2020 Conference Championship weekend

Triumph said:

Rodgers is 1 of 3 in NFC Championship games. Lots of pressure on him to deliver.

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I don't think there is. It would be nice if he did, but frankly anyone who is 'rah rah Rodgers' at this point as the 'BOAT' clearly won't have their minds changed no matter what happens on Sunday. If they lose because Brady scores more Rodger's defense let him down. If they lose in a low scoring game by both, it will be proof that Brady was carried by a great defense that happened to keep Rodgers down. If they get blown out everyone will blame his team for under performing. The only way it MIGHT ever be blamed on Rodgers is if he has great protection and misses open WR after open WR. And even then people might question if his WRs ran the right routes, but at must it will be brushed off as a bad day. And his defenders will be quick to point out the times his team let him down in the playoffs, and claim Rodgers is entitled to a few bad games like any other QB. They will also be quick to talk up how the Bucs are a supremely talented dream team!

So honestly, I don't think there is pressure on him to deliver. The people who follow facts and believe Brady is the GOAT and that the BOAT is a silly meaningless term will not be swayed no matter what happens this game, as no matter the outcome Rodgers will be far matching Brady over the course of their careers. As for the people who believe he Rodgers is the 'BOAT' they will simply find another excuse and use mental gymnastics to continue to make a case that simply doesn't hold up in reality.

NYCPATS4LIFE said:

Looks like the weather has changed. No snow during the game.

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You have to figure this close to kick off that should hold the rest of the way. Less than 48 hours out these things are rarely wrong.

NYCPATS4LIFE said:

Looks like the weather has changed. No snow during the game.

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Nothing has changed. It was always the case that there would be snow before the game but not during it. And the temperatures are still going to be in the upper 20s.

borg said:

Rodgers ain't broken like Brees who threw almost as many picks in one game as Rodgers threw all year
Tompa might have to do something he couldn't do last week: Finish a long drive

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Rodgers is broke differently - mentally. He has one of the worst records for any great QB when trailing at any point in a game. That being said, this is easily the biggest game of his career. He is the league MVP, he finally has the champ game at home, he has the elements and he gets to face Brady to get to the Bowl. I am not sure any QB has ever had this much pressure to win a conf. champ than him just because of the way his career has unfolded and has overlapped with Brady's.

This is the most pumped I have ever been for a game. I guess it took Brady coming to the NFC to finally play Brees and Rodgers in the playoffs as neither one showed up in his 9 SB appearances.

One-If-By-Sea said:

Agreed. A boxer is out before he ever hits the ring floor.

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My favorite knockout came in a hockey game many years ago. Don Awrey was behind Gordie Howe and hanging all over him in the slot when Howe gave him a quick upper cut with his elbow, just as the ref was calling a penalty on Awrey. While Awrey was going down the referee followed him, pointing at him the whole way. When Awrey woke up he was escorted to the penalty box.

amfootball said:

this is easily the biggest game of his career. He is the league MVP, he finally has the champ game at home, he has the elements and he gets to face Brady to get to the Bowl. I am not sure any QB has ever had this much pressure to win a conf. champ than him just because of the way his career has unfolded and has overlapped with Brady's.

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So....
Playing Tom Brady now is bigger than playing in his Super Bowl?

I can only imagine what images would appear if a UV light was shined on your Tom Brady Fat Head

borg said:

So....
Playing Tom Brady now is bigger than playing in his two previous Super Bowls?

I can only imagine what images would appear if a UV light was shined on the Tom Brady Fat Head over your bed

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Um, Rodgers has only played in one Super Bowl.

This is bigger precisely because he is playing Brady to get there and also because it has been 10 years since he has been in the Bowl. This is a legacy game for him in every way possible.

amfootball said:

Exactly. The notion that he is ahead of Peyton, Elway, Montana much less Brady is a complete joke. But that is what the media does right now to keep everything relevant.

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The one stat that's a real eye opener was provided when the Falcons played GB in 2016. Fourth quarter comebacks. Here's the list of active QBs;
Brady - 39
Brees - 36
Big Ben - 35
Stafford - 31
Ryan - 30
Rivers - 29
Wilson - 24
Dalton - 23
Tannehill - 22
Carr - 21
Smith - 19
Flacco - 18
Rodgers - 17
Newton - 16
Many of those QBs ahead of him have played less games and on worse teams. All but 2 of his 4QCs have been accomplished against losing teams.

amfootball said:

Um, Rodgers has only played in one Super Bowl.

