No, I'm not salty at all about what happened on Saturday. Yes, I'm still here.
You posed for this, right?
Vintage. That was what you used back in the 1890s, right?
As far as you know.
I will have some words about the Packers, but I have an axe that is being sharpened. I hate to do it, but honesty is the best policy in this case.
Honesty is tough sometimes. But there's little need for diplomacy at this point. The season is over for the Packers and it wasn't good. So what else?
I am feeling the HYYYPPPEEEEEEEE!, and it is time to watch me work.
Cincinnati Bungles (+7.5) vs. Kansas City Chiefs Needless to say, the Bengals have been the story of the year in the NFL. Zac Taylor took a lot of heat for his performance; it looked like the Bengals might have made a horrible decision to hire him. But it turns out that Joe Burrow can breathe new life into teams named after Tigers in the NFL level as well. Obviously, the Chiefs are probably the favorites now for the Super Bowl, and Arrowhead is rapidly turning into the proving ground for the AFC that Foxboro was for so many years. As much as the Chiefs winning wouldn't be too bad, a Bengals victory would be a real feel good story. I mean, if the Bearcats could get into the playoff, why can't the Bengals reach the Super Bowl? Bengals 28, Chiefs 14.
Why indeed. Cincinnati has been playing very well in the second half of the season and this could be a tremendously entertaining game, as the Chiefs are sporadic in their defensive efforts. The Bengals aren't quite as dynamic as Buffalo, but I see a high-scoring affair coming at Arrowhead. Chiefs 38, Bengals 33.
San Francisco 49ers (+3.5) vs. Los Angeles Rams I'll be fair to the Niners. Even though the Packers had their chances to win, the Niners did enough to win. Soon, this will feel like the 2007 NFC title game. The Niners have gotten this far, and will have to go through a tough opponent to get to the Super Bowl. The biggest challenge that the Niners have is that they will have to beat a good team for the third time in a season. The Rams survived an epic collapse, and major kudos for knocking out Tom Brady and avoiding another Super Bowl where he graces us with his presence. Matthew Stafford is trying to write a Hollywood ending for the Rams, in what might be the most important game the Rams have played in Los Angeles. If the Rams win, then they could make LA take notice of them in a similar way to the Dodgers and the Fakers. I like the Rams in this one, as you wonder how many bullets the Niners used up in JerryWorld and in Lambeau. Rams 45, Niners 18.
For what it's worth, the Niners kinda own the Rams. They've won, what, six in a row? That seventh one will be tough to get, though. I am not convinced that Matthew Stafford is going to do what is needed to win, but he may not have to. Another home game in the Super Bowl, I think. Rams 27, 49ers 24.
And now, it's time for a Very Special Comment. First things first, the Packers defense is excused from what is to follow. They did more than what could have been expected of them, and set the Packers up for success with multiple clutch stops. Only giving up 6 points in situations that they could control is great. But enough nice words, it's time to level some critiques. I take no pleasure in doing this, but I wouldn't be a real fan of this team since 2002 if I wasn't critical. And this is in no particular order.
Special teams was a complete failure, and Maurice Drayton needs to be fired or leave of his own accord yesterday. Two blocked kicks were inexcusable, and how can you just let guys come up the middle on both of them? Once, I understand. But twice? And on the blocked punt, why didn't anyone cover up the punt? It was too easy for the Niners! All year long, special teams was an issue, but no matter the makeup of the unit it seemed to struggle. The front office needs to go find a great special teams coach, and give said coach all the resources he needs to succeed.
Aaron, what was that? You played probably the worst game of your career in a game that mattered. Maybe if you stopped spending time with your buddies Pat McAfee and Joe Rogan, you could have played better. If Davante was covered, throw it to someone else. You asked the front office for Randall Cobb, and Cobb was there and healthy. Allen Lazard was on the field. You had options. If you were patient and took what the defense presented you instead of going for the downs, then you would have won. You have been a big distraction all year. I want you back, but you need to learn some humility. I defended you offline, but this is how you repay me?
Matt LaFleur may be a great coach, but this was ultimately a game that got away from him. This is the first time under his tenure that he was horribly outcoached and failed to provide leadership. After the blocked punt, he should have gathered the team and made it clear that the Packers were still in the game. He also should have told Aaron to not try and win the game by himself, and to be patient. I don't want LaFleur to be fired by any means, and he is probably going to win Coach of the Year. But what he needs to do is to be a leader and proactive. So many times when things go bad, this team goes into the tank. He needed to make adjustments, and get the ball out of Aaron's hands. Hell, he should have gone for it a couple times in the second half. If the special teams is trash, minimize their time on the field! Crap like that is why I got Rocco Baldelli vibes. For those that aren't into baseball, Rocco is the manager of my beloved Minnesota Twins. Rocco seemingly is slow to adjust over the course of the game and not get the bullpen up when a pitcher is struggling. LaFleur needs to learn from this game, or the fanbase will want him gone in a few years.
You wanna know the worst thing? We might be going into the wilderness again. I wouldn't be surprised if Gutey blows this thing up. All of the past decade has been a waste of talent, just like the Saints and Steelers. We should have made at least two Super Bowls, and won at least one of them. Then, at the very least the pain would have been worth it. I'm not abandoning the team or my fandom. At least the Packers care about winning and have given me fun memories in the playoffs. We will be back if this is indeed the end, and new success will be had. Unlike the Twins, but that's another blog post for another day.
Enjoy your football this weekend. Ben out.
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