Packers vs. Patriots

It’s time to post our gallery from Sunday’s Packers-Patriots game at Lambeau Field. Before we head inside, here is an example of just a few of the Packer-themed party vehicles one might encounter on game day.

Entering Lambeau a couple of hours before the game.

As you probably know by now, we like to go down behind the Packers’ bench area and see what’s going on.

A couple of views (above and below) of the sideline area as things are being set up for the game.

K Mason Crosby and P Tim Masthay are always out early to warm up and judge the wind, etc.

Packers equipment behind the bench.

Communications equipment.

New England QB Tom Brady comes out for pre-game warm-ups.

The Packers come out for their pre-game warm-ups.

WR Jordy Nelson.

Another reason we like to go down behind the Packers’ bench area is to be close to QB Aaron Rodgers as he makes some warm-up throws.

WR Randall Cobb was Rodgers’ “ball catcher” so that the QB wouldn’t jam a finger or something while playing catch with Nelson.

Rodgers greets an official before the game.

Nelson and QB Matt Flynn were on the other end of the Cobb-Rodgers throws.

Team huddle by the tunnel before doing some stretching and unit warm-up drills.

Above and below, players are stretching things out.

The game kick-off comes to S Micah Hyde.

The Packers’ offense gets to work.

RB Eddie Lacy gets a hand-off.

WR Jarrett Boykin and Cobb in the offensive backfield.

QB Tom Brady, a future Hall of Famer, works the New England offense.

Hyde receives a New England punt.

Rodgers and his offense during a TV time out.

Rodgers makes sure that Lacy hears the adjustments before the snap.

Rodgers throwing at the other end of the field.

Brady throwing at the other end of the field.

Apparently, some folks don‘t know when they should be loud at a game.

RB James Starks gets a hand-off.

Rodgers throws.

Players coming off the New England bench.

Nelson works against the Patriots’ CB Darrelle Revis.

The services of the “chain gang” are required.

The Packers’ offensive line opens a hole for Lacy.

LB Sam Barrington gets a nice hit on Brady.

Brady at work.

Make some noise.

Rodgers makes a few adjustments before receiving the snap from C Corey Linsley.

Rodgers, in cape, talks with Head Coach Mike McCarthy during a time out late in the game.

And again a little bit later.

GAME OVER! The Packers beat the New England Patriots in a highly anticipated match-up between the two best teams in the league.

The final score.

Rodgers is the last one to head to the locker room, and is seen here talking to the media after the game.

Packers TV — Week 13

Following up the great win against the New England Patriots, here are some Packers TV shows from this week, starting with The Mike McCarthy Show, and special guest Davante Adams.

This is Packers Live with Larry McCarren, and special guest T.J. Lang. 

Last is this segment of Packers Extra, with Packers Radio Network play-by-play caller, Wayne Larrivee.

We figured if we brought these to your attention, you might watch them more readily than forgetting about them. Enjoy.

In Case You Missed It...

What a game! That ranks up there with the best of the 117 games we’ve been to at Lambeau Field. Until we post some of the photos we took on Sunday, here are some videos from afterwards — with all the comments from the quarterbacks and the head coaches. The game highlights can be seen here. Enjoy this win.

QB Aaron Rodgers’ comments are here. 

Coach Mike McCarthy’s comments are here. 

QB Tom Brady’s comments are here. 

Coach Bill Belichick’s comments are here.

Week 13 TV Map

Rest easy tonight, Packers fans... everyone can watch the game tomorrow on CBS. Providing you can get the CBS signal. We will be at the game, leaving bright and early at 8:00 a.m. for the drive North. Photos from the game will come early next week.
UPDATE: Sorry, Atlanta residents, you won’t see the Packers’ game. Should’ve thought about that before you moved there.
(Map courtesy of 506 Sports)

1964 Sportsman of the Year

We’re going to focus on the NFL on a broader scale today, rather than just on the Packers. In January 1964, NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle was named Sports Illustrated’s “Sportsman of the Year.” This is the feature article on him and the NFL at that time. We did choose to not include the article on the Chicago Bears’ championship victory over the New York Giants for the ’63 title. If you want to read that, then go on over to the Bearsville, U.S.A. site.

We included this L&M cigarettes advertisement along with our coverage, because it sure looks to us like that’s Green Bay’s FB Jim Taylor in the main picture.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Jordy Goes National

Be sure to pick up your copy of the latest Sports Illustrated this week — featuring Packers’ WR Jordy Nelson on the cover. You’re welcome.

A Couple of Things from ’63

We’re going back to December 1963 (almost 51 years ago) for this installment of Packerville, U.S.A. This issue of Sports Illustrated has a couple of things that we found interesting. But first, on the cover, we see former Packers QB Tobin Rote (1950-56), playing that position in San Diego. He would stay in the league through 1966.

The cover story, which begins here, was proposing this wacky idea that the American Football League — in its fourth season — and the more established National Football League should meet in a championship game, to determine the best pro football team (and league). Well, we all know that this idea never came to fruition, and that these two leagues have operated independently ever since, never playing each other head-to-head.

This article is about the Green Bay Packers, and how after back-to-back championships in ’61 and ’62, the team was showing some cracks in their ability to make it three-in-a-row in ’63. 

Lastly, here are some ads from that year to give us a feel for life 51 years ago. Above, nothing goes with alcohol like 7-Up.

Hot Dr. Pepper? Did this idea last? Anyone?

No iPhones in those days. 

Pan Am! 

Check out the size of that trunk in the Galaxie 500. 

Hertz was the big rental company in those days. Even Santa used them.