Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers won the 2011 Associate Press NFL Most Valuable Player Award. Not even a close match.

Aaron Rodgers before receiving the 2011 AP NFL MVP award - Photo credit: Dale Zanine; US Presswire

Drew Brees took the other two votes.

As a Packers fan, I cannot express how happy I am for Aaron Rodgers. Many players had incredible seasons, but I believe Rodgers went above and beyond to show his true worth, culminating with him receiving a standing ovation after Colts quarterback Peyton Manning announced him as the prestigious recipient. Manning is the league’s only four-time MVP.

Rodgers was honored to receive the award and recognized that other players contributed to his success this season. After expressing his gratitude, he acknowledged Manning.

“We’re all really excited to see you back on the field next year,” Rodgers told Manning, whose status with the Colts has been a big question during the organizational changes made in recent weeks.

Rodgers led the Packers with 45 touchdown passes, six interceptions and a 68.3 completion percentage to go 15-1 and win the NFC North. He finished with a league record high 122.5 passer rating. He joins former Packers Brett Favre, Bart Starr, Jim Taylor,. and Paul Hornung as league MVPs.

Congratulations, Mr. Rodgers. We are so proud of you.

We can't wait to see you back in action next year, Mr. Rodgers.

Instead, let’s talk about the best Super Bowls that never happened.

Talking hypothetical is one of my favorite things to do because there is really no right or wrong answer, because we don’t and will never know. What would have happened if Mark Brunell won a Super Bowl? Would there have been a belief that left-handed quarterbacks were the future of football?

I could have even gone the route of writing hypothetical Super Bowls between the Seattle Seahawks and the Saskatchewan Rough Riders, because I’m sure in some alternate universe (like after hypothetical Super Bowl XVII) that it could have happened.

Rather than getting all crazy and doing that, let’s just stick with teams that actually qualified for the playoffs during the year of said Super Bowl. It’s a lot easier that way.

1. Super Bowl X – Minnesota Vikings vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Drew Pearson pushed off (go to the 2:00 mark). I don’t know how anyone can say he didn’t. The first Hail Mary was a fraud people. It’s about time we finally admitted it. The Vikings went 12-2 in 1975, were the top seed in the NFC, and lost because of a blown call by the referees. Not cool, Drew Pearson. Not cool at all.

2. Super Bowl XVI – Dallas Cowboys vs. Cincinnati Bengals

I do not like the Cowboys at all, but I do have to say they got robbed of a Super Bowl appearance in 1982 courtesy of the 49ers and “The Catch”. It would be the first of five Super Bowl wins for the 49ers, four of them behind the arm of Joe Montana.

If Dwight Clark didn’t make that catch, the West Coast Offense would have been passed off as a phase and a gimmick, Bill Walsh would have retired as the head coach at Washington State, and Joe Montana would be wearing ShapeUps that he had to buy with his own money.

3. Super Bowl XVII – Detroit Lions vs. Cleveland Browns

The playoffs leading up to Super Bowl XVII might be my favorite thing in the history of professional sports (other than a hypothetical Vikings Championship, of course.)

Because of the players’ strike during the 1982 season and the resulting nine-game regular season, the NFL decided to allow eight teams into the playoffs (instead of the usual four) from each conference. This was subsequently named the “Super Bowl Tournament” and included the Detroit Lions and Cleveland Browns who both had records of 4-5, marking the first time any team had made the postseason with a losing record.

How great would it have been to have a Super Bowl played between two No. 8 seeds? The sixth seed from the AFC, the New York Jets, advanced to the Conference Final before losing to the Dolphins, but we’ve seen a sixth seed win the Super Bowl before thanks to the Wild Card.

The NFL had one chance to have an eighth-seeded team with a losing record become a Super Bowl Champion and they blew it. What would have happened if the Browns or Lions would have actually made it to the big game, let alone won it?

Would the NFL have been attacked by critics for allowing their players to strike, which lead to a shortened season that ended with a sub-.500 team winning the Super Bowl, therefore tarnishing the reputation of anyone involved with the NFL? All of this allowing the USFL to step in and be a legitimate competitor, forcing another merger and leave the National Football League of America with too many teams that they would eventually have to contract teams instead of grow in popularity and expand. Would that have happened?

If this Super Bowl would have happened, we never would have had the Jaguars or Texans or Panthers. Jim Kelly would have never lost four Super Bowls with the Bills. Steve Young would probably never be a Hall of Famer. Hershel Walker would be the greatest running back of all time, and the Vikings would have never handed the Cowboys three Super Bowl rings on a silver platter.

For all we know, the National Football League of America could have failed miserably and become a low-rate professional sport right next to jai hali and SlamBall.

4. Super Bowl XXI – New York Giants vs. Cleveland Browns

The Drive. I feel bad for Cleveland Browns fans. I knew they were terribly unlucky and everything, but then I started doing research for this article. I can’t imagine what it would be like to lose multiple playoff games the way they did, and have the team they lost to go on to get absolutely killed in the Super Bowl.

I wrote down 15 hypothetical Super Bowls. The Browns appeared in six of them. I think I’m going to start being a Browns fan out of pity. I feel bad for them. As a Vikings fan, I’m here for you and know your pain. Speaking of the Vikings and Browns…

5. Super Bowl XXII – Minnesota Vikings vs. Cleveland Browns

I had to do this one. Vikings vs. Browns. The two unluckiest franchises in NFL history squaring off a Super Bowl? The Vikings got knocked out of the playoffs after Darrin Nelson dropped a fourth-down pass late in the fourth quarter against the Redskins. The Browns lost on “the fumble” to the Broncos.

Literally anything could have happened. Imagine all the possibilities! It would be a contest to see which team could kill more fans in the span of three and a half hours.

To their credit, both teams deserve to make fake Super Bowls (the Vikings have four on this list, Browns have three). They probably wouldn’t have even won any of them anyway. Is it even possible for a team to lose seven Super Bowls? I don’t ever want to find out. Maybe it’s a good thing the Vikings and Browns will never make another real Super Bowl. It’s probably better that way.

6. Super Bowl XXVI – Detroit Lions vs. Buffalo Bills

I really only included this one because I feel we as Americans were cheated out of seeing Barry Sanders ever play in a Super Bowl. In 1991 the Lions went 12-4, were the No. 2 seed out of the NFC, and made it to the NFC Championship game before losing to the eventual Super Bowl Champion Washington Redskins.

7. Super Bowl XXXIII – Minnesota Vikings vs. Denver Broncos

I’ve written about this game a lot in the past, so I’ll just keep it short. Because if I don’t, it will end up being 5,000 words that eventually lead me to comparing my moral compass to the ending of a football game that I watched when I was 8 years old.

15-1 record. Best offense in NFL history. Randy Moss, Cris Carter, Jake Reed, Randall Cunningham, Robert Smith. Injuries, horrible coaching, and the worst kick of Gary Anderson’s career crushed Minnesota. And they’ve never recovered.

And the Dirty Bird was the dumbest end zone celebration ever.

8. Super Bowl XXXIV – Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

The Buccaneers lost in the NFC Championship game to the Rams by the oddest football score ever, 11-6, after the Rams scored a late fourth-quarter touchdown. It would take the Buccaneers another three years to finally reach the Super Bowl, and Kurt Warner became the greatest grocery bagger in NFL history.

The Jaguars were the No. 1 seed in the AFC in 1999 and put 62 points on the board in the division round against the Dolphins. They lost in the AFC Championship game to the Titans, who barely made it out of the first round, only doing so with a little play famously known as the “Music City Miracle.”

