Packers Periscope: NFC Divisional Round vs Seattle Seahawks

We all know what’s at stake. Sunday’s game won’t be just another game, it will be the Green Bay Packers’ first playoff game in three years. It will also be played against the Seattle Seahawks.

Green Bay and Seattle have met up in the postseason three times. Some have been good. Some not so good.

The good: Al Harris’ 52-yard interception returned for a touchdown in overtime to give the Packers a 33-27 win in the 2003 NFC Wild Card.

The bad: Do we even have to go there? Unfortunately, we do.

The Packers lead the all-time postseason series 2-1, but the one loss stings even to this day. Up 19-7 with under three minutes left in the NFC Championship game, Green Bay found a way to lose. They have not gotten any closer to a Super Bowl since.

Only seven players are still around from the 2014 team. A lot has changed since then.

The Packers have a new GM, new head coach, and almost completely new personnel on both offense and defense. A lot has changed for Seattle, also. Most significant, the legion of boom has disbanded. However, Russell Wilson is still under center, and Pete Carroll is still one of the NFL’s best minds. Sunday will be a dog fight for sure, and all eyes are going to be on Aaron Rodgers.

Rodgers hasn’t played up to his standards over the past few years, but don’t tell that to offensive coordinator, Nathaniel Hackett. This week, Hackett was asked why Rodgers can still be the guy to help get this team to the Super Bowl.

“He’s Aaron Rodgers first and foremost,” was his response.

A 36-year-old Rodgers said he thinks about ring number two every day. It’s obviously why he still plays after all that he’s accomplished over his career. Still, a part of him must want to come out and put on a show Sunday.

If anyone can, it’s Rodgers. And perhaps more so than his counterpart.

Wilson looked like an MVP at times in 2019, but he’s had some rough games recently at Lambeau. In the 2017 season opener, Seattle could hardly move the ball in a 17-9 loss. Wilson threw for 158 yards, completing 14 out of 27 pass attempts while being sacked three times, including a lost fumble. His 2016 outing was even worse as Wilson threw five interceptions.

As far as quarterbacks go, the Packers may still have the edge though Wilson has largely outplayed Rodgers for most of the year. His recent history on the frozen tundra is worrying, and snow is on the forecast in Green Bay for Sunday. Advantage Rodgers.

Also, despite a bug making its rounds through the Packers locker room, Seattle is the unhealthier team. Their run game is shot after losing their top two running backs, and the offensive line is severely banged up. Guard Mike Iupati and tackles Duane Brown and George Fant failed to practice Thursday.

Last week, the Seahawks could only muster 64 yards on the ground against an injury-ladened Philadelphia Eagles squad. Green Bay’s defense should be chomping at the bit thinking of a one-dimensional offense featuring a sitting duck in Wilson.

Offensively, for the past two weeks, the Packers’ have been preparing. Now they will face a defense that looks nothing like the 2014 legion of boom. In 2019, Seattle ranked 26th in total defense compared to first then.

Everything points to a favorable outing for Green Bay. Weather, matchups, personnel, pretty much everything besides head coach. Carroll will have his team ready to go. Let’s hope for the same from Matt LaFleur.

 

 

 

Brandon Carwile is a Packers writer who also enjoys watching and breaking down film. Follow him on Twitter @PackerScribe.

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Comments (52)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
jannes bjornson's picture

January 10, 2020 at 12:21 pm

Duane Brown and Fant will probably show up by gametime. Iupati may be playing it safe with his neck? Lowry and Lancaster will be keys for the Pack run D. Will Montravious see the field?

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Guam's picture

January 10, 2020 at 01:36 pm

Montravious will get his usual one snap. Clark, Lowery and Lancaster will have to control the middle and turn Seattle one dimensional.

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Razer's picture

January 10, 2020 at 01:58 pm

Total disappointment with our DL depth. If Kenny Clark goes down, we will be royally screwed. Can't believe we never repaired our DLine with all the draft capital Thompson threw at it. Huge waste.

