It feels like we’re back in the mid 90s, doesn’t it? Brett Favre is throwing touchdowns, and the Green Bay Packers are winning playoff games.
Favre had an efficient day, going 18 of 23 for 173 yards and three touchdowns, two to Greg Jennings, as the Packers booked a spot in their first NFC Championship game in a decade with a 42-20 win over the Seahawks on a snowy day in Green Bay.
Favre wasn’t the only Packer who had a big day, as Ryan Grant overcame two early fumbles to run for a Green Bay playoff-record 201 yards and three touchdowns, as the Pack won their first playoff game since January 4, 2004, a 33-27 win over, that’s right, the Seahawks.
But, this time, Matt Hasselbeck didn’t have the chance to make any coin-toss declarations, as Green Bay took care of business in the snow at Lambeau, and moved within a win of their first Super Bowl in a decade.
Early on, it didn’t look like that would happen, as Grant’s two fumbles helped Seattle take a 14-0 lead.
The first came on the game’s first play from scrimmage, as he lost the handle on a pass from Favre, and Lofa Tatupu returned it to the 1, setting up a 1-yard touchdown run by Shaun Alexander.
Two plays into Green Bay’s next drive, Grant fumbled after getting a first down near midfield, and the Seahawks converted into seven more points and a two-score lead only four minutes in.
But, the Packers rebounded, and started scoring, and once they got started, the Seahawks had no answer, on either side of the ball.
Player of the Game: Grant - He didn’t let himself get consumed by the early mistakes, and ran wild, with runs of 24, 26, 28, and 43 yards on the way to his record day.
Play of the Game: Now, it would be easy to give it to that stumbling shovel pass Favre made to Donald Lee, after he scrambled out of a near-sack, that put Green Bay at the 3 and set up their fifth straight touchdown.
But, I’ll go with an earlier play, two to be exact. After Green Bay pulled within 14-7, they got the ball back, and had a 3rd and 7 from their 39. Favre hit Bubba Franks, who got close to the first down marker, but was ruled down just short of the marker.
Favre caught the replay on the scoreboard and smartly told coach Mike McCarthy to challenge the play. The Packers won the challenge, as the ball was re-spotted past the first-down marker, and six plays later, Grant barreled in from a yard out for the game-tying score.
On the Seahawks’ next possession, on the first play of the second quarter, Atari Bigby knocked the ball loose on a reception by Marcus Pollard, and Aaron Kampman recovered at the Seattle 18. Three plays later, Greg Jennings caught a two-yard touchdown pass from Favre, to put the Packers up 21-14, and they never looked back.
Breaking Down the Outcome
Why the Packers won: It’s simple. They didn’t get down after falling behind, and even when it was 14-0, treated the game like it was still 0-0.
After those two early turnovers, Green Bay played nearly flawlessly, looking unstoppable on offense, converting six of six third downs on their six consecutive drives for six, and limiting Hasselbeck and the Seahawks offense to six points after their two opening touchdowns.
Why the Seahawks lost: They let the Packers back in it, and once the Pack got back in it, it was over in a hurry. It didn’t help that, after the Packers went up, Seattle couldn’t convert their scoring possessions into touchdowns, instead settling for field goals twice. It also didn’t help that the defense couldn’t stop Favre and Grant, but you knew that already.
The Seahawks weren’t a great road team this season, and therein is why it’s so important for some teams to get that first-round bye than it is for others.
Looking Ahead
For the Packers, it’s time to kick back and see who they’ll be playing next Sunday, and where.
If the Cowboys beat the Giants at Texas Stadium, Green Bay will have to make the trip down to the Lone Star State. Favre is 0-9 at Texas Stadium, so he might be rooting for the Giants, as a New York win would mean that the Packers get to host the NFC title game at Lambeau.
As for the Seahawks, the lack of a run game was their primary downfall in 2007, along with consistency on both sides of the ball.
Hasselbeck had a career year, throwing for nearly 4,000 yards and 28 touchdowns, but he didn’t have much room for error, because at the other end of the spectrum, Alexander struggled.
When you don’t have that quality ground game, or at least an adequate one, it puts more pressure on your quarterback, and it also can make it problematic for your defense. Speaking of the Seahawks, they have some serious playmakers on defense, from sackmaster Patrick Kerney to pass snatcher Marcus Trufant, but their worst performances came against some of the league’s better offenses.
So, while the Seahawks start looking ahead to next season, and a little R&R for their tired and sore bodies, the Packers look forward to at least one more game, with two wins separating them from getting their hands on the trophy that bears their legendary coach’s name.
