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NFC Conference Championship Game
Green Bay Packers Vs. Seattle Seahawks Preview
When: 3:05 p.m. ET Sunday Where: CenturyLink Field, Seattle TV Network: Fox
The Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks started this season at CenturyLink Field. Now one of those teams will end its season at the CLink.
It's no surprise these two teams reached the NFC Championship Game, but the way they got here was a rocky road.
The Packers were 1-2 out of the gate when quarterback Aaron Rodgers told everyone, “Relax.” The Seahawks fell to 3-3 two days after trading Percy Harvin and were 6-4 before running the table down the stretch.
So here they are, two teams that overcame adversity to play for a trip to the Super Bowl. Packers reporter Rob Demovsky and Seahawks reporter Terry Blount explain how these teams made it happen and their chances of making it to Arizona.
Blount: Rob, that first game of the season seems like a lifetime ago. The obvious first question is how different are the Packers now, compared to the team that played in Seattle back in September and lost 36-16?
It's no surprise these two teams reached the NFC Championship Game, but the way they got here was a rocky road.
The Packers were 1-2 out of the gate when quarterback Aaron Rodgers told everyone, “Relax.” The Seahawks fell to 3-3 two days after trading Percy Harvin and were 6-4 before running the table down the stretch.
So here they are, two teams that overcame adversity to play for a trip to the Super Bowl. Packers reporter Rob Demovsky and Seahawks reporter Terry Blount explain how these teams made it happen and their chances of making it to Arizona.
Blount: Rob, that first game of the season seems like a lifetime ago. The obvious first question is how different are the Packers now, compared to the team that played in Seattle back in September and lost 36-16?
Demovsky: It does seem like a long time ago, Terry, but I also think that many of us -- myself included -- thought that might have been an NFC Championship Game preview. But you might not even recognize the defense the Packers are bringing to Seattle this time. I know we'll get into Clay Matthews' role later, but his position change is a big part of what they're doing differently. They had no idea how to stop the run in Week 1 -- or really the entire first half of the season. They're a much better run-stopping outfit right now. Offensively, the team they took to Seattle was basically just Aaron Rodgers, Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb. Now they have rookies Davante Adams and Richard Rodgers, who have contributed at times, though not consistently. Plus, the offensive line continuity is much better after having the same group together for all but one game.
I'm sure the Seahawks are much different too. Obviously, they don't have Percy Harvin, but what else is different?
Blount: In a word, attitude. They got their swagger back after the Harvin trade and found themselves by going back to the physical, power-running offense they were last season. That offense runs the read-option to perfection with Russell Wilson and Marshawn Lynch. When the team was 6-4, they held a meeting and decided to throw caution to the wind, play aggressively and take chances, believing in the ability of each man to do his job and not looking over their shoulders. It worked. Their talent level started to show again, with guys consistently making big plays at key moments, such as Kam Chancellor's 90-yard pick-six last week.
Rodgers had his Willis Reed moment on Sunday, in throwing for three TDs and more than 300 yards on one good leg. It was obvious to everyone that he was limping and limited, yet he played an incredible second half. Do you think his leg situation will be the same Sunday, and can he be that effective against a much better and faster defense in the Seahawks?
Demovsky: His first Willis Reed moment -- and you'd be amazed at how many guys in the Packers' locker room had no idea who Willis Reed is -- came in the regular-season finale against the Lions, when he came out of the locker room after missing two series and led them to a victory. What he did against the Cowboys was downright gritty. You could tell he was limited and hurting, yet he still made one of the best throws he's ever made -- a 13-yard rocket for a touchdown to Richard Rodgers that was the game-winner. His calf will continue to be a concern and will still limit him, but the fact that he got through the Cowboys game without experiencing a significant setback should allow him to be a bit more mobile and in less pain against the Seahawks.
I remember asking you before the opener how much more you thought the Seahawks would put on Wilson's shoulders this season. Did that happen?
