In this NFC Championship game, which quarterback is under more pressure? Is it red-hot Aaron Rodgers of the Packers or the QB that many refer to as The GOAT (Greatest Of All Time), Tom Brady?
I think it's all on Brady, making his 14th divisional championship start and looking for his 10th Super Bowl appearance. Why? Because Tom needs to win, has to win, to prove to all that his past success with the New England Patriots wasn't all due to the brilliant coaching of Bill Belichick.
Just look at how the Patriots stumbled to a 7-9 record without Brady (or a decent quarterback) under Belichick while the 43-year-old Brady has found success in Tampa Bay.
For Rodgers, the quotes coming from him this week express the joy of being in this season, of reaching this plateau and enjoying it -- and his teammates. Despite having the best record in the NFC at 13-3 this season, and the top-scoring offense, I think Green Bay is confidently playing with house money.
Many will look back at the terrible game that the Packers played in Tampa, that Week 5 thumping (38-10) coming off a bye week, no less, as an indication that the Bucs are better. Or that Green Bay's defensive coordinator, Mike Pettine, is only 10-3 against Brady.
Nonsense.
This is a different Packer team in January than it was then. A better, confident team.
Granted, Green Bay will have to play clean football on Sunday. But the pressure? That's all on Brady.
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