Time for Packers to Carry the G
The Seahawks are coming. The Packers are waiting.
By jasonperone
The Green Bay Packers are not only back in the playoffs but will host a divisional round game on Sunday. Their opponent will be the Seattle Seahawks.
As much as the ghosts and memories of past games between these teams give Packers fans (and some players) indigestion, the media had to be jumping for joy that they got this match up.
The storylines, the drama, the easy promos for television and TV shows all week leading up to the weekend's contest. If you're a Seahawks fan, you might watch and look for some nostalgia. Packers fans may be scrambling for the remote and looking to change the channel.
Packers fans, look beyond the stress. Your beloved team is back where they belong (if you're "entitled", that is): in the postseason! Extra Packers football at Lambeau Field! One win away from a conference championship appearance!
Cheesehead TV co-founder Corey Behnke started a segment a few weeks back on Packers Transplants: "Carry the G". It was in reference to an Aaron Rodgers quote just before the bye week when he reminded his teammates that wherever they go, they carry the G with them. They represent the brand wherever they may be at any given moment.
In the weeks since, "carry the G" has become a tag line for players and fans to be the best version of themselves. Be fans, savor the ride, enjoy the moments and believe in all that's possible. The Packers should heed this approach as they near Sunday's tilt.
Yes, the playoffs are stressful and there's a lot of anticipation. A lot of build up. Way too much time to think and re-think through the possibilities, the scenarios and the what-if's (and that's just the fans). No one said it would be easy but again, we have Packers playoff football in the cold winter of Green Bay, Wisconsin!
The NFL playoffs have always been a different animal than the regular season. Throw out all of the narratives, accomplishments and records. The slate is clean and anything is possible.
Just ask the Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints. Or ask the multitude of Packers fans who diligently watched that game in order to scout what the Saints would likely try to do against the Packers. How many were just waiting for the Vikings collapse because it couldn't be possible that they take down the mighty Saints in the Superdome, could they?
Up until 17 years ago, a Packers home game in the postseason was an automatic "W". The Packers had never lost a home playoff game. Until they did and the NFL changed. Offenses got savvier, rules hindered defenses and big games got more exciting with big plays, trick plays and many points. Nothing was a given anymore.
The Packers have to remember that on Sunday. As much as they fought to get a week off and a home game, doing so does not afford them anything. They'll have to go out and earn their way to the following week. The NFC championship round. They have to carry that G.
Every single guy on the roster has to turn up and play the game of their lives until they have to do even more the following week. These postseason games aren't for the weary or the weak. There's a reason one team advances while the other ones don't. Greatness doesn't come without something special behind it.
Special might be the best way to describe this year's Packers team, if it's not a close second to "winning ugly". The newfound vibe thanks to the infusion of attitude from guys like Za'Darius Smith, Preston Smith and all the D Train riders. That bond may be what finally gets the Packers over the hump. It's hard to say if they had enough of it the last few times they got close to a Super Bowl.
The Seahawks may be the next best thing when it comes to winning ugly. Watching two teams try to out-ugly one another for three hours may not sound particularly appealing but it's the train wreck we can't look away from. We don't want to miss the drama.
Whether you love or hate that the Packers are facing Seattle, know that the past doesn't mean a darn thing. It can't and won't score a single point this time. This Packers team will do it their way and however they do it, it's time. It. Is. Time. . .to carry the G.
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Jason is a freelance writer on staff since 2012 and also co-hosts Cheesehead TV Live, Pulse of the Pack and Pack A Day podcasts. You can follow him on Twitter here
Comments (52)
Cheesey51
January 06, 2020 at 07:05 am
Believe and Carry the G. Go Pack Go!!!!!
Minniman
January 07, 2020 at 02:26 am
I posted this one last week, but it’s a of one - to bastardise\paraphrase Horatio Nelson at the battle of Hastings again:
“[Green Bay] expects that every man will do his duty”
Crazytim87
January 06, 2020 at 07:19 am
Just WIN!! GO PACK GO
GBPDAN1
January 06, 2020 at 07:28 am
Bring your A game guys, Go Pack!