Blount: Absolutely, especially after they jettisoned Harvin. The Seahawks had revamped the offense to center around Harvin, and it didn't work. His attitude was a big issue. Once he left, it became more about Wilson utilizing Lynch and improvising on the run when he needed to. Wilson has full authority to change any play at the line when he recognizes a defensive scheme he could exploit, which happens more than most people realize. Make no mistake, this is Wilson's offense now. His uncanny ability to make the right decision at key moments is something you can't teach. And he does it better than any QB I've ever seen.
The Packers made a decision to move linebacker Clay Matthews inside most of the time. That isn't a move I would have expected for one of the game's best edge rushers, but it certainly seemed to work. Why did they do it, and how effective has he been?
Demovsky: All you had to do was look at their defensive rankings to see they needed to do something. They were dead last in the NFL in rushing defense through eight games. They had just come off a 21-point blowout loss at the New Orleans Saints, and they allowed Mark Ingram -- yes, Mark Ingram -- to rush for 172 yards. Part of the solution was moving Matthews. You could tell he wasn't crazy about it at first -- and he still might not be because he loves to pile up sacks -- but he's always been an underrated run defender. It's still probably a short-term solution, but it's one that has worked.
There are so many reasons there hasn't been a repeat Super Bowl champion since the Patriots did it a decade ago. Why might the Seahawks be able to break that drought?
Blount: Three main reasons. First is that most of their key players from the past season were very young (Wilson, Earl Thomas, Richard Sherman, Doug Baldwin, Bobby Wagner, Jermaine Kearse, Bruce Irvin, etc.), one of the youngest Super Bowl teams ever. Of course those guys were only going to get better. Second, they lost 11 players who had a total of 58 years of experience, but young players stepped up in the second half of the season -- defensive tackle Jordan Hill, cornerback Tharold Simon, rookie receiver Paul Richardson, center Patrick Lewis, to name a few. Hill and Richardson are out now, but they made a difference. And third, they rallied around each other after the Harvin trade and took an us-against-the-world attitude when almost everyone wrote them off. This team is at its best when it feels people doubt it.
Other than Rodgers, who would you say is the one player who must step up for the Packers to win this game?
Demovsky: If they can get a performance like they did from Adams (seven catches for 117 yards against the Cowboys), it would certainly help their chances. It doesn't have to be Adams, but they can't go into this game counting on Cobb and Nelson to carry the load. If Eddie Lacy can run for 100 yards, they have a better chance to win. If their tight ends can catch a touchdown pass or make some big third-down conversions, they have a better chance to win. Defensively, if they can get someone to do what Julius Peppers did (two forced fumbles against the Cowboys), they have a better chance to win.
What about for the Seahawks -- other than Marshawn Lynch, who we all expect to have a big game?
Blount: I'll stay away from the obvious one in Wilson, of course, and pick some guys people outside of Seattle might not expect. One is linebacker Bruce Irvin, who is having his best season. He might be the best all-around athlete on the team, but now he has learned the linebacker spot to the point that he can utilize his athletic skills to perfection. On offense, I would say tight end Luke Willson, who really has come into his own the past few weeks and is playing at a level worthy of the top tight ends in the league.
Rob, the quickest way to get any of the Seahawks to roll their eyes is to ask them about the “Fail Mary” pass of three seasons ago. They couldn't care less about that now, but do Packers fans still talk about it and hope for a get-even moment?
Demovsky: People around here don't seem to like Pete Carroll much because of it. Most of those who don't like him think he didn't handle it with great sportsmanship. But as far as the players and coaches go, I don't think it still stings much. When I was reporting on it this past summer for our “Moment in Time” piece that ran before the opener, I was surprised by how openly and matter-of-factly most of them talked about it. They know they were a part of history, even if it was bad history, as far as they were concerned. But I'm sure fans want the Seahawks to lose a little bit more because of it.
Plenty of people back here wonder if someday Seahawks general manager John Schneider might want to come back to his hometown and run the Packers' personnel department. What do you think would prevent him from doing so?
