The Lone NFC North Survivor.

It is hard to remember a Packer game that felt tremendously nerve-wracking. It probably would have been the Wild Card round game against Philadelphia in 2010.  Super Bowl definitely had some nerves, but it did not come to the end of the game. Same goes for against Chicago in the Championship round. This game felt like my heart was coming out of my chest, and I knew by the end of it, I would either be as happy as I have been in 2013 with a suffering year as a Wisconsin sports fan or it would be just another notch on a horrible year to live in the state of Wisconsin.

While the first half featured a lack of scoring, a touchdown-fumble and an uncharacteristically bad Aaron Rodgers, the second half felt like how the game should have been going for the whole thing. A complete shootout where defense was not allowed. Green Bay's rushing defense could not stop a nosebleed letting Matt Forte run wild. Jay Culter could not have been more efficient, and did not make that one mistake everyone in the state of Wisconsin expected to happen. It is not like Packers were struggling on offense either, they were moving the ball but still found themselves down one with six minutes left after Mike McCarthy failed to go from two after an Eddie Lacy touchdown.

Usually, I am completely behind the advanced metrics crew, but here's where I disagree when it comes for going for two. If Packers defense could have made a stop, I feel like it is easier for Mike McCarthy to go for two. The reason he decided to go for one was to preserve a chance to tie up the game again if Chicago were to score another touchdown. That would not have been the case had Green Bay failed to go for two. I recognized the idea the final drive would not have been like pulling teeth with a rusty wrench yet still to call it ridiculous to go for the extra point is being a little of a extremist.

At six minutes and change left, I did not know if it would be the last drive of the game for Green Bay. When McCarthy went for it on a short fourth down from their own 22, I realized this would be it. Do or die for Green Bay for the entire season. I also began thinking about how McCarthy would be killed by the advanced metric community and the local pinheads calling into radio stations. John Kuhn found a way to the first down. Green Bay faced another short fourth down, and passed the ball to Jordy Nelson where he caught it for six yards. Packers moved slightly into Bears territory but once again, found themselves with a third straight fourth down....

People were ready to come down on Rodgers talking about how bad he looked out there, the refusal to run the football and once again, the age-old narrative that he cannot close out big games. He steps out of the pocket escaping Julius Peppers (Great, great block from John Kuhn) and he found Randall Cobb wide open down field. I could not believe it. I wanted to run around the house like I just won the lottery, but I had such a head rush from standing, it physically caused me to sit down but I had a massive smile on my face before grabbing another beer knowing Chicago had 38 seconds left with a quarterback with a huge arm and two massive wide receivers.

Thankfully, Brandon Marshall had a key drop at Green Bay's 30 and Cutler throws an interception to Sam Shields as he shorts a pass intended for Alshon Jeffery. Packers somehow is in the playoffs and are in the mix with their full arsenal back in action on offense. Game is on and who knows how this story ends.

It feels like 2003 more than anything else where Green Bay kept having inexplicable moments to keep them alive meaning Tramon Williams will have a walk-off interception and then I will cry in the divisional round. Let's hope half of that is true. San Francisco poises a huge challenge for Green Bay, but right now, it is still time to enjoy one of the most improbable NFC North division crown.

Charlie.  

Aaron Rodgers Rises

Definitely I hoped someone would create this YouTube video honestly. A couple days ago in the gym I thought about it, and said 'Well this is the perfect opportunity.' Someone did make the video and it is fantastic. If you do not get chills at the end of the video, you are probably dead or have something wrong with you. I want it to be Sunday at 3:25 pm right now. I realize I will be way more nervous than I am at this very moment, but regardless, I need Sunday to get here quicker than it is right now. We will forget about how I am a little concerned about the assumption Rodgers will just waltz in and lead them to victory.

Charlie.

Sportandfashion-news NFL Picks Week 17: To the End of the Road

My picks page comes to an end and it has been a hard one. I have to figure out a way to get these out

quicker and also do them ahead of time. One of my NYE resolutions is to get Sportandfashion-news up quicker and a more furious pace. Hope you enjoyed these this season, always fun writing them even though it takes forever.  

