I agree with DrDiags that his comment was partly directed at Seattle and Carolina. But, it's the playoffs, a whole new season. So, he's not really saying anything other than being his competitive self. But, teams do have established advantages at this stage, home field, a first round bye, etc. I think Rodgers realizes that if they can somehow get past the 49ers... that his comments are an attempt to get in the heads of certain teams. Otherwise, he's being intellectually dishonest to suggest that the Seahawks and Panthers are not the most formidable teams.
I'll say this (and I'm not saying I hope anyone gets re-injured)... but, as my son has been recovering from a broken collarbone (during a football game), I've been talking with my sons' orthopedist who spent time working with the Cincinnati Bengals. He brought it up that he thought it was crazy for any talk of Rodgers returning this season (without seeing his X-Rays.) Too, kids heal quicker than adults (in general), so his timeline for Rodgers was longer than my sons. My son was injured before Rodgers and is still a month away from contact sports (and has healed quite fast and looking great.) But, there's 1-2 months of vulnerability AFTER a collarbone has "healed". Rodgers and the Packers are likely taking a huge risk for him getting re-injured and taking longer to recover. Maybe it's worth it now having made the playoffs... that is until the moment should he get hurt again. Then, they'll regret it. Not predicting anything there... just saying that he's probably cleared to play having been warned of the risks of a re-break at this point in the healing process.
Too, I predict nothing as I think it's a fools errand. But, I sort of disagree that it's as wide open as Rodgers would like to believe. Sounds more like wishful thinking to me even with experience and all that. The defenses of Seattle, Carolina and SF seem to separate those teams from the rest. So, any scenario of those teams losing to any of the other 3 would be an upset, even in such a new season as the playoffs and even with a player the caliber of Rodgers. If I was pressed to take a guess... I would say that SF and Carolina will get to battle it out and that the NFCCG will likely be Carolina @ Seattle. I just see those two top NFC seeds as being a cut above the rest. I think the AFC is where we might see a lower seed defeat one of the top two.
All this talk. Glad it will be settled on the field... @ CenturyLink Field!!!
Go Seahawks... Team of the Century!