Let’s do a live blog for the Packers-Vikings wild card playoff game. I’ll update this frequently with thoughts and analysis from my living room.
Correct that. I’m actually in my family room sitting at a table with my dad. We call it the press box of the Cohn Zohn. He’s in charge of the remote and so far, he refuses to turn the sound on.
As you know, Joe Webb is starting for Christian Ponder. Does anybody have a scouting report on him?
5:16 The Vikings just gained 53 yards on eight straight runs. Adrian Peterson ran 6 times for 31 yards and Joe Webb ran 2 times for 22 yards. But the Packers tackled Peterson for a loss on second and five. It’s third and seven and Webb has to throw.
5:18 Webb jumps around nervously in the pocket and throws a grounder. Ponder could have done better with his injured arm. The Vikings make the field goal and they’re winning 3-0.
5:20 The Packers gave up 6.6 yards per rush on the first drive. B.J. Raji and the rest of the defensive line got walled off repeatedly. Frank Gore should have a big game against the Packers if that’s who the Niners play next Saturday.
5:24 Brandon Jacobs just tweeted “Go Pack Go.”
5:25 But the Packers go three-and-out on their first drive. Aaron Rodgers cannot complete a pass to his running back on third and one.
5:28 The Vikings ask Webb to pass on third and two. He drops back and gets hit and as he’s going down throws a pop fly to the line of scrimmage. The Vikings bat the ball down and then they punt. I would have just run the ball with Peterson.
5:39 The Packers just drove 82 yards for a TD on runs and passes to running backs DuJuan Harris and Ryan Grant. 7-3 Packers at the beginning of the second quarter. The Packers are trying to established a balanced offense for this game, and so far they’re succeeding. But I doubt these plays would work against the 49ers defense, even without Justin Smith.
5:50 Joe Webb just sacked himself. He tripped over Clay Matthews, who was rolling on the ground.
5:50 The Vikings have to punt again. They’re having success when Peterson runs up the middle or Webb scrambles, but he cannot pass. He looks terrified and confused in the pocket. I’d rather play the guy with the injured elbow.
5:52 If the Vikings have no passing threat, and yet they’re still averaging 6.2 yards per carry. Imagine how easily the 49ers will be able to move the ball with a balanced offense against this Packers defense.
6:02 There are 8-and-a-half minutes left in the first half and the Packers are only winning by four against an injured team. The 49ers must be wishing they get to plat Green Bay next Saturday.
6:07 The Packers go for it on fourth and five from the Vikings’ 35 yard line. The Vikings blitz and Rodgers hits Jennings quickly in the flat. Jennings breaks a tackle and runs the ball down to the 2 yard line. The 49ers probably would have gone for it on fourth and five in the same situation. Both the Niners and Packers have bad kickers.
6:09 Jermichael Finley drops a touchdown pass on second and goal.
6:09 Rodgers hands off to the the fullback, Kuhn, and he goes nowhere. The Packers do not look like a team that can beat the 49ers. Crosby makes a short field goal and the Packers take a 10-3 lead.
6:15 Joe Webb takes another sack. I don’t think he can read a defense. The Vikings will punt from deep in their own territory.
6:21 It takes the Packers five plays, 62 yards and 1:12 to score a touchdown. They spent the whole first half running the ball and passing to running backs and tight ends, but when it was time to run the two-minute drill, Rogers looked as dangerous as ever throwing to Jordy Nelson and Greg Jennings. This game is going to get ugly.
6:49 The Packers march down the field and score a touchdown to start the second half. Rodgers to Kuhn, 24-3 Green Bay. This game is over, but the Packers will run up the score. I still think the 49ers match up well against Green Bay.
7:06 The Vikings go for it on fourth and three, Joe Webb drops back and doesn’t sense Clay Matthews rushing him from behind. Matthews strips Webb and recovers the ball. Matthews absolutely schooled Joe Staley on pass plays back in Week 1. Neither the Seahawks or Redskins have a pass rusher as good as Matthews.
Facing the Packers is the best-case scenario for the 49ers, but Matthews will be a load.
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Without Ponder this game is completely pointless, the Vikings have ZERO chance.
I just don’t believe that coffee. I think Minnesota has an excellent chance. Minnesota might run for 275 today.
With absolutely no fear of the Vikings passing game the Packers will put 11 plus the coaches and cheerleaders in the box to stop AP. Webb isn’t completely terrible but he’s had one week to practice for a road playoff game against the Packers so there is no reason to think they will have a viable passing attack and you cant be one dimensional against a well coached team.