Carolina (11-4) (-7) at Atlanta (4-11) 12:00 pm FOX - What a difference a year makes for both teams. I doubt the Panthers will choke in this one against a Falcons team who put up more fight than I expected on Monday night. Cam Newton has another good performance, and Carolina's defense holds strong against Matt Ryan. CAR 30-13

Baltimore (8-7) at Cincinnati (10-5) (-6.5) 12:00 pm CBS - For whatever reason, Cincinnati likes to puke on their shoes around this time. We are heading toward the time-honored tradition of seeing the Bengals play at 3:30 on Wild Card Saturday. Baltimore made the playoffs in the last five years, and need to win on the road for only the third time of the year with a banged up Joe Flacco. I cannot see that happening. Baltimore looked horrible last week, and I think Flacco might be more hurt than the Ravens are leading on and Cincinnati gets a clutch win... Finally. CIN 28-24

Houston (2-13) at Tennessee (6-9) (-7) 12:00 pm CBS - There are a couple 'Last Resort' games this week and this is one of them. I think it would take me about 250 dollars to watch this game. People expected Mike Munchak to get the pink slip. Houston's coach is already gone and the Texans will likely tank this one to preserve that number one spot. TENN 28-9

Jacksonville (4-11) at Indianapolis (10-5) (-11) 12:00 pm CBS - Colts can still become a three seed if they win and Cincinnati loses on Sunday meaning they would avoid Kansas City, a team I do not think they want to see even though they beat them two weeks ago (I will explain this if the two meet next Friday). Jacksonville had a 'Good job, good effort' season, and while I think the future is bright, they will struggle against a better looking Indianapolis team. IND 27-14

New York Jets (7-8) at Miami (8-7) (-6) 12:00 pm CBS - In the last 11 years, Miami only has one playoff appearance. For a storied franchise, this is a fairly significant game as they have struggled throughout this decade. I do not think it is a big day for Ryan Tannehill because he has years to write his story, but I do think some media types might give him some shit if Miami were lose against New York. I do not see it happening. Jets might want to fight for Rex, but Geno Smith is not a good road quarterback whatsoever. He only has five touchdowns on the road and has been sacked 27 times with 13 interceptions. Miami will win their way to a playoff spot. MIA 23-14.

Detroit (7-8) at Minnesota (4-10-1) (-3) 12:00 pm FOX - Both coaches might be out of a job and I will probably watch a little bit of this game to just get to see Jim Schwartz's sourpuss face one more time this season. I find it hard to believe Detroit will lose out to end the year. I realize Minnesota is playing better, but I have to think the Lions will try to fight for Schwartz even if he is cleaning out his office come Monday. Nonetheless I expect a ton of high scoring in this one. DET 34-30

Washington (3-12) at New York Giants (6-9) (-3.5) 12:00 pm FOX - This is a 'Last Resort' game for me. I want none of this one. The only reason to watch is to see if Eli Manning can get to 30 interceptions which would take four picks from Washington's defense. I wonder whether Washington wants to win so St. Louis does not get the second pick overall, but I have no idea if they really give a shit. Giants win this football game because Washington is so goddamn bad. NYG 35-17

Cleveland (4-11) at Pittsburgh (7-8) (-7) 12:00 pm CBS - I am happy for my friend and sometimes Sportandfashion-news writer Nolan winning 40 bucks as he bet the Browns would lose out the season a couple weeks ago. Ben Roethlisberger has personal ownership over Cleveland plus they need this win badly. Bet the house on Pittsburgh. PITT 30-6

Green Bay (7-7-1) (-2.5) at Chicago (8-7) 3:25 pm FOX - See my preview for this game and my nervous level is already at a three. It's only Friday.  

Denver (12-3) (-12) at Oakland (4-11) 3:25 pm CBS - Sleep your hangover off if this is your game from CBS. This will be a boat race. DEN 38-20

Buffalo (6-9) at New England (11-4) (-9) 3:25 pm CBS - Even with all their injuries, I think New England is the favorite in the AFC to begin the playoffs. I will probably not be convinced otherwise unless they find a way to lose to Buffalo. I do not think it happens though. They should be able to handle Buffalo. NE 28-21

Tampa Bay (4-11) at New Orleans (10-5) (-13) 3:25 pm FOX - I find it hard to believe New Orleans has a chance to either miss the playoffs or get a bye is incredible. They do not lose at home except against Tampa Bay. The Bucs have a couple wins in the Superdome in the last week of the season which is weird but also meaningless for Sunday's game. Drew Brees does not seem like a quarterback whom would let his team lose, but for some reason, I think it will be closer than expected. NO 24-21

San Francisco (11-4) (-1) at Arizona (10-5) 3:25 pm FOX - As I said on Tuesday, I feel terrible for Arizona that they might miss the playoffs with an 11-5 record while Green Bay or Chicago sneaks in with either nine or eight wins. I do honestly think these are two of the best teams right now especially Arizona's defense. I will be interested to see how the emerging Colin Kaepernick handles them on Sunday. Am I making too much of Matt Ryan throwing 350 yards against San Francisco's pass defense?  Do I think Carson Palmer could do the same thing?  Yes I do. But like what happened on Monday, San Francisco's defense makes a big play when needed. SF 28-24