I have no idea what a Buccaneers-Jaguars Super Bowl would have been. I would have probably ditched the Vikings as my favorite team for the Buccaneers and would now have four different John Lynch jerseys in my closet. I suppose Fred Taylor would be a definite Hall of Fame running back and Tom Coughlin would now be the head coach of the Ravens.

9. Super Bowl XXXVI – St. Louis Rams vs. Oakland Raiders

The Tuck Rule. Super Bowl win number one for Tom Brady. Beginning of the end for Kurt Warner in St. Louis.

If the Patriots don’t win against Oakland, it is not inconceivable that Drew Bledsoe would have been reinstated as the starting quarterback in Boston, Tom Brady would have been traded to some team like the Chiefs or Texans, and Bill Simmons would have hopefully given up talking about football.

10. Super Bowl XLII – Green Bay Packers vs. New England Patriots

Brett Favre’s last pass as a Green Bay Packer was an interception in overtime which led the Giants to kick a game winning field goal to advance to Super Bowl XLII and spoil the Patriots chance at a perfect season.

Had the Packers beaten the Giants, one would have to believe that Favre would have retired after the season and actually stayed retired, Super Bowl win or not. Losing a Super Bowl to only the only team to win 19 games in a season is a much better ending than not even having the opportunity.

None of this happened of course, which helped set up Hypothetical Super Bowl No. 11.

11. Super Bowl XLIV – Minnesota Vikings vs. Indianapolis Colts

Can’t blame me for this one either. The Vikings were the best team in the league in 2009, thanks in part to Brett Favre playing the smartest (and arguably best) football of his life.

Unfortunately there was Brad Childress and his love for settling for 45-yard, game winning field goals. And then there was the Vikings getting flagged for having 12 men in the huddle RIGHT AFTER A TIMEOUT! Next play: Favre interception.

By the end of the game I was lying on my kitchen floor with my shirt over my face. Literally the worst night of my life.

I started writing for MSF two days later after comparing the Vikings-Saints game to lyrics by Hootie and the Blowfish. Weirdest thing I’ve ever written. At least something good came out of it.

Tonight your NFC North experts Drew Lange, Tyler Juranovich, Chris Callaway, and myself will talk about the upsets last week (even if we’d rather just forget a horrible loss) and preview this weekend’s upcoming Conference Championship games.

Here are the details:

• Date: Friday, January 20th
• Time: 4:30 CT (5:30 ET)
• Call-in number: (858) 365-5571 (also use this number to listen to the show anywhere right from your phone)
• Link: http://www.midwestsportsfans.com/nfc-north-report

Tentative Show schedule:

• Warm Welcome – We need it. It’s freezing here!
• Giants upset over Packers – Amanda and Chris share their final thoughts
• Other game analysis
• AFC Championship – Ravens vs Patriots
• NFC Championship – Giants vs 49ers
• Super Bowl Prediction
• Plus random shenanigans throughout

Oh and we WILL be having a discussion about Tyler’s piece on the Jay Cutler Era. Don’t worry Cheeseheads, it will be all right.

Amanda...during happier times

Chris: Amanda Lawson and I are not just part-owners of the Green Bay Packers. We’re die-hards. The loss to the Giants this weekend sucks. But Packers fans, keep in mind all that your team has achieved and what it stands for.

I think I can speak for both Amanda and myself in saying that February 6, 2011, was one of the happiest days of our lives. The Green Bay Packers capped off an incredible run through the playoffs with a 31-25 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLV. It’s been just shy of a full calendar year since then, and Sunday’s loss to the New York Giants makes me realize just what kind of year it has been.

The Packers won 19 straight games. 19! That’s incredible. My confidence from the Super Bowl run carried through to the regular season, and then topping the Saints in Week 1 started raising that level of confidence even more. Yet it made my expectations, and the expectations of the rest of the Packers’ faithful go through the roof.

Green Bay returned a better team this season than the team that won the Super Bowl. With that logic, there’s no reason the Packers shouldn’t have won the Super Bowl this season. Then a seemingly unassuming trip to Kansas City started to let doubt creep into my mind.

Amanda loves her Packers.

Amanda: One loss against the Kansas City Chiefs and the Packers became a 13-1 team. The best record in the NFL but the media turned on them. Overrated. Weak. It had been almost a year since the Green and Gold team had lost a game with one of the most powerful offenses in the league, yet they were no longer considered a threat. With each win during the 2011 season, the team elevated expecations across the league. First to perfect 19-0 season. Then to back-to-back Super Bowl Championships.

They bounced back from their loss to Kansas City dominating Chicago Bears on Christmas and sending quarterback Matt Flynn to break records in a win against the Detroit Lions. With a bye for the first week of playoffs, the Packers took advantage of the extra week of rest.

On January 15th, 2012, the New York Giants walked onto Lambeau Field and played one hell of a game to beat a team that was almost unrecognizable. The offense was uncharacteristically off-sync with dropped catches, fumbles, and sacks.

Last year, our defense held us in the games even made game changing plays to help secure wins in the playoffs. This year, they couldn’t make the same plays. With four minutes in the 4th quarter, I began to let reality sink in, still holding on for a win but knowing a loss was possible. What, why, how questions running through my head.

Chris: There shouldn’t be excuses made for the Packers losing to the Giants. It wasn’t one thing. Green Bay even caught a few breaks, and still lost by 17. It was a beatdown. Eli Manning outplayed Aaron Rodgers. Jake Ballard outplayed Jermichael Finley. New York’s front four
outplayed Green Bay’s by a mile.

Chris loves his team too.

Packers fans got used to winning. We expected it week in and week out. Whether it took a last-second field goal, a late interception, or if the game was just a blowout, Packers fans, and honestly, Packers players too, expected to win. And why shouldn’t they? 19 straight wins, plus an offseason of everybody gushing over how good they were and would be the next season, can build up a great deal of confidence.

To watch an offense play at the level Green Bay did, which was deservedly compared to some of the best of all time, was incredible. Whether is was a perfectly timed slant pass to Greg Jennings or a play-action bomb to Jordy Nelson, the Packers were certainly fun to watch. But the level that the offense played covered up some serious flaws that the team had. In an entire calendar year, only two teams were able to fully expose those flaws.

Sunday’s beatdown can overshadow the six straight wins to close out last season, plus this year’s 15-1 regular season. The loss sucks. I’m still in shock. But that’s because the past year has made me a more passionate, intelligent, and defensive Packers fan. Heck, Amanda and I each shelled out $275 that we could have probably put to a much better use, just to own a glorified piece of paper saying that we were part-owners of what we consider the greatest professional sports franchise on Earth.

Amanda: I own my football team, as does Chris. How many of you can say that? Mock us if you like, but as an entire fan base we hold more pride in our team than any other fan holds in theirs. Whether we win a Super Bowl Championship or have an unexpected loss before the NFC  Championship game; whether Super Bowl MVP Aaron Rodgers makes a glorified pass to Jordy Nelson or backup Matt Flynn takes the field to finish out the season, we will always cheer on our beloved Packers.

Packer fans are there through thick and thin, during the good times and the bad. That’s what makes this fan base so incredible. Sure, we’ve picked up our fair share of bandwagoners like any Super Bowl Champion does. They will come and go as quickly as the snow piles up on a cold February day in Green Bay. But the true Packers fan never waivers, admits an opponents strengths, and prides their teams glories.

