The Lass Word: This Team is Better Than 2010 Champs
Comparing the current Packers to the last team that hoisted the Lombardi Trophy.
By KenLass
The Packers begin their post season quest for a Super Bowl title this weekend. The last Green Bay team to win the championship was the 2010 edition. I believe the current team is better than that one, at least when compared to the rest of the league. What follows is my attempt to make the case.
The two teams took very different paths to the post season. It was a bit of a miracle that the 2010 team made the playoffs at all. It was only made possible when the Philadelphia Eagles scored an incredible 28 points in the final 7:28 of the game, to come from behind and beat the New York Giants. Philly’s Desean Jackson returned a punt 65 yards for a touchdown on the final play of the game to give the Eagles a 38-31 victory. Combined with Tampa Bay suffering a huge upset at the hands of the Detroit Lions, the Packers were able to squeak into the playoffs as the sixth and final seed, winning a three way tiebreaker with the Giants and Bucs. The Packers had to win road games at Philadelphia, Atlanta and Chicago to advance to the Super Bowl, where they defeated the Steelers. That Green Bay team was riddled with injuries to key players all season long, but was finally getting healthy down the home stretch.
The current Packers team was nearly a wire-to-wire division leader throughout the season and is a number one seed with a first round bye, and home field advantage throughout the playoffs. They stayed relatively healthy all year, a mind boggling achievement considering the Covid-19 threat.
Judging by stats and league rankings, it can generally be said that the 2020 team is stronger on offense than the 2010 champs, and close on defense. After the regular season just concluded, Green Bay ranks 5th in total offense and 9th in total defense. Those rankings are exactly reversed on the 2010 team, which finished 9th in total offense and 5th in total defense.
The 2010 defense finished 2nd in the league in points allowed. The 2020 team was 13th. However, I feel this stat is a bit deceptive. It does not take into account the fact that in 2020 the Green Bay offense went out to huge leads in multiple games and then sat back and gave up large amounts of garbage time points.
The 2010 team did not run the ball very effectively, finishing 24th in rushing. However, their running game came alive in the playoffs with the emergence of rookie James Starks. The current team is 8th in rushing and features a three headed attack in Aaron Jones, Jamaal Williams and rookie AJ Dillon.
The 2010 team ranked 5th in passing and featured a very talented receiving unit that included Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, and a young Jordy Nelson and Jermichael Finley. The current team, despite having a top ten rushing attack, still finished 9th in passing. They lack the depth of quality receivers from 2010, but quarterback Aaron Rodgers still had a better year, setting franchise records for touchdown passes and completion percentage.
The current Packers lead the NFL in points scored. The 2010 version ranked 10th.
The 2010 defense was 18th defending the run and 5th defending the pass. The current defense is 13th against the run and 7th against the pass. Take into account that the NFL continues to make rules changes and adjustments that favor the offense.
The 2010 team finished the regular season 10-6. The current team is 13-3. In terms of overall talent, that’s a very subjective thing to judge. One way to do so is to look at the AP All Pro selections for both years. Not a single member of the 2010 Green Bay offense was voted first or second team All Pro. On defense, B.J. Raji and Clay Matthews were first team selections, while Charles Woodson and Nick Collins made second team.
By contrast, four players on the current offense are first team All Pro, Aaron Rodgers, David Bakhtiari, Davante Adams and Corey Linsley. Two defensive players made second team, Za’darius Smith and Jaire Alexander.
The 2010 team had several other memorable players, such as A.J. Hawk, Chad Clifton, Josh Sitton, Ryan Pickett, Cullen Jenkins and Tramon Williams. But the current team has a bevy of young, emerging talent with, in my opinion, greater potential in Rashan Gary, Darnell Savage, Adrian Amos, MVS, Robert Tonyan, Elgton Jenkins, Krys Barnes, Kamal Martin, Jace Sternberger and Josiah Deguara.
