Finley dropped 13 of his 103 targets (12.62 percent) in 2011. He didn’t have a single drop on 25 targets in 2010, and coming into last season had dropped just seven of his previous 117 career targets (6 percent).

With a case of the drops looming over Finley’s head, some question whether the Packers Tight End is even worth bringing back next season.

Fortunately the NFL’s new collective bargaining agreement changed the calculations for franchise tags. The new rules almost makes it worthwhile for the Packers to retain Jermichael Finley in 2012, even with his butterfingers.

The franchise tag is no longer the average of the 5 highest-paid players at a given position. Instead, it is the average of the highest salaries at the position over the past five seasons.

Franchise numbers for 2012 haven’t been announced, but it’s expected to be around $5.5 million for Tight Ends.

Despite the tough season, Finley has a great deal of talent and it would be foolish to let him go after one bad season. The Packers really can’t pass up such a bargain, although with Tight Ends coming out of the draft with such high skill level these days, the Packers may look to grab an understudy to press Finley to preform in camp.

Fantasy Football:

Historic Lambeau Field plays host to the divisional match-up this weekend between the New York Football Giants and the defending Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers. Previously meeting in week 13 in the Meadowlands, the Packers narrowly escaped with a victory, as Aaron Rodgers led the potent offense down the field in less than two minutes to help seal a three-point victory. Could this time around be different? Do the Giants hold a grudge? Are they seeking revenge? All these things will be resolved come Sunday.

Four years ago, these two empowered teams met in the NFC Championship with a trip to Super Bowl XLII on the line. Eli Manning marched his troops into swirling winds and negative temperatures at Lambeau Field to take on Brett Favre (his final game as a Packer) and the Green and Gold. The game ended in a 23-20 victory for New York who eventually went on to surprise the undefeated Patriots. Both of these teams have storied histories and have something to prove this Sunday. The Giants are looking for revenge from earlier this season while Aaron Rodgers and company look to spoil a surprising New York Giants playoff run. It’s going to be a Giant battle at the Frozen Tundra.

Green Bay’s Ball Control and Defensive Pressure

With a remarkable 15-1 season under their belts, the Packers are poised to make history again by heading back to the Super Bowl. Securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs has seeded the Packers at number one as they look to take down a rising Giants team. The Packers have been unstoppable this season, with the exception of a skid in Kansas City, and have easily defeated teams that have thrown everything their way. If Green Bay doesn’t want to be disappointed by a solid New York squad, they’ll have to have eyes in the back of their heads if they hope to make another run at the Lombardi Trophy.

The Packers go into Sunday’s game unscathed by injuries, with key players such as Charles Woodson, Greg Jennings, Brian Bulaga, Randall Cobb, and James Starks listed as probable. This may benefit a Green Bay team that was seriously hindered by injuries a year ago, giving them a bit of an advantage. The biggest player to watch for the Packers is undoubtedly the stellar quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The front-runner in line for MVP of the league this year has passed for 45 touchdowns, throwing only six interceptions, and tossing 4,643 yards. A 68.3 percentage completion (second highest in the league) has translated into a passer rating of 122.5. The numbers don’t lie and if Rodgers passes like he has all season, he should have no problem going up against the tough Giants defense. Problems can arise however, if Rodgers can avoid the Giants defensive pressure.

You could make an argument that the Giants have the best defense left in the playoffs because of the way they beat up on the Falcons, which brings me to a key match-up to be aware of in Chad Clifton versus Jason Pierre- Paul. Clifton returns after a sustained injury and is now pitted against one of the NFL’s best pass rushers. Getting pressure on Rodgers will slow him down and Jason Pierre-Paul is the prime candidate for the job. He recorded 16.5 sacks in just his second season in the NFL, and will give the Giants a fighting chance in stopping the aggressive Packers offense. Nonetheless, Aaron Rodgers is lethal outside of the pocket, so the Giants may need to think about other ways of putting pressure on Rodgers. Protecting Aaron Rodgers will be one of the biggest keys to victory for the Packers.

For the defense, they will need to put pressure on Eli Manning. Manning is a poised pocket thrower, but getting him out in the open may give the Packers some opportunities for a turnover. Defensive pressure isn’t something the Packers are known for, but with this being the playoffs, they’ll need to learn how to get to Eli Manning and throw him off his rhythm.