I like the Vikings to control this clock and keep Rogers on the sideline. can the Packers receivers hold onto the ball in this weather?
15 in the box. They still can’t stop Peterson.
vikings by 4
Joe Webb is electric Coffee!
3/12 22 yards is about as electric as a watch battery.
Green Bay is about to get Mauled! They can’t stop AP!
The threat of Joe Webb running makes Peterson unstoppable against Green Bay. Not any team but Green Bay for sure.
GB 34 MN 10
GB v SF is the NFC championship game
Thats impossible. ..
I meant it is effectively the NFC championship. Atl is a very weak 1 seed.
A living room and a family room? What’s the difference?
living is usually a formal room where a family room is a room usually with the main tv and where the family does everything.
A living room and a family room? What’s the difference?
The family room has a t.v. and a cat box. The living room has a fireplace.
Nice flat screen or is dad rocking it old school?
20 inch Sony box we got in ’98. We have to sit real close.
sweet
Same room as the cat box? Do the Bordeaux and Burgundians occasionally have “an interesting nose”?
Thank you. Sorry for the double post. The site said it didn’t go through the first time
Walsh is a pro bowl Kicker but his last 2 field goals have been shaky against the pack. He almost missed that game winner last week.
LMAO Jared Allen, Culinary Academy. Class what a great personality.
I actually NOW give the Vikes a shot because of Joe Webb.
A hybred type QB (ala CK, RGIII, and R.Wilson) gives the Vikes more speed around the edges if Webb decides to run.
Bingo!
Made some money on the Cincy/Hou game. I thought Hou would win 16-13.
Hey Grant, what are you partaking in wine wise?
Nothing right now. I’m all bidness for this game.
One glass will make you creative, two will make you innovative, three will make you provocative, and four will make you a genius. LOL
Wise words! What are you drinking?
Then perhaps you need to start drinking.
I just finished a comment on LC’s blog.
I’m drinking a NZ Sauvignon Blanc – Matua.
And five glasses will make Alex Smith look like Joe Montana.
BigP,
Never. LOL There’s only one JMo best ever. Come on!!
Six will make Nate Davis look like Alex Smith. Lol.
And six will make GCarmazzi look like…errr naw!!! LOL
Hofer
I think you have a typo on that Lowell post. You wrote “AR.”
I think you meant to write “AS.”
Really Mr Effusive? How apropos would that be understanding that the Pack is playing and not the 9ers. smh
Relax Hofer. Just yanking your pickle.
Joe Webb is trying really hard to turn the football over.
He’ll succeed.
Yup.
Rogers and Alex Smith certainly have something in common. They take sacks like drinks of water.
Jordan… I’m beginning to think you have a crush on AS. You have a hard time NOT pulling is pig tails any chance you get.
Grant
You MUST be joking about the 20″ Sony. If you’re not, then where can I send a cheque? 500 bucks. Head to Costco.
http://m.costco.com/Vizio-46%22-Class-1080p-Razor-LED™-E461-A1.product.100015789.html
http://www.nfl.com/playoffs/story/0ap1000000121931/article/super-bowl-xlvii-predictions-broncos-packers-leading-the-way
When exactly did the Broncos and Packers get better than New England and San Fran? There isn’t another team I’d rather knock out than GB.
They want either peyton vs aaron or brady vs aaron… Thats the media 4ya.want.big names..superstars..
I know, it makes me ill!
what time is the Packers vs 49ers game next week.
5 pacific on Saturday night.
What happened? did everyone fall asleep?
I think its saturday at 5
Oh wait, you weren’t serious, you were just counting out the bikes
Joe Webb looks just awful throwing the ball. How is this guy even a backup in this league?
Because true backups, not rookies or old vets, are trash and would never start anywhere, except Arizona this year.
As horrible as he’s played, its not out of reach…if they had a competent qb. Give them Alex right now and this game is a 3 point game, and I’m not saying who has the 3 point lead.
I still think Minn is the dark horse in the Smith landing spot. Ponder hasnt shown himself to be anything special, easily replaceable. He’ll flash now and then but he’s nothing more than run of the mill.
Is Webb the Black Tebow or is Tebow the White Webb?
White Webb has a better ring to it.
I don’t see colors…or colours if youre a dirty canadian.
Why is driver inactive?
I cant find anything other then he was a healthy scratch. Clearly he’s done in GB.
He’s a dancer, not a football player.
I think ponder has more potential than alex
If you got 5 or six years to burn!
Potential…the un-measureable…measurable.
I hope tomorrow’s games are better. Today was boooooooring.
I know! I cant stay focused on it at all!