PS; I guess we need to root for the Viqueens so we get another home game when we (we should) beat Seattle. I hate rooting for Minnesota, oh well
Samson
January 06, 2020 at 05:16 pm
As much as I'd hate to play the Vikings for a 3rd time this season, I'd rather see them in GB than have to fly out to SF again... Need to demolish the SeaHawks 1st.
ShooterMcGee
January 06, 2020 at 07:46 am
Still in shock that the Saints with several All Pros and 4 all rookie team players got beat. Maybe those awards don't mean as much during a game. Seattle will be tough since Wilson always plays well in the clutch. It was never going to be easy but 1 team will finish the playoffs undefeated, it may as well be the Pack.
jannesbjornson
January 06, 2020 at 03:23 pm
Queens have a better defense and Brees cannot toss the long-ball anymore. Easy bet against the point spread. Theilen is now healthy. The TD to Rudolf should have been etched in the NOLAs DBs brains all week. There was no OPI on that catch. Kendricks playing solid ball inside. Ty Hill the wildcat Zimmer didn't expect. 49rs will annihilate them with Kittle and their Pass Rush.
Packer_Fan
January 06, 2020 at 08:09 am
Yes, time to carry the G. Every game this weekend, teams won ugly. All were defensive efforts. Who would have said that Brady could not score a single point in the second half of a game. So much for complaining about Rodgers. The Viqueens looked a lot different than the week 16 loss to the Pack. And the Seattle defense does not look like the one in 2014. The Pack has just as much chance as any other team in the race.
Doug Niemczynski
January 06, 2020 at 08:29 am
Publish by San Francisco columnist.
Instead, it will be either Green Bay (the worst 13-3 team in NFL history, for my money), Philadelphia (marginal winners of the worst division in football), or Seattle coming to Levi’s Stadium on Jan. 19. Only one of those three teams should even remotely scare the 49ers, and the Niners might have exorcised those demons last Sunday night in the Pacific Northwest.
MWendlandt
January 06, 2020 at 11:35 am
Wonderful. Did that guy not learn from the Saints overlooking Minnesota and getting too cute for their own good Sunday? Let the 49ers get cocky and we'll see them crumble.
dobber
January 06, 2020 at 08:46 am
Just focus on Sunday.
Everything else takes care of itself, but if the focus isn't on Sunday, they won't be playing in the NFCCG.
mrtundra
January 06, 2020 at 08:54 am
Absolutely! One game at a time!
Tundraboy
January 06, 2020 at 12:23 pm
That's right Dad!
jeremyjjbrown
January 06, 2020 at 08:51 am
"Make no mistake. It's not revenge he's after. It's a reckoning." ...
LeotisHarris
January 06, 2020 at 08:59 am
This one is filled with extra emotion for me. I was hoping for a rematch with Philly, but there is no reason we can't beat Seattle. We'll just have to suffer through replays of 2015, and count on replays of Al Harris in 2003 to balance things out. It would be a shame to let this season end in Lambeau with a loss to these guys. The Packers are the better team.
Took a look on StubHub last night. Very surprised to see so many good seats available in the low $200s. The last game we attended (Sect 123 row 48) we had season ticket holders behind us telling us to sit down - "you bought a seat not a stand." It's been my experience at Lambeau that between those too drunk to be in public, and those who feel they are at a theater and must sit quietly, are vocal fans with the understanding they are play a role in making it difficult for the opposing team to play football. Let's hope those fans show up to give us a true home field advantage.
GO PACK!
jeremyjjbrown
January 06, 2020 at 09:36 am
"replays of Al Harris in 2003"
Isn't hard to believe that was 17 years ago?
jannesbjornson
January 06, 2020 at 03:32 pm
Tell them they have Television sets in the atrium nowadays if they want to sit like bums on log. This is the Playoffs.
Time to get nasty. Stop the seachicks run game and make Wilson throw perfect passes from the pocket. Just use Dom's plan. Gary and Fackerell now provide some rotation that Neal or Datone never did. Double Metcalf with press coverage and the same for Lockett. Their TEs won't beat you. Wagner and Wright are bad asses in the middle. Get Jones out in the passing game and connect. It will be a battle if MVS, G mo and Kumerow choke during this game.
