Hello readers! Another week of National Football League action is upon us. The week that was last week was a fairly good week with a 10-4 record in picks. The margin between me and Cardinal Viking (my current roommate) is very slim coming into this week with me ahead by a few games. Hopefully my good fortune will continue into Week 12. In this post I'll talk about the 1960's Packers in the NFL 100 Spotlight and the picks for the games. Let's get to work!
NFL 100: A Spotlight
In 1958, the Green Bay Packers would endure the worst season in their history with a 1-10-1 record. The season would be Ray McLean's only season with the club. They hadn't won a league championship since 1944. It was during the glory years of head coach Curly Lambeau and the likes of wide receiver Don Hutson ravaging opposing defenses with his speed. McLean's successor would be an offensive coordinator named Vince Lombardi.
What Lombardi brought was a change of the culture to the team. His emphasis of endurance, courage, and hard work would transform one of the worst teams in the league into one of the best. The team that he inherited had the pieces that Lombardi needed to help guide them into the next decade. He had players by the like of Ray Nitschke, Jerry Kramer, Max McGee, and Bart Starr.
By 1960, Lombardi's 2nd season with the team, he led the team to the 1960 NFL championship against the Philadelphia Eagles. The two-year turnaround was met with defeat as the Packers lost to the Eagles 17-13. It would be the only loss in Lombardi's tenure in Green Bay.
The Packers would rebound in 1961 to win their first championship since 1944 when they beat the New York Giants 37-0 in Lambeau Field. The same two teams would met again in 1962 and the Packers would beat the Giants 16-7 in Yankee Stadium. They heavily used their running backs Paul Hornung and Jim Taylor in those contests.
The hopes of a three-peat were foiled in 1963 when the Packers lost to the Chicago Bears late in the season with the score of 26-7. Ultimately the loss was all that was needed as the Bears would beat the Giants in the championship game that year. The Packers failed to reach the championship game again in 1964 as the Baltimore Colts were the representatives in the Western Conference. The Colts would lose to the Cleveland Browns 27-0.
The 1965 season was a return to glory but was met with some opposition. The Packers finished with a 10-3 record but would have to play the Colts in a tie-breaker game for the rights to face the Browns in the championship game. The Packers would beat the Colts in overtime 13-10 and would beat the Browns in a muddy Lambeau Field with the score of 23-12. It was a return to glory.
For the first time in league history there would be another game to be played after the league championship game. Lombardi's Packers would continue their momentum from 1965 to a 12-2 record in 1966. They went toe to toe against the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL championship game in the Cotton Bowl and would go on to win the first Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs 35-10.
Vince Lombardi's message to the team in 1967 was clear. The team wanted to go for the three-peat. They had failed to do it in 1963 but another opportunity presented itself. Lombardi's final year in Green Bay wasn't an easy one as the Packers finished with a 9-4-1 record. Age was catching up to the team as most of the players were in their 30's and it would take every ounce of energy to get them to the top for the 3rd time.
The Packers would easily handle the Los Angeles Rams in the NFL divisional playoff game by the score of 28-7. The Packers would have to battle two opponents in the next game. The Dallas Cowboys and the subzero temperatures would test the Packers in Lombardi's final home game as Packers head coach. It would take a Bart Starr sneak into the endzone to help seal the Packers legacy as NFL champions in 1965, 1966, and 1967. In Super Bowl II, the Packers would easily handle the AFL's Oakland Raiders by the score of 33-14. Two weeks after the game, Vince Lombardi resigned as head coach. It would be another 29 years until the Packers would win another Super Bowl.
In the 1960's, the game of football started to gain traction in the consciousness in America. The Green Bay Packers and Vince Lombardi were easily one of the teams that helped garner that attention. Top to bottom the team that Lombardi put out during those years were amazing. They could beat you with the arm of Bart Starr with his versatile receiving corp, or the running tandem of Jim Taylor or Paul Hornung. They could beat you with their fearsome defense with the likes of Willie Davis or David Robinson on the defensive line, Ray Nitschke as a linebacker and Willie Wood and Herb Adderley patrolling the field in the secondary. They were truly a great dynasty in NFL history.
