100 yards??
Bears team - 55 yards rushing - YES!!!!

2 - Will the D-backs be healthy?  Need 2 interceptions!
Yes, they were healthy!   And YES, 2 interceptions!!!

3 - Inside Linebackers - do we have any?
Yes, Clay Matthews!!!!

4 - Outside Linebackers - Peppers is playing well - can Matthews make some big plays?
Looks like a move of Matthews to the inside could be exciting!  And YES, Peppers had
a great game & an even better Pre-game speech!!!

5 - Defensive Line - see #1
Yes, BETTER!

And do not forget special teams!

1 - Will any team Punt?  Need the Pack D to force more Punts!
YES!  Bears punted 4 times!

2 - No big returns by Bears.
NO, Kick off Return for a TD!  Opps Packer kick team!

3 - Two big returns by Pack
Packer punt returns yards 107 - Bears - 13!

Nice game!!!

What To Look For When Packers Play The Bears?

This Packer Fan will be looking at several things when the Pack plays the Bears……..

1 - Aaron Rogers - Mobility  One of the main reason that Rogers is special is his ability to extend the play!  Will that hamstring hold up?

2 - Packer running game - Sitton & Land are banged up at guard.   Will they play?  If so, can Lacy go over 100 yards?  If they cannot play, can Lacy go over 100 yards?

3 - Jordy Nelson - are teams taking away Jordy Nelson?  Need 100 yards & a TD!

4 - Will a Packer Tight End step up and make some big plays?

5 - Will DuJuan Harris ever get a chance on offense?

For the Pack Defense………

1 - Stop the run?  Hold a team under 100 yards??

2 - Will the D-backs be healthy?  Need 2 interceptions!

3 - Inside Linebackers - do we have any?

4 - Outside Linebackers - Peppers is playing well - can Matthews make some big plays?

5 - Defensive Line - see #1

And do not forget special teams!

1 - Will any team Punt?  Need the Pack D to force more Punts!

2 - No big returns by Bears.

3 - Two big returns by Pack

What will happen Sunday Night?

What Can We Learn From Game One With The Bears?

OK, let's review:

Game One - Packers 38  -  Bears 17

Packer Drives -
Drive 1 - 6 Plays - 89 yards - TD
Drive 2 - 10 Plays - 63 yards - TD
Drive 3 - 7 Plays - 61 yards - TD
Drive 4 - 8 Plays - 50 yards - FG
Drive 5 - 6 Plays - 35 yards - TD
Drive 6 - 4 Plays - 9 yards - TD
Drive 7 - 8 Plays - 59 yards - missed FG

The Bears defense is not what we as Packer fans expect!  For years, the ability of the Bears defense
was first very intimating!  And, the Bears had players!  Not now!

But, Packers guards are hurting!  We NEED a healthy Sitton & Lang!  Aaron tweaked his hamstring against the Saints!  So, we will see how healthy we are early in the game!

Our defense, well could not force the Bears to Punt!!
The key were two interceptions of Cutler in the second half!  Cutler seems to fold against the Packers!
Let's hope the tradition continues!!    My only worry os Matt Forte and our run defense!!!  Hold on Packer fans!!!!

Burnett & Shield could be back!  Dante Jones could be playing again!  Will this be enough?

The ALL TIME record including playoffs have the Bears up 93-90-6!  What a great rivalry!
The Pack can close the gap!!!!

Packers have won 10 of the last 12 games!!!

This will be the 190th all time game - MOST IN THE NFL!!!

Our biggest advantage should be Lambeau Field!!!  COME ON PACKER FANS!!!!

McCarthy Signs New Contract

One thing we have in Green Bay is our leaders under long term contracts!

Ted Thompson signed earlier in the year - 5 years to 2018!

Now, Mike McCarthy - signed an extension through 2018!

The Packers, like to keep the coach & general manager linked together withe their contracts!

Mike McCarthy, why keep him?

Record 93 - 52 - 1 a 64.3% winning percentage

In the past 8 years - 4 Division Titles - 1 Conference Championship - 1 Super Bowl

In the past 8 years, only one year with a losing record!

McCarthy has the team in the playoffs 5 years in a row.

All things said, we have a good coach, why not keep him?

Congrats Coach McCarthy, now let's win another Super Bowl!!!

Bye Week is Gone, Time For The Packers & Bears!

What will the Packers do the second half of the season?  Answer is……………

The Packers will have success, ONLY IF the Packer Defense can stop the RUN!!!!!!


Facts?

Packers are 32nd in the league in rush defense!  There are only 32 teams!!  That means……….

The Packers are the WORST DEFENSE in the entire NFL!!!  First, are the Broncos giving up 71.6 yards per game, fist in the league!  The Packers division foe, Lions are second!  The Packers are last giving up 153.5 yards per game!!!!!

Last year, 2013 the Bears were last, giving up 161.4 yards per game!!!!  And in 2013 the Pack ended the season at 25th, 125 per game!!  So,………

Key to the last 8 games of the year - from 7!!!!  Defensive line & linebackers, and who to they play?

Bears - Ranked 18th in rushing
Eagles - Ranked 8th in rushing
Vikings - Ranked 12th in rushing
Patriots - Ranked 19th in rushing
Falcons - Ranked 25th in rushing
Bills - Ranked 31st in rushing
Bucs - Ranked 29th in rushing
Lions -Ranked 23rd in rushing

So, not a lot of great running teams!  In fact, the last 4 games look to be just what the Pack needs!

Matt Forte will be the first test this Sunday!!!