Hopefully There Will Be a Redemption in the Rematch in the Desert

Looking For 'The Redemption in the Rematch in the Desert'

Three weeks ago the Packers were riding high on a three-game winning streak having averaged 28 points a game heading to Glendale, Arizona to face one of the strongest teams in the league - the Arizona Cardinals. Three hours later Aaron Rodgers was pulled from the game mercifully after being sacked 8 times and the Packers were embarrassed with a 38-8 loss.

The game hurt the Packers psyche so much they let the hated Minnesota Vikings not only beat them at Lambeau Field, but take away the North title the Packers have held for four straight seasons.

Last week The Hangover of the Disaster in the Desert was still being felt for another quarter as the Packers fell behind 11-0 to another team that was coming on late in the season - the Washington Redskins.

But suddenly after a goal-line stand from the one the defense began to put some pressure on Kirk Cousins and Rodgers and the Packers offense woke up and played up to their potential to win 35-18 to set up the Rematch in the Desert this week.

Rodgers and the Cardinals have some history. The season before the Super Bowl championship Rodgers met Kurt Warner and the Cardinals in Rodgers first playoff game. It was The Thrilla in Glendale when Rodgers and Greg Jennings just missed an 80-yard touchdown pass in overtime and two plays later Karlos Dansby returned a Rodgers' fumble after a missed facemask penalty to end the highest scoring playoff game in NFL history, 51-45. That game made Rodgers a Super Bowl MVP and the best quarterback in football until this season.

You wouldn't blame Rodgers if he has nightmares every time he hears a Cardinal chirp outside his home or sees that bird emblem. During his eight years as a Packers starter Rodgers has a faced the Cardinals three times during the regular season winning his first two before losing three weeks ago. This will be the second time Rodgers will face the Birds in the playoffs.

There is another history concerning a playoff game against the Cardinals in the Rodgers Era besides the loss. The Packers had beat down the Birds, 33-7, the week before in Arizona knocking Warner out of the game early. So Packers fans take heart a loss in the regular season doesn't necessarily mean a loss in the playoffs.

Three weeks ago the Packers were without left tackle David Bakhtiari, cornerback Sam Shields and linebacker Sackmaster Jayrone Elliott. Don Barclay was horrible in relief of Bakhtiari and the secondary was burned badly without a pass rush to rattle Carson Palmer.

It would be nice if Elliott could return to his sacking ways, but that might be unreasonable. One key to the game is the play of Claymaker, Pep, Mike Neal, Nick Perry, Mike Daniels, and B.J. Raji as far as pushing the pocket back into Palmer's comfort zone and forcing bad passes at the least or sacking him at best.

Another key on defense is the play of Jake Ryan at inside linebacker. He has been doing his best A.J. Hawk impression the past month. He looks overmatched at the point and in space. For the most part he has been two steps slow chasing down runners or covering backs or tight ends. He has played small with no pop in the tackles when he gets there.

With Shields out Damarious Randall, Quinten Rollins, Casey Hayward and LaDarius Gunter has played well. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix has also played well while Morgan Burnett has been a bit invisible. Burnett needs to play well this week.

Shields Practiced So He Might Be Able to Play

Shields and Rollins are listed as questionable so are a game-day decision, but despite the problems the Packers have had with reserves, especially on the offensive line, I don't really have a problem if Gunter or Demetri Goodson playing. They have filled in well when pressed into service, especially Gunter last week when Rollins went down. The key to the secondary is the pass rush.

The offensive explosion was a long time coming. The unit that played the final three quarters against the Redskins was the unit we all know and love and have been waiting to appear since Week 3 of the season.

Bakhtiari Looks Like a Go After Participating in Practice

It looks like Bakhtiari will play, but if he gets reinjured or isn't playing well J.C. Tretter looks like he can handle the job. However, Davante Adams' lost season continued with him suffering a fairly serious knee injury after having a great game last week. Adams will be missed.

Janis Needs A New Name to Get Into the Game

In his place Jeff Janis might have to pressed into duty over the objections of Mike McCarthy. In fact, Janis needs to buy the name "He Hate Me" from Rod Smith and wear it on his jersey to make a point before he catches the winning touchdown pass tonight.

Rodgers was on the money with his passes and the running game was helpful. If Eddie Lacy and James Starks are on their game along with Rodgers the Packers have a chance to win if the defense holds up its end of the bargain.

However, last week Rodgers did get hurt and is listed with a hip injury and Lacy is still fighting through a painful rib injury. Those injuries may or may not have a bearing on this week's performance. I'm guessing unless they are aggravated they won't be an issue.

So to make a long blog shorter its time to make my prediction. I've been listening to ESPN radio and they along with most everyone else don't give the Packers a chance.

I was leaning in that direction until my nephew Cory called this morning. I asked him what he thought and he didn't hesitate to predict a Packers win. He told me his wife, Michelle, who is a newbie to American football, but she really knows her stuff. In the short time she has watched the Packers this season she could see how flawed the Packers are and how bad they have played all season, despite posting a 10-6 record, take that McCarthy. However, she is fully on the side of Packers in her prediction even though she wears a New York Giants jersey while watching the games. Girls.

So it's going to be the Deniston Family against the pundits. I predict a Packer win followed by a Panthers win over the Seahawks to set up another Rematch.