Super Bowl preview?
Game of the century?
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FOUR THINGS TO WATCH
1. Will the weather affect the game? The early forecast is for temperatures in the mid-30s, but Green Bay might not enjoy a huge advantage. The Patriots excel in cold-weather games, going 35-8 (since 1993) in games where the starting temperature is 34 or colder. And if it snows? The Patriots are 12-0 in snow games.
2. Who covers Green Bay’s Jordy Nelson? If the Patriots follow form, Brandon Browner will line up across from the Packers’ most dangerous wide receiver. But don’t be surprised if Darrelle Revis gets a shot at covering him, too.
3. How are the carries split in the New England backfield? Jonas Gray was benched last week, seven days after his breakthrough game, and LeGarrette Blount stepped into a starring role. Look for the Patriots to test Green Bay’s rush defense, which ranks 30th among the NFL’s 32 teams. But will it be Gray or Blount plowing straight ahead?
4. Who blinks first: Tom Brady or Aaron Rodgers? Two of the game’s most heralded quarterbacks will be going against two of the NFL’s most opportunistic defenses. Green Bay ranks first in turnover ratio with a plus-15 while New England is second at plus-11. Brady has thrown only six interceptions, Rodgers a stunning three. Can they continue to limit turnovers on this day?
— Mike Lowe
Sunday’s game at historic Lambeau Field between the New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers has been called both. Let’s just drop the hyperbole and appreciate the game for what it is: A matchup between two of the greatest quarterbacks we’ll ever see and two of the best teams the NFL has to offer this season.
The Patriots (9-2) enter the game with a seven-game winning streak in which they are outscoring opponents 277-138. Green Bay (8-3) is 5-0 at Lambeau and has outscored opponents there 219-85.
These are the two highest-scoring teams in the NFL – the Patriots first with 32.4 points per game, the Packers second with 32.2. The Patriots have won an NFL-high six games by 20 or more points while the Packers are next with five.
And both quarterbacks – Tom Brady of the Patriots and Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers – are at the top of their games. Brady, in New England’s win streak, has thrown 22 touchdown passes with a quarterback rating of 111.7. Rodgers has thrown 29 touchdowns and 322 consecutive passes without an interception at home – both NFL records.
So when we’re talking heavyweights, we’re talking this game.
And in the center of the ring, standing right behind their centers, are Brady and Rodgers.
Bill Belichick was asked Wednesday if he saw any comparisons between Brady and Rodgers.
“They both wear number 12,” was his reply.
Yeah, they have different styles. Brady is more of a drop-back passer who relies on play-action fakes to keep the defense honest. Rodgers has the ability to keep a play alive by not only moving in the pocket but from sideline to sideline.
But there is one remarkable similarity: They don’t make many mistakes.
Brady has thrown 417 passes this year – completing 271 (65 percent) for 2,998 yards and 26 touchdowns – with only six intercepted. Rodgers has thrown 342 passes – completing 228 (66.7 percent) for 2,957 yards and 30 touchdowns – and just three interceptions.
“Even if you’re not playing your best game, if you’re not turning it over, your team is probably going to be in the mix,” said Rodgers. “If you’re being efficient and accurate, and not turning the ball over, you’re probably going to win a lot of games.”
Brady called Rodgers’ touchdown-to-interception ratio of 30-3 “phenomenal.”
“It’s hard to match that,” he said.
But Brady knows he has to be at his best against a ball-hawking defense. Green Bay leads the NFL with a plus-15 turnover ratio. (New England is second at plus-12.)
“You can’t score if you’re turning it over,” said Brady. “It’s like a punt.”
This will be the first time that Brady, 37, and Rodgers, 30, play against each other. But they’ve known each other for many years – always talking football when they’re together, according to Brady – and have been big fans of each other from afar.
“He does things that a lot of guys in the league can’t do … well, that nobody can really do except him,” said Brady. “For a quarterback, I really know how hard it is to do that, especially on a consistent basis. And he’s been as consistent as anybody who has ever played the position.”
Similarly, Rodgers said of Brady, “If we have a common opponent, I always enjoy putting on film to see what he did against them.
“He’s got great pocket presence. He’s very accurate. He’s really good with his eye control. He does a lot of things at the line of scrimmage.”
Brady said he gets a lot out of his football conversations with Rodgers.
“Everyone’s goal is to score points,” he said. “You can look at another team’s style … and see if you can learn something and maybe implement it into what your team does.
“They’re pretty spectacular at what they do. He’s obviously one of the best players to ever play the position, so there is a lot to learn from.”
Sunday, we’ll find out who has learned more.
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