Good thread, great read! It's just the kind of talk I've been looking for around the NFL's message boards. This is my second post here. Check the "Introductions" forum for my hello.
I was kinda suprised who Packer fans considered to be their toughest playoff competition... The Eagles!
Really?! They've played one good game living up to their "dream team" potential... so far. I want to see more from them before I start "fearing" them. The ONLY team I have any fear of is the Packers.
I'd like to make a case for my Niners being the REAL contender in the NFL besides the Pack. And respond to some of your posts at the same time.
The 49ers have a defense that looks like it can give us a good run, and their offense lives on the running game and play action.
I'm a huge believer in the way the Niners are playing as a TEAM this year. The defense and special teams are playing exceptional. And the D & ST are what I would say will give us a winning edge against all the high powered passing teams like GB, NO, NY plus NE and PITT in the AFC.
Our offense does depend heavily on the run and play action. It's not a pretty style of ball but it is extremely
efficient and effective.
I would compare the Niner offense to a baseball team that bunts and steals bases to get the win rather than depend on the long ball to drive in runs.
Niners remain my top team to challenge the Pack. Not to win but challenge. They have a good D and an infectious new head coach. Good D's travel in the playoffs. They won't have enough offense though.
Did you know that Jim Harbaugh's favorite hobby is
walking on water???
But seriously, defense wins championships. Although the Niners don't have the kind of offense to blow out opponents (though we did manage a big win against the Bucs!) It's the defense that keeps the team in the game by keeping our opponents score low. The special teams have been phenominal at giving the offense a short field. And it's the Niners offensive short game that chews up the clock giving the other offense less time to score.
San Francisco does have an easier schedule, they could win 12 games, possibly. That would be interesting to see...
Actually, up to this point in the season, the Niners have had the toughest schedule of any team with less than 2 losses. The Packers have actually had one of the easiest. The remainder of our season however is easier. We've got 5 more games within our division that we
should win. The rest are @'Skins, Giants, @Ravens and Steelers. If we drop any more than 3 games, It'll be extremely disappointing. Maybe, maybe, MAYBE they drop two more.
This is why I want home field advantage so bad in the playoffs.
Let us bring San Francisco and New Orleans to Lambeau field. Let them deal with the elements of the cold weather.
I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say that home field will not be an advantage in a game between the Pack and Niners. If the game is at Lambeau, in the snow, the Niners will have an advantage with their running and short pass game. If the game is at the 'Stick, the Packers will have the advantage as a long passing game is easier in a warmer climate.
Of course that's just a theory I have so... ???
I really want to pick the Niners to go to GB for the title game. I just don't know. I love Harbaugh but I wonder if they are a year away from truly contending? I also wonder if they will clinch the West too early and lose some steam.
Clinching too early is something I never thought about! I figure that'll happen in either week 11 or 12.
I'm "afraid" of two teams, first the Packers. The way they're playing now only they can beat themselves. IMO the key ingredient for any team to beat the Packers is to get consistent pressure on Rodgers. If they can't Rodgers would have to have a bad game for the Packers to get beat. Even with the Packers' defense not playing up to their standards from last year, an opponent will have to slow down the Packers' offense.
Here's where I have to be delicate. I don't want to talk smack here.
I kind of have a similar view of the Packers, albeit on a higher level, as the Lions. Both teams have good offense, in GB a great offense, but both teams have a suspect D and ST. This kinda makes them one-dimensional. Shut down... or at least slow down the passing game and both teams will struggle. The Lions did. Megatron never scored and he is their scoring machine! They tried to open the pass more by running but Best was limited to 35 yds and got a concussion for his troubles. Sure the Lions got lots of yards but it was mostly between the 20s and yards don't count, only points do.
The Niner D has proven it can slow down the long ball game and shut down running games. Their special teams is among the best in the league... if not the best, and their offense, while not flashy, has proven itself the
most efficient offense in the league.