Chris: While this loss hurt, it’s about perspective. The Packers have won 13 world championships, including four Super Bowls. Last season was incredible, and this season fell short. But you know what, we’re still going to have a hell of a team to cheer for next season.

That is, how much of a distraction did the events involving the tragic loss of Offensive Coordinator Joe Philbin’s son play into preparing for the Divisional Playoff?

If there was, no one in the Packers organization is going to dare admit it, which would be well played. For anyone on the Green Bay payroll to suggest as such would serve as a disrespect to the Giants and even a trivialization of the tragedy.

The Packers did not just lose. They had their faces stomped on with a hob-nailed boot. As recently as a few days ago, writers were still debating whether the 2011 Packers should be ranked as the best team in franchise history.

First off, the team actually had to repeat as World Champions before even presenting such an argument. Also it is impossible to compare apples to oranges – or this year’s team to a 1960’s Lombardi era team.

But even before Sunday I was having a hard time convincing myself that a team that finished a dead-last 32^nd in total defense could be the franchise’s best team ever, 15-1 regular season record or not.

Credit the Giants for making that conversation mute for good.

It was figured that the worst case scenario was that the Giants would light up Green Bay’s D again, but that Aaron Rodgers and company would keep pace and the game would be a high-scoring shootout decided in the final minutes.

Except it didn’t turn out that way.

The Packers’ offense came out flat with their worst performance of the season at obviously the wrong time. Aaron Rodgers finished the game with a season-low 78.5 QB rating. Obviously his rusty receivers didn’t help his cause. Jermichael Finley (whose stock clearly dropped this year) dropped several passes, Randall Cobb nearly fumbled on a kickoff return, Greg Jennings DID fumble following a reception (despite Instant Replay not reversing the call). The Packers came away a -3 in turnover differential; the team made more than enough miscues to lose the game to a talented and well-coached opposition.

And then there was the failed on-side kick attempt early in the second quarter, which screamed of a team in desperation and sent a message that the brain-trust didn’t figure they could beat Big Blue straight up. The well-disciplined Giants held their water and recovered, and Green Bay was fortunate that it didn’t result in points.

There was not one moment following the opening kickoff that I felt good about Green Bay’s chances, but I held hope when it appeared they would head into the locker room down only 13-10. To be only down by three, and receiving second half kickoff, after playing terrible in the first half – there was plenty of reason for hope.

That was before (1) failing to tackle Ahmad Bradshaw before he got out of bounds, and then (2) the Hail Mary.

Hakeem Nicks had his defender boxed out, and in all there were three Giants players to the Packers two. As the ball was still in the air, I knew what the result was going to be. Never has a Hail Mary been converted so easily. That little two play sequence was not just on the defense (two of them currently appearing in State Farm spots) but the coaching staff as well – a psychological as well as physical dagger.

Then there was Rodgers getting sacked on fourth and five with the score still just 20-13 early in the fourth – and suddenly a punt into the end zone didn’t seem so bad compared to the Giants getting it at the 45, bleeding clock and eventually scoring a FG.

When the Pack turned it over yet again on the next series deep in their own territory, the culmination of mistakes officially became un-survivable.

But going back to the rust the team showed, and the possible distraction leading up to the game in light of the Philbin situation. There is one prior parallel we can go back on, the 2005 Indianapolis Colts.

Like this year’s Packers, the ’05 Colts won their first 13 games and clinched the #1 seed in the AFC, and the debate became would Tony Dungy’s team elect to chase a 16-0 record, or rest Peyton Manning and many of the team’s other starters.

Playing all of the regulars, the Colts lost at home in Week 15 to the San Diego Chargers, which broke up the perfect season and made Dungy’s decision to rest Manning and others somewhat easier.

But on December 22, 2005, the Colts organization and the rest of the NFL fraternity was shaken by the news that Tony Dungy’s 18-year old son had been found dead in a Tampa, FL apartment. Dungy immediately left the team and then-assistant Jim Caldwell assumed the team’s coaching duties for the Week 16 game in Seattle.

The Colts lost that game, then Dungy returned for the team’s Week 17 game at home v. Arizona, which the Colts won to finish 14-2. Peyton Manning only played sparingly in both games.

But then came Indy’s home divisional playoff game versus the sixth-seeded (and eventual Super Bowl champion) Pittsburgh Steelers, where the Colts fell behind 21-3 and a late rally fell short in a 21-18 loss. That was the game best remembered for the Jerome Bettis fumble and Ben Roethlisberger saving the ensuing return from going for a touchdown, and then Mike Vanderjagt becoming the convenient scapegoat after missing a potential game-tying field goal.

The similarities between the ’05 Colts and ’11 Packers are obvious. Both chased the possibility of a 16-0 record much of the season. Both endured a horrible tragedy involving a coaching staff member late in the year. Both teams were in position to rest starters in Weeks 16/17 (or in the Packers case Week 17). And both came up flat and were one and done at home against an opposition riding a wave of momentum – and it will not surprise me at all if the ’11 Giants follow the path of the ’05 Steelers/’07 Giants/’10 Packers and win it all.

How much does the blame go on rust and how much on the obvious distraction that put the game of football in its proper perspective?

Probably a combination of both, in both cases.

I don’t question Mike McCarthy’s decision to keep Aaron Rodgers on ice for Week 17. Matt Flynn deserved an audition, and it was also a classic damned if you do/damedn if you don’t dilemma. What if Rodgers plays two series and got hurt? The second-guessing would be ten-fold what it is now.

And Joe Philbin found a need to return to the press box for the Division Playoff, citing the fact that his team is his family too. I’m sure that it in a small way it also serves to begin the healing process, as painful as it may be. It would have been even more painful for Philbin to be at home helplessly watching on TV.

Fact is, last year’s Packers peaked at the right time, while this year’s squad slowly became flawed and their weaknesses more apparent towards the end of the campaign.  What looked like an odds-on bet to repeat for most of the season became anything but.

The good news is that the Packers window is far from closed. Aaron Rodgers is at the peak of his career. The team knows what needs to be addressed in the draft: offensive line, featured running back, defense, secondary in particular. And Nick Collins’ injury way back in Week 2 proved huge.

What concerns me more is the Pack’s recent playoff record at home, now losing four of their last six. Lambeau Field is supposed to be as intimidating as any venue, especially at playoff time. Before 2002 the franchise had never lost at home, now they have lost four of their last six. Remember Michael Vick in the snow? Randy Moss and the moon? And now the Giants twice. The only two wins have been versus Seattle, the Al Harris interception after the ’03 season, and the divisional playoff win four years later.

As has been seen with other recent contenders such as the Colts, Steelers, Patriots, etc., not everything breaks right – especially with 11 other teams in the playoffs.

The timing of the Philbin family tragedy did hurt, but this team still isn’t far off – there will be other chances.

New York’s furious late-season finish and dominance in the Wild Card Round against Atlanta is generating comparisons to the unlikely Super Bowl winner from a few year’s back. Meanwhile, Green Bay’s dominance over the last calendar year is being somewhat taken for granted, overshadowed by the Giants, Tebow Mania, Tom Brady’s ruthless record-setting, and the perfect football game.

Here is all the basic info you need to know, what MSF’s writers have said about the game this week, and a poll so you can take your pick.

New York Giants at Green Bay Packers Game Info

• Saints-49ers Date, Time, and TV: Sunday, January 15th at 4:30 ET on FOX
• Saints-49ers Announcers: Joe Buck and Troy Aikman
• Saints-49ers Point Spread: Packers -9
• Saints-49ers Over-Under: 52.5

Chris’ Giants-Packers Prediction

Click to view Chris’ complete Packers-Giants preview, posted earlier this week.

