Lady luck hasn't always been kind to Packers' Woodson
GREEN BAY - You can look at this two ways. Either Charles Woodson is way overdue to come out on the winning side of a close game like the one expected Sunday.
GREEN BAY - You can look at this two ways.
Either Charles Woodson is way overdue to come out on the winning side of a close game like the one expected Sunday.
Or . . . He's the Eagles good-luck charm.
"I've been a part of some close ones in my time," the veteran Packers cornerback was saying this week of his playoff experience.
"Actually, every time," he said with a broad smile.
That's not factually true. But it must feel that way to the 34-year-old, who is in his 13th NFL season and fifth with Green Bay, making the Pro Bowl for the seventh time.
Woodson's first year in the NFL was 1998. He spent 8 years in Oakland, reaching the playoffs with them in 2000, 2001 and 2002.
The first year, the Ravens upset the Raiders on their way to winning the Super Bowl.
The next year, it was the Patriots in the infamous "tuck rule" game.
"Everyone knows that one," he laughed.
For those who don't, here's a nutshell. Late in a snowy game in Foxborough, with the Raiders clinging to a 13-10 lead, Woodson blitzed Tom Brady and stripped the ball. The Raiders recovered, but after reviewing the play, officials cited a new rule put in place in 1999 that deemed the fumble an incomplete pass. The Patriots' drive continued and they tied the game with a field goal inside of the final minute. Another field goal in overtime sent the Patriots into the Super Bowl.
The following year, Woodson's Raiders made it to the Super Bowl, winning two games by large margins and losing to Tampa Bay in similar fashion.
Then came his personal playoff drought, which led to his exit from Oakland. Woodson signed with Green Bay before the 2006 season, and registered a personal best at the time in interceptions. The following season, the Packers reached the NFC title game. Again favored, playing at home in frigid weather against the New York Giants, the Packers lost in overtime after Brett Favre was intercepted by Corey Webster.
Last year, he was part of a 51-point, first-round defensive meltdown against the Cardinals, 1 week after pounding them at home. The Packers entered that game with one of the NFC's top-ranked defenses, but as they have pointed out all week, numbers, especially in football, can lie.
Green Bay ranked 28th in red-zone defense a year ago, and allowed 70 points off 16 giveaways, the highest ratio in the NFL. The Packers have turned the ball over 22 times this season, but opponents have scored just 39 points off those, and just three touchdowns.
It has led to a popular category around here. "Adversity defense," is a phrase Packers coach Mike McCarthy has used several times this week, and it has seeped into the locker room as well.
Woodson doesn't use the phrase, at least not yet, but he agrees there is a marked difference between this group and the one Kurt Warner chewed to bits in last year's first-round game.
"I don't think in that playoff game we were an aggressive defense," Woodson said. "This time around, I just don't think it will be the same. We'll keep applying pressure. Because that's the way our team likes to play.
"We want it bad, man. We worked hard to put ourselves in this position. With all the injuries, guys have come in, had to play, had to step up, done a great job. These are guys not expected to contribute but they're contributors. And now we have an opportunity now to get in and make some noise."
Only Pittsburgh had more sacks (48) than Green Bay this season. The Packers' 47 sacks were their most since 2001. Six times this season, they recorded at least four sacks, including the six against the Eagles in their 27-20, season-opening victory at the Linc.
That, too, came down to a play or two at the end, and Woodson's team won. Still, the Packers were about six plays away from a perfect record this season. None of their six losses was by more than four points. Twice they lost in overtime, and three other times the game was decided in the final minute.
So maybe there is something to this Woodson hex.
Freddie Mitchell anyone?
"I wasn't here for that," Woodson said. "I've seen it, though. Not good for the Packers, I know that. Hopefully, it won't come down to a fourth-and-26 for us. Hopefully, we can make some plays and wrap the game up early." *
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