Are The Packers and Saints Destined to Meet in the Playoffs?

Week one of the 2011 NFL season opened in spectacular style as the Super Bowl forty-four champion New Orleans Saints faced off against the Super Bowl forty-five champion Green Bay Packers at the not to be but forthcoming Frozen Tundra, with the latter putting up a last second goal line stand to cement a victory. The imminent threats of a Super Bowl hangover and the NFL lockout loomed large in the beginning of the season for the Packers, while the opportunistic Saints were gearing up for another season, already setting their sights on the playoffs, more importantly getting back to “America’s Glory Game.” Both teams have explosive offenses, led by their dynamic signal callers, Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees respectively. Both quarterbacks are former Super Bowl most valuable players and have set NFL passing records left and right the previous couple of seasons. This year, the undefeated Packers and the 8-3 Saints are high rollers in the NFC and now look poised to play each other in January. With a significant amount of time that has passed during the season since they’ve last played each other, both teams have obviously grown, gotten better and exceeded expectations. What’s not to say another showdown between these teams won’t come this season, this time at what might be The Frozen Tundra.

The Packers have had an unpredictable 2011 season remaining the only undefeated team this year, aiming to go 16-0, a feat that has been rarely accomplished. Aaron Rodgers is having a record breaking season, leading the league in passing touchdowns, completion percentage and has the lowest number of interceptions thrown. The offensive threats of Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, and Jermichael Finley have proved dangerous and have helped give definition to such a powerful and explosive offense, one that’s near impossible to stop.

On the other hand, the Packers defense hasn’t been the same Dom Capers led scheme from 2010, where they were ranked in the top ten, with this year, being bottom-feeders as thirty-first in passing defense. Yet, Green Bay remains undefeated, but the amount of points they surrender is definitely a weak spot that could be taken advantage of, especially since cornerbacks Charles Woodson and Tramon Williams love to cheat up to snag an interception. With five games left, going undefeated looms larger and larger as the pressure will continue mount itself as well. They are still the team to beat and now set their sights on hosting home field advantage throughout the playoffs.

The Saints, hailing from the NFC South, have been a team revitalized by Sean Payton, Drew Brees, and the swarming of loyal and dedicated Saints fans. A city torn by a devastating natural disaster has been brought together by a franchise that united a city and gave the citizens of New Orleans their hope back. This season, the Saints are in a prime position atop their division, and after a huge win last week against the Giants, the Saints are looking more vigorous than ever and are preparing themselves for another great playoff run. Drew Brees is having another miraculous season, passing like a beast, trying to close in on the all time passing yards for a single season record held by the great Dan Marino. Brees almost accomplished this feat in 2008, when he passed for 5,069 yards, just fifteen shy of Marino’s single season record. This year, Brees is gunning for that record and in the process is delivering the city of New Orleans another winning season. The Saints have a potent offense starting with the running back duos of Pierre Thomas and new man Mark Ingram, with the occasional run (or runback for a touchdown) by former San Diego Charger Darren Sproles, who should be considered the acquisition of the year. Tight end Jimmy Graham and the solid receiving core of Devery Henderson, Robert Meachem, and Marques Colston bring together a solid group of gentlemen that can ignite the scoreboard and are just as dynamic as the Packers offense in getting things done.

The concrete Saints defense has been making plays all season and continues to stay strong, at least stronger than Green Bay’s. With the playoffs just weeks away, the race is becoming tight and the predictions are starting to roll in. The Packers and the Saints are dangerous teams to face, one not wanting to surrender a perfect season, while the other is out to prove that they belong back at in Super Bowl. Playoff season is amongst us and it is glorious.

Both teams are playing some of their best football and with five final games remaining the pressure to perform is going to rise. The Packers are in a prime position atop the NFC North with the Lions and Bears trailing four games behind them. The Packers will likely win the division, while the Saints hold a slim lead in the NFC South, just one game up above the resilient Atlanta Falcons. The Saints beat the Falcons once, but will have to do it again at home one day after Christmas, one night after the Packers and the Bears face off for the second time as well. It will be a battle royale come the holiday season.

With these two teams being top NFC contenders, don’t be surprised to see an NFC Championship between these squads. Other contenders like the San Francisco 49ers may not qualify simply because they are a rebuilding team, with a first year head coach and experience that may not pan out come January. The Dallas Cowboys are leading the NFC East, but have had significant trouble putting away teams of a lesser caliber. In the hunt for the wild card spots would be the Atlanta Falcons, who could pose a threat to the Saints, while the Chicago Bears are struggling with back-up quarterback Caleb Hanie. The Packers and Saints seem destined to meet in the NFC championship match. We could be set for one heck of a game come playoff time.

The playoffs can’t come soon enough and only time will tell if Green Bay and New Orleans square off against one another. If they do, the Saints will be looking for vengeance, while the Packers will be out to prove they are the NFC’s best. We could be looking at the sequel to “Clash of the Titans,” for the 2011 season.