The Packers have such a potent wide-receiving corps that is hard to contain. With this match-up the Giants are likely to bring the heat more often than not. This pressure will make short passes and slant routes (a Packers specialty) more likely options. The guy to watch on the Packers offense will be tight-end Jermichael Finley. In his previous match-up with the Giants, Finley shined with six receptions for 87 yards and a touchdown. His biggest catch came on a 24 yard toss on the game winning drive that gave the Pack the W. Finley will be a key player in the Packers success come Sunday.

Ball control will be key if the Packers hope to overcome the Giants. Like I mentioned previously, the Packers have a dangerous receiving corps, but ball control issues may rear their ugly heads. The Packers receivers can be notorious for dropping passes. This cannot happen especially in a playoff game. Green Bay needs to emphasize the implications of having “butter fingers” and prevent those types of mistakes from occurring. It’s truly simple…catch the ball.

Overall, the Packers are favored to win in the re-match. They’re 15-1, have a solid offense, and they’re at Lambeau Field, all advantages the Packers could use. Yet, the Packers defense is something to worry about considering they’re ranked in the bottom three on pass defense this year. The secondary will have their work cut out for them if they hope to contain New York wide-outs Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks. The defense is notorious for giving up lots of yards, but in their defense (no pun intended) they specifically play for the interception, resulting in more yards for the opposition. We’ll see how well the Packers perform in a game that feels all too familiar.

New York’s Defense and Deep Threats

The New York Giants made the playoffs by the skin of their teeth this year, hosting a home playoff game for the first time in roughly a decade. After a slow start, the Giants rolled on all cylinders, stuffing the Atlanta Falcons run game and essentially holding Matt Ryan in check. Now, the Giants go on the road to one of football’s most historic stadiums in Lambeau Field to play the Packers, a re-match they’ve been dying for since week 13.

This game is a chance for the New York Giants to put a devastating hurt on a promising Packers season. Some unforgettable memories may loom large in this match-up, but some keys for the Giants are going to be slowing down Aaron Rodgers and the Packers aerial attack. The first time around the Giants used an array of defensive schemes that had Rodgers a little out of sorts early on, they may be able to fool him again, but the Giants will need to pepper in zone disguises and other confusing concepts in the backfield.

The Giants defense looks revitalized, especially up-front with dangerous man Jason Pierre-Paul leading the way. In their last meeting, the Giants dominated the line of scrimmage and only finished the game with two sacks on Rodgers. This time around, the Giants are going to need to find an alternate way of putting pressure on Rodgers, since Rodgers is so athletic and has no problem throwing the ball on the run. The Giants defensive line has seen a resurgence this year, especially now with Osi Umenyiora returning to the line-up. Umenyiora was absent during the week 13 match-up and essentially will help Justin Tuck and Jason Pierre-Paul put the heavy pressure on the Packers. Pressuring Rodgers may be harder than one might think, but it is something New York is seriously going to have to consider if they wish to stop the explosive GB offense.

Eli Manning and the offense needs to step up in a big way come Sunday, especially when they need to move the ball downfield. Manning is a solid passer against the blitz, which undoubtedly the Packers will use often, so look for Manning to throw for plenty of passing yards. However, he will need to be aware of some tricky defensive schemes the Packers so often like to use, such as blitzing linebacker Clay Matthews while using cornerback Charles Woodson as a decoy rusher. The Packers defense usually tries for the interception, so if Manning can read this well, consider him to have 300 or more yards through the air.

The ground game is going to be vital for the Giants. Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs may have been waved off a few weeks ago, but now the Giants have a legit rushing attack and have rediscovered how to avoid tackles. This could benefit them in the long run, especially if they control the clock.

The deep threats of Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks will be vital for a victory as well. The Packers secondary is shaky and if Manning has enough time, will find these two guys wide open down the field for easy scores. The long ball may prove worthy if the Giants utilize it well. We’ll see what transpires come Sunday.

Who Wins?

This is going to be a closer game than one might expect, but with the Packers back at full-strength and playing at home, the “Cheeseheads” look like to be in a good position to host the NFC title game. They’ve taken care of business all season long and aren’t about to let the happy go lucky G-men come in and ruin such a promising season.

Although the Giants have found their groove again in the running game and the passing game, not to mention coming close to defeating the Pack back in week 13, they may fall just shy up upsetting the former Super Bowl Champs.

