Carl
Cheesehead
I said the best teams win the vast majority of times; I'd say better than 90%.
Regular season records are pretty meaningless indicators of playoff success, especially in recent years with the overall balance.Also, to many variables. Who had injury problems during the season? Who had a tougher schedule, etc..
Favorites? The Colts were 19 1/2 point favorites over the Jets in SB3; only in retrospect did people begin to realize that the Jets were at least as good as the Colts, and a matchup nightmare for the Colts.
The Giants were a matchup nightmare for the Packers in 2011, and at least as good a team . They walked into Lambeau and beat the hell out of the Packers. That Packer team was exposed as Aaron Rodgers carrying a cast of mediocrities. That 15-1 record proved to be an illusion.
The 15-1 time also beat the Giants in New York and was three wins away from one of the best stretches of football in NFL history. That team was very good.
We can disagree as those two Giants teams, the Ravens, 201o Packers were not the best teams entering the playoffs. Neither were the 6th seeded Steelers in 2006 and the Patriots beating the Greatest Show on Turf in 2002. That's not close to 90% to me.
They got hot at the right time and I don't see why the Packers can't do it again. That's always a reason to be optimistic.