Kansas City (11-4) at San Diego (8-7) (-9.5) 3:25 pm CBS - Kansas City has nothing to play for whatsoever while San Diego has everything to play for. Easy betting here. SD 31-14

St. Louis (7-8) at Seattle (12-3) (-11) - Alright I will get this out of the way, I think Seattle wins this football game rather easily, but I want to point out last three games for Russell Wilson which have not been good at all. In those three games, his passing yards are as followed 199, 208 and 108. The quarterback rating in those games... 81.9, 86.3 and 40.7. Further going from about completing 10 yards per pass to four against Arizona is not great either. Once again, Seattle wins going away but I'm a bit worried about Russell Wilson. SEA 30-10

Philadelphia (9-6) (-7) at Dallas (8-7) 7:30 pm NBC - Would it be the most Tony Romo thing for Dallas to win this football game and be in the playoffs preserving Jason Garrett's job with Kyle Orton at quarterback?  The answer is yes, and the ridiculousness that would come with it, I could not handle it. But Philadelphia is a great team and one of the hottest in football. Their defense does enough to keep this from being a shootout and their offense has a major day against a weak Dallas defense. PHI 41-28

Straight Up: 144-79-1

ATS: 100-115-4

Charlie.

Sportandfashion-news Packer Preview: Packers vs. Bears

I have to be honest with everyone, I did not want to have a chance at winning the division at the beginning of the week. People will call that stupid. People will call that dumb. But honestly, I was emotionally spent. I could not take it anymore. Someone asked me for my thoughts on the game and I could not tell them because the whole thought exhausted me at the beginning of the week.  When a team puts you through the meat grinder for two months, you get broken down. Does this make me a bad fan?  To some, probably but I had enough of watching Matt Flynn bungle opportunities and MD Jennings miss tackles, I just wanted closure. But things can change in an instant and it did with the return of Aaron Rodgers. 

My mood changed on an instant. I started thinking about ways Rodgers can help Green Bay move past the Bears and get into the playoffs where they might have a chance even if with all that has went wrong with the season. The classic and maybe the only classic scene of Al Pacino in The Godfather Part III sums it best for me.  The season had pulled me back in with Rodgers, and I became elated as he would be going up against a struggling Chicago Bears defense. Green Bay still needs to commit to a balanced attack on Sunday with easing Rodgers back into place and a heavy dose of Bash/Slash as my good friend Seth likes to call our running back tandem. 

Mike McCarthy needs to look at some of his previous game plans to start out with Rodgers on Sunday. The short passes he used with Flynn should be utilized greatly in the first quarter of the game. There is no real reason for Rodgers to be in seven-step drops to start the football game off.  In the second through fourth quarter, this all goes out the window. Maybe even wait until halftime, but McCarthy needs to stick to a Santorum-style playbook for the first quarter. Although what the hell do I know, Mac might show off his elephant nuts and call a four vertical route first play of the game with Rodgers hits Jordy Nelson in stride with McCarthy doing the DX chop down the field. While I feel like this is a complete joke, I could totally see it happen minus the DX chop. 

No matter what the play calling is like in the first quarter, there needs to be a consistent commitment to run the football. Chicago cannot stop the run. Eddie Lacy decimated this defense the first time around. James Starks got into a mix slightly as well. These two guys needs to be prominently featured throughout the game. Not only will this keep the defense rested, but it makes for the playaction beauties we have seen from Rodgers in the past. I do hope Starks sees some time on Sunday with Lacy's ankle being a little iffy, I do not want to see a workhouse load from Lacy. This offense figures to have a big game on Sunday in all facets of the game.   

Even with Rodgers returning, this is not a cakewalk for Green Bay. Chicago is still a potent team despite their defensive struggles this season. People can point to the Philadelphia game or giving up 24 points to Cleveland.  There is also a ground swell about Jay Cutler's record against Green Bay which is 1-8 if you have not heard enough talking heads discuss it.  The fact of the matter is for Chicago to win this football and steal all the Rodgers excitement, they need two things to happen - Matt Fore to be a factor and Cutler to limit his mistakes as much as possible.  

The one thing it seems like no one is talking about from last week's Philadelphia game is how poorly Forte played in both running the football and pass-blocking. Now, we can all have bad games, but could he be a little burned out from the season?  Forte has 267 carries already for the season which is the most since his rookie year in 2008 when he carried the ball 316 times. He did not look sharp against an average Philadelphia team, and he will need to be the x-factor on Sunday for Chicago to win this football game. One place where Forte can really take advantage is the flats. Green Bay's lack of tackling makes Forte lethal out there, and he could have a big game just being the safety valve for this Bears team. 