Packers 31 Giants 27

Fantasy Football:

The unsung heroes of the NFL are not always guys who make highlight reel plays. The wide receiver position is normally all about the big catches down field or game changing touchdowns. Yet a 3rd and 10 clutch grab over the middle or in a crowd can spawn momentum that can really help an offense move the chains.

The Derrek Mason’s or Hines Ward’s of the NFL are rare and are hard to find. Players that are technically sound, reliable in key situations, and have superb route running skills are favorites of NFL quarterbacks. Randall Cobb is that sort of a player.

The comparison to Hines Ward is closer than you may think. Cobb is a former quarterback, who has that instinctive ability to know where has to be at the right time. Cobb was named to the SEC All-Freshmen team as a QB, playing in 11 games and starting 4 at quarterback.

Randall Cobb is a very all around player who did it all at Kentucky. He played many roles in a wide open offense including a Wildcat QB, yet Packers coach Mike McCarthy made it clear that the number 64 overall pick was not drafted to be a Wildcat player. The versatility of this rookie is what caught McCarthy’s eye, it’s not a specific type of role that made the Packers draft him.

Fantasy Outlook: Donald Driver turned 36 years old a couple days before his team won Super Bowl XLV. The production of this proven veteran really fell off in 2010, and his future with the team may be coming to an end. Randall Cobb is the perfect replacement player, and he  could step up into a number 2 WR role almost immediately. Jordy Nelson is a perfect slot receiver who finds holes in the secondary, where Greg Jennings is star leading the way. Cobb could be the gem 3rd-4th fantasy receiver that you thank yourself for drafting.

Fantasy Football:

There wasn’t too many surprises for me in this game, I knew the Packers were going to put points on the board and if Green Bay wasn’t so short-handed in the receiving department, this game would have been a blowout. I was surprised the Steelers defense wasn’t able to create more problems for Rodgers, they were not really a factor in this game. Roethlisberger was not sharp, although not all the turnovers were his fault.

Most of the commercials were boring, there were a couple favorites (Best and Worst)

With the Packers win my picking streak stays alive at 7-0 straight up and against the spread threw 3 rounds of the playoffs. Great way to end the season

Fantasy Football:

Both teams have dominating defenses with super stars on that side of the ball.  The Steelers gave up the second fewest yards in the league and the Packers were fifth.  They rank one and two in points allowed, one and two in sacks and are both top five in turnovers forced.  That should make scoring points difficult.

The offenses had similar results as well.  The Packers scored less than a point more per game than the Steelers in the regular season and averaged about 20 yards more per game.  Both have top level quarterbacks who don’t make a lot of mistakes.

With the offenses and defenses appearing to be a pick ‘em, something else is going to decided this game.  It could be special teams play or a coaching decision that tips the balance, but unfortunately another group might be the deciding factor.  This close of a game has the potential to be decided by the one thing no fan on either side wants – a referee’s call.

Self inflicted penalties like false starts, off sides and delay of the game don’t play into this argument.  Collectively these types of penalties can cost a team a game, but don’t really have anything to do with the men in stripes.

One thing to watch for during the game is the more subjective calls.  Watch how closely the refs are calling or not calling holding.  I wonder which team will be the first to get a hitting a defenseless receiver call.  Each defense has at least one player who is notorious for borderline dirty play.  Will James Harrison get called for a questionable roughing penalty or will Charles Woodson be allowed to play physical with the Steelers’ wide receivers?

How Walt Anderson and his crew call the run of the mill play will go a long way towards showing the viewer they type of game this will be.  Hopefully the only thing they dictate in the game is the style of the game and not the result.

The past few Super Bowls have been greatly influenced by a referee’s call.  I can’t think of a Super Bowl more talked about because of the officiating than Pittsburgh’s victory over Seattle in Super Bowl XL.  Go ahead and Google “Super Bowl bad calls” and nearly half the hits will refer to this game. Ben Roethlisberger’s touchdown that might have not been, an unsportsmanlike penalty on Matt Hasselbeck, offensive pass interference on Seattle that negated a touchdown and a questionable holding call that took away a big play that would have set the Seahawks in position to score are all debated.

Roughly the other half of the hits you get when doing the Google search have to do with Super Bowl XLIII – ironically another Steelers win.  Ultimately the call might have been right, but the fact that they didn’t do a booth review on Kurt Warner’s fumble on the second to last play of the game was almost as unbelievable as Santonio Holmes touchdown catch.  If that fumble was ruled and incomplete pass, Warner and the Cardinals have one more shot from 30 yards out to win the game.  It would have been unlikely, but at least there would not have been any doubt.