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Cubbygold's picture

January 11, 2020 at 05:09 am

To be fair, the expectation was for a healthy Daniels to be back this year. Smart move to cut him, but helps to understand the current circumstances. Adams is very disappointing, but you can see how Gute could have envisioned a very different dline with Daniels and a productive Adams, along with the current 3 starters. A top 4 pick likely has to be used here this year

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NickPerry's picture

January 11, 2020 at 06:17 am

That's why I find it really hard to blame Gute for ANYTHING so far. The man got the Job in January of 2018 and had to start to formulate his own 'Big Board" and idea who he might target in FA. Thompson blew SO MANY (Yes I'm screaming) that Gute had more holes that money and picks.

It's really easy for us to say he needs this, do that but at the end of the day Gute has to build the best Packers team he can for today, yet always keep on eye on tomorrow. I understand Thompsons health was failing and for that I'm very sorry. But Murphy, Ball, and any other higher ranking Packers personnel should have seen it years before. WE saw it in short press conference 2 years before he was finally removed. WTF was Murphy doing and thinking? Oh shit, I forgot...He was bust building a giant ass SLIDE!

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mnbadger's picture

January 10, 2020 at 12:33 pm

Talented players and coaches visit. Packers advantages of health and rest should be hard to overcome. Loud fans from start to finish may make up for experience gap of coaches. Packers 26-16.

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ricky's picture

January 10, 2020 at 01:10 pm

The banged up Seahawks took the 49ers to OT, and lost on a controversial non-call. This team can do some damage, and has a "back against the wall" mentality. No one should take them lightly, or predict an easy win because of the relative health of either team. Remember, when the Packers on the SB, they had more guys on IR than any other team in the league. Until the final whistle blows and the G&G have more points on the scoreboard, this game will be in doubt.

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Razer's picture

January 10, 2020 at 01:55 pm

So true Ricky. You only have to look at the Lions game at the end of the season. More starters on IR than began the season, a UDFA quarterback and a whole slew of 2nd string guys. The Seahawks are a ton better, well coached and will be playing against a team that has yet to string 3 good quarters together. I won't count this one until the chicken is cooked.

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Tundraboy's picture

January 10, 2020 at 02:03 pm

Or the Lobster turns red.

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Tundraboy's picture

January 10, 2020 at 05:02 pm

They lost on dumb time mgmnt before non call.

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TarynsEyes's picture

January 10, 2020 at 01:10 pm

MLF will need help Sunday and not just the play of a certain player, but that players previous experience against a HC and QB who have been here and further, more often than ours.

We've read the articles about magic, massive advantage, health, etc, etc, but experience is usually the difference maker in this type of game and that erases much of the previous mentioned items, not to dismiss the weather and home field bs that has become more bs as to being an advantage for the Packers.

The only advantage I see for GB is Perry won't be around to jump offside on a FG attempt and allow the TD be made instead and Matthews being a guaranteed felon with over pursuit of RB's and Wilson.

GB23-21 on the leg of Crosby.

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CAG123's picture

January 10, 2020 at 01:27 pm

Where’s the experience outside of Russ an old washed up Lynch? The Seahawks went one and done last year and missed the playoffs the year before that and haven’t been passed the divisional round since 2014. I mean Brady and Brees are chillin at the crib now beaten by two guys with I believe 1 playoff game between them and outside of the guys playing Sunday and Big Ben you ain’t getting more experienced than that. I don’t know if you’re just down playing this Packers team but they have the edge in this game in more ways than one it’s all about putting it together on the field. This ain’t the LOB anymore.

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TarynsEyes's picture

January 10, 2020 at 01:45 pm

I was talking more QB and HC experience.

Brady lost due to offensive lacking that caught up to them and a defense that was just exhausted from the entire regular season.

Brees likely has that game won if not for his fumble. They had the momentum and Minn were on their heels. A huge play by Hunter that saved it for Minn.

Again, the only advantage the Packers have is who isn't on this playoff team today. Whether Lynch is an asset or not will be seen and the previously mentioned may be what makes Lynch a non factor.

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CAG123's picture

January 10, 2020 at 02:20 pm

Well if that’s the case we have one more advantage that all always gets overlooked we no longer have Peppers giving the cue to Burnett to get down after an interception he easily would have scored on. That play pisses me off more than “he who shall not be named” gaff.