Coaching staffs? Difficult to compare. Mike McCarthy’s staff in 2010 included future head coaches Joe Philbin and Ben McAdoo, former head coach Dom Capers, and fiery linebackers coach Kevin Greene. McCarthy certainly established a track record of playoff teams and competitive squads. The current staff led by Matt LaFleur is younger, more creative, and more aggressive. Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett is already getting head coach interviews. Their 26-6 regular season record over their first two years is tied with Kansas City as the best in the NFL.
At the General Manager position, 2010’s team had the conservative Ted Thompson, whose sojourns into free agency were rare, but usually highly successful (Woodson, Ryan Pickett) and who depended on the draft and UDFA’s to restock and keep the team competitive. The current team has Brian Gutekunst who has shown a willingness to use the free agent market more aggressively, signing four expensive players in the 2019 off season to bolster the defense and O-line. He uses the draft more for future value than current help.
Put it all together, and it seems to me this present Green Bay Packers team is actually a bit better than the 2010 champs. This, of course, is no guarantee the 2020 team will be hoisting the Lombardi trophy. We all remember 2014, don’t we? But it is definitely our best chance of the last decade. Three games to win, two of them at home. Is this the year?
OUTTAKES
• After watching the other six NFC playoff teams in action this past weekend, I am more convinced than ever the Packers are the best team in the conference.
• I do think the Packers drew the toughest opponent of the other six. The Rams' pass rush will be the strongest Green Bay has faced all year. Rodgers is going to have to throw the ball on schedule. There won't be time to scan the field, and escaping the pocket will be tough against these guys.
• If you have any doubt about the value of having a first round bye, consider the Rams' situation. As a result of having to play in the wild card round, they saw three key players get banged up, quarterback John Wolford, D-lineman Aaron Donald, and receiver Cooper Kupp.
• I was having trouble deciding who to pull for in the Bears/Saints game. Part of me wanted the Bears to take the Saints out, but the other part of me takes great pleasure in watching the Bears lose to anyone at any time.
• I did think it was kinda cool how Jimmy Graham had a drop-the-mic moment on the last play of the game, when he made a spectacular one-handed catch in the end zone and then ran directly into the locker room. If that was his farewell, it was pretty awesome.
• It looks like Russell Wilson is about done. He wasn't moving well in the pocket. He was holding the ball and taking sacks, which is unusual for him. He looked like a player who was tired of trying to carry his team all by himself.
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Ken Lass is a former Green Bay television sports anchor and 43 year media veteran, a lifelong Packers fan, and a shareholder.
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Comments (68)
GregC
January 11, 2021 at 06:33 am
The 2010 team had a great run at the end of the season and then in the playoffs. They had their great regular season the following year. Instead of playing their best football all in one year, they split it up between two seasons--although looking back on it, the writing was on the wall with that 15-1 team's poor defensive play. They were all offense that year.
Watching the playoff games, I also felt better about the Packers. The Saints and Bucs didn't scare me. Neither did the Rams, although they do have a defense that's capable of wrecking a game plan. It just seems like nowadays it is hard for a defense to dominate a game in a way that used to be possible.
PeteK
January 11, 2021 at 10:37 am
True , most good teams have good passing attacks, it's like the 3 pointer in basketball. Ex: Browns up 28 -0, but it got close for awhile late.
porupack
January 11, 2021 at 06:39 am
Yep, good case that this is a better team than 2010. But, hopefully no players read the case. the 2011 and 2014 teams were also probably better. A lot of best of 32 teams don't win, or even make it to the superbowl. It is a combination of talent, coaching (and glad you included that), seating in the playoffs, injuries, officiating, and some luck. This 2020 season is a pleasantly fun ride against generally a not-so-favorable background of 2020 year. I'm not sure either Rams or Saints would be easier. From a pure football chessmatch up, both matchups would be thrilling. Looking forward to seeing the rams in Lambeau with a few fans at least. woohoo!