The other way Chicago wins this football game is for Cutler to play within himself against Green Bay. In his last two years, Cutler has four touchdowns to seven interceptions versus Packers' defenses with a marginal quarterback rating.  He tends to make inexplicable errors at the wrong time when playing Green Bay. It seems like once one thing goes wrong for Cutler, everything else just crumbles like a house of cards. That cannot happen on Sunday. With Rodgers in there, the assumption would be Green Bay's recent rash of turnovers will disappear meaning Chicago will have limited opportunities to score thus Cutler cannot be Mr. Hyde if they want to win this football game.

While I do think people are treating this like Green Bay is winning it no matter what and that makes me nervous, I still think the Packers come out victorious in this one. Rodgers will not have an iconic performance out there, but I do think he plays a large part in Green Bay winning. It will come more from a spirited game from the two running backs as well as the secondary playing well enough to help Green Bay out in a cold weather shootout. Green Bay 35 Chicago 31  

Charlie.  

Sportandfashion-news NFL Picks Week 16: Check Scoreboard Sunday

Honestly, it is never a bad idea to be at Lambeau for a Packer game, but this week will be tough with all the different playoff scenarios possible plus myself in the fantasy championship in one of my five leagues (20 percent, live the dream!) I am really expecting to be the usual NFL earthquake where people are picking up the pieces by Tuesday.

Miami (8-6) at Buffalo (5-9) 12:00 pm CBS - This is one of the most important games on the late for young Charles. If Miami wins this football game, they knock Pittsburgh out of the playoffs. Many would worry about the Dolphins heading north to Buffalo yet Miami handled the snow just fine in two weeks ago therefore I am not as worried. Thad Lewis will be starting for Buffalo as E.J. Manuel is out with yet another knee injury. Buffalo's offense seems to only be cooking when they face bad defenses, and sadly for them, Miami is not one of them. Dolphins take control of this one in the second half and win this game. MIA 27-16

Minnesota (4-9-1) at Cincinnati (9-5) 12:00 pm FOX - How about the Vikings? They are on complete fire led by Matt Cassel and a true island of misfits with Adrian Peterson out with injury. They face their toughest task of their current unbeaten streak facing Cincinnati, a team who has not lost at home. Bengals are trying to recover from a beatdown by Pittsburgh last Sunday night. Cassel should be able to move the ball against a banged up Cincinnati secondary meaning he will be successful once again. But I feel like this is a career-defining game for Andy Dalton. They need this win for the division, possibly a one-seed, just have to win this one. I like Cincy in a close one CIN 31-27

Indianapolis (9-5) at Kansas City (11-3) 12:00 pm CBS - I feel like this game would have been more fun had it been played a month ago. Both teams have playoff spots now it is just a matter of jostling for position. Indy played well against Houston, but I think every team can say that this season. Kansas City's defense looked less than stellar against Oakland, but people will forget that because of Jamaal Charles' performance. He should have a nice encore against a weak Indianapolis defense. This should be a shootout, and most of the time I would take Andrew Luck in those scenarios yet I still cannot trust this team yet especially on the road. KC 34-30

Tampa Bay (4-10) at St. Louis (6-8) 12:00 pm FOX - Two teams that I think a lot of people and their fanbases expected more from the 2013 NFL season. St. Louis is a bizarre football team because I think if Zac Stacy started all year and Sam Bradford stayed healthy, they might be contending for a playoff position. We also talked about Mike Glennon's impact on this team a couple weeks ago and how Tampa would have been much better off.  Although this could be a rough one for Glennon as he faces a top notch defensive line. Rams will win again meaning Jeff Fisher is going to continue his dream of being the .500 coach. STL 20-14

Cleveland (4-10) at New York Jets (6-8) 12:00 pm CBS - This is the 'Last Resort' game of the week. If this was the only game you could watch in the NFL slate, how much money would it take to solely watch this and nothing else?  I would say a good 150 dollars for this one. It's going to be brutal. Geno Smith is bound to struggle against an above average Cleveland secondary and Jason Campbell will not be much better going up against the Jets front line. I will take the home team, but I have no real basis on why they should win this football game. NYJ 14-10

Dallas (7-7) at Washington (3-11) 12:00 pm FOX -  Last time these two played at FedEx Field, the game was for the NFC East. This time we have Kirk Cousins versus a much criticized Cowboys team. Cousins should be able to move the ball against a weak Dallas secondary, but I cannot really see anyone from Washington stopping Tony Romo and the Cowboys offense. The only way Dallas loses this football game is if they have quit entirely as a team on head coach Jason Garrett. While I feel like his job is at risk I do not think Dallas lays down. DAL 35-27