That is what I fear in this game.  What should be a tough, closely contested affair might end up coming down to whether or not a yellow object is thrown at a critical time in the game – and I don’t mean a Terrible Towel or a cheese hat.

Fantasy Football:

The Green Bay Packers are heading to Super Bowl XLV, but not without a small scare from a 3rd string Quarterback.

The Cheeseheads seemed to have this game completely in control. Rodgers led a couple amazing drives with fluid throws to Greg Jennings and got great yardage from James Starks when needed.

With a 14-0 lead and driving, Bears Brain Urlacher intercepted a pass standing almost in his own end zone. The Urlacher pick gave the home team a little life, but not much. In fact the most productive Chicago Bear of offense Sunday was probably 3rd string Caleb Hanie, who step into the game due to injuries to Jay Cutler and Todd Collins.

I’m not sure why the Packers defense struggled so much against this rookie bench-warmer, but without him the Bears were dead in the water. Even after a pick-6, Hanie got right back on the field and led an impressive drive to erase whatever momentum was lost from the B.J Raji waddle in for a score and dance. Caleb Hanie lead the only two drives for scores and had 153 yards and touchdown. Not bad for a guy who played just over a quarter.

Regardless of the failed come-back attempt, the Chicago media is no doubt seeking blood. Someone will have to be blamed for this debacle of a first half. The interesting factor that no one is really talking about (just yet), is whether or not Jay Cutler is the right man to lead this team in the post season. Some are now questioning his toughness, while others wonder how a guy buried on your depth chart can put up more passing yards in one quarter than your star QB on offense. The Packers were not sending as much pressure as they probably should have at Caleb Hanie, still it wasn’t exactly prevent-defense either.

Never the less, the Packers defense, despite a few miss-tackles and playing the entire forth quarter with a sinking feeling, were excellent. The game plan was smart and balanced, giving Aaron Rodger’s a freebie to his perfect post season play. After 3 road wins the NFC 6th seeded Packers have earned themselves a ticket to the big dance. If Aaron Rodgers can play anything like he did in the Falcons dome, this Super Bowl should be an exciting game.

Fantasy Football:

But that’s in the past. With the exception of the Chiefs-Ravens and Bears-Seahawks, every playoff game has been, if you will excuse the hyperbole, absolutely riveting. Some might regard the Packers-Falcons as a bit of a flop, but anytime I can watch a quarterback absolutely decimate a home team like Rodgers did on Saturday night, I’m never going to want for anything more from the experience.

Going ahead, nothing looks much different. We have two great games scheduled for this weekend, both with a huge degree of unpredictability applied to them that any football fan, for better or worse, is revolving their Sunday around. And regardless of the outcome of either, there isn’t an unappealing Superbowl match-up in store. But some are better than others, and we want the best possible outcome; because if the game turns into a bloodbath or an insufferable bore, we’re stuck pretending like we give a shit about the latest Soda/Car/Shoe/investment firm ads. And we don’t. We really, truly couldn’t care any less about any commercial that has ever existed.

So let’s take this opportunity to look two steps down the road at our potential contestants for Super Sunday, 2011, in order of what appeals specifically to my sensibilities.

1) Green Bay Packers vs. New York Jets
This game tops my list for a few reasons. The first is it’s something we haven’t seen in awhile. I heard on PTI in respect to the conference title games, that the Packers-Bears trumped the AFC match-up because of the historic implications. Outside of fans of the respective franchises, is there anyone who actually forms opinions like this? If I’m a Chargers fan, I don’t particularly give a shit about what transpired between the two teams in the 1940′s. I’m looking for entertainment and that stems from immediacy. That’s why people talk about the Ravens-Steelers rivalry and not the Browns-Steelers, because one’s been relevant for the past decade and the other hasn’t. This isn’t baseball or college football, newness and the bottom-line trumps tradition at every turn.

Secondly, and it relates to the first reason, is neither of these teams have reached the Superbowl for at least fifteen years. Since 2003, the NFC has only been represented by three different franchises: Steelers Patriots & Colts (in chronological order: Pats, Pats, Steelers, Colts, Pats, Steelers, Colts). This is fairly boring considering how buttoned-up and conservative the three franchises are. At least with the Jets, they’ll do everything they can to make the two-week trudge in between games interesting. They’re even swearing off trash-talking for the Steelers game, and it’s 99% more tolerable than the Patriots are Monday through Saturday.