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Philarod's picture

January 11, 2020 at 04:47 am

Me, too.
Out of a series of 4 or so infuriating plays, that one sometimes gets overlooked. That would-be victory would have set up a Rodgers +with w couple weeks to heal) showdown v. Brady.

That said, moving on...

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CAG123's picture

January 11, 2020 at 01:20 pm

That play to me sums up MM and his teams during that era safe, content, good enough things you just can't be ALL the time. MB revealing that was something they practiced actually made me sick because I was thinking since when? Because Charles Woodson would never, Nick Collins would never, Al Harris would never. MB makes that return its 26-7 with less than 5 minutes to go. Game Over.

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murf7777's picture

January 10, 2020 at 04:59 pm

Disagree, home field is huge against Wilson. What is his record at Lambeau? That’s what I thought. He has stunk it up here with a much stronger team that is coming in tomorrow. That being said, any given Sunday you never know. I love this matchup much more so then if it was New Orleans.

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Cubbygold's picture

January 11, 2020 at 05:29 am

These comments always make me laugh. He's played what, three games in GB? That's such a meaningless piece of information.

I guess it means Rodgers has no shot of winning in SF if they get to the NFC championship game because he's lost a handful of games there?

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Cubbygold's picture

January 11, 2020 at 05:34 am

Great point. Jimmy G is playing his first playoff game today. The record for QBs playing their first playoff game is not good, we'll see if he can buck the trend.

I'd expect a similar history for coaches in their first playoff games. Biggest games of the year so far for MLF... Opening day, @SF, @MN and @DET. How's his decision making been in higher stress games? This one will be his biggest test yet. Hopefully he gets the job done well.

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Guam's picture

January 10, 2020 at 01:34 pm

I've heard Wilson called a number things, but a "sitting duck" has never been one of them. His escape-ability is outstanding. I hope the Packers turn the Seahawks one dimensional and can contain Wilson with a controlled pass rush, but that is not an insignificant challenge.

Go Pack Go!

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Philarod's picture

January 11, 2020 at 04:52 am

True.
While Carson and Penny will be missed in their running attack, they've had some time to get used to that.
But to your point: Even if we smother the run, it's hard to make Seattle one-dimendional, as Wilson, himself, is both smart and multidimensional.

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LASVEGAS-TOM's picture

January 10, 2020 at 02:36 pm

A few years back, this would have been the easiest game on the board to bet. Giving 4 1/2 pts to a Powerhouse Seattle team, would have been an automatic Win for GB. I remember betting one of those games. Once again, I'll look at this game from the Betting angle. Seattle is No Longer a Powerhouse. That doesn't mean GB can't win this game. It just means, the money is bet differently. Didn't you guys see what happened last week. Las Vegas took the Majority of $$$ in each game. Houston-Buffalo was probably close, & maybe so was Seattle-Philly, but Houston won the Division, & Seattle was at Philly. I think you could say the majority of money was on Buffalo being from New York, & I'd say Philly @ home. It certainly was on New Orleans & the Patriots. Vegas took all of it. This week will be No Different. Last Week was easy to see. This week is not. I like the fact that the line is edging up on GB. My thinking is the Higher the Line goes, the more money goes on Seattle. I've said 50 times, you can't win a 1 - 3 or 4 pt line on GB, especially at Lambeau . This game should be different. Seattle is not what they use to be. Whether you want to believe it or not, I Don't Care, the Betting will determine the outcome of this game. I can't call this one. I can see it both ways. I could see GB Winning & Not Covering. I've thought for a number of weeks now that this is GB's year. The Money is off of them. I told you that last week. Everybody loves GB, but everybody seems to be on SF. Las Vegas wants a Big SB, I think that's GB or SF. My advice again is, Look at the lines, try to figure where the majority of Cash is being Bet, & go the other way. I like GB. 4 1/2 I think is enough to keep the $$$ off their backs, I hope?? Go Pack Go!!
LVT

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CAG123's picture

January 10, 2020 at 02:47 pm

Yeah I feel like a lot of people don’t realize this isn’t the LOB yes they have Russ, Wagz, KJ but that secondary is “meh” at best and opposite of Clowney you know who they will be using? How about a vastly undersized one handed LB this team is one Carson Wentz concussion from getting bounced last week.