New Orleans (10-4) at Carolina (10-4) 12:00 pm FOX - People are close to hitting the panic button for thebSaints if they were to fall to Carolina. I cannot believe there is chance New Orleans could miss the playoffs if they were to lose their last two games. They head into hostile Carolina where they had some struggles in the past decade. Carolina bounced back last week after getting their asses handed to them by this very Saints team. Carolina knows the door is open for them to get a bye and a home playoff game for the first time since 2008 when they were 12-4. I do not think Cam Newton nor the Carolina defense shits the bed here. Panthers win with a big fourth quarter.  CAR 27-17  

Tennessee (5-9) at Jacksonville (4-10) 12:00 pm CBS - Before Jacksonville went on a run, Tennessee was their whipping boy. Knowing that I think Tennessee might have had their last gasp after they come back against Arizona only to lose in overtime. Jacksonville's defense is a little shaky, but I think they will be able to get a victory here. JAX 27-21  

Denver (11-3) at Houston (2-12) 12:00 pm CBS - There are not many games where I would call them 'Sleep off your hangover' like I do in college football, but this is one of them. Denver puts up some big points early on and Peyton Manning will be resting during the fourth quarter. DEN 45-14

New York Giants (5-9) at Detroit (7-7) 3:05 pm FOX - Hmmmm.... This one is interesting. Lions seem like they could be a team that mails it in, and just ends it for Jim Schwartz. But then again, New York has been complete shit for the last two games against San Diego and Seattle. I have to think Detroit responds to all the criticism and wins this football game. Additionally, they still have a chance at the NFC North if they win this game obviously they need some help though. New York's defense is so bad meaning Matthew Stafford could have an error-free game. Ah who am I kidding, I know he will throw at least one or two picks. Lions will still win this one, but it will be close. DET 20-17  

Arizona (9-5) at Seattle (12-2) 3:05 pm FOX - I really have enjoyed Arizona's bounce back year. No matter what happens, it has been fun to watch this team play football. Although this might be the end of it for the Cardinals unless some teams ahead of them fall as well. I cannot see them going into Seattle and winning this football game even if Seattle has pretty much locked up homefield advantage . I would not take the Seahawks to cover, but I would not pick against them in this one. They still need this victory, and if they get it then Week 17 is a wash. SEA 21-16

Pittsburgh (6-8) at Green Bay (7-6-1) 3:25 pm CBS - Preview will be coming along a little later today. I wanted to wait on the Rodgers news before I published anything.

Oakland (4-10) at San Diego (7-7) 3:25 pm CBS - With how weird San Diego has been all year, this would be a game they would lose and everyone would wonder 'Huh?' But there are some things going against Chargers being quirky in this one... First, Oakland's defense regressed like a person in rehab on a five-day bender. Second, San Diego had some time off with playing on Thursday plus Phillip Rivers is a God in December. Chargers roll in this one. SD 30-14  

New England (10-4) at Baltimore (8-6) 3:25 pm CBS - This has been a great rivalry in the last couple of years. I have no idea if people are talking about this as a rivalry, but it is. Terrell Suggs hates Tom Brady. Like I think they were in the same room, one person would have to leave unless they want a ton of tension. Baltimore is doing some quirky shit again, and it seems like we are headed to Ravens sneaking into the playoffs being as lethal, but can they score?  Justin Tucker is great, but six field goals will probably not cut it. I think we are going to see a vintage Tom Brady performance, and he will carry this club in a major victory for the Pats. NE 24-23

Chicago (8-6) at Philadelphia (8-6) 7:30 pm NBC - Am I the only one who does not get the whole notion of Philadelphia resting their players if Dallas beats Washington? I mean I get they are playing with house money, but why would they want to lose two straight heading into Dallas which is a road game. Obviously, they could play a vanilla offense not showing the Cowboys much, but at the same time, they play to win the game. Chicago needs this one badly and could possibly clinch the NFC North if things break the right way. This will come down to whose defense makes a stop?  Both teams are destined to allow some points, but in the end, I am going with Philly. I think LeSean McCoy will be a huge problem for this Bears defense even if Lance Briggs comes back. PHI 45-42

Atlanta (4-10) at San Francisco (10-4) 7:30 pm ESPN - This is another sleep off your hangover game. Last game at Candlestick for San Francisco and Atlanta has nothing to play for but a higher draft position. San Francisco rolls in this one. SF 37-13

Charlie.