And finally, if the Packers make and win the Superbowl without Brett Favre, I’ll probably enjoy it a little too much. Remember his wife during that Monday night game in 2009 with the “Thanks Ted” Vikings jersey? I feel like for all the complaining the masses now do about Favre, the level of achieved vindictiveness alone should the Packers win a Superbowl would make this match-up the best of both worlds.

2) Green Bay Packers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
For most of the above stated reasons, but also because the desire for an original match-up doesn’t trumps my desire to see Favre wallowing in whatever pit of despair he’s currently holed up in. Plus, the modern day Steelers would match the modern day Patriots for Superbowl rings if they were to win out, and while I’m pretty indifferent to both franchises, the Pats losing that claim to fame tickles my pickle.

3) Chicago Bears vs. New York Jets
Allow me to use this paragraph to address the ongoing speculation of the Jets and Steelers opting out of trash-talking leading up to their game. One, they actually respect each other. Two, the two teams follow a similar mindset and neither constantly and insufferably boasts about how “tough” and disrespected they are (Ravens) or walks around with an air of self-righteousness about the Right Way to Play Football (Patriots). In short, they’ve both already bested their rivals. The two teams aren’t hostile towards everyone just for the sake of hostility, this past weekend was an aberration of personal disdain we rarely see in professional sports anymore, and we are all the better for it (just compare their divisional round games to the NFC’s). Three, their semi-exhausted from continually having to explain themselves, and really, who wouldn’t be with the fervor in which the NFL is covered?

As for this match-up, the Bears are the one recipe for disaster, and naturally their winning the NFC title is the one scenario that could result in a mediocre game. It has been four years since we last saw a forgettable Superbowl, which would imply we are due for one. Coincidentally, it was the last time the Bears participated in it.

4) Chicago Bears vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
This Bears season has been tremendously difficult to gauge. It seems like every win they’re either dominating convincingly against a solid opponent (Eagles, Packers, Dolphins, Jets) under bizarre circumstances, or barely squeezing out victories against sub-par opponents by virtue of blind luck (Lions twice, Buffalo, Seattle, Dallas). It’s kind of the reason no one likes them and everyone has doubted them (blowing out the Vikings twice this season doesn’t get you much credit).

But the team is resilient, we have to at least give them that, but one has to assume that if given the opportunity, Troy Polamalu and James Harrison (among others) are going to have a field day on Jay Cutler, and this game could turn real ugly, real quick. Thus, this game gets rounds out our arbitrary rankings.

Mind you, we’ll still watch every minute of a Steelers-Bears Superbowl with bated breath, just as we would the Packers-Jets. But when considering the seasons each team has had, that’s the official pecking order. Plus, the Packers-Jets offers the added bonus of being the smallest market team against the biggest market team, something that can be used to divide the clearly polarized country even further. I can’t wait for all the hackneyed lines about Real Americans and country yokels. If it comes to fruition, it should be entertaining. Either way, though, it’s the Superbowl. I’m sure you’ll get some sort of enjoyment out of it.

Fantasy Football:

The Pittsburgh Steelers have not lost to a divisional rival in the post-season since the merger back in 1970.  Two of those victories came against the Ravens in ’01 and again ’08. What’s more, they are 8-1 in their past nine Wildcard or divisional playoff games at home.

This AFC North grudge match has odds-makers calling an over/under total of 37 points. Expect a tough, hard fought battle that sees more 3′s than 7′s.

A Few Trends To Consider:
Baltimore is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Baltimore is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Baltimore’s last 11 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Baltimore’s last 7 games
Pittsburgh is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
Pittsburgh is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games when playing at home against Baltimore
Pittsburgh is 17-5 SU in its last 22 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Pittsburgh’s last 11 games when playing at home against Baltimore

Green Bay Packers vs. Atlanta Falcons -2.5

The Falcons haven’t gotten the credit they deserve for their amazing regular season. Matt Ryan is deadly at home; in front of a screaming mob of Falcon fans, teams have trouble in Hotlanta. Although, the Falcons excellent 13-3 season and 7-1 home record really don’t matter come post-season. Atlanta has a nice balance of youth and experience, yet the team hasn’t played in the post season as a whole just yet. Their lack of post-season experience might be something the Packers can expose.

