Jan 20, 2008

Green Sunday to Come



Assuming that both the Green Bay Packers and New England Patriots advance to Super Bowl 42, one Super Bowl in history offers a parallel to this year's game

And it’s not the Green Bay–New England game from 1997, Super Bowl 31.It’s the LA Raiders-Washington Redskins game from 1984, Super Bowl 18—Black Sunday.

But the LA Raiders dominated the Washington Redskins from the beginning with arguably the best defense to have played the game, with due respect to the 1985 Bears. Final Score: Raiders 38, Redskins 9.The parallel between the two games is the play of the Pack's cornerbacks: Charles Woodson and Al Harris.

Like Raider corners, Mike Haynes and Lester Hayes, Woodson and Harris have the capability of shutting down receivers, freeing up fast Packer linebackers to wreak havoc with the Patriots' running game and pressuring Tom Brady.

Sure, the Raiders' menacing defense was more agressive and homicidally inclined with Matt Millen, Howie Long, and Lyle Alzado leading the way.

But no one can overstate, especially in today's pass-happy game, the capacity of two superior corners to shut down an offence.

Woodson and Harris playing their best on a good Packer defense, combined with the offensive power of the Pack led by Brett, also at the top of their game, may make this year's Super Bowl 42, Green Sunday.

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