Nordom
January 11, 2021 at 07:13 am
Completely unrelated to the article, is there a reason you do quadruple spaces after the ends of sentences? I know double spaces are a thing, but I'm finding quadruple to be oddly wearing on the eyes whenever I read these!
(e): Also, it's a commonly repeated myth that the Miracle at the New Meadowlands allowed us to get into the playoffs in 2010 - it didn't, we would've made it anyways UNLESS it caused a chain reaction of sorts where different outcomes happened in games after it (which is possible, but nothing much to do with the miracle win itself). All the tiebreakers would have been tied until strength of victory, which we would've won handily won (76 wins vs 55). What it did do is allow us to play @Eagles instead of @Giants in the first round, and who knows if we win @Giants (even though the Packers destroyed them two weeks earlier), so glad things turned the way out they did!
10ve 💚
January 11, 2021 at 07:48 am
I count triple spaces, not quadruple. But yes, I am right with you, I have noticed those too... these "un-standards" tend to throw me off too... just a teensy eensy bit, but a bit nevertheless.
calabasa
January 11, 2021 at 08:15 am
There are no standards anymore. I consider an article anywhere on the internet to be professional if there are no typos. Formatting is just icing on the cake!
Nordom
January 11, 2021 at 03:30 pm
Weird. I put his entire post through Notepad++, and apparently he has 40 instances of triple spaces, and 10 instances of quadruple spaces. Guess I must've gotten one of the quadruple spaces. The fact that it's apparently inconsistent like this is even more maddening!
LeotisHarris
January 11, 2021 at 08:36 am
Could the spacing be a leftover from all Ken's years writing broadcast TV copy? Muscle memory is a son-of-a-gun.
PeteK
January 11, 2021 at 10:43 am
Everybody is different. It's soothing to my eyes and the space gets me ready for the next thought.
Thegreatreynoldo
January 12, 2021 at 01:33 am
I like it a lot.
PamelaWardTX
January 11, 2021 at 10:48 am
Interesting.
mamasboy
January 11, 2021 at 04:49 pm
Jeez Nordam, who really cares about sentence spacing? Other than that, good comment .
NickPerry
January 11, 2021 at 07:36 am
Rankings are all fun and good but in NO WAY can you tell me even one of these guys on defense is Charles Woodson. With that said I LOVE the way this defense has been playing, especially the last few weeks.
The 2020 Packers running game is so far ahead of the 2010 team it's not even fair to compare. Obviously losing Ryan Grant in week one didn't help, but Grant was NO Jones. I'd probably take the 2010 WR group which also included James Jones (You forgot him Ken), but Adams is probably better than any one of those receivers IN 2010. Jennings was great IN GB and we all love Jordy, but Adams has been an unstoppable beast all year long.
What I'm really looking forward to is temps in the teens, hopefully some snow, and watching Jalen Ramsey play Adams. Ramsey went to school in Florida State, was drafted by Jacksonville, and then forced a trade to Los Angeles where this week it's going to be 85 on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
Now I don't give a damn what the Rams players might say about the cold not bothering them. Saying it and playing in it are 2 entirely different things. I've lived in Los Angeles for 35 years now. When it hits 38 degrees some mornings I'm FREZZING my ass off. Goff has TINY hands. Can you imagine if he plays trying to grip a football with a bad thumb?
The Rams were EXACTLY the team I was hoping for. Don't worry about the rust which seems to follow a bye week under MLF. THIS Packers team is focused and by quarter 4 the Packers will be ahead by 3 scores.
#12 quarters!!!