If the Giants are going to have success this weekend, they are going to need to put pressure on Aaron Rodgers. They can’t just blitz the house, because Rodgers will prey on the single coverage in the secondary and light up the scoreboard. New York needs to rely on Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck, Jason Pierre-Paul and Chris Canty up front to not only apply pressure, but also keep Rodgers in the pocket so he can’t makes plays on the run.

On the other side of the ball, the Giants have to prevent turnovers at all costs. The Packers have a penchant for capitalizing on turnovers, but taking care of the ball on offense keeps the ball out of Rodgers’ hands. New York cannot waste possessions, as Green Bay can put up 40 on even the best defenses, and the Giants will need every possible chance to score.

• Giants-Packers Prediction: Packers 35 | Giants 30

Jerod’s Giants-Packers Spread Pick

My gut reaction to the spread is that it’s just too many points. Green Bay is excellent, and they will surely put up more than the two points Atlanta scored on New York – probably 15-20 times over – but I don’t think the Packers’ D has any answer for Eli and his three receivers, plus a now-healthy tandem of Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs.

The game they played earlier in the year went down to the wire. Even though the venue is different this time around, I see no reason to think this one won’t go down to the wire too.

• Giants-Packers free pick: Giants +9

Giants-Packers Poll

Who do you think will win?

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

And don’t be shy. Defend your pick below in the comment section.

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The Divisional Round often produces the most compelling and memorable moments of the NFL Playoffs. Favorites carrying the weight of the world, or underdogs with nothing to lose and not getting enough respect even after being just one of eight teams out of 32 left.

Jerod offered his spread picks for each game earlier in the week. Now here are my predictions for each game.

NEW ORLEANS (14-3) AT SAN FRANCISCO (13-3)

• 4:30 PM ET, SATURDAY

The seemingly unstoppable Saints have become everyone’s trending darlings within the past month, and the favorites of many to win the next two weeks on the road and advance to Super Bowl 46.

Not so fast.

At home, in the Superdome, the Saints are indeed unstoppable. But how many games has New Orleans won in its franchise history. Try zero, thought it’s not like the Saints had not gotten many chances in the playoffs until the past few years.

The Saints will be as far away from their comfort zone as possible on Saturday against a 49ers team that allowed only 87 points at home all season. The city of New Orleans has always been regarded as an eerie and spooky place, but that holds nothing compared to a late afternoon at Candlestick. Wind, a few transformers blowing, the stadium going dark, or maybe the 50+ year old facility seemingly shaking.

Or maybe the Saints just get freaked out by the city of San Francisco itself, which Ari Kaufman refers to as ‘opulent, ostentatious, arrogant, and sheltered.’ What!!?? I like my BART system. My man Ari has become a Howard Cosell for a new generation.

New Orleans had to deal with this last year and saw their season end against a Seattle team they should had been far superior than. Not to mention they somehow lost to both lowly Tampa Bay and St. Louis on the road this year. This time the road task is much tougher; it’s the best defense of the league that has to be solved.

I do dock the Niners for lack of playoff experience (nine years, but seems even longer) and Frank Gore has to have a much better game than he did during the second half of the season. The O-line has to also stop the Saints’ blitz and keep Alex Smith upright, which was a challenge during a meltdown at Baltimore.

But I’m going to go with the home dog here…

PICK EM PAL!!! Saints-49ers Prediction: San Francisco 27 | New Orleans 24

DENVER (9-8) AT NEW ENGLAND (13-3)

• 8:00 PM ET, SATURDAY

The numerologists had a field day after last Sunday. Tim Tebow 316 yards, 31.6 yards per completion, a 31.6 TV rating during the fourth quarter. Big Ben picked on third and 16. It was a great day for those on the Tebow bandwagon.

But one is only as good as his last game, and Tebow right now remains a double-edged sword – and we’ve already seen Broncos v. Pats, and that was at Mile High. And as far as the Patriots are concerned, I love their road to the Super Bowl, especially since they don’t have to worry about the already-imploded New York Jets.

Maybe you have heard the tale of the man who puts $80 dollars on the #8 horse in the eighth race, then sees the horse finish eighth. Denver’s run comes crashing to a halt and the debate on whether Tebow can take it to the next level can rage until training camp in July.

PICK EM PAL!!!  Patriots-Broncos Prediction: New England 31 | Denver 6

HOUSTON (11-6) AT BALTIMORE (12-4)

• 1:00 PM ET, SUNDAY

The Houston Texans are still a team that most NFL followers are NOT familiar with.  Except for a late-season game on the NFL Network in which they lost, Greg Gumbel/Dan Dierdorf is about as good as it gets for this team getting run.

As was mentioned during the telecast of last week’s Wild Card game, the Texans have been built via the draft, especially this past year. J.J. Watt first round, Brooks Reid second round, and taking a QB named T.J. Yates in Round 5, which turned out in come in real handy. Pro Bowler Brian Cushing was a product of the 2009 draft. Even after losing Mario Williams and Matt Schaub during the season and WR Andre Johnson hobbled, the Texans have remained relevant.

Meanwhile I’m not sold on the Ravens, who I consider as the AFC version of the Atlanta Falcons. QB Joe Flacco is good, like Matt Ryan is ‘good’, but can he be OMG great?? And the team as a whole had too many games that had me guessing whether this is really an elite team and a title contender.

True, this is one of the last kicks of the can for Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, but there is always one result in the postseason that no one figures on and shocks everyone, I’m going to peg this game as one of those. As Bum Phillips said in the day, Houston will be ‘knocking on that door’ again after Arian Foster and Ben Tate grounds-and-pounds the Texans to the AFC Championship Game.

PICK EM PAL!! Texans-Ravens Prediction: Houston 23 | Baltimore 17

NY GIANTS (10-7) AT GREEN BAY (15-1)

• 4:30 PM, SUNDAY

We can talk X’s and O’s all day, but sometimes an off-the-field event ends up throwing all analysis off-kilter. Unfortunately that is the case this week, as Packers Offensive Coordinator Joe Philbin is on an extended leave of absence following the tragic and sudden passing of his son. Needless to say, this has been a surreal week in the Packers organization leading up to a playoff game, with the situation rocking the franchise to its core. Even classy Giants HC Tom Coughlin reached out to offer his condolences to the Packers organization.

How this effects the Packers on the field Sunday is anyone’s guess, but no doubt this is a major distraction in a football sense.

Philbin is not expected to be with the team on Sunday, meaning HC Mike McCarthy has to put a contingency plan in place in regards to the offensive game plan. On the field, there are not a lot of players on either side that werearound four years ago when the Giants shocked Green Bay en route to an eventual NFL title.

What the Giants do have, however, is the very same Ahmad Bradshaw/Brandon Jacobs smash-mouth element, plus the receiving weapons that can put the shaky Packers secondary on it’s heels much like they did in the regular season meeting at the Meadowlands.

Yes, there are much more important things than football, but should the Packers lose don’t expect the team to use the events of this week as an excuse. In the end, I do expect Green Bay to pull one out for their grieving coach and get him back in the coaching booth next Sunday.

PICK EM PAL!!!  Packers-Giants Prediction: Green Bay 33, | NY Giants 27 (OT)

The 2011 season provided great examples for all these scenarios: rookies playing phenomenally from the get go, players making “the jump” in their second or third year, and seasoned veterans finally breaking through.