Blount: This is a great question. I know John and his wife, Traci, love it here and have become a big part of the community. They started Ben's Fund here, the charity in their son's name that raises money for families with autistic children. Ben, who now is 12, was diagnosed with autism before he was 2. I'm sure returning to the Packers has sentimental appeal to John, but I don't see that happening anytime soon. For one, he is going to ride this wave of success and enjoy it. I don't think he would consider leaving as long as Pete Carroll remains the head coach. They are extremely close and truly believe they wouldn't be where they are without each other. However, when the day comes that Carroll retires, John might consider a new challenge back where it all started for him.
I'm sure the Seahawks are much different too. Obviously, they don't have Percy Harvin, but what else is different?
Blount: In a word, attitude. They got their swagger back after the Harvin trade and found themselves by going back to the physical, power-running offense they were last season. That offense runs the read-option to perfection with Russell Wilson and Marshawn Lynch. When the team was 6-4, they held a meeting and decided to throw caution to the wind, play aggressively and take chances, believing in the ability of each man to do his job and not looking over their shoulders. It worked. Their talent level started to show again, with guys consistently making big plays at key moments, such as Kam Chancellor's 90-yard pick-six last week.
Rodgers had his Willis Reed moment on Sunday, in throwing for three TDs and more than 300 yards on one good leg. It was obvious to everyone that he was limping and limited, yet he played an incredible second half. Do you think his leg situation will be the same Sunday, and can he be that effective against a much better and faster defense in the Seahawks?
Demovsky: His first Willis Reed moment -- and you'd be amazed at how many guys in the Packers' locker room had no idea who Willis Reed is -- came in the regular-season finale against the Lions, when he came out of the locker room after missing two series and led them to a victory. What he did against the Cowboys was downright gritty. You could tell he was limited and hurting, yet he still made one of the best throws he's ever made -- a 13-yard rocket for a touchdown to Richard Rodgers that was the game-winner. His calf will continue to be a concern and will still limit him, but the fact that he got through the Cowboys game without experiencing a significant setback should allow him to be a bit more mobile and in less pain against the Seahawks.
I remember asking you before the opener how much more you thought the Seahawks would put on Wilson's shoulders this season. Did that happen?
Blount: Absolutely, especially after they jettisoned Harvin. The Seahawks had revamped the offense to center around Harvin, and it didn't work. His attitude was a big issue. Once he left, it became more about Wilson utilizing Lynch and improvising on the run when he needed to. Wilson has full authority to change any play at the line when he recognizes a defensive scheme he could exploit, which happens more than most people realize. Make no mistake, this is Wilson's offense now. His uncanny ability to make the right decision at key moments is something you can't teach. And he does it better than any QB I've ever seen.
The Packers made a decision to move linebacker Clay Matthews inside most of the time. That isn't a move I would have expected for one of the game's best edge rushers, but it certainly seemed to work. Why did they do it, and how effective has he been?
Demovsky: All you had to do was look at their defensive rankings to see they needed to do something. They were dead last in the NFL in rushing defense through eight games. They had just come off a 21-point blowout loss at the New Orleans Saints, and they allowed Mark Ingram -- yes, Mark Ingram -- to rush for 172 yards. Part of the solution was moving Matthews. You could tell he wasn't crazy about it at first -- and he still might not be because he loves to pile up sacks -- but he's always been an underrated run defender. It's still probably a short-term solution, but it's one that has worked.
There are so many reasons there hasn't been a repeat Super Bowl champion since the Patriots did it a decade ago. Why might the Seahawks be able to break that drought?
Blount: Three main reasons. First is that most of their key players from the past season were very young (Wilson, Earl Thomas, Richard Sherman, Doug Baldwin, Bobby Wagner, Jermaine Kearse, Bruce Irvin, etc.), one of the youngest Super Bowl teams ever. Of course those guys were only going to get better. Second, they lost 11 players who had a total of 58 years of experience, but young players stepped up in the second half of the season -- defensive tackle Jordan Hill, cornerback Tharold Simon, rookie receiver Paul Richardson, center Patrick Lewis, to name a few. Hill and Richardson are out now, but they made a difference. And third, they rallied around each other after the Harvin trade and took an us-against-the-world attitude when almost everyone wrote them off. This team is at its best when it feels people doubt it.
