'NFL-Green Bay Packers-Road to XLV'
(4-Disc DVD / NR / 2011 / Vivendi Entertainment)
Overview: In this unforgettable four-disc set, relive the Packers' remarkable championship run with the original network broadcasts of their thrilling four-game post-season run. Follow Green Bay as they fight off a late Philadelphia comeback in the Wild Card round, breeze past Atlanta in the Divisional Playoffs, out-slug the arch-rival Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship Game and then charge past the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLV.
DVD Verdict: The Lombardi Trophy returns to Titletown, USA! For the fourth time in their storied history, the Green Bay Packers were Super Bowl champions! It was a season to be savored for all of Packers Nation. Over these four games, Green Bay captured the imagination of an entire nation and their story became etched into the fabric of their incredible NFL legacy. Indeed, in truth the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers both overcame adversity to reach Super Bowl XLV.
Here's a couple of key games that you will see:
Sept. 12 - At Philadelphia - Packers 27, Eagles 20: Aaron Rodgers threw for two touchdowns, Mason Crosby kicked a team-record 56-yard field goal and the Packers survived Michael Vick’s outstanding performance in relief of a concussed Kevin Kolb.
Key play: Vick is stopped on a fourth-and-1 at the Green Bay 42 in the final minutes with the Eagles driving toward a potential tying touchdown.
The skinny: Eagles find a quarterback; Packers find the win column.
Wild Card Round - Jan. 9 - At Philadelphia - Packers 21, Eagles 16: Rookie running back James Starks ran for 123 yards, while Rodgers threw for three touchdowns as the Packers won in Philly for the second time. Vick threw for 292 yards, but sent an ill-advised pass into the end zone with the Eagles at the Green Bay 27 that was picked off by Williams.
Key play: Williams’ interception in the end zone with 33 seconds to play with the Eagles poised to strike for a come-from-behind win.
The skinny: Vick & Co. are terminated for the second time at the Linc with the game in the balance.
NFC Championship - Jan. 23 - At Chicago - Packers 21, Bears 14: The Packers beat the rival Bears for the second time in three weeks in the biggest game the two teams could possibly play. An ineffective Jay Cutler (6-for-14, 80 yards) suffered a knee injury in the third quarter and did not return for Chicago. Sam Shields had two interceptions for Green Bay, while Jennings had eight catches for 130 yards.
Key play: B.J. Raji’s 18-yard pick return for a TD in the fourth quarter. The big man puts the Packers up 21-7.
The skinny: Green Bay completes journey to the Super Bowl, its fifth, by beating three opponents in venues where it had played during the regular season — the Linc, Georgia Dome and Soldier Field.
Now, the fact that Vivendi are taking archived broadcasts, recorded with HD cameras, and releasing it on DVD only is a slap in the face of the fans, sorry! If you're someone who is ok with watching regular DVD, then by all means go ahead and enjoy this DVD set. However, if you're one of the tens of millions of people who watch football every week on an HDTV that you purchased in the last few years, then stand your ground and let Vivendi and the NFL know that just because Green Bay is the NFL's smallest market doesn't mean that the fanbase deserves the smallest effort! This is a Widescreen Presentation (1.85:1) enhanced for 16x9 TVs.
www.vivendient.com