Arizona and Green Bay—Cat and Mouse Chess Match, Poker Style
Most of the playoff seeding scenarios end with the Cardinals and Packers more than likely having to face each other in consecutive weeks at University of Phoenix Stadium.
Assuming the Vikings don't lose again, and the so-and-so's win, and the yada yada yada's crumble under pressure.
Honestly I don't get too caught up in the possibilities, I am content to watch the realities unfold in Week 17.
The only things that are certain is that of these NFC playoff teams, the Cardinals are West Champs and the Packers are a wild-card, and one will be 10-6 while the other will have earned their eleventh victory of the 2009 season.
Will it be because they played all of their starters, and used the game as a final tune-up for the playoffs? Or will it be because the other team rested all of its key players with not enough to be gained from a victory to risk injury?
That is why the final game of the season for Arizona and Green Bay holds so much intrigue.
It will either be an instant classic, or one with the feel of a preseason game—an all-vanilla bore-fest. It all depends on what the prevailing strategy ends up being out of both camps come game time.
It will either be a fantastic game to watch with a playoff atmosphere, or it will be a study in the ultimate cat and mouse chess match, poker style.
How will the teams approach this game?
If it is anything like the Colts' Week 16 game, I will be disappointed. Bill Polian called Indy's decision to rest their sports cars with a 15-10 lead on the Jets a "football decision", but I thought football was synonymous with "playing to win the game"?
Pulling the starters at that point in the contest is too conservative. It is telling your players, we will not go for the gusto. I think it softens their edge.
With the possibility of achieving a higher seed, Ken Whisenhunt's Cardinals may choose the other route—to attack the Packers with long bombs and blitzes in hopes of getting fully in sync.
They just achieved their first season with 40 or more sacks since arriving in the desert, good enough to be tied for third best in the NFL this season, and Aaron Rodgers—if he plays—has been sacked 50 times after all.
Beanie Wells and Tim Hightower could always use more practice running the ball, on a team that ranks 29th in rushing attempts this season, and Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston are both finally fully healthy while Larry Fitzgerald will sit with an elbow contusion. Can't think of a better time to try and oil up the passing machine.
What can we expect from the Packers who on the surface have less to gain? They are locked in as a wild card no matter what.
RB Ryan Grant has been molding back into playoff form, and has quietly had a solid year.
Will it be Rodgers to Driver and Jennings and Finley and that juggernaut attack or will it be a quick look at backup QB Matt Flynn, as we watch Mike McCarthy throw bluff after bluff into the mix?
This article also appears on Undrafteds.com
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How this game is played by us will depend on the MIN/NYG game which is played at noon
If the Giants pull out a win then we’ve got something to play for (#2 seed) but if the Vikings win then I don’t see any reason for us to play this game any different than a preseason game. Hell let Warner be the emergency QB and let Matt start with BSP as the #2. I’d rest anyone and everyone who has as much as a hangnail. I’d love to see guys like Brandon Keith, Herman Johnson or Rashad Johnson get a start and let them get some valuable on field time.
Be careful....to a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
exactly...
the Minn game will dictate.
I hope the Vikings lose, for the possible higher seeding, but also b/c I believe in momentum more than rest. John Lott has the team ready to handle anything, and I think the offense could still stand another week of fine tuning
http://undrafteds.com/
Keep it simple, bring Matt in early
I’d say play to win, keep the momentum, but don’t open the playbook all the way.
Work on the run game, but test the pass defense often.
Try to give Leinert some extended time in case he’s needed in the playoffs and to keep Warner rested.
Oh and go after Rodgers. A lot.
It's a momentum thing just as much as it is a mental thing.
If we go in there and blow them out, but don’t show too many adjustments, we can set a tone for the next week (assuming we don’t get the 2nd seed). I think the 2nd seed is a legitimate possibility. Philly looks goood but I think Dallas is a better team. If Minnesota can lose to Chicago they can definitely lose to NY. I don’t want to see us walk into another game this year with our pants down (i.e. Panthers and 49ers late in the season). I am not afraid of GB. They beat one title contender down the stretch, Dallas, during their midseason slump. I say go for broke and make sure we are in kline to get that 2nd seed if it’s avalable.
"Si vis pacem, para bellum"
Who seeks peace must prepare for war.
by Donwhon121 on Dec 30, 2009 12:41 PM MST reply actions 1 recs
Pressure!
Lets see how we can get pressure on Rodgers. If I am correct he is one of the most sacked QB’s in the league. Which is surprising for his fantastic season.
I am not saying go all out, but test the line for weaknesses.
They are who we thought they were!
From what I just read on azcentral, the Packers are going to play to win the game.
So, we should do the same thing.
Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan.
No band-wagoner fans allowed, pick a team and stick with em, throughout the good and the bad.

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