Green Bay Packers: Why They Could Suffer the Dreaded Super Bowl Hangover

Take a moment, Packer fans, to bask in the glow of being Super Bowl Champions.  Beyond the hyper-commercialism that is the Super Bowl, there remains an element of it that is, to quote basketball legend Bill Walton, "men fighting for the ultimate prize!"  Unfortunately, this moment has been subdued by an irritating and pervasive lockout.  I prefer to assume that sanity will prevail so that we can watch Aaron Rodgers lead the Packers in search of a second Lombardi Trophy next season. 

This slideshow details the possible challenges that await the defending champs as they try to buck the recent trend against repeat Super Bowl victories.  Being the Super Bowl winner presents many a challenge, and the Packers will have to rise to meet them if they are to reach the pinnacle again. 

Hangover, Ego, Satisfaction

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Charles Woodson #21 of the Green Bay Packers is injured as he attempts to break up a pass intended for Mike Wallace #17 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Tex

The hunger that drove Charles Woodson to fully lay out and break up this pass was a vital component to Green Bay's championship season.  In a league designed to foster parity, qualities that are difficult to gauge, such as chemistry, desire and dumb luck often represent the difference between a championship and missing the playoffs. 

The dominating question any Super Bowl winning team faces is, does the team, comprised of 53 individuals, retain the necessary hunger?  Looking at the leaders on this Packer team, I believe that they can maintain the necessary intensity to win again.  Greater uncertainty surrounds the other two factors, chemistry and dumb luck. 

Chemistry should not take a debilitating hit, as Thompson will retain most of the team.  That being said, the inevitable additions and subtractions on the team remain shrouded in uncertainty. 

That leaves the question of dumb luck.  I qualify luck in football terms as the elements of which my team is not in control, such as other teams or injuries.  Lastly, things such as calls made by referees can lose a pivotal game. Just ask the 1983 49'ers.

Big Come Up, Tampa Bay Bucs Are on the Horizon

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LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 12: Josh Freeman #5 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks for a receiver during the game against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on December 12, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. The Buccaneers defeated the Redskins 17-16. (Photo by

As I previously mentioned, one element that the Packers' cannot account for is what other teams do.  One such team is former division rivals Tampa Bay, led by burgeoning star Josh Freemen.  Not only does he have a big arm, courage and the poise to win in adverse conditions, but he has an up-and-coming group of young weapons. Buc fans hope that names such as Mike Williams, Arrelious Benn, Sammie Stroughter and LeGarrette Blount will soon strike fear in defensive coordinators around the league. 

Tampa Bay operates by the draft and develop model, selecting what many consider the top defensive end in the draft to go along with two very talented defensive tackles from last year.  These and other pieces should contribute to a defensive resurgence down in Tampa over the next several seasons.  In short, the Bucs appear to be a team on the rise who could threaten the Packers' attempts to repeat. 

Getting over the Hangover

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 08: Quarterback Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints throws the ball against the Seattle Seahawks during the 2011 NFC wild-card playoff game at Qwest Field on January 8, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Gett

After winning Super Bowl 44, the Saints had a solid year, going 11-5 and reaching the playoffs.  Unfortunately, with an elite quarterback, a deep receiving corps and an above-average defense headed by a creative defensive coordinator, one-and-done in the playoffs is simply not enough.  To the Super Bowl 44 champions, an early exit from the postseason must have felt like an especially painful hangover after a long night in the French Quarter.

On paper, the Saints possess the requisite explosive offensive to keep pace with Rodgers' crew.  With Brees' pinpoint accuracy and gamer mentality, the Saints represent a worthy opponent. Assuming Micky Loomis brings Reggie Bush back, along with the return of a healthy Pierre Thomas and the rookie Mark Ingram, the Saints should be a balanced offense to slow down Dom Capers' preferred nickel defense.

Doing the Dirty Birds, Well Dirty

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 15: Michael Turner #33 of the Atlanta Falcons runs the ball against the Green Bay Packers during their 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Georgia Dome on January 15, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Packers won 48-21. (Photo by Street

The Falcons gained almost as much notoriety this off season for trading four picks for Julio Jones as they did for the postseason beating they suffered at the hands of the Packers.  Assuming that  Jones pans out, the Falcons could bring an explosive element to their already balanced offense.  As previously mentioned, a well balanced offense prevents Capers from employing his 2-4-5 nickel package as often as he likes.  He strives to increase defensive versatility by lining Woodson up as a hybrid nickelback safety where he can blitz, stop the run or cover.  In addition, the Packers finished in the bottom half of the league in stopping the run, and with two big targets to throw to down the field, stacking the box should prove more difficult. 

Matt Ryan appears to be a cerebral quarterback who learns from his mistakes.  With a talented team and a talented coaching staff, he could be exacting a measure of revenge on the Pack next year.  

King of the Hill

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NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 28: NFL COmmissioner Roger Goodell poses for a photo with Carolina Panthers #1 overall pick Cam Newton from the UNiversity of Auburn during the 2011 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 28, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Ch

Any team that wins the Super Bowl knows that they automatically become a glaring target on every opponent's schedule.  Being the champ means that even the Panthers, who the Packers face in Week 2 could pose a significant challenge.  With parity thriving in the NFL, the likelihood of getting shocked by a team considered inferior is a legitimate concern.

Beyond getting everybody's best, being the reigning champ will create an intense, sustained focus, the likes of which the Packers has never dealt with since Brett Favre retired.  The ability of Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers to keep the team grounded amidst the hype and focused to be their best every week will determine whether they make another run at a ring or fizzle into obscurity like so many teams that fail to meet the challenge.

Schedule Makers Make It Personal

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DENVER - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers looks to deliver a pass against the Denver Broncos at INVESCO Field at Mile High on January 2, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Chargers defeated the Broncos 33-28. (Photo by Doug

Current NFL rules determine that the better a team does, the more difficult the schedule becomes in the following year.  This is certainly the case this year because Green Bay plays difficult divisions in the NFC North and South and an up-and-coming division in the AFC West.  The Lions look much improved and the Bears stand to be similar to last year; only the Vikes look like a doormat this year. 

I can anticipate the cat calls about the AFC West being weak, but bear in mind that the Chiefs and the Raiders both showed significant promise, and the Chargers continue to have as much talent as anyone in the league.  The one break is that the Chargers are on the docket for Nov. 6, prior to the Bolts' typical attempts to salvage another underachieving season.  Being from San Diego, aside from the balmy fall respite from the harsh Wisconsin climate, the Packers' trip to America's Finest City could bring about a long plane ride home.

Nothin' but Time!

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Greg Jennings #85 of the Green Bay Packers catches a 31 yard pass in the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers during Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/

Just like Greg Jennings after his spectacular catch to keep the drive alive, the Packers 2011 season is up in the air.  It could go in multiple directions, but only one destination will be considered a success, and 31 other teams will be fighting for that same prize.  They have the talent, and now the experience, but can they beat the odds?  Stay tuned!