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Brain fart....sorry

borg said:

Brain fart....sorry

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No worries. My main point was not Brady but that the older you get these games become much bigger because you don't have as many chances left. This win if he can get it, this late in his career gives him the op at the second ring which puts him in a different convo legacy-wise if he can get the 2nd ring.

borg said:

Rodgers ain't broken like Brees who threw almost as many picks in one game as Rodgers threw all year
Tompa might have to do something he couldn't do last week: Finish a long drive

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Brees was playing with a torn rotator cuff too, but I do agree that this is a legacy game for Rodgers.

amfootball said:

This is the most pumped I have ever been for a game.

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Wow...

amfootball said:

No worries. My main point was not Brady but that the older you get these games become much bigger because you don't have as many chances left. This win if he can get it, this late in his career gives him the op at the second ring which puts him in a different convo legacy-wise if he can get the 2nd ring.

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Rationalize it anyway you want, the second is not as important as the first

borg said:

Rationalize it anyway you want, the second is not as important than the first

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Of course. That is why I am talking about getting the second one at age 37 and what it means for him this late in his career.

amfootball said:

Of course. That is why I am talking about getting the second one at age 37 and what it means for him this late in his career.

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Just to clarify your position...
#2 for Rodgers:
"Not as important".......but......."much bigger"

borg said:

Just to clarify your position...
#2 for Rodgers:
"Not as important".......but......."much bigger"

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No. I am talking about his overall legacy. He does not have a chance at #2 if he did not win #1. I am talking that right now, come tomorrow, that game is further legacy defining for him as a great QB to get a chance at ring 2 and beating Brady to get there.

italian pat patriot said:

Wow...

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you do realize half the forum has converted to Bucs fans, right?

One of the more interesting things this game is how GB's D is being talked up. About how they 'turned it on' to end the year. Let's find out!

Week 13 - Held the 26th ranked Eagles O (20.9 PPG) to 16. During this game Wentz and Hurts each played half the game at QB. To be fair 6 of those points came on a return with a missed XP. Since their bye the Eagles have been held to 17, 17. 17, 16, 24, 26, 17 and 14. Hardly a prolific offense. It's a good job, but not amazing
Week 14 - Held the 20th ranked Lions O (23,6 PPG) to 24. Nothing strange about this one. Okay job I guess?
Week 15 - Held the 24th ranked Panthers O (21.9) to 16. Nothing strange here.
Week 16 - Held the 4th ranked Titans O (30.7) to 14. This is the game the Packers are basing their D having turned the corner on pretty much. You can either believe it was just a bad game by the Titans or that it is proof that the Packers could do well vs good O's as well as bad ones who have mostly given up. Maybe the snow and elements through The Titans off for some reason. Not that it would help the Buc's case if that were true. But each team reacts differently too it. Maybe the weather had nothing to do with it. The Titans played in 17 games this year and in 4 score 17 or less. Some were against good Ds and some vs bad. Personally after watching this game I think it had to do with bad play, bad game plan and bad coaching. Take for instance the Titan's first drive after being down 0-6. They drive to the 32 and on a 4th and 7 they punt and get a touch back. I know they wanted to pin them, but in the snow that was stupid. Just one example. Personally I think this was just one of the few stinkers the Titans have had this year due to various factors going against them. But maybe I'm wrong! However, if that isn't the case, why couldn't the Packers have really stuck it too these bad offenses more than they did? It is a fair question.
Week 17 - Held the 22nd-t ranked Bears O (23.3) to 16. Some people may argue Trubisky with the Bears scored more and hence they were better than their ranked. That is arguably fair. It's also fair to note Mitch is known to be streaky and was benched for a reason.
DIV Week 19 - Held the 22nd-t ranked Rams O (23.3) to 18. They did it with them having a hurt QB and missing their best WR.

So in reality the question comes down to do you believe week 16 or 17 proved anything. Personlly when looking at how they played in the other games, I really don't think so. I don't think this D is much better than it was in week 6. I think most of the 'improvement' has to do with catching a good O who did a lot of bad things and made a lot of bad plays at the right time. As well as catching the streaky Mitch, who didn't look all that good the next game either IMO. The hype around this D making any notable jump doesn't seem justified to me when you look at the games and the factors around them

I think Brady wants this just as much. The guy wants to show he can win one without bill.

BobDigital said:

You have to figure this close to kick off that should hold the rest of the way. Less than 48 hours out these things are rarely wrong.

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Weather shouldn’t be an excuse tomorrow for the Bucs that’s for sure.