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TarynsEyes's picture

January 10, 2020 at 03:18 pm

Yes, they aren't the 'LOB' anymore but when were we so awesome to have had a name attached and please, let's not go with the ' We Win Ugly' mantra in any shape or form. We really have nothing for anyone to be afraid of and that includes Rodgers at this time. : )

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CAG123's picture

January 10, 2020 at 03:46 pm

I mean the Seahawks win the same way and they're 11-5 the Packers won ugly more and loss ugly less. This game is about results the Saints won pretty all year and where are they? At the house. Despite what you say I'm pretty sure ol Pete has highlighted the Smiths, KC, Jones, Adams, Jaire, Bahk, Rodgers as guys they need to worry about, try to win against, don't get beat by etc.

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LASVEGAS-TOM's picture

January 10, 2020 at 03:52 pm

Hey Tarynfor12, How are you?? Somehow you & I get to the same place, but in different ways. I'll never convince you, or anyone else here that these games are not played according to Hoyle. You are a Handicapper, & A Good One!!. I am not. I played 2 games last week, Minn & Tenn. Won both. Laid off the other 2. Just too close to call. I don't know which way you were on those 2, but if you had them, I'm sure you had them for different reasons than I did. We seem to be pretty close again this week on the GB game, again for different reasons. I've got GB at 9-1 for the SB. Do you have a Futures bet? Vegas is setting up their SB Line now already. The SF -MINN should be interesting. Good Luck to you this week.
LVT

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TarynsEyes's picture

January 10, 2020 at 04:34 pm

Hi Tom,
How are you? I don't have a futures bet on GB for the SB but I had a huge bet on them winning more than 9 games this season.

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murf7777's picture

January 10, 2020 at 05:05 pm

Taryn, I did the same as well as making the playoffs. They just couldn’t miss it 3 years in a row with Arod. He might not of shown MVP qualities but he is still Aaron Rodgers who knows how to read defenses with the beat of em and makes many incredible throws. No, not like the old, but still better then most. Let’s hope we see some Old Rodgers tomorrow!

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LASVEGAS-TOM's picture

January 10, 2020 at 10:26 pm

Hi Taryn, I'm not doing too good. I haven't felt good since last June. Hope I can kick what ever it is. I also hope I get to see another GB Super Bowl win before I cash in all my Chips. I was going to GVR tonight but just didn't feel up to it. You know something isn't right when that happens. I didn't see that 9 game win bet, I would have unloaded on that one as well, even with a New Coach.
LVT

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NickPerry's picture

January 12, 2020 at 06:50 am

Hi Tom… Just read your comment and wanted to say I hope you start feeling better and you DO kick whatever it is going on with you. Hang in there friend, I honestly think you'll see that SB win in the next 3 years, maybe 2 of them.

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LASVEGAS-TOM's picture

January 14, 2020 at 12:16 am

Hey NickPerry, Thanks for the Kind Words. Go Pack!!
LVT

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PatrickGB's picture

January 10, 2020 at 04:35 pm

I too can see this going two ways. But I think Wilson will pull off an upset win. I don’t like the idea but I can see the Seahawks pulling it off. As others have noted, it will be up to the defense to stop their offense and for the return of the Rodgers of old. If the timing of the pass game clicks and the other Aaron runs wild then we win.

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pooch's picture

January 10, 2020 at 04:58 pm

Why would Rogers changed, he hasn’t all season

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murf7777's picture

January 10, 2020 at 05:12 pm

Because it is the playoffs and he is determined to get that next ring. Don’t under estimate him. Throughout his life he has been over looked and made many look foolish for doing just that. I wouldn’t be surprised if he does it again just to shut up his many critics. The time is now for the real Arod to show up.

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PatrickGB's picture

January 10, 2020 at 10:29 pm

I hope so, I really hope you are right. I feel that there is a timing issue between Rodgers and his pass catchers. I don’t see it being fixed by Sunday. However, I expect that it will work itself out over time.

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murf7777's picture

January 12, 2020 at 06:54 am

And I hope your wrong...it will probably somewhere in the middle!

