The Packers Defense Is Peaking Just In Time For the Playoffs

The Packers Defense Is Peaking Just In Time For the Playoffs

The Green Bay Packers had to scratch and claw their way into the playoffs, and now that they are in, any team (minus the Seahawks) has a chance to hoist the Lombardi Trophy in Dallas.  Even though the Packers have the toughest road to the Super Bowl, their defense is peaking at the right time and playing their best football of the season.  Green Bay, who finished the regular season ranked second in the league in points allowed with 15.0, lost six games this season, but all were by three- or four-point margins largely because the defense still gave the team a shot at victory when their offense had off days.  They will have their hands full this weekend with Michael Vick and the explosive Eagles offense, but I think their defense matches up really well against Philly.  This year’s Packers squad is battle-tested, having held two double-digit-win teams in the Giants and Bears without a touchdown over the last six quarters and have not given up more than 20 points in any of the last nine games.  If the Packers offense can get back on track and their defense continues its dominance, it could be a fun playoff run for the Pack.

Nick Collins joined WSSP in Milwaukee to talk about whether the Packers ever doubted they were a playoff team, whether the Bears played as hard as they did on Sunday the first time they played them this season, and how exciting it is to play Michael Vick and the Eagles in the playoffs.

Whether the Packers ever doubted they were a playoff team:

“No doubt.  We are a confident team and we play like that every Sunday.  We knew we have a chance if we just go out there and execute our gameplan.”

Whether the defense ever lets the offense have it when they keep the team in the game:

“No, it is a team game.  We don’t talk to A-Rod like that.  We understand they are going to struggle sometimes and sometimes we are going to struggle.  It is all about winning game and we were able to help out offense out last night and come out with a big win.”

Whether the Bears played as hard as they did on Sunday the first time they played them this season:

“They were trying to knock us out and they played hard for the whole 60 minutes and we was able to go out there and match them and beat them.  The best team won the game.  That is just the bottom line.”

How exciting it is to play Michael Vick and the Eagles in the playoffs:

“Oh man it is going to be a great game.  Michael Vick done been through so much and the way he is playing this year is outstanding.  We are just going to have to go in there and match their intensity.  They play at home and they are going to have the crowd, so it is going to be a battle and I think the guys in the locker room are eager to try and make this last push to the Super Bowl.”