2011 Top Rookies

The top of the 2011 draft has performed as well, if not better than drafts in recent memories, starting with No. 1 pick Cam Newton. Newton started off with such a bang, with back-to-back 400+ yard games to start the season and really didn’t slow down from there.

Von Miller also helped revitalize the Denver Bronco defense, forming a dynamic tandem with Elvis Dumervil, helping to provide the defensive effort that Tim Tebow needs to stay in the game.

AJ Green and Julio Jones are absolute studs and will be for years to come.  Aldon Smith, the No. 7 pick in the draft, also had a phenomenal season for Jim Harbaugh’s 49ers defense, with 14 sacks, good for fifth in the league.

2011 Breakout Players

Yeah, he’s a rookie too, but DeMarco Murray had a hell of a year until he got hurt. He got his big chance in Week 7 when Felix Jones sat out with an ankle sprain, and Murray responded with 253 yards on 25 carries. He followed up that game with 508 yards in his next five games before breaking his ankle in Week 14.

On the other side of the ball, but staying in the same division, Jason Pierre-Paul had a remarkable year for the New York Giants. He helped revitalize the defensive line for the Giants, giving new life to Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck and adding a fearsome part to one of the toughest D-Lines in the league.

Antonio Brown also proved to be an excellent complement to Mike Wallace, giving Big Ben another vertical threat, adding almost 1,000 yards  from his 2010 receiving total (167 to 1,108).

The players that were the real breakout players in 2011 were both at the wide receiver position, and they will be facing off against each other this weekend. Jordy Nelson showed glimpses of what he could do last season, especially in the Super Bowl where he hauled in 9 passes for 140 yards. In 2011, Nelson busted out to the tune of 1,263 yards and 15 touchdowns, benefitting from often only having single coverage in the Packers’ prolific offense.

Victor Cruz caught some attention last season, hauling in three touchdowns in the Giants’ preseason opener against the Jets, but did not catch a single pass in the regular season, spending most of it on the IR. This season, however, Cruz busted onto the scene with 1,536 receiving yards, which established a New York Giants record.

Cruz was perhaps the breakout star of 2011.

2011 Breakout Veteran

Justin Smith has been one of the best defensive players in the league this season, playing pretty much wherever he was needed on the 49ers defensive line. He’s made the Pro Bowl each of the past two seasons, but his play this season has allowed his excellent teammates, such as Patrick Willis, Navarro Bowman, and Aldon Smith to thrive, forming the best front seven in the league. Smith also got in on the action, chipping in 7.5 sacks on his own.

Potential 2012 Breakout Players

So who will be similar players that will break out in 2012? It’s impossible to say just yet, especially not knowing who could be where. But there are a couple of candidates that stand out as possibilities heading forward.

Desmond Bishop: Little bit of a homer pick here, but I’ve been very impressed with the way he’s played all season. I think he was deserving of Pro Bowl consideration, with 115 tackles on the season and five sacks, which was best among inside linebackers this season. I think the Packers are going to put some focus on the defense this off-season, and Bishop will be a big part of that, which will pay off next season.

Kendall Hunter: Hunter has been a great complement to Frank Gore all season, and with a full off-season, I think Jim Harbaugh will find ways to get him very involved in the offense. It will be necessary for Alex Smith to pass to his backs out of the backfield, and there’s no doubt that Hunter’s 14 receptions from this season will go up. More carries for him means less for Gore, which benefits San Francisco in both cases. I don’t think the 49ers are a one-year fluke, and Hunter should help them win the NFC West again next season.

Royster and Helu could give Washington the running game to compete in the NFC East next season.

Evan Royster/Roy Helu: It’s well known what Mike Shanahan can do with running backs, and the Royster/Helu really came on toward the end of the season.

Royster, the rookie out of Penn State totaled 401 yards over the last four weeks of the season and is a big back, standing 6-foot-1, 212 pounds, that could develop into the Redskins’ every down back.

Helu is not small either, at 6-foot, 220 pounds, but has shown abilities in the passing game, catching 49 balls this season.

It’s not inconceivable that the two could combine for 2,000 total yards, and that figure has a better chance of coming true if Washington shores up its offensive line and finds the quarterback it needs.

Jermaine Gresham: Having a freakishly athletic tight end is common among almost every single playoff team in 2011, and that includes the Cincinnati Bengals. Gresham stands 6-foot-5, 260 pounds, and has had two consistent years in the league so far.

With Andy Dalton that much more comfortable under center next season and teams keying in on AJ Green, expect Gresham to see much more work over the middle, and I wouldn’t be shocked if Gresham came close to doubling the 596 yards and 6 touchdowns he had this season.

Demaryius Thomas: By now you’ve seen the 80-yard touchdown catch that he gets no credit for, despite the fact that he had to outrun three Steelers defenders, stiff-arming them along the way. Thomas is a thick 6-foot-3, 225-pound wideout who will make the jump to a bona fide number one wideout next season.

Tim Tebow’s not going anywhere, and the throws that Tebow can make play into Thomas’s strengths. They’ll have the off-season to work on rapport and timing, and with Eric Decker as a talented number two receiver, teams won’t be able to focus as much on Thomas as they’d like. Demaryius finished the regular season with 551 yards on just 32 receptions, and if Tebow progresses at all, it’s easy to see those numbers doubling in 2012.

JJ Watt: The other hero of the wild-card round, JJ Watt could see a monster breakout season in 2012. He was known for his non-stop motor that helped raise his draft stock coming out of Wisconsin, and has shown the same amount of effort as a pro. He’s just a rookie who gathered 5.5 sacks this season, and with Mario Williams back for the Texans next season, Watt is primed for an even better 2012.

Watt played huge in the Texans' first playoff win last week.

If you haven’t been listening to their weekly breakdown of all things Packers, Bears, Lions, and Vikings, you really should start.

Why not tonight?

Show details:

• Date: Wednesday, January 4th
• Time: 6:00 CT (7:00 ET)
• Call-in number: (858) 365-5571 (also use this number to listen to the show anywhere right from your phone)

Listen live right here at MSF starting at 6:00 CT:

As for tonight’s topics, here is what the NFC North Report crew plans to discuss.

Tentative Show schedule:

• Welcome: Final thoughts on season for Drew and Tyler

• Packers Talk – Matt Flynn success and the Packers “system”

• Bears Talk – Staff changes and looking to the 2012 season

• Vikings Talk – Jared Allen ties Minnesota’s sack record

• Lions Talk – Playoff ready

• Playoff previews

• Plus random shenanigans throughout

In case you didn’t know about it or had to miss it, and are now distraught about what you may have missed last week, we’ve got you covered. Listen to the Week 17 edition of The NFC North Report right here:

Before we as sports fans switch our focus to other items like March Madness or the Pacquiao vs. Mayweather fight that I will keep assuming will happen, we get 11 more games that make up the annual NFL playoffs. These 660 minutes will re-write, or at very least alter, the season’s script to which many think they already know the ending.

The Packers repeating as Super Bowl champions was once treated like a given...but should they even be considered the favorites anymore?

Remember, last season at this time, the Green Bay Packers were a #6 seed that only made the playoffs because the New York Giants practically handed them the last spot.

So, with that in mind, I thought I would give you some insights to, depending on your objectives, make some money during playoff season or simply sound smart around the water cooler.

I have put together 10 predictions and things that you should look for during the playoffs. I guarantee at least three or four of them will be right.

#10: The NFL Wanted Parity, They Got Mediocrity.

It is great for ratings that everyone’s favorite team has a chance to compete, if not one year, then certainly the next. Ever since St. Louis and a former Hy-Vee bag boy came from nowhere to win the Super Bowl just over a decade ago, we have had a revolving door for the most part.