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jsb937's picture

January 10, 2020 at 05:18 pm

Per the Seahawk radio. They are going to key on Davante Adams and Aaron Jones. Also they are going to feed the rock to Marshawn Lynch.

They are all confident that they will be carried by Russell Wilson

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jannes bjornson's picture

January 10, 2020 at 07:02 pm

Might as well go play action to A.Jones to start the game and drive the deep ball to MVS and see if it works one out of three times.

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Cubbygold's picture

January 11, 2020 at 05:40 am

As much as I want to see higher % plays and more snaps for Lazard over Allison or MVS... I would like to see this

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NickPerry's picture

January 11, 2020 at 02:42 am

There is only one thing more biased in the NFL other than Seahawks Radio and tat is that turd Paul Allen who's the voice of the Vikings.

Hopefully this after this weekend the Packers will have the opportunity to step on the throat of Paul Allen after stepping on the heats at Seahawks Radio.

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jannes bjornson's picture

January 13, 2020 at 11:39 am

I live here. He fits the profile of their Fans, obnoxious.

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Turophile's picture

January 10, 2020 at 05:21 pm

If the Packers can do fairly well on 3rd down, along with the other advantages they have of home field, better O and D lines, and a healthier team, I don't see Seattle winning (even taking into account their fine away record this year).

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Charvid's picture

January 10, 2020 at 06:32 pm

Russell Wilson is hardly a “sitting duck”.

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GLM's picture

January 10, 2020 at 07:17 pm

I'm on board the Z-Train...all the way, baby.

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wildbill's picture

January 10, 2020 at 07:57 pm

Not to be a negative Nellie but we have seemed to play down to our competition whenever we seem to have a good advantage. I don’t pick scores but feel this goes down to the last possession which I hope is with Rodgers with the ball

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Cubbygold's picture

January 11, 2020 at 05:23 am

You're not wrong. Giants game was close late in the 3rd, Redskins game was close, Bears game came down to the final play, Lions game probably killed off a good portion of overweight middle-aged Packers fans with weak hearts...

The confidence of Packers writers is high, many thinking GB will dominate. Haven't done that a whole lot this year, now would be a great time to start

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Lphill's picture

January 10, 2020 at 08:00 pm

Basically this is a game the Packers should win , the only way they lose is if they don’t protect the ball and have some stupid penalties, otherwise I think they cover.

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Cubbygold's picture

January 11, 2020 at 05:19 am

Yup, just like the chargers game

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Cubbygold's picture

January 11, 2020 at 05:14 am

It's funny, the Packers offense we've complained about all year may be exactly what we need to win this week.

If Seattle's o-line is really this banged up and they become one dimensional, this game lines up well for the defense. The only thing that would ruin it would be if the offense suddenly starts turning the ball over, something Seattle has been able to do all year. GB needs Aaron to be cautious with the football, despite the past 17 weeks of ppl yelling at him to do the opposite

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Cubbygold's picture

January 11, 2020 at 05:18 am

Does GB ever run plays with Jones and Williams on the field at the same time? I feel like it's usually one or the other, but could be wrong.

Put both of them back there, with Lewis, Adams and Lazard on the field... With their pass catching abilities and the ability to create a power run game with that group... Defenses would have a fit trying to defend that

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4thand10's picture

January 11, 2020 at 09:34 am

Same as usual. Stopping the run, containing Wilsons scrambling and someone has to be on Metcalf for Wilsons lucky bombs.

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Norm's picture

January 11, 2020 at 10:02 am

There's no reason they shouldn't win this game fairly handily. I know that hasn't been their MO this year and it's hard to put a finger on why that is. But a home playoff game after a bye against a beat-up team that just traveled across the country, etc. I think it will be close early but the running game salts it away in the second half and other than a couple of big plays they hit on early, the Seahawks don't do much on offense.

As a Packers fan I know I should't feel this way but my hatred for the Vikings will have me rooting for the 49ers today. The idea that the Vikings could get one game away from the Super Bowl makes me nauseous and even the mere possibility of them celebrating an NFC Championship victory in Lambeau is more than I can take. Even if the Packers played first and already won I would still root against the Vikings. I plan on living another 40 years or so and at the end of it all there better still be zero Vikings Super Bowl wins.

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