Green Bay Packers ( 6 - 1 )
[list]Total Offense = 28th
Passing Offense = 27th
Rushing Offense = 12th

Total Defense = 23rd
Passing Defense = 17th
Rushing Defense = 26th

Points For = 24.9 (10th)
Points Against = 18.6 (6th)[/list]




Carolina Panthers ( 7 - 0 )
[list]Total Offense = 19th
Passing Offense = 29th
Rushing Offense = 1st

Total Defense = 10th
Passing Defense = 7th
Rushing Defense = 20th

Points For = 27.3 (4th)
Points Against = 19.4 (10th)[/list]

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Funny game, Indianapolis is in some way very similar to us, they can't run, they are pass-wacky, they have a good QB that is not playing his best game, their coaching is poor and they can or can't beat the Panthers depending just on what they do.

Against Denver I could foresee the game exactly as it developed, I posted it here and unfortunately I was right. This time I must confess I have no idea about what to expect from this game.

We can't defend against physical WRs, and they don't have one.
We can't defend against a smart QB and they don't have one.
So our only problem in defense will be Newton's ability to scramble, Olsen and the running game.

I believe that we have finally learned how to control mobile QBs, Clay Matthews has learned how to do it.
I think, and I'm not sure, we might control Olsen.
And I think the kind of running game the Panthers have is not really dangerous.

So unlike Denver we should be able to defend well against Carolina. Of course they can just instruct Newton to see if Ted Ginn is 5 yards behind Hayward and if not just throw towards whoever Hyde is allegedly covering. If they do this we might be in some kind of trouble but they won't. The Panthers are not Denver, they are not a smart team, they just are, they play every game in the same way.

Their defense is not better than the Broncos' and our offense can't play a worst game so an improvement is inevitable. Indi showed how to attack the Panthers, you just throw deep and from time to time their secondary cracks. Unfortunately Rodgers is not the right QB to do this, he will try to control the game, throw "safe" passes and minimize turnovers, so I expect to see a lot of Tim Mashtay in this game.

I think it can work to run against Carolina to open the play-action passes. But we can't do this if we pull Lacy after he runs for 10 yards and wait about 15 plays to put him back again. Our offense is suffering a strange inversion of strategy, instead of running to open the pass we pass to open the run, this is perplexing because Rodgers and Lacy are the kind of players you need to do exactly the opposite thing, keep pounding 2,3,4 yards each run and open the play action passes.

Packers 17 Carolina 13

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With the last 2 games, I don't see us winning this one.
Over 1000 yards put on our Defense
the last two games. Newton at home will be all over our poor d-backs. They can't cover anyone.
I'm hoping I am wrong and that our offense finally pulls its collective heads out of its butt.

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Our offense is struggling right now. If things don't really improve from the last few games, I don't see us winning against them. Their defense is not as great as the Broncos but its still pretty good and were also pretty sucky on the road against good to great defenses. On the defensive side, we're probably going in game planning to stop their run and contain Cam. We've had success against similar teams however it doesn't matter though if the offense is not putting up points. Panthers 20 Packers 17. Really wish we'd make a trade for some one that will make a difference.

1. The trade deadline has come and gone.
Time to stop all the would've, could've. Should've.

2. Every game stands alone.
Doesn't matter what happened last game.

3. When The Packers get the run game going, everything else will fall into place.

4. Time for some of the young guys to step up and start contributing on Offense.

James Jones is hurting, Cobb is also but is getting better.
Adams, Abby, Janis, Perrilo need to get on the field and start making some plays.
Hopefully Montgomery gets back soon.

Panthers catching The Packers at the right tine, ir maybe not.

PACKERS 33
PANTHERS 32

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If the Packers win this game, they are the 1st seed in the NFC no matter what else happens in the NFL. That seems crazy considering how angry and disappointed we are. How can the team be so inept and yet still in good position to have home field advantage in the playoffs with half the season to go?


Anyhow, the Packers will not win this game. Cam Newton has posed issues to the Packers each time and now they have a better defense. Couple that with the Packers predictable plodding offense that has the creativity of a nat ... it's going to be a loss, again.

Packers 17
Panthers 31

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I wouldn't say Cam posed issues every single time.

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/0ap3000000413597/Week-7-Panthers-vs-Packers-highlights 

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This is actually a very big game for the Packers, If thy lose they can kiss the #1 seed good bye because they would be 3 games back ( 2 games plus the tie breaker) It would also drop them into a tie with the Vikes for 1st place in the division. The Panthers have a few guys that would love to trounce the Packers like Peanut Tillman and Jared Allen.

So we will see what happens but I think is the start of the slide.

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I agree it's a n important game but I don't think it's so important as you picture it.

The Vikings always choke and they will begin their traditional slide soon:
I can't see them going better than 3-6 or 4-5 in the last 9 games:
Rams
@Raiders
Packers
@Falcons
Seahawks
@Cardinals
Bears
Giants
@Packers

OTOH the #2 seed in the NFC can be good enough I don't think Carolina can win a playoff game and if that's the case I'm not really worried about a playoff game there.
And in case you wonder I think the Panthers have a difficult schedule ahead:

Packers
@Titans
Redskins
@Dallas
@Saints
Falcons
@Giants
@Falcons
Bucs

They can lose 3 or 4 or even 5 of these 9 games without thinking about upsets.

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You have thought this for years and years. Eventually, you will be right. A broken clock is right twice a day!