Doug Niemczynski
January 06, 2020 at 09:15 am
The 49ers might take the Vikings a little too lightly.
flackcatcher
January 06, 2020 at 05:08 pm
Viking are a weird team. They're either good or bad. There is no inbetween. They match up with both the Saints and 49ers on both sides of the ball and we saw what happened with the Saints (and a little luck) this pass weekend. Vikings can beat the 49ers in all phases of the game, if they are ready to play. And with that team, you never know...
RCPackerFan
January 06, 2020 at 09:29 am
One day at a time, One game at a time!
This week we have the Seahawks. Not many would have picked us playing them this weekend. Honestly I thought for sure we'd be playing the Saints.
We have heard especially of late, that the Packers are the worst 13-3 team in the league. I actually love the one meme going around from Pirates of the Carribean that replaced the words and says "You are without a doubt the worst 13-3 team in the league", and in response it says "But we are 13-3".
We have heard that we win ugly. But lets make this clear. We have won! Since our bye week we have lost 1 game. That was to the 49ers. We are 5-0 since.
The Seahawks had the same bye week and since then they finished 3-3. They lost to the Rams, Cardinals and 49ers. They did beat the Eagles, but a great part of that was cuz they knocked out their QB. The Seahawks are a beatable team. This isn't the same LOB team. That being said they will not be an easy team to beat. "The Seahawks may be the next best thing when it comes to winning ugly."
They do win as ugly if not uglier then us. They beat the Bengals by 1, the Steelers by 2, the Browns by 4. Outside of Week 4 when they beat the Cardinals by 17, they didn't win another game more then 8 points.
Its time to Carry the G, and get this win!
dobber
January 06, 2020 at 10:28 am
"We have heard especially of late, that the Packers are the worst 13-3 team in the league."
Whatever. It's like the answer to the question, "What do you call the guy who graduates last in his class in med school?" The answer, "Doctor." Sportswriters are too self-indulgent and too swayed by the emphasis college polling places on pretty wins.
You can only play the teams on your schedule. You don't win games by accident...unless you're Detroit.
Samson
January 06, 2020 at 05:26 pm
Another common sense post by RC. --- The media likes to only mention what supports their analysis... Simply, GB is not really a dominating, potential SB victor.... A lot of this BS comes from PFT & SI. -- I'd love for the Pack to shut all of them up for the off season with another Lombardi.
PatrickGB
January 06, 2020 at 09:32 am
Hey, if both the packers and Vikings win, where would the next game be played?
Sol
January 06, 2020 at 09:53 am
Home Baby Home
Sol
January 06, 2020 at 09:49 am
It is time to carry the G and your right Seattle is a very different team than the last time we met in the playoffs.
Seattle has been committing a lot of costly errors due to penalties, I say it's time to give them a dose of their own medicine and show them they are not the only team in the NFL that has a twelfth man on the team. Crowd noise could be the deciding factor in this contest and oh how sweet that would be if our fans made the difference.
It pains me to say this but I wasn't surprised that the Vikings knocked off New Orleans this weekend the same thing could happen this weekend out in San Francisco this weekend. Their strengths on defense match up perfectly to maybe just maybe stop San Francisco right in their footsteps.
It's been said many times before that offence sells seats and defense wins championships.
I hate to say this but the Vikings have very talented defense, much like our own. What a chess match this would be, a rematch and another home game if we just carry the G.
jeremyjjbrown
January 06, 2020 at 09:35 am
"You are without a doubt the worst 13-3 team in the league"
We have a much better Point Differential than Seattle though.
Seattle +7
Packers +63
dobber
January 06, 2020 at 10:10 am
Seattle lost 3 of its last 4 regular season games including an embarrassing home loss to Arizona. They're beat up, and after a borderline cheap hit pushed Carson Wentz (who had been playing really well of late) off the field yesterday, managed a pedestrian win over Philly.
Leatherhead
January 06, 2020 at 08:13 pm
We’re very good in the redzone on both sides of the ball. We’re very good at protecting the ball AND getting takeaways. We’re near the top of the league in opposing QB rating. We’re good at running the ball into the end zone
If that makes us the worst 13-3 ever, I’m fine with that. In my younger days, I won a lot of tennis matches against players who were better than me because I helped them beat themselves, and that’s what I see this team doing every week.