The problem with this is that the quality at the top of the league is watered down, and the opportunity for epic battles between the titans is low, because there are no titans. Every team has major flaws.

So, the bad news is that the overall level of play may be lower in the playoffs than 20+ years ago, but the good news is that the results are more unpredictable.

#9: To Play Touch Football or To Risk Death.

This one really has nothing to do with the playoffs, but the National Football League has a conundrum.

The league continues to come down with harsher penalties for hard and high and low and late hits. The problem is they continue to take aggression out of a game that is by design violent. On the flip side, if they don’t, with players as big and strong as they are today, there will be the first death on the field since Warren Beatty in Heaven Can Wait.

I really an not sure what the league can do about this, but this issue, with on-field injuries combined with the lasting effects of concussions, will haunt this league for a long, long time.

#8: Every Once in a While, It Sucks to be Vegas.

Detroit is playing at New Orleans. The two quarterbacks in this game have combined for three of the five seasons of 5,000 yards passing in NFL history. Both defenses give up points, and Detroit’s even scores some.

Vegas opened the total of this game at 58.5, higher than any total (previous high was 57 in 2009 when the Saints battled that Hy Vee bag boy and the Cardinals), but probably not high enough to keep 80% of the action from going on the over.

Is there any way Drew Brees scores less than 38? Will Stafford score less than 28? And Vegas can’t even get bad weather indoors….

#7: Tim Tebow is the Worst Starting Playoff QB in last 10 Years, and That Includes Trent Dilfer.

Tim Tebow is a fantastic human being. He is a wonderful leader of men. He was a tremendous college quarterback. But, let’s face it, now that the league has figured out the Denver gimmicks, Tebow is not a quality starting quarterback in the NFL.

In his last three games, Tebow is 30-73 (41%, ouch), with 1 TD and 4 INT’s. And he has lost multiple fumbles as well. The best thing that can possibly happen this week to Denver is that Tebow and crew get shut out, so that John Elway can do what he knows is the right thing: find the franchise quarterback of the future.

#6: The 49ers Have the Formula to Win It All, If It Were 1986.

The 49ers run the ball very effectively with Frank Gore, control the ball with Alex Smith making few mistakes, and play great defense. That was a great formula before teams started scoring 500+ points a season.

As great as their defense is, the teams they will face in the NFC will get their points, and Jim Harbaugh’s team will just not be able to keep up.

#5: When Was the Last Time Two Rookie QB’s Started Against Each Other in a Playoff Game?

Houston has waited FOREVER to get to the playoffs, and now that they are here, their hopes rest on the shoulders of rookie 5^th round draft choice T.J. Yates. Yates has come a long way since beating out Greg Paulus’ brother for the starting job in Chapel Hill a few years back.

The Texans will try to rely on a great one-two running attack of Arian Foster and Ben Tate. The problem is that the Bengals have a top 5 rush defense.

I am not sure that Andy Dalton and his weapons have enough experience to take advantage of this opportunity on the road, but one thing I look for is the anti-Lions/Saints, with a final score like you might find after the 1^st quarter in New Orleans.

#4: Watch Out For the New York (Football) Giants.

Admittedly, the Giants only got into the playoffs because the Eagles did not realize the season had started until 75% of it had been completed. But this team is for real and can beat anyone.

Eli Manning has taken his level of play up significantly this year, and on the defensive side of the ball, with Umenyiora back with Tuck and JPP, they have enough pass rush to hide their deficiencies in their thin secondary.

If they get by the Falcons this weekend, watch for a monumental upset the following weekend, because….

#3: Green Bay Will Not Win the Super Bowl.

Green Bay has had a spectacular season. But they, better than anyone after their run last season, understand that the Super Bowl is not always won by the best team of the season, but the team that is playing the best at the end.

Green Bay will get a boost if they get Greg Jennings back for the playoff push, but as you look at the competition, other teams are just playing better right now.

#2: Will the Patriots Win a Playoff Game?

It has been four long years since David Tyree made the LAST catch of his illustrious career and kept the Patriots from a perfect 19-0 season by winning Super Bowl XLII. The Patriots have not won a playoff game since.

While they went 13-3 this season, do not be surprised if that playoff futility continues after their bye week.

The Patriots defense is awful, so bad that they have used receivers as starters in their secondary multiple times this season. As great as Tom Brady is, if they run into a well-rounded team, they will have a difficult time advancing, even with the friendly Foxborough crowd locked in throughout the AFC playoffs.

#1: New Orleans Will Beat Baltimore in Indianapolis.

First, I thought Pittsburgh would get to the big game, but I have switched to Baltimore because they are healthier than Pittsburgh heading into the playoffs, especially with news that Rashard Mendenhall may be out.

But these are the two teams that will wade through the kiddie pool and get to swim in the deep end. And in the end, Drew Brees and company will have just enough to hoist the Lombardi Trophy for the second time.

And then, we will be less than 6 months away from training camps!

Matt Flynn, Matthew Stafford Have Record-Setting Day in Lambeau

By throwing for 520 yards in a losing effort, Stafford became the third NFL QB to throw for 5,000 yards this year, joining Drew Brees and Tom Brady. Those three could be joined by Eli Manning if he throws for 413 yards for the Giants v. the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football.

Flynn threw for 480 yards and six touchdowns, BOTH GREEN BAY TEAM RECORDS. Absolutely amazing how he put his name in the Packers record books considering virtually all the games started in the last 20 years (315 games) were either by a guy named Favre or Rodgers.

That’s two QB’s, exactly 1,000 yards passing (a record-breaking 971 yards net) – and you thought Baylor v. Washington marked the end of the Mayan calendar.

And, despite resting several regulars besides Rodgers, the Packers succeeded in beating the Lions at home for a 20^th consecutive year.

Not long ago, I actually felt sorry for Detroit. Now, however, I have little sympathy for the Lions and their already tired, arrogant act. I’m looking forward to Detroit’s winless streak in the state of Wisconsin reaching the point that Rodgers will soon be throwing to receivers who were not even born when Mel Gray went off way back in 1991.

Matt Flynn (Re)Emerges…What Now?

It turns out the loss in Kansas City a couple weeks back was not the worst thing in the world to happen. Had the Pack gone into Week 17 at 15-0, Mike McCarthy would have almost been forced to start #12. This way, Matt Flynn got some very valuable playing time – and if by some off-chance Aaron were to go down during the playoffs, it is now known (and GB already knew) that there is a more than capable man waiting in relief. As Don Majkowski was a one-year wonder in 1989, Flynn is a one-game wonder (two if you count last year’s game against New England), and at the present time a better insurance policy than Rodgers could ever get from State Farm.

And to emphasize again, this was not back in the dome in Detroit, or even on a halfway mild day like most of December was in Sconnie. It was like winter suddenly realized that the calendar just turned to January, with Packer Weather – complete with high winds – finally making an appearance.

But Flynn was SO good Sunday that not only did he ultimately make himself a lot of money, but also raised a couple questions not even thinkable even after a couple of Cherry Bombs at a New Year’s Eve party 24 hours earlier…

• Is Flynn now franchise tag material? He would still eventually be shipped out of Green Bay, but not before being flipped for first-round draft choices.

• Or, if the Packers repeat as Super Bowl Champions – and with his value being at it’s absolute peak, could Ted Thompson trade Aaron Rodgers and make Flynn the 2012 starter? They could even find an organization (Dan Snyder/Redskins?) desperate enough to pull a Mike Ditka and TRADE AN ENTIRE DRAFT.