Other than Rodgers, who would you say is the one player who must step up for the Packers to win this game?
Demovsky: If they can get a performance like they did from Adams (seven catches for 117 yards against the Cowboys), it would certainly help their chances. It doesn't have to be Adams, but they can't go into this game counting on Cobb and Nelson to carry the load. If Eddie Lacy can run for 100 yards, they have a better chance to win. If their tight ends can catch a touchdown pass or make some big third-down conversions, they have a better chance to win. Defensively, if they can get someone to do what Julius Peppers did (two forced fumbles against the Cowboys), they have a better chance to win.
What about for the Seahawks -- other than Marshawn Lynch, who we all expect to have a big game?
Blount: I'll stay away from the obvious one in Wilson, of course, and pick some guys people outside of Seattle might not expect. One is linebacker Bruce Irvin, who is having his best season. He might be the best all-around athlete on the team, but now he has learned the linebacker spot to the point that he can utilize his athletic skills to perfection. On offense, I would say tight end Luke Willson, who really has come into his own the past few weeks and is playing at a level worthy of the top tight ends in the league.
Rob, the quickest way to get any of the Seahawks to roll their eyes is to ask them about the “Fail Mary” pass of three seasons ago. They couldn't care less about that now, but do Packers fans still talk about it and hope for a get-even moment?
Demovsky: People around here don't seem to like Pete Carroll much because of it. Most of those who don't like him think he didn't handle it with great sportsmanship. But as far as the players and coaches go, I don't think it still stings much. When I was reporting on it this past summer for our “Moment in Time” piece that ran before the opener, I was surprised by how openly and matter-of-factly most of them talked about it. They know they were a part of history, even if it was bad history, as far as they were concerned. But I'm sure fans want the Seahawks to lose a little bit more because of it.
Plenty of people back here wonder if someday Seahawks general manager John Schneider might want to come back to his hometown and run the Packers' personnel department. What do you think would prevent him from doing so?
Blount: This is a great question. I know John and his wife, Traci, love it here and have become a big part of the community. They started Ben's Fund here, the charity in their son's name that raises money for families with autistic children. Ben, who now is 12, was diagnosed with autism before he was 2. I'm sure returning to the Packers has sentimental appeal to John, but I don't see that happening anytime soon. For one, he is going to ride this wave of success and enjoy it. I don't think he would consider leaving as long as Pete Carroll remains the head coach. They are extremely close and truly believe they wouldn't be where they are without each other. However, when the day comes that Carroll retires, John might consider a new challenge back where it all started for him.
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AFC Conference Championship Game
New England Patriots Vs. Indianapolis Colts Preview
When: 8:30 p.m. ET Sunday Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis TV: NBC
The AFC playoffs were set up to produce another Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning duel in the AFC Championship Game, but those plans were thwarted by Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts.
Brady vs. Luck? We’ve seen this script before, although not with the stakes this high.
While Brady will play in his 28th career playoff game, looking to become the first quarterback in NFL history to win 20 playoff games, this is Luck’s sixth.
Luck’s postseason progression has been impressive -- a playoff appearance as a rookie, advancing to the divisional round in his second season, and now graduating to the AFC Championship Game.
The Colts are heavy underdogs with nothing to lose after having been crunched 42-20 by the New England Patriots on Nov. 16. Will history repeat itself?
ESPN reporters Mike Reiss (Patriots) and Mike Wells (Colts) break down the action:
Brady vs. Luck? We’ve seen this script before, although not with the stakes this high.
While Brady will play in his 28th career playoff game, looking to become the first quarterback in NFL history to win 20 playoff games, this is Luck’s sixth.
Luck’s postseason progression has been impressive -- a playoff appearance as a rookie, advancing to the divisional round in his second season, and now graduating to the AFC Championship Game.
The Colts are heavy underdogs with nothing to lose after having been crunched 42-20 by the New England Patriots on Nov. 16. Will history repeat itself?
ESPN reporters Mike Reiss (Patriots) and Mike Wells (Colts) break down the action:
Reiss: How much of a concern is Luck’s high interception total to the Colts and how, if at all, does that pertain to the playoffs?