Green Bay has just beaten a high-powered offensive Eagles squad in a city where they wreck Toyota Camry’s when they lose. The Packers have a defense that is excellent at adjusting to their opponents. Meanwhile, the offense missed a couple of opportunities that could have sealed the deal a lot earlier. Expect added focus on the offense this week.

A Few Trends To Consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Green Bay’s last 9 games on the road
Green Bay is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Green Bay’s last 7 games when playing Atlanta
Green Bay is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Atlanta
Atlanta is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games
Atlanta is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games at home
Atlanta is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Green Bay
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Atlanta’s last 7 games when playing Green Bay

New York Jets vs. New England -8.5

Tom Brady took the high road in the war of words this week. Trash talk through the media rarely turns out great for the team with the big mouth (sorry, don’t have those stats). Regardless, this game could be considered “payback” for either team. This divisional battle is close in the eyes of true Jets fans, but odds-makers have the Patriots as 8.5 favorites.  Super Bowl Betting wouldn’t be the same without Tom Brady in it, yet if the upset comes through, Sanchez and the Jets might finally get some respect from Vegas.

Team records:
New York: 11-5 SU, 9-7 ATS
New England: 14-2 SU, 10-5-1 ATS

A Few Trends To Consider:
The total has gone OVER in 9 of the NY Jets last 10 games on the road
NY Jets are 12-3 SU in their last 15 games on the road
NY Jets are 12-4 SU in their last 16 games
The total has gone OVER in 12 of the NY Jets last 16 games
New England is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
New England is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of New England’s last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 9 of New England’s last 10 games

Seattle Seahawks  vs. Chicago Bears -10

Can lightning strike twice? Well, this Seattle team can cause Earthquakes…does that count? To be fair, it was the insane Seattle fan base that rocked the stadium like a shake-weight last week. Matt Hasselbeck is the talk of the league with his near perfect performance and 4 touchdown passes, but as fast as this league praises you, they can turn on you and feed you to the wolves bears. Seattle played a great game at home last week, do they have the same magic on the road against a sleeping Bear?

A Few Trends To Consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Seattle’s last 5 games when playing Chicago
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Seattle’s last 10 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Seattle’s last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Seattle’s last 6 games when playing on the road against Chicago
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chicago’s last 5 games when playing Seattle
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chicago’s last 6 games
Chicago is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games
Chicago is 16-7 SU in its last 23 games at home

Fantasy Football:

Green Bay Packers at Philadelphia Eagles-2.5

The Packers and Eagles could get into a shoot-out that could outscore all 3 of the other Wild-Card games this weekend. Both teams have explosive offenses that can strike fast. While Aaron Rodgers is a smart calculated pocket passer, Mike Vick is a highlight reel of improvisation. Both find ways to move the chains, put up points, and cause Grey-hairs for defensive coordinators.

The X-factor for this game lies in the injury-plagued Eagles defense. With everyone boasting Vick for MVP, little have showed the coaching staff any love this season. Mike Vick is by far the most exciting player Reid has ever had, yet the Eagles have always found a way to get the job done, NFC Divisional Playoff game with Jeff Garcia? -It happened. Yet, with every playoff run, the Eagles coaching staff (accompanied with their questionable play calling) have been backed by a strong defense. This season the Eagles rank 21st in defensive points against and are average at best in all other categories. The lack of pass rush and questionable secondary have created holes on this aggressive defense. The key to this game is whether Philly can keep Aaron Rodgers from exposing them. If Rodgers finds a rhythm and gets comfortable, the Eagles could be in trouble.

Check out our Wild-Card Picks

Team records:
Green Bay: 10-6 SU, 9-7 ATS
Philadelphia: 10-6 SU, 8-8 ATS

Green Bay most recently:
When playing in January are 6-4
When playing on grass are 7-3
After outgaining opponent are 5-5
When playing outside the division are 6-4

Philadelphia most recently:
When playing in January are 4-6
When playing on grass are 6-4
After being outgained are 7-3
When playing outside the division are 6-4

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Green Bay’s last 8 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Green Bay’s last 8 games when playing Philadelphia
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Green Bay’s last 7 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
Green Bay is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Philadelphia’s last 8 games when playing Green Bay
Philadelphia is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Green Bay
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Philadelphia’s last 7 games when playing at home against Green Bay
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Philadelphia’s last 12 games

Fantasy Football: