Everybody remembers the botched call that gave Seattle an undeserved win against the Packers. It had wide reaching ramifications, as well. While Green Bay still managed to win their division, they had to settle for a third seed, which meant hosting an extra Wild Card game, and then having to travel to San Francisco for the divisional round, rather than having that precious bye to rest for one extra week, and hosting the game against the 49ers - the team that ultimately reached the Super Bowl. I am not saying that the Packers would automatically have won that game, as the 49ers had beaten the Packers at Lambeau Field earlier that season (as well as in last postseason). But beating the Packers in Lambeau Field in January of 2013 would not have been the same as beating them in January, and playing them in San Francisco, I suspect, was a lot easier than it would have been had the game been played in frigid Green Bay.
The other team involved in that contest got hot after that game, and were able to use that as a launchpad to a very successful run. They bounced back from a miserable season to go 11-5 overall, qualifying for the Wild Card, ad they beat Washington in that first playoff game. They would lose the next weekend at Atlanta, but the momentum clearly stayed with them, as they enjoyed a rather dominant season in 2013, going 13-3, good enough for the NFC West division title, and the top seed in the NFC. They rode that particular wave to the Super Bowl, which they dominated against Denver.
Of course, the Packers franchise are no strangers to Super Bowls themselves, and these Packers won the big game against Pittsburgh just a few short years ago. Most people know that they are still pretty loaded offensively, and they are expected by most to be the best in the NFC North yet again. Also, they are expected to be one of the elite teams in the NFC, a true contender to reach the Super Bowl yet again. But what a way to start the season for them, with a huge test right off the bat, going to Seattle, where the Seahawks have been virtually unbeatable the last two seasons, and having to find a way to win there.
I would like to predict that the Packers are equal to the challenge, but I just don't see it. Seattle is a very, very tough place to play. One of the loudest stadiums in the league, and probably the toughest team as well - a team that plays their very best at home! The Packers earned the victory two years ago, and were robbed. But I don't see them winning this one. I like Seattle, probably by a touchdown or so. Not complete domination or humiliation, but enough to come out clearly the winners in their first game since taking the trophy and earning their rings!
Here is what I wrote about and committed a blog entry to regarding that now infamous controversial call from 2012:
September 25, 2012:
The Worst Call That I Have Ever Seen
Did anyone catch that Monday Night Football game between the visiting Green Bay Packers and the Seattle Seahawks? It ended on a very controversial play, and that is putting it mildly. The hometown Seattle Seahawks, who had benefited from a few bad calls that went in their favor, were down, 12-7. It was 4th down, with mere seconds left on the clock, so this was going to be the last play of the game, one way or the other. Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson heaved the ball towards the corner of the end zone, generally in the direction of wide receiver Golden Tate, more or less a prayer pass. And the prayer was answered. Only not by divine intervention, but by poor officiating. Very poor.
Packers defender M. D. Jennings, one of several Packers defenders in the area, caught the call, and came down with it, landing on receiver Golden Tate, who had his arms wrapped around Jennings in what normally would have been a tackle (it would have been had it been midfield, for example). But Tate, to his credit, immediately attempted to wrestle the ball away, and was successful enough to confuse the refs, who came running in. Two of them, to be specific. They both made their call, but they conflicted with one another.
The play was reviewed by tape, and the outcome seemed clear. Yet, once they completed the review, they confirmed the on the field call, which had ruled the play a touchdown. Seahawks win.
I have been a fan of American football since the 1981 NFL season, and this was perhaps the weirdest game, and certainly the weirdest call, that I have ever seen. But that is perhaps too mild, because "weird" just does not cut it. This was exactly what the NFL was hoping wouldn't happen.
That was the worst call to end a football game that I've ever seen. The Packers won that game, a tough game to be sure, but instead were robbed. The officials literally cost them the game there. A couple of bad calls against them, to be sure, but that final play was nothing short of robbery. Maybe it's time that the regulars come back. Truly abysmal, and pathetic.
I will say this, though: Jennings should have just slapped it down to the ground, so there would be absolutely no chance of anything funny going down. That said, he did get the interception, and what transpired from that point on was ridiculous. One of the most blatantly horrible calls I've ever seen in sports, period.
Once the call had been made, and the outcome of the game decided (for worse, surely not for better), the Green Bay Packers ran off the field, followed by the Seattle Seahawks. There was not even an extra point attempt at that point, and so the players from both teams were called back. If I had been Packers Coach McCarthy, I would have simply refused to have my team go back out on the field, after being robbed.like that.
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