10ve 💚
January 11, 2021 at 07:51 am
You said it Nick! :)
Since'61
January 11, 2021 at 10:47 am
Nick, great post as usual! Thanks, Since ‘61
PeteK
January 11, 2021 at 10:55 am
Nor a Matthews, who was a demon vs the pass and run (I attended that SB and he saved me from a depressing long trip home with his forced fumble). I'm always a bit leery of using weather ex: many years ago I thought we would destroy a Leftwich lead Jacksonville team. Now dome teams are a different matter.
mamasboy
January 12, 2021 at 12:06 am
You're right about Goff's tiny hands. I'm pretty sure his measured 9'' at the combine. He's notorious for being a butter fingers because of it. Hopefully, he'll be trying to grip a FROZEN football on Saturday. The cold and a broken bone don't mix, so my prediction is the Packers will cause him to fumble twice.
murf7777
January 11, 2021 at 07:35 am
Good write up Ken. Regarding LA, I don’t think they are the toughest opponent because of their QB and said QB’s playing in the cold. Their Offense is the weakest of the remaining teams. Their D does concern me thou and Rodgers and CO. Will need to have their A games and not give them any turnovers. I believe we will hold them under 20 points as long as we win the TO battle and/or give them any ST points.
We are the better team and should pull off a win by 7 or more. 24 - 13 Packers GPG
jannesbjornson
January 11, 2021 at 11:20 am
Still gets down to run, block, tackle, who will impose their will and dominate? My only concern going into this game is Pettine.
Beep
January 11, 2021 at 07:44 am
One nit to pick with the beginning of the article...Desean Jackson's punt return didn't qualify the Packers for the playoffs. The Packers had the tie breaker situation clinched regardless, the only thing that would have changed if the Eagles lost was the NFC east seeding with the Eagles missing the playoffs and our first playoff game would have been at NYG. JR Radcliffe already covered this 4 years ago in the JS:
https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/nfl/packers/2017/12/15/famous-dese...
The bigger outcome that season was an awful DET team beating TB in week 15 to give TB 6 losses that tied GB where we ended up having the tie breaker.
PeteK
January 11, 2021 at 11:13 am
I'm surprised that I forgot all of that. However, I was in Disney with my family and luckily my wife let me go, and I found a TV with the Pack vs Bears game. It was a closely contested game with Jenkins sacking Cutler in a big play to secure a playoff spot.
jannesbjornson
January 11, 2021 at 11:22 am
Walden dominated.
murf7777
January 11, 2021 at 07:47 am
Here’s a stat that may come into play. LA has the number 2 scoring D, but on the road they drop to number 10 giving up 23 PPG. Also, our home Defense is #4. Anything can happen on any game IE: Pittsburgh.....but I like our odds with those stats.
MarkinMadison
January 11, 2021 at 08:53 am
I've said this before and I'm sorry for being a broken record - I worry about the ability of this staff to make adjustments.
It's true that this defense does not have a Charles Woodson, but the sum of the parts of this defense is better.
The Special Teams this year are awful. They probably weren't much better in 2010. But they were better.
I'll be shocked if this team does not make it to the Super Bowl.
murf7777
January 11, 2021 at 09:26 am
I believe our coaches are making adjustments throughout the game it’s just much of it isn’t recognized by the untrained eye, especially if watching live. That said, more of it comes down to the players executing the adjustments. You also can be limited by player ability. Case in point; take King, the coaches want him to play closer to LOS when in short yardage situations but he seems to be uncomfortable in doing that and plays a yard or two deeper. The coaches are limited in what they can do by the talent available.
Another positive example of making an adjustment, which isn’t during the game, but an important one is moving Kirksey to PT and Will LB. why didn’t they do it sooner? My guess is they needed to get Barnes more knowledge before throwing him FT into the position. Kirksey has been turned from a liability to a blitzing force with two sacks and an INT in the last two games.
MarkinMadison
January 11, 2021 at 11:35 am
The offense peaks in the 2nd quarter. Which is kind of surprising, because for a while they had this incredible streak of first-drive TDs. The defense does pretty much the same thing. I'm certainly untrained. I'm also certainly worried about the ability to make adjustments.