Week 12 Picks
Week 12 in the NFL regular season will start in Houston, Texas and ends in Los Angeles, California. Four teams will be on a bye this week: Arizona Cardinals, Minnesota Vikings, Kansas City Chiefs, and Los Angeles Chargers. There will be a Thursday night game, nine early games, two late games, a Sunday night game and a Monday night game. CBS will have the single, regional game while FOX will have the double-header. Here are the picks!
Indianapolis (6-4) @ Houston (6-4) (FOX/NFL Network): TW: Texans; CV: Texans
The Colts beat the Jaguars and the Texans lost to the Ravens last week. Marlon Mack will be out of the game with a hand injury. I can't expect the Colts running game to get the same amount of yardage that Mack would probably get in this game. Unless the Colts run game gives Jacoby Brissett some help, I feel the Texans will edge this one out as they have a capable running back to get them a win. Houston has let me down before, sadly.
Oakland (6-4) @ NY Jets (3-7) (CBS): TW: Raiders; CV: Raiders
Both teams got wins last week as the Raiders beat the Bengals and the Jets beat the Redskins. Oakland has a very unique opportunity to gain some ground on the Chiefs in the division. Josh Jacobs is a great story for a potential Rookie of the Year honors. I feel Oakland will win based on the their well balanced offense and a defense that can ravage on Sam Darnold. I'll take the Raiders.
NY Giants (2-8) @ Chicago (4-6) (FOX): TW: Bears; CV: Bears
The Giants were on a bye and the Bears lost to the Rams last week. The difference I feel in this match-up is that the Bears have a defense and the Giants don't have one. The problem is that whoever the Bears have at quarterback could pose a problem, whether it will be Chase Daniel or Mitchell Trubisky. If the Bears want to get back into the playoff conversation, they need a win.
Pittsburgh (5-5) @ Cincinnati (0-10) (CBS): TW: Steelers; CV: Steelers
Both teams lost last week as the Steelers lost to the Browns and the Bengals lost to the Raiders. The season has gone poorly for the Bengals and unfortunately they won't have an easy time in this one. I like the Steelers defense to overwhelm the Bengals offense. Pittsburgh should be fortunate that Mason Rudolph wasn't suspended for last week's brawl against Myles Garrett. I'll take Pittsburgh based on their defense.
Seattle (8-2) @ Philadelphia (5-5) (FOX): TW: Seahawks; CV: Seahawks
The Seahawks were on a bye and the Eagles lost to the Patriots last week. Jet lag could be a problem for the Seahawks traveling a near 3-hour difference. The Eagles could play havoc with their defense but I like the Seahawks offense in this match-up. Seahawks have a good running game as well. I'll go with Seattle.
Tampa Bay (3-7) @ Atlanta (3-7) (FOX): TW: Falcons; CV: Buccaneers
The Buccaneers lost to the Saints and the Falcons beat the Panthers last week. Atlanta has been on a tear in the last few weeks and I'll go with that momentum into this game. It's certainly a guarantee that Jameis Winston will throw for over 250+ yards but its likely he will throw interceptions in this one. I don't trust the Bucs in the game so I'll give the nod to Atlanta. Don't let me down.
Miami (2-8) @ Cleveland (4-6) (FOX): TW: Browns; CV: Browns
The Dolphins lost to the Bills and the Browns beat the Steelers last week. Cleveland will be without Myles Garrett for the rest of the season due to the brawl last week. Despite the loss I still like the Browns defense against a fairly decent Dolphins offense. As long as the formula of Baker Mayfield playing the field manager and Nick Chubb taking the load off of Mayfield's shoulder, I'll take the Browns in the game.
Detroit (3-6-1) @ Washington (1-9) (FOX): TW: Lions; CV: Lions
Both teams lost last week as the Lions lost to the Cowboys and the Redskins lost to the Jets. It's the sexy match-up of Jeff (not Jake) Driskel and Dwayne Haskins in this game. I like the Lions in the game as they do have some capable weapons for Driskel to go to. The Redskins defense could put up a fight in this one but with the way they played against the Jets, I don't trust them to scare a rock. I'll take the Lions in a close game.