Wells: Luck’s turnovers in the regular season were definitely a problem. It’s not a good thing when you’re mentioned in the same category as Chicago’s Jay Cutler when it comes to turnovers. Luck’s 22 turnovers -- 16 interceptions and six fumbles -- were second to Cutler. But Luck has been a completely different player in the playoffs when it comes to turnovers. He threw two interceptions against Denver last Sunday, but they were both long third-down throws, basically punts for the Colts. Of course, it’s well-documented that Luck has thrown eight interceptions in three games against the Patriots. But Luck is making smarter decisions with the football. He’s no longer forcing throws down the field. He has no problem throwing the ball underneath to a running back or to a tight end on a short route. He’s been nearly flawless in the playoffs. And it’s because of him that I think the Colts have a chance to win the game.
Talking to the Colts' defense, the first thing they talk about with the Patriots is their running game. This is definitely not a knock on Tom Brady, but because New England has dominated them on the ground in the past two meetings. What makes New England such a good running team, no matter who is in the backfield for them?
Reiss: The Colts saw the Patriots’ running game at its best, Mike. It hasn’t always been like that this season. In fact, just this past Saturday against the Ravens, the running attack was nonexistent as they had just one traditional running play in the entire second half -- a Tom Brady sneak. They finished with 10 carries for nine yards when taking away three kneel-downs. So a lot of it is contingent on matchups, and I think one thing the Patriots have liked against the Colts under Chuck Pagano is their ability to overpower what has been more of an undersized defensive front.
How different is this defense from the unit that the Patriots trampled for 244 rushing yards Nov. 16?
Wells: Outside of having defensive lineman Art Jones, who takes up a lot of space, back in the lineup, I’d say the confidence level is the biggest difference. They knew they were going to be tested by Denver running back C.J. Anderson last weekend. They responded to the challenge by holding Anderson to just 80 yards and the Broncos to a total of 88 yards rushing. Another key to be able to stop the run is that the Colts are comfortable leaving cornerbacks Vontae Davis and Greg Toler by themselves one-one-one on the outside. Manning constantly tried to test the Colts’ secondary, and he constantly failed. Davis had five passes defended, which was the most in a playoff game since Jan. 18, 2004. Having confidence in the secondary means the Colts can have linebackers Jerrell Freeman and D’Qwell Jackson up in the box more to defend the run.
It wouldn’t be right if I asked you about New England’s running game, but I didn’t ask you about Brady. As you mentioned, the Pats abandoned the running game in the second half against Baltimore. What allows Brady to still be so effective despite not running the ball at times and being 37 years old?
Reiss: If you haven’t had a chance, check out this Sports Illustrated article on Brady from December. It will answer a lot of questions about Brady’s desire, drive and full-life commitment to his craft; seriously, he eats ice cream that is from raw ingredients, mostly vegetables, with an avocado base and cocoa mixed in to make it taste like chocolate. That’s where it starts. Specific to the football, his arm remains strong, he’s as sharp mentally as ever (the game-winning drive in the fourth quarter Saturday was him at his best in the chess match), and he’s actually improved his mobility and ability to extend plays. So, in other words, he’s successfully fighting off Father Time.
Any sense on how much, if at all, Colts players are using the Nov. 16 game as a form of motivation?
Wells: The majority of the players on the current roster have never beaten the Patriots in a Colts uniform. Only five players remain on the active roster from when Luck was drafted in 2012. The Colts know they’re underdogs in this game, which they should be when you take into consideration that they’ve been outscored 144-66 in those three losses. They used that same underdog mentality against Denver last Sunday because many people had already penciled in a Brady vs. Manning AFC Championship Game. Punter Pat McAfee mocked our colleagues at ESPN by posting a Twitter picture of all of them picking the Broncos. A large majority of the players made comments to the media about not giving them a chance to win before even answering our questions inside the locker room after the game in Denver. The final thing is that the Colts have the mentality that they have nothing to lose Sunday. They’re only in Year 3 of the reloading phase that general manager Ryan Grigson talked about when he got hired in 2012, and they’re already in the AFC Championship Game.