I’ll address option #2 first. If you think Rodgers is going anywhere, you are still cycling down from the New Year’s cocktails. Hypothetically, if Rodgers went down in a playoff game and GB won the Super Bowl with Flynn, then I might dare say a QB controversy would surface, and even then Rodgers is likely still the man. But then who thought Peyton Manning’s future would be questioned 12 months ago…

As for placing the franchise tag on Flynn, there is too much of a $$$ risk.  Under the new CBA, Flynn could be tendered as a non-exclusive franchise player and be offered the average salary of the five highest-salaried QBs over the past five years. The Packers would have a right to match any contract offer by other teams, or refuse and get two first-round draft picks in return. The downside is that if there are no takers the Packers are ‘stuck’ paying a #2 quarterback $15 million in 2012 (higher salary than Rodgers). In addition the franchise tag would not then be available for TE Jermichael Finley and he would likely walk.

Top 12 Potential Free Agent Destinations for Matt Flynn

Barring the above two unlikely scenarios playing out, Matt Flynn will get his starting shot somewhere else in 2012, and he is suddenly the hottest commodity on the free agent market. Here are the top-ten (actually top 12) landing spots as I see it if Flynn is an unrestricted free agent this offseason:

10.  Denver

Is Matt Flynn better long-term than Tim Tebow? You can definitely make that argument. But John Fox and John Elway are all-in on the Tebow experiment for all of 2012. If Tebow doesn’t make a leap next year, then they will be more in the QB market in 2013; but they will sit this year out.

9. Miami/Tampa Bay/Jacksonville

I throw the entire state of Florida in as a package, as all three will be undergoing major overhauls and likely all three with new coaches. Of the three, I only see the Dolphins as a halfway attractive opportunity that Flynn would actually be interested in, and vice versa.

8. Minnesota

Seeing Flynn go to the purple early in his career would be far worse than seeing Favre wind up there in his dying years. Despite a 3-13 record, some pieces would be in place with Adrian Peterson, Jared Allen, and a #3 overall draft pick on board. But the Vikes are one of many teams who are already committed with a high 2011 first-round pick (Christian Ponder) so I don’t see the Twin Cities as a landing spot.

7. Tennessee

It is known that Jake Locker is a project, not unlike Tim Tebow. But it’s unlikely that the Titans will pull the plug just one year after making Locker a #8 overall pick.

6. Kansas City

The Chiefs got a good test drive with Kyle Orton and found out what the Broncos and Bears already know: nice QB, but not enough to get them to the next level. There is no dominant team in the AFC West and Dwayne Bowe is a nice #1 target.

5. New York Jets

One of these days this franchise and its fans will finally realize that Mark Sanchez is the NFL’s answer to Ryan Howard. The question is whether the organization will come to their senses this year and look into Flynn. The Jets would be a possibility considering the team is still a contender, and the fan base is demanding to the point that NY might be a player.

4. Cleveland

The Browns do not have that much invested In Colt McCoy, who also has a concussion history dating back to his Texas Longhorn days. Mike Holmgren, and the organization in general, has to make the big splash one of these off-seasons.

3. Washington

I could even put the ‘Skins as the #1 landing spot, especially if Flynn is attracted to the bright lights of the NFC East. The team may be a couple years away, but you know Dan Snyder will spend the cash.

2. Seattle

Wouldn’t be the first Green Bay understudy to eventually migrate to the Pacific Northwest – and Flynn’s name was trending in Seattle on Twitter at the peak of Sunday’s game. The Seahawks have not been bad hovering around .500 the past two years with Pete Carroll, and they definitely have a glaring QB need.

1. Arizona

Signing Kevin Kolb for 6 years/$65 million ($21 million+ guaranteed) was a bad move from the minute the Cards made the move minutes after the end of the NFL lockout. Even with John Skelton at QB, Arizona rallied to finish with an 8-8 record. Flynn could be close to what the franchise had with Kurt Warner a couple years back. The Cards should cut bait with Kolb as soon as they can. If they can do it in a way that makes financial sense this offseason, Flynn would be a better investment and instantly make Arizona instantly a player again in the NFC West.

It’s a special Thursday night edition of the podcast, previewing an interesting pre-playoff matchup between the Lions and Packers, in addition to taking a look at the Bears-Vikings game this weekend. Both games within the division should equal some quality entertainment and debate on the podcast.

Show details:

• Date: Thursday, December 29th
• Time: 6:00 CT (7:00 ET)
• Call-in number: (858) 365-5571 (also use this number to listen to the show anywhere right from your phone)

Listen to this week’s episode of the NFC North Report using the player below:

Here’s the rundown for this week’s edition of the NFC North Report

Tentative Show schedule:

• Intro
• Recap Week 16 games
  Vikings win
  Detroit dominates
  Santa is a Packers fan
  Tyler’s take on Josh McCown
• Pro Bowl Snubs/Why does the Pro Bowl Exist?
  Lions and Vikings with 1, Bears with 5 and Packers with 7
  Jordy Nelson
  Joe Webb
• Preview Games (Division matchups!)
  Bears vs Vikings (Could the Vikes win?)
  Detroit vs Packers (Do Packers play to win or rest starters?)

• Plus random shenanigans throughout

That line would make absolutely no sense to this American, but I kind of like it. The ‘passer’ in this case would had been Josh McCown, who Lovie Smith brought out of retirement over some guy named Brett and another guy named McNabb for the temporary assignment.

McCown fell short in keeping Chicago’s miniscule playoff hopes alive, but didn’t have that horrible a night for someone who spent the year on a high school coaching staff. And win or lose, McCown will always have a special place in the hearts of Packers Nation over this contribution eight years ago.

And who’s the team that Lovie makes it a point to target over any other in the National Football League? The Bears finish the 2011 calendar year going a perfect 0-4 v. the GBP.

During the telecast, Al Michaels proved once again why he is still one of the best PBP men in sports, even after three+ decades. Whether it was pointing out the TD/INT ratios of Favre ’04-’07 (96 TD’s/79 picks) v. Rodgers ’08-’11 (131 TD’s/37 picks) or noting GB’s two starting quarterbacks over the past 19 years (actually three if you count Matt Flynn’s start last year) versus the Bears’ 15 during the same timeframe.

The Great, Underrated Mike McCarthy

Then for the second consecutive GB appearance on SNF, Michaels again analyzed the methods and madness of Coach Mike McCarthy, noting that MM is still not a total household name among NFL coaches and mentioning his one-time stint as a Pennsylvania toll-taker to make ends meet. Michaels also notes McCarthy being the father of five kids, the youngest being four months old. That would be the second of McCarthy’s current marriage, which outside of a brief mention in a Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel story in October, was not announced publicly.

That’s the way McCarthy likes things, with zero fanfare.  It’s also what I happen to admire and respect about MM. While other coaches make brash proclamations that their teams simply can’t back up (won’t name names, OK, his initials are RR…), McCarthy manages to eliminate all the noise outside of 1265 Lombardi Avenue.

If we project a second consecutive Super Bowl appearance by the team, McCarthy is on pace (if not there already) to putting himself on the Mt. Rushmore of Packers coaches, right alongside Curly, Vin, and the Walrus.

Best thing is, one has to think McCarthy is perfectly happy in Green Bay and will stay put for several seasons to come. By contrast, by the time Super Bowl 32 rolled around the first speculations on what Holmgren might do with his next career move was already starting to surface.

Holmgren would go on to coach the 1998 season in Green Bay, with rampant rumors linking him with either the then-expansion Cleveland Browns or the Seattle Seahawks – Holmgren would eventually end up working for both franchises. During the ’98 campaign, a fan touched a nerve with Holmgren making mention of the Cleveland scuttlebutt (being fueled on pre-game TV shows), leading to a heated confrontation between the two in the tunnel at halftime of a game when the Packers were underperforming.

Circumstances are always subject to change with the next wire report. The Miami Dolphins or Dan Snyder in Washington could always open their checkbooks at anytime and make McCarthy (or anyone else) an offer so crazy that they would have no choice but to consider. Maybe someone jumps at that kind of offer, but I believe even McCarthy would refuse a hypothetical offer “too good to refuse.” The only other option I would see down the road is if McCarthy’s hometown Pittsburgh Steelers were to ever come calling – that would be a legit possibility, but at the present Mike Tomlin is as good a fit there as McCarthy is Green Bay.

Statue/Street Name Soon To Come?

And then Michaels (again) gets into the inevitable street naming coronation for McCarthy. During the SNF telecast from Atlanta earlier in the year Al suggested a toll-road (a nod to his toll-taking employment) and during the Bears telecast suggested an entire interstate.

Someone has to educate Al…

• First off, we don’t do tolls here in Wisconsin. When I make a list of things I love about the state, this is at the top of the list, along with the football team. By contrast, on New Year’s Day, the asking prices on the Illinois Tollway are set to NEARLY DOUBLE. As if a 7-9 Bears season and possible six-game losing streak is not enough.

• Second, most of our interstate segments have already been rightfully named after our veterans who have proudly served this country in previous wars. Our current servicemen in Iraq and Afghanistan will have sections of interstates named long before any Green Bay football coach, and rightfully so.

And getting past those two points, WHAT THE HELL is the rush of doing the street naming ceremony already? Naming a garbage dump after Scott Walker wouldn’t be a bad idea, but the McCarthy story is still in its early stages.

There are already several examples of these coronations backfiring. Holmgren Way went up not long after the Packers Super Bowl XXXI title – and at the time people were over the top giddy. That stretch of road got a little more awkward when years later Holmgren was on the Lambeau sidelines with the Seahawks trying to knock GB from the playoffs.

And then there is Favre Pass, dedicated before Brett cost the franchise a couple more chances at the Super Bowl (’03 at Philly, ’07 v. Giants) with his gunslinger act in overtime. Then he finished up his career as a Minnesota Viking, breaking the hearts of that fan base in New Orleans.

More recently, there was the ‘unveiling’ of the Albert Pujols statue outside his restaurant in St. Louis. That probably sealed up that $260 million contract with the Angels right there.

And finally, that creepy Joe Paterno statue. That sure seemed foolproof. 50+ years with university, 40+ years as the head coach – the most legendary coaching name in the history of college football. By the time that went up in State College, there was no way anything could happen for that to possibly go wrong?? And now there’s a stench even there – along with a 24/7 security detail to protect it.

One gets a feeling McCarthy himself isn’t excited about having his name going on Green Bay’s Walk of Fame anytime in the near future. I’m fine with Curly and Vin and even Bart Starr and some others from earlier generations being honored, as I don’t think there is much left to come out of those closets.

And in all probability there isn’t much in the McCarthy closet, but what’s wrong with letting the entire ‘McCarthy Era’ play out first, one which holds the promise of several more years and potentially more championships?

If there’s any sign of Mike McCarthy planning an exit strategy, Al Michaels will need pretty good odds to make a wager on it…

Here is a rundown of the NFC playoff scenarios. (Click here to see the AFC playoff scenarios.)

NFC Playoff Scenarios

Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants

This one is pretty easy.

The Cowboys and Giants play Sunday night. Whichever team wins becomes the NFC East champion and will get a first round home game. Neither team can make the playoffs any other way.

Image credit: Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News via Wyld About Pro Football

Green Bay Packers

This one is also pretty easy. The 14-1 Packers clinched home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their win over the Bears last night.

San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers clinched the NFC West a while ago, so they will host a first round home game at a minimum. They are still alive for a first round bye as well, and in fact are in the driver’s seat.

The 49ers are 12-3, and the Saints already have three losses. Because the 49ers own the tic-breaker with the Saints, all San Fran has to do is beat woeful St. Louis next week to clinch the first round bye and #2 seed in the NFC playoffs. (Or, if New Orleans loses tonight to Atlanta, the 49ers don’t even have to beat St. Louis next week.)

New Orleans Saints

The Saints have a clinched a playoff spot, but they are playing for a lot more than just a chance at the #2 seed when they face Atlanta tonight.

New Orleans hasn’t even yet clinched the NFC South division, nor a first round home game. They can do that tonight if they beat Atlanta. Even if the Saints don’t beat Atlanta tonight, they would still clinch the NFC South and a first round home game by winning their Week 17 game against Carolina or if Atlanta were to lose its Week 17 game to Tampa Bay.

If the Saints win both this week and next week, and San Francisco falls to St. Louis next week, the Saints would lock up the #2 seed in the NFC, a first round bye, and a second round home game.

Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons clinched at least a wild berth last night when Chicago lost to Green Bay. If they beat the Saints tonight, the Falcons maintain a shot at the NFC South title and a first round home game. As mentioned above, Atlanta would need to defeat the Bucs (should be easy) and New Orleans would need to lose to Carolina (not so easy).

Detroit Lions

The Lions clinched a playoff spot with their win over San Diego in Week 16. Because they play in the NFC North with Green Bay, they do not have a shot at anything more than a wild card road game in round one of the playoffs, regardless of what happens in Week 17. All that is still to be determined is who they will play.

NFC Playoff Predictions

Here is how I think the pivotal Week 17 games will go:

• Saints beat Atlanta (Week 16)
• Saints beat Carolina
• Atlanta beats Tampa Bay
• San Francisco beats St. Louis
• Giants beat Cowboys
• Lions beat Packers

This would create the following first round playoff matchups:

• Byes: Packers (14-2), 49ers (13-3)
• #3 Saints (13-3) v #6 Falcons (10-6)
• #4 Giants (9-7) v #5 Lions (11-5)

What do you think will happen? Comment below.

Why not tonight?

Show details:

• Date: Wednesday, December 21st
• Time: 6:00 CT (7:00 ET)
• Call-in number: (858) 365-5571 (also use this number to listen to the show anywhere right from your phone)

Listen live right here at MSF starting at 6:00 CT:

(Note: if for some reason 6:00 rolls around and this player isn’t working, click here to listen at BlogTalkRadio.com and please leave a comment below so we can work out any kinks. Thanks.)

As for tonight’s topics, here is what the NFC North Report crew plans to discuss, apparently at varying levels of sobriety if my Twitter stream is any indication.

Tentative Show schedule:

• Intro: Drew/Tyler have their fun talking about Packers loss

• Packers Talk – Fluke or falling: can we fix the issues?; Jennings, O-line injuries

• Bears Talk – Loss to Seahawks; Knox injury; Christmas game

• Vikings Talk – Drew wonders aloud “The Vikings played?”; Rodgers is Christian Ponder

• Lions Talk – Oakland game recap; Playoff bound?

• Preview and Predictions of all Week 16 games

• Plus random shenanigans throughout

In case you didn’t know about it or had to miss it, and are now distraught about what you may have missed last week, we’ve got you covered. Listen to the Week 15 edition of The NFC North Report right here:

Click play on the player below to listen:

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