The Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys may be evenly matched on the field but they couldn’t be more polar opposites off the field. The Cowboys are the flashy, big money team that self-glossed themselves America’s Team. They have the hugely egotistical owner/general manager in Jerry Jones, who flies in governors and other dignitaries to watch his team play in his stadium. Calls it “part of our mojo”.
The Packers are publicly owned and play in the league’s smallest city. They play in a cold weather climate and a legendary stadium. The Packers’ players may not agree but the fans here would love to see another 13-below at kickoff game. However a heat wave is expected to hit by Sunday and the temperatures are expected to be in the upper teens.
The Cowboys probably won’t have as many fans at Lambeau as some teams do due mainly to the cold weather and it being a playoff game Packers’ fans want to attend, but that hasn’t stopped Cowboys’ fans from being a part of the game from a distance. Stores in Texas are selling Ice Bowl II t-shirts in Dallas.
The one thing that is the same about these teams is their rich tradition. Both have a long history of winning championships, the Packers 13 league championships top the league. The Cowboys have won five Super Bowls. Both teams are measured by championships and not just winning seasons.
This particular game will likely come down to the quarterback. Tony Romo against a hobbled Aaron Rodgers. According to Cowboys.com scout Bryan Broaddus, the Packers are terrifed about Rodgers’ injured calf. I’m thinking the Cowboys are hoping that is the case, but Rodgers on one stick is still better than Romo.
Rodgers is 31 years old now and even for a quarterback, that is no spring chicken. He is going to have to learn to play from the pocket as he gets older if he wants to stick around. And if the wins over Tampa Bay and Detroit are any indication of how Rodgers can perform from the pocket the Packers are in good hands.