Luck has been nearly flawless in the playoffs, but the Patriots have owned him in his career (eight interceptions). Why has Bill Belichick’s defense been so successful against him?
Reiss: The essence of a defense coached by Belichick and coordinator Matt Patricia is to take away the primary things that you rely on and force you out of your comfort zone. Take the Nov. 16 game as an example: The Patriots had their top cornerback on Reggie Wayne and then had Kyle Arrington on T.Y. Hilton, with safety help over the top quite a bit. I thought Luck adjusted pretty well to that, with tight end Coby Fleener having a big day (seven catches, 144 yards) because that was the more favorable matchup. For Luck, a big part of this is just gaining more experience, and I think he’s already making strides. A good comparison might be Baltimore’s Joe Flacco. In the Ravens’ wild-card round playoff victory over the Patriots following the 2009 season, his second in the NFL, he had 34 passing yards in the game. Now look at him. It just takes a little time.
The change at running back seems notable as Boom Herron played one offensive snap against the Patriots on Nov. 16. Tell us more about when the Colts made that switch and what the results have been?
Wells: The Colts tried over and over again to give Trent Richardson a shot at being the starter. But over and over again, Richardson failed. As you recall, the Colts lost Ahmad Bradshaw for the season because of a fractured fibula in the game against New England in November. Richardson’s lack of production meant they had to turn to somebody, and that player was Herron. His big moment came in a game against Cleveland in early December. The Colts had just driven 88 yards downfield when they were faced witih four-and-inches from the Browns' 2-yard line with 44 seconds left in the game. Herron used a second effort to get the first down. The Colts won 25-24 because Herron picked up that first down. Luck has taken advantage of Herron’s pass-catching ability in the playoffs. Herron has 18 catches on 19 targets for 117 yards in the two playoff games.
Hilton had his worst game of the season against the Pats -- three catches for 24 yards. The Colts talked about the Pats providing safety help over top to stop Hilton from having big plays down the field. Is it safe to assume Hilton can expect to see a similar type of coverage?
Reiss: Yes, that’s fair. The Colts give a defense a lot to defend, particularly with their tight ends and various personnel groupings, but I would imagine protecting against Hilton and the big play remains near the top of the Patriots’ priority list. What will be interesting is if Arrington again draws the assignment on Hilton (with safety help) or if they switch some things up. The main thing is that I would expect the Patriots to spend the majority of the game in sub packages, so it will test the depth of the secondary. Starting cornerback Brandon Browner didn’t finish the divisional-round game with a knee injury, so his status bears monitoring.
What might be a Colts-based X-factor in the game that could be slipping under the radar?
Wells: I’m going with a player you and Patriots fans are familiar with: receiver Hakeem Nicks, who has five catches for 83 yards and a touchdown this postseason. The Colts signed Nicks with the vision of him being the third receiver alongside of Reggie Wayne and Hilton. Nicks had a solid start, but then he dropped off so badly that he was replaced by rookie Donte Moncrief as the No. 3 receiver. But Nicks started to come on late in the season, and he often reminded me that he takes his game to another level in the playoffs. That was evident when he had 28 receptions for 444 yards and four touchdowns during the 2011 playoffs with the New York Giants. He capped his impressive playoff performance with 10 catches for 109 yards in the Giants’ Super Bowl victory over the Patriots.
You asked for my X-factor from the Colts’ perspective. Who is New England’s X-factor this weekend?
Reiss: Let’s go with kicker Stephen Gostkowski, the return game and special teams. Gostkowski had 53 touchbacks in the regular season, tied for fifth-most in the NFL, but he’s had only three in his last 14 kickoffs (Dec. 21, Dec. 28, Jan. 10). When the weather gets colder and the ball gets colder, it makes the return game more of a factor. Plus, I wanted to mention Gostkowski because it was a springboard to also reference Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri, who knows a thing or two about pressure field-goal attempts. Wouldn’t it be something if Vinatieri, the former Patriot, is called upon to deliver a game-winning field goal in the pressure moment? Patriots fans know the odds are high that he’d deliver.
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