NWPackersfan
January 06, 2020 at 09:38 am
So in reveiwing the Sea Squawks season win & loss record they ;
Nine wins against teams with losing records
2 wins against teams with winning records
Lost to 3 teams with Losing records
Lost to 2 teams with Winning records
Lets not take this game for granted but it's looking pretty good especially with the bye week and the Frozen Tundra
Interesting too they beat the Eagles by the exact same score in reg. season as yesterday.
The Eagles held them to only 19 yards by running backs and Wilson ran for48 yards the most yards.
GO PACKERS!!!!!
Leatherhead
January 06, 2020 at 09:40 am
If we hold the Seahawks to 16 or less, we should be able to do enough on offense to win this game. I like the fact that we play conservatively and protect the ball because it keeps the game close. I like the fact that our defense almost never gives up more than 24 points because it keeps the score low enough that our offense can score enough to win.
If Aaron Rodgers comes out on fire, and everybody else does their part, we’re plenty good enough to win. I do think it all starts with the leadership of the high dollar vets on offense.
jeremyjjbrown
January 06, 2020 at 09:40 am
Jerry Jones is hiring Mike McCarthy. Wow.
Not sure I see them getting along...
stockholder
January 06, 2020 at 10:09 am
Kissing the right cheek works wonders.
dobber
January 06, 2020 at 10:31 am
Jones has always had a huge impact in naming coaches and staff. If I remember correctly, he put most of the coaching staff in place for Garrett. I can't imagine he isn't handing more of that control over to MM in this case. If I were McCarthy, I wouldn't have accepted the job without a certain level of autonomy in that regard.
Leatherhead
January 07, 2020 at 09:30 am
This is spot on Dobber. Guarantee that McCarthy had some conditions that were met or the deal wouldn’t have gotten done.
M3s offenses we’re always good, and we went to the playoffs 8 years in a row. That’s looking pretty attractive in Dallas. And there is some serious offensive firepower in place.
I’ll predict right now that the Cowboys are much better on offense and win10 games next year
stockholder
January 06, 2020 at 10:04 am
Just a Warning! Painful losses often come when stakes and expectations are high. The packers 2019 season can be considered a success for Green Bay. But they never earned RESPECT! Nobody thought they would make the playoffs. They won Ugly. They got lucky. This game will show the NFL, The packers know what their doing. Putting on the G rolls everything into one. The snubs of are players. Taking care of business. The bend but don't break. The questions. Etc. Yes carry the G. Green Bay is on the road to the Super Bowl. There can be No detours. The Seahawks must lose no matter what!
Lare
January 06, 2020 at 10:38 am
I love the fact that the so-called experts are overlooking the Packers and calling them the worst 13-3 team in NFL history. It's easier to win when your opponent doesn't think you can.
Thegravedigger
January 06, 2020 at 02:39 pm
They are experts at studying statistics. But most of us packer fans know that this team has a real shot. Except against the ravens. We do not have the ilb presence for there in your face run game. But one week at a time. And i feel good about this sunday. Reguardless of what the talkin heads have to say. They are more focused on shitty teams hiring new coaches for next year than whats going on this year anyway
Swisch
January 06, 2020 at 11:16 am
It's good to face the hated, haughty Seahawks; it's a team we want to beat.
What's so important to remember in the playoffs is that however a game starts, it's highly likely it will be close at the end. Even in the last couple of minutes there can be a lot of twists and turns.
There has to be a resilience and composure and tenacity if we get down. If we're up, there has to be an intense desire to increase the advantage all the way to the finish.
So, whatever happens, play it through to the very last second, so there are no regrets.
Even if this sounds simplistic, we tend to lose our bearings in the excitement of the moment. So much of life is regaining our resolve by reminding ourselves of what we already know.
***
P.S. I don't understand how it could not be a penalty on Clowney to dive head first onto a sliding quarterback. It seems like diving into a pool without putting your arms out in front. Whatever the other circumstances, isn't leading with the helmet always a penalty, at least if your helmet hits an opponent's helmet?
Thegravedigger
January 06, 2020 at 11:38 am
Is that really what you want? The refs throwing flags every time a player leads with his head? There would be ten to 15 of those a game. They are trying to make a violent game safe. But nobody wants to see flags every play. In that instance carson wentz was a runner. And he is not easy to tackle. He was not defenseless. If that was miles sanders being tackled, would you be calling for a flag? Its the nature of the game that we love. Its unfortunate. But its not two hand touch football.
Swisch
January 06, 2020 at 11:59 am
Wentz was already sliding. All Clowney had to do was put his hands out for push. That was also the easier, natural thing to do.
To lead with his helmet was unnatural and unnecessary and unsportsmanlike, it seems, actually a cheap shot that should have gotten him thrown out of the game -- especially in hitting the other guy in the helmet.
Maybe I'm missing something, so I'm glad for other viewpoints.
Also, I thought the whole point of recent rule changes in the NFL was to keep players from leading with their helmets, and to avoid hitting other players in the helmet -- to avoid head injuries.
It seems a very good thing, an excellent advance for football, even necessary for the well-being of the players and the survival of the game
Thegravedigger
January 06, 2020 at 12:48 pm
You know. Maybe you are right about this specific play. Watchin it again. It looks dirty. Helmet to helmet, when wentz was almost down, looks unnecessary. Wit that being said, i dont have a problem with helmet to helmet hits being a foul. I do have a problem with the rule that says a player cant even lead with his head even if he is going low. If a corner goes low on a back in open field and his head is down that is technically a foul. If a back lowers his head to go through the middle its technically a foul. Refs keep these flags in there pocket for a reason. Because we want to see football, not flag football. So this puts the refs in a tough spot because they have to let them play, but then they have to draw a line somewhere. And we all have a different opinion of where that line is. Its subjective, and all the best refs are in the announcers booth now. But thats another issue.
jannesbjornson
January 06, 2020 at 03:45 pm
With Wentz' s injury history, you would think Pederson wanted him to stay close to the pocket and limit the takeoffs.
He is unlikely to have a long career with that style of play.
Thegreatreynoldo
January 07, 2020 at 05:45 am
The only thing I see that inures to Clowney's benefit was that Wentz was not sliding, he was falling forward, having been tripped up. I thought Clowney should have adjusted so as to miss Wentz, who was not quite down yet.
It looked dirty to me. Clowney led with his helmet and aimed for Wentz' head. Should have been 15 yards. Not an ejection since it was fairly fast and Wentz did not slide.
Leatherhead
January 07, 2020 at 09:40 am
It could be Rodgers this week. My initial reaction was that he used his helmet to knock Wentz s head into the turf. I thought the league didn’t want this kind of contact but it didn’t draw a flag.
After the bone job we took on some QB hits a year ago, it’s disappointing that wasn’t flagged. Even if they did, the damage can’t be undone. How would you like Boyle playing for us because of the same thing.
croatpackfan
January 06, 2020 at 12:05 pm
My bold prediction:
- AFCCG: Chiefs at Ravens
- NFCCG Viking at Packers
Swisch
January 06, 2020 at 12:07 pm
How about, "Carry the G" -- as in carry the Greatness -- carry the greatness of Packers past to become greatness in the present.
lucky953
January 06, 2020 at 01:27 pm
Last time I saw Seattle in Green Bay was December of 2016. That was a fun game to be at: Russell threw 5 picks and we blew them out by 4 TDs. That exorcised a few 2014 demons. Any remaining will be gone by 9 pm this Sunday. I think we will dominate line play on both sides of the ball.
Adorabelle
January 06, 2020 at 03:33 pm
The games this weekend really reinforced that the home teams have to be ready. Three road teams won and the other lost in overtime. So yes it is a cliché' for the writer to say "as hard as the Packers fought to get a bye they have to fight even harder to advance", but it is true.
murf7777
January 06, 2020 at 03:35 pm
TV analyst keep giving us NO respect....I love it...keep it coming! How Arod must feel.
flackcatcher
January 06, 2020 at 05:00 pm
Yup! That chip must be mighty big already...
PAPackerbacker
January 06, 2020 at 06:38 pm
Defense wins championships and the Packers have the advantage over the Seahawks. I'd love to see a pick 6 or a fumble recovery ran back for a TD, or a special teams touchdown by the Packers. That could very well be the difference in the game. It will be a defensive battle.
murf7777
January 06, 2020 at 08:08 pm
Kevin king pick 6, he also gets little respect.