SugarCain
January 11, 2021 at 09:36 am
Dont forget Nick Collins at the safety in 2010–he was so talented! Cullen Jenkins was dominate up front and should have been resigned in 2011...One of Ted’s biggest mistakes.
Aaron Jones is the difference maker on this team. If the Pack can get him rolling— look out! Aaron Jones touches = points!
PeteK
January 11, 2021 at 11:07 am
and we have not had a better DE since. When our running game is rolling we are unstoppable. I wonder if we have lost a game in which Jones rushed for at least a 100?
Since'61
January 11, 2021 at 09:41 am
I was hoping/expecting that the Rams would be our next opponent. As I posted last week, their QB situation is not good. Yes, the Rams have a good defense but who would you rather have at QB playing in Green Bay in January? A HOF, MVP, previous SB winning QB or the collection of no names the Rams are bringing to Lambeau?
Then there is the weather and it is a factor. I have traveled to places like Warsaw, Copenhagen and Seoul during the winter months. Green Bay cold reminds me of how cold it was in those cities. Green Bay cold is different than New England cold or even Cleveland cold or West Coast cold. It is difficult to prepare for if you are not living in it. You just don’t walk off a plane and become acclimated. You need to focus on just staying warm, never mind concentrating on playing NFL level football.
The Packers defense can dominate this game given the way they have played over the last quarter of the regular season. I’m not sure that the Rams have a player on offense we should be worried about.
The Rams defense may keep it close early. But I see them wearing down as they spend too much time on the field and the Packers offense takes over. The Packers pull away in the second half.
My only concern is the Packers beating themselves but I’m confident they have moved past that by now. Fingers crossed for STs. Otherwise, it’s Go Pack Go!
Thanks, Since ‘61
PeteK
January 11, 2021 at 11:23 am
Only one city is further north than Green Bay , Minnesota only slightly, but they are not near a body of water which can make a big difference. The Black and Blue division is not what it used to be with two ridiculous domes. Now you got me going, SB should be played on a rotating basis in different stadiums.. A snowy SB would be fantastic!!
barutanseijin
January 11, 2021 at 01:41 pm
Agree totally. However, you can bet your bottom dollar that the NFL doesn’t want to inconvenience moneybags super bowl ticket holders in the slightest. The game would sell out and make good TV spectacle, but Goodell would be thinking “we cudda sold more luxury box tickets in Hawaii “
MarkinMadison
January 11, 2021 at 11:44 am
I walked some hunting land around Crandon yesterday. On paper, the temperature was warmer than in Madison. On paper. There is something about the high humidity that just lets that cold sink into you. And then to have three pins in your thumb? Forget about it. If Goff looks like an average QB on Saturday then he will be overachieving under the circumstances.
madtowndan
January 11, 2021 at 02:09 pm
The forecast for Green Bay on Saturday is partly sunny, high of 28, wind 11 mph. Seeing that it's the late afternoon game (3:35 CDT), that means by the end of the game, the temp will dip into the low 20's. "Kinda chilly" by Green Bay standards, but not the bitter cold that can really affect visiting teams if they're not ready for it - or even if they are ready for it. So, I don't expect the weather to be a big factor for this game.
I was lucky enough to attend the NFC Championship game on Jan 12, 1997 (against Carolina). It was the second coldest game ever played at Lambeau (behind the Ice Bowl), with the wind chill at -16 at kickoff. A lot of the Carolina fans that made the trek were woefully unprepared. Some of the women were wearing high-heeled shoes! During pre-game tailgating Packer fans were digging through their vehicles to find spare hats, gloves and scarves to give to those poor misguided souls. It's all about keeping your feet warm - once your feet get cold, you're done.
PeteK
January 11, 2021 at 04:24 pm
You reminded me of an excellent Jack London short story, "To Build A Fire"
jlc1
January 11, 2021 at 02:46 pm
ST's are indeed the big worry. If the Pack is a 7 point favorite then you have to give at least 3 back to the Rams from the GB special teams. So we are in for another nail biter. Go Pack Go!
NickPerry
January 11, 2021 at 05:13 pm
Hey Since '61...Totally agree with what you said, especially this...
"The Rams defense may keep it close early. But I see them wearing down as they spend too much time on the field and the Packers offense takes over. The Packers pull away in the second half."
I think this is exactly what happens. The Packers will score their first few drives like they always seem to do and at the half it will be like 10 to 3 or something like that. By the middle of the 4th quarter the Packers will seem to be their unstoppable selves BUT this Rams offense won't even make it close in garbage time. I think this game is the BLOWOUT of the weekend, I really do.
" Green Bay cold is different than New England cold or even Cleveland cold or West Coast cold."
You damn right it is!! Green Bay cold it that cold that chills you to the BONES. It friggen hurts to even stub your toe in cold like that so I can only imagine AJ Dillon running your ass over or Kenny Clark or Snacks Harrison sandwiching you with Z. Smith! Oh the HORROR!!!
Since'61
January 11, 2021 at 11:21 pm
Agree, the cold goes right through you, especially if you are outside after the sun goes down. It just stops you you in your tracks.
As I mentioned I ‘ve experienced similar cold in a few other places but I wasn’t trying to play football. I was in Green Bay for the NFCCG when Holmgren’s Packers defeated the Panthers. That whole weekend was very cold but it was worth it to see the game. Since then, I’ve have returned but not any later than October. Thanks, Since ‘61
HighPlainsDrifter
January 12, 2021 at 05:51 am
I was at the December 18, 2016, zero degree game at Soldier Field (my wonderful daughter got me and her tickets for Christmas). People's beers were freezing in the cups. Fortunately we had plenty of warning and were as prepared as possible.
When we left the stadium there were 55 gallon drums with fires burning positioned throughout the parking lot. It looked like a surreal scene out of the depression.
Leatherhead
January 11, 2021 at 10:02 am
Unless the 2020 team wins the Super Bowl it can’t be considered better. 2011, 2014, and 2019 were all teams that looked good until the final game and that could be us again this year.
All season, people have warned that the Packers will be “exposed” by better defenses, and the remaining teams all have better defenses ranking in the Top 8 scoring defenses. If we’re going to win, it won’t be because we have a better defense. All season, I have said that as long as Rodgers is protected we can score 30+ against anybody, and I still believe that.
murf7777
January 11, 2021 at 10:01 am
Over the course of the year I would agree with you about our defense but in the last five games I would say our defense is playing as good as any out there, especially now with Snacks anchoring the middle with Clarke.
Leatherhead
January 11, 2021 at 10:10 am
At Lambeau, we’re a pretty good defensive team. The Rams, conversely, not that good on the road.
PatB
January 11, 2021 at 11:56 am
Good point. 5 games ago is when the players famously gave their feedback to Pettine. Since then, they've held opponents to 17.2 points per game.
Since'61
January 11, 2021 at 10:59 am
Leatherhead the only defense which shut us down was the Bucs on the road. That was because of turnovers, penalties and poor OL execution. That was the worst game of the season for our OL.
If we get solid execution from our OL and our defense makes stops, which I believe they will, we’re going to be fine. I respect the Rams defense but we are coming at them with Adams, Jones, Tonyan, Lazard et.al. As long as we don’t stop ourselves with penalties and/or turnovers we will score. If we can play with a lead it will be a long, cold day for the Rams.
Thanks, Since ‘61
jannesbjornson
January 11, 2021 at 11:31 am
The Rams will go with Akers and Robert Woods to try a ball control scheme and hope their Defense can get strip sacks on Rodgers. Hopefully, LaFleur will bring some heavy packages to wear down the Rams front four then unleash the aerial assault.
murf7777
January 11, 2021 at 05:35 pm
My hope is they can achieve the heavy front with 4 lineman being Snacks and Clark as the anchors. That provides more speed on the back 7.
PeteK
January 11, 2021 at 11:40 am
Also, Vikes , but that was an anomaly. Akers has to be gang tackled, leg hairs pulled (do these players even have leg hair anymore or do they all manscape now), ankles bitten, laces untied ,verbally insulted. He has been the difference maker for their late season run.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
January 11, 2021 at 10:29 am
Interesting comparison but obviously there is no way to know who was better. Like Ali vs Tyson!
I'm liking this team and the coaching. The only thing that prevents them from winning the SB this year are the GBP's. If they want it bad enough it is there for the taking.
Since'61
January 11, 2021 at 11:07 am
When Ali was in his prime he would have destroyed Tyson. Given Ali’s advantage in height, reach and speed, I’m not sure if Tyson would have laid a glove on a young Ali.
Also, Ali was always under rated in terms of taking a punch.
He went the distance against Joe Frazier and Frazier was as hard of a puncher who ever entered the Ring.
Also Ali hit a lot harder than he was given credit for.
At his best he was the best there has ever been. Tyson was not good enough to beat Joe Frazier either.
Thanks, Since ‘61
PeteK
January 11, 2021 at 11:52 am
All of this when he was a bit older than which plays heavily in boxing. Best line: " That computer was made in Alabama".
Leatherhead
January 11, 2021 at 03:25 pm
Ali would have had Tyson punching himself by the 5th round. No disrespect to Tyson, but Ali was The Greatest.
PeteK
January 11, 2021 at 04:28 pm
Especially since he fought during an era filled with great heavy weights.
TarynsEyes
January 11, 2021 at 10:59 am
Unless this 2020 team wins it all, the 2010 team is the better team. As it's said, 'It doesn't matter how you get there as long as you win it when you do.' If this 2020 team fails, then this team is placed in the same bucket as the others who didn't win, it's that simple.
Failure to achieve the goal applies not to just the visibly bad, but also the more able, and the verdict is the same.
Just keeping it real.
PeteK
January 11, 2021 at 11:53 am
Absolutely , but it's fun to speculate on a buy week.
HighPlainsDrifter
January 12, 2021 at 06:07 am
If you have to self-proclaim that you are keeping it real, you are most probably not keeping it real.
PatrickGB
January 11, 2021 at 11:50 am
History is cool and all that. It’s what helps me enjoy being a Packers fan. Yet that was then, this is now. The league is totally different and it’s really hard to compare eras. Yet I do think that this offense and coaching is better than the 2010 version.
Oh, and our special teams are definitely worse.
PeteK
January 11, 2021 at 11:59 am
Masthay was better punter. Plus how could we forget KuuuuHN!!!!
barutanseijin
January 11, 2021 at 01:44 pm
And that’s not saying much!
splitpea1
January 11, 2021 at 12:32 pm
It remains to be seen whether or not this team is better....Collectively speaking, the defensive line and wide receiver group were stronger back then, though.
The Rams are a tough opponent defensively, but we should be able to hold their offense in check. I'm confident we'll win. But there's no way they're a tougher opponent than Tampa Bay overall. Brady carved up the WFT defense, which didn't get enough pressure up the middle to throw him off. The Bucs offense was very impressive.
Russell Wilson done? Probably not. He's just getting out-schemed at times by opposing defensive coordinators and having trouble with certain looks. The Giants really did a number on him earlier this season.
TheKanataThrilla
January 11, 2021 at 12:40 pm
I think you can argue that this team is better on paper, but there have been many paper champions.
What was great about that 2010 team was the leadership of the players. Woody coming back out after busting his collarbone. That team was focused and was going to leave everything on the field to capture Lombardi.
We know Aaron is the leader on O, but who is our leader on the D side of the ball that will rally the troupe or kick them in the ass when needed? Perhaps it is a communal thing, but I wish we had a guy on D I could point to to say that he is not going to let us fail.
LayingTheLawe
January 11, 2021 at 01:59 pm
The 2010 team was deep at receiver. Their strategy in the Super Bowl was to concentrate on their number three and four receivers as they felt those were mismatches with whoever were put on them. The 2020 team does sort of similar things with tight ends and play scheming but also with how good their offensive line is.
The 2010 defense was able to close down games at the end and help the offense by holding the score down when the offense had problems. Hopefully this team can as well.
Winning the championship is more a case of circumstance. How good a team is is always interesting to talk about. The 2010 team had a magical end but are they better than the following years?
Rudedawg67
January 11, 2021 at 02:10 pm
This team is better than the 2010 team? That is debatable. In 2020 the offense scored more points but the time of possession was about the same as 2010. In 2010 the defense only gave up 15 points per game despite being on the field the same amount of time as a 2020 defense which gave up 23 points a game. In 2010 the team went on the road for all their playoff games and won but we will have to see what 2020 brings. To me the offense is definitely better in the defense is definitely worse although they’ve been playing a little better of late. So toadd that old saying it’s not how you start but how are you finish we will see. 2010-Super Bowl Champions. 2020- ? if the defense shows up in the playoffs Super Bowl champions. If they don’t win the Super Bowl I would say the 2010 team was better.
coolhand
January 11, 2021 at 02:16 pm
I like this team better than 2010, only this team has higher expectations. In 2010, we were just happy to make the playoffs, and any win would be a plus. This year, there is an expectation of going to the SB.
In 2010, each game seemed to have a hero make a big play. Against Philly it was Starks. Against Atlanta it was Tramon Williams. In the SB it was Matthews.
Who will step up in each game this year? I can't wait to find out.
Houndog
January 11, 2021 at 03:03 pm
The 2010 SB had a number of heroes for the pack;
Howard Greene's help in causing the Nick Collins interception for the early touchdown, of course CMIII's "Spill It Pickett" play, and the unlikely interception by Jarrett Bush, maybe his best play as a Packer by a guy that often seemed to be in the wrong place.
But Tramon Williams breaking up the 4th down pass to seal the win still gives me goosebumps, I still love seeing the replay, it was PERFECT pass defense, the stuff coaching films are made of.
PeteK
January 11, 2021 at 04:34 pm
Heroes are made during a post season run.
PhantomII
January 11, 2021 at 09:06 pm
It will be an interesting game. Will our Defense try and shut down their run game and leave Alexander on an island. Will we use Dillon early w/ Jones in the Slot? I think we are the better offense and more than Adams can hurt them. I would like to see us get Tonyan and Dillon, MVS deep and EQ going to give them a lot to think about. I am also interested in seeing Adams and Ramsey go at it as well as Alexander on the field looking at Ramsey as 1st team All Pro honors chip on the shoulder. A lot of behind the scenes stories being played out. Can our sturdy OL hold up the Rams pass rush or will Rodgers be leaving the pocket. I think we will be okay there but great players will have a few moments. Move the chains Rodgers, and keep clean. Packers 31-16
Fabio
January 12, 2021 at 05:54 am
I don't think this team is better than the ones we lost in Lambeu with NY or SF so I think the cold is important but not entirely decisive. I think it is much more important, as always, to be able to have the character to overcome the difficulties that surely there will be (I think this year, this team has it). What has been done in the year doesn't matter anymore, it only counts one game at a time and we must be stronger than the opponents whoever they are. I hope with all my heart in an SB. You don't know how much I would like to be there to cheer, but unfortunately it is economically impossible for me .... but my heart is with you. Go Pack Go
Greetings from Italy
PeteK
January 12, 2021 at 09:34 am
This team might well be identified by how they overcame injuries. Battere la Ram!!
hymanbarnes
January 14, 2021 at 12:27 am
Wish we could have the same sort of ownership
https://www.stpetelandscapes.com/