Denver (3-7) @ Buffalo (7-3) (CBS): TW: Bills; CV: Bills
The Broncos lost to the Vikings and the Bills beat the Dolphins last week. Buffalo looks to continue its season with getting a win against a sub-par team in the Broncos. Denver looks to try to upset the Bills on the road where they haven't won in since 2007. I like the Bills in the game due to their defense and versatility in quarterback as Josh Allen can beat you with his arm and his legs. The Broncos could play spoiler in ways that they had last week against Minnesota but they have to play all four quarters to get a win.
Carolina (5-5) @ New Orleans (8-2) (CBS): TW: Saints; CV: Panthers
The Panthers lost to the Falcons and the Saints beat the Buccaneers last week. Carolina has been on downward spiral since losing to the Packers and I sadly feel that this will continue. Christian McCaffrey will cause problems on the Saints defense but can I trust Kyle Allen to do well in a hostile environment in the SuperDome. I personally don't think so. I'll take the Saints.
Jacksonville (4-6) @ Tennessee (5-5) (CBS): TW: Titans; CV: Jaguars
The Jaguars lost to the Colts and the Titans were on a bye last week. The game seems like a reverse to their previous meeting earlier in the season. The Jaguars had a capable quarterback in that game in Gardner Minshew and the Titans didn't. In this game, I feel the Titans found their answer and quarterback in Ryan Tannehill. The sample size of film for Nick Foles has been limited due to his lengthy injury. I can't trust the Jaguars defense to slow down the Titans offense. I'll take the Titans for once.
Dallas (6-4) @ New England (9-1) (FOX): TW: Patriots; CV: Patriots
Both teams won last week as the Cowboys beat the Lions and the Patriots beat the Eagles. This game will be nationally televised. Dallas does have a shot to win this game as they do have a capable running game to help their offense keep the Patriots defense on the field. Fortunately for Brady and company they have a good running attack as well and I don't think the Cowboys defense compares to the Patriots defense. I'll take New England.
Green Bay (8-2) @ San Francisco (9-1) (NBC): TW: Packers; CV: 49ers
The Packers were on a bye and the 49ers beat the Cardinals last week. The marquee game of the week. Two teams that have really good offenses and solid defenses. While I do think the 49ers defense is playing better than the Packers defense, the 49ers weakness is in rush defense which is something I think the Packers can exploit. Green Bay needs to have a good game from Aaron Jones as the 49ers have a great pass defense. Turnovers could be a key in this game. I'll take the Pack.
Baltimore (8-2) @ LA Rams (6-4) (ESPN): TW: Ravens; CV: Rams
The Ravens beat the Texans and the Rams beat the Bears last week. Week 12 finishes with a good match-up on ESPN. Both teams have great running games, and good defenses. Lamar Jackson is the x-factor for this match-up as he has both a great arm and two legs that can get first downs and more. I'll take the Ravens in the game as I can't trust Jared Goff to get his team to a win against a very good Ravens team.
Local TV Schedule (courtesy of 506sports.com, subject to change):
CBS Single:
Carolina @ New Orleans
Jim Nantz, Tony Romo
FOX Early:
Seattle @ Philadelphia
Kevin Burkhardt, Charles Davis
FOX Late:
Dallas @ New England
Dallas @ New England
Joe Buck, Troy Aikman
For more information on which game is played in your area, check out: NFL Maps: Week 12
The Records (By Week & Year):
Cardinal Viking:
2017: 167-89
2018: 156-98-2
2019:
Week 1: 11-4-1
Week 2: 10-6
Week 3: 10-6
Week 4: 7-8
Week 5: 9-6
Week 6: 7-7
Week 7: 10-4
Week 8: 11-4
Week 9: 8-6
Week 10: 2-11
Week 11: 12-2
Overall: 97-64-1
My record:
2012: 164-90-2
2013: 162-92-1
2014: 172-83-1
2017: 164-92
2018: 156-98-2
2019:
Week 1: 12-3-1
Week 2: 10-6
Week 3: 11-5
Week 4: 8-7
Week 5: 5-10
Week 6: 9-5
Week 7: 7-7
Week 8: 14-1
Week 9: 8-6
Week 10: 5-8
Week 11: 10-4
Overall: 99-62-1
See you guys after the Monday night game for the Week 12 recap! Enjoy the games!
-Tom
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