Fans relish playoff game at Lambeau

GREEN BAY — It’s hard to imagine the National Football League postseason without the Green Bay Packers. But for the last two seasons, Packer players and fans had to watch the playoffs from their couches.

With the team making a triumphant return to the postseason — and knowing Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks would be the last at Lambeau Field this season after the San Francisco 49ers win on Saturday — fans soaked up every moment of the playoff atmosphere.

Despite temperatures in the low 20s on what was a mostly cloudy afternoon, many fans still beat members of the Packers to the stadium, filling up the parking lots surrounding Lambeau several hours before kickoff.

Green and gold attire could be seen in almost every direction, with the occasional Seahawks logo or colors sticking out like sore thumbs.

From time to time, a “Go Pack Go” chant would begin, while others reacted to the AFC divisional game that was going on.

A good portion of the fans could be found gathered around pop-up tents joining in conversation, enjoying some beverages and grilling. Wafts of burgers, brats, hot dogs and other smoked meats filled the air, with the occasional smell of beer seeping through.

Other fans could be found watching live bands in several locations around the stadium — Titletown District, Johnsonville Tailgate Village and Kroll’s West.

The Titletown District was also the area where the most kids were found, with a skate rink and tubing hill at Ariens Hill, which opened at 10 a.m.

When the Lambeau gates opened two hours prior to kickoff, a few hundred fans filtered in to take in the pregame warmups. All fans in attendance received a rally towel that said “The Pack is Back.”

Some fans stayed outside the walls of 1265 Lombardi Ave. to enjoy enjoy some more tailgating fun, but just about everyone was in their seats by the time the game kicked off.

In true Lambeau fashion, fans showered Packer players with loud cheers when they took the field. The Seahawks were serenaded with boos and jeers.

When the game finally got underway, 78,998 fans (the second-largest playoff crowd in Packers history) did their part in trying to make an impact on the game. When Seattle had the ball on offense, noise levels hovered in the 90-100 decibel range, while the Packers’ offense operated with almost no noise at all.

The Packers’ offense gave fans plenty to cheer about in the first half before the fans helped the defense make a key stop in the fourth quarter to seal up a 28-23 win.

One of the loudest cheers of the night came when rapper Lil Wayne led the crowd into “Roll Out the Barrel” between the third and fourth quarters. Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis was also in attendance.

Loud chants of “Go Pack Go” echoed throughout Lambeau as fans headed for the exits and into the snowy night — with smiles, hugs and high-fives galore.

While the green and gold faithful won’t get the chance to cheer their team on at Lambeau this Sunday, they did leave the stadium with memories that will last a lifetime.

sports@newmedia-wi.com