I’ve switched away from both games. Zzzz zzzzzzzzz
Here’s a starter for discussion:
On MM’s site, there is a mailbox item on Vernon Davis. It basically says that Vernon has been unable to get open in games and that in practices, he has been unable to handle Kaep’s heat, that his hands are not all that good.
We know that the Niners like to get value, that Vernon makes $8M per year to do little more than block, and that he plays more snaps than any non-essential offensive player. So, given these factors, what do the Niners do this offseason at the TE position?
Delanie has been more productive as a pass-catcher and has better chemistry with Kaep, and is more multiple and cheaper than Vernon. Celek is bigger than Vernon and has also provided a more reliable target for Kaep. Vernon has tremendous value on the market, and would free up a lot of cap room if the Niners dealt him.
Regardless, the Niners will need to add at least 1 TE this offseason, as Delanie is to be a free agent. What to do?
1) Sign Delanie and keep the other two?
2) Sign Delanie, trade Vernon, and acquire a cheaper TE?
3) Let Delanie walk and acquire a different TE?
I’d trade him for a 1st round pick. Walsh always traded his best players while their value was high. We need to get players that fit CK and this offense. Stock pile picks as this team will not have many high picks because of their success.
The team needs help at DT, DE, CB, WR and a Center.
Big9er
I think they’re good at Center with Kilgore, but they definitely need help along the D line. Cox looks promising as a second year DB, but Carlos looks to be either slower or less motivated than last season. I am intrigued by the gunners on ST, Spillman and Brock, interested to see what they could do if given time. Trenton Robinson is hanging around also. As for WR, this team needs to get bigger and more physical. There are a few 6’6″ prospects coming out of college in the draft, but Harbaugh seems to like smaller WRs, due to their supposedly greater formation versatility.
Sign Dwayne Bowe!
The Problem is we have too many 1st rounders that will need to get paid soon. Iupati, Davis, Crabtree and Aldon in a couple of years. We need to draft well to stay ahead of the curve. When we get players that turn out to be great Like Bowman 5th rd pick, he also gets paid.
Goodwin is older, Rodgers should be replacable. This team needs a BIG NGATA type DT to replace Soap and plug up the middle. A few Nuggets would be nice in the draft.
Here’s a complete list of FA WRs in 2013:
Donald Jones – BUF – (RFA)
David Nelson – BUF – (RFA)
Ruvell Martin – BUF
Louis Murphy – CAR
Johnny Knox – CHI
Andrew Hawkins – CIN – (Ex)
Brandon Tate – CIN
Jordan Norwood – CLE – (RFA)
Josh Cribbs – CLE
Mohamed Massaquoi – CLE
Kevin Ogletree – DAL
Brandon Stokley – DEN
Kassim Osgood – DET
Donald Driver – GB
Greg Jennings – GB
Donnie Avery – IND
Austin Collie – IND
Micheal Spurlock – JAC
Dwayne Bowe – KC
Marlon Moore – MIA – (RFA)
Jabar Gaffney – MIA
Brian Hartline – MIA
Devin Aromashodu – MIN
Jerome Simpson – MIN
Deion Branch – NE
Julian Edelman – NE
Wes Welker – NE
Greg Camarillo – NO
Devery Henderson – NO
Courtney Roby – NO
Victor Cruz – NYG – (RFA)
Ramses Barden – NYG
Domenik Hixon – NYG
Jason Hill – NYJ
Chaz Schilens – NYJ
Duke Calhoun – OAK – (Ex)
Derek Hagan – OAK
Emmanuel Sanders – PIT – (RFA)
Mike Wallace – PIT
Seyi Ajirotutu – SD – (RFA)
Danario Alexander – SD – (RFA)
Richard Goodman – SD – (RFA)
Braylon Edwards – SEA
Ted Ginn – SF
Randy Moss – SF
Danny Amendola – STL
Brandon Gibson – STL
Steve Smith – STL
Roscoe Parrish – TB
Sammie Stroughter – TB
Brandon Banks – WAS – (RFA)
Not much to choose from. I would try to sign Andrew Hawkins from CIN, Ramses Barden from NYG, and Otis Moss from SFO.
Also, for the DLine, lets try to get Glenn Dorsey from KC. They’re calling him a bust in the Midwest, but the guy definitely has pedigree, and a couple years under JS might work wonders.
Here’s a link:
http://nfltraderumors.co/2013-nfl-free-agents/
Big9er
The salary cap will rise sharply over the next 5 years due to the new TV deal. Re-signing top players should not present impassable obstacles.
Prime, Bowe would be nice opposite Crabs
Bring on the Pack!