After watching the replay of the Packers win over San Diego Sunday I am even more impressed. I know I am surely jinxing the Packers this week at Minnesota, but the way the Packers came back and made big play after big play to beat the the team with what many consider has the best talent in the NFL, like the late, great, Howard Cosell would say, “I have to call it as I see it.”

Head coach Mike McCarthy seems much more comfortable with his personnel this year and what he can and can’t do. I’m going to say it all week, jinx or not, but the Packers should beat the hapless Vikings, Green Bay is already established at three-and-a-half point favorites and reality is it should be at least ten.

The Packers and their seven-game regular season winning streak, longest in the NFL, by the way, have a chance to take control of the division the next two weeks with the punchless Bears following the Vikings. The Packers did get some bad news today when the Bears announced that Rex Grossman has been replaced by Brian Griese. However, at least the Packers will now have at least one game film on the three time loser.

Come on? How can the Packers lose this game? Just like the dummy in Philly thought the Eagles were a lock to beat the Packers on opening day, I may be eating crow come Sunday, but until then, I’m all over Vi-queens.

The Green Bay Packers are 3-0 on the young NFL season and have won football games in each area. The win against the Eagles was won with special teams, the win against the Giants was won with offense and the win against San Diego was won with a combination of all three. The Packers have now won seven games in a row and seem to be gaining confidence with each one. I sat in row one behind the Packers bench against the Chargers and the scene on the sidelines was intense but never did the players show a sense of panic. This team might be for real.

I certainly hope saying that does not jinx them, because they do have some serious problems running the football and that won’t change the next two weeks with Minnesota and Chicago on the schedule. Hopefully Brett Favre gets some rest in practice because he will be throwing 40 times a game the next two weeks for sure. Favre is getting into a groove like we haven’t seen in years. I love the offense head coach Mike McCarthy has developed due to the lack of having a good running back. McCarthy has taken a page of Mike Holmgren’s playbook and simply uses the quick-hitter pass as a good as a run. Somehow Favre has bought back into it.

Favre’s six touchdown, one pick performance of the last two weeks is borderline ridiculous. The guy is weeks away from being 38 years old and is playing like he’s 28. McCarthy has found a way to connect with Brett that has him playing like one of the NFL’s best again. If this keeps up and his arm doesn’t wear out, the Packers will be in good hands, as they have been the last 15 years. Of course, they do need to develop at least a pedestrian ground game. Right now they simply stink at run blocking or they don’t have a running back. As much as I hate to say it this major flaw could haunt them big time come wintertime.

Watching Favre up close and personal yesterday after tying the record and the Nick Barnett interception was priceless. Packer fans are the luckiest fans in the world. Just think how the Bears feel after last night’s stellar (cough, cough) performance by Wrecks Grossman. Or how the Vikings or the Lions felt after their ugly losses yesterday. Clearly after three weeks the Packers are the favorite in the division, and division play begins this week with the Packers at Minihaha and Chicago at Detroit. Let the games begin. Right now I like Green Bay and Detroit.

It has been a long time since the Packers played a meaningful game in September. In their heyday they were rolling over teams in the first month, but the last few years they have struggled out of the gate to put it mildly. Now the Packers have a chance to go to three-and-oh by beating the the team that had the best record in the NFL last year at 14-2.

The Chargers did indeed go 14-2 last year, but after their off-season of change, that 14-2 record might as well be 10 years ago. This is not the same Chargers team. Marty Ball is long gone, Norv Turner Ball is in. Good luck with that. Marty Shottenheimer was a winning head coach, granted, he struggled in the playoffs, but Norv Turner hasn’t won in the regular season or the playoffs. He has to be the worst head coach in the NFL right now. I didn’t do the research, but record-wise I bet that is a fact.

And not only did the Chargers lose their head coach, they lost both coordinators and have pretty much an entirely new coaching staff that after two weeks doesn’t know how to use the best running back in the NFL. They also have a quarterback that hasn’t played a solid game since the middle of last season and is starting to look like a choker, or a benefactor of LT.

I think the Packers will win this game. I have a big wedding this weekend and will be attending the game Sunday, so my prediction has to come now. Packers 24, Chargers 20. Brett Favre’s third touchdown pass of the game wins it for the Packers and ties Dan Marino for the most all-time.

It’s the Norv Turner factor. And for the record, I don’t think San Diego or Chicago makes the playoffs this year.

The Green Bay Packers could not have walked out and placed the ball any better. A perfect drive to start to the season. However, as most golfers know, double-bogey can still be made from the middle of the fairway. The Packers face a tough shot this week with the San Diego Chargers coming to town. The Chargers were 14-2 last year but have gotten hammered by New England in two of their last three games, including last year’s playoffs. Demoralized or pissed off, that is the question.

The Packers may be flying high but they have been taking grief because it appears now that the two teams they beat, both playoff teams from last year, are not very good. What’s up with that? How many times did I say when the schedule came out that you can’t predict the Packers’ record because things change so much from year to year. Yes, the two teams they beat are 0-2, but one of those losses came at the hands of the Green Bay Packers. Win the ones you are supposed to win and you will go a long way.

I think the Chargers will be demoralized and not too thrilled to make another cross-country trip on a short week already. The Chargers didn’t exactly look like world beaters in their season opening win over Chicago, but the Bears offense without Thomas Jones is a threat to no one.  Not to go off on a tangent, but speaking of the Bears, why when they win a game with a special teams play are they are considered good, but when the Packers do, it is because we are lucky? Is it the color of our uniforms?

Anyway, I think the Chargers are beatable Sunday. As you know, I was worried about how the Packers handled the success of beating the Eagles. They proved me wrong by keeping their heads and hammering the Giants in the second half after trailing at half-time. Very impressive, but can they do it again? That is the question. Too early for my prediction, I’m 1-1 on the year, but confidence is higher after the rout of the Giants.

Not a good start for the good guys. Two plays, 38 yards and a 15-yard penalty. Just what I figured would happen.

Well, the defense stood up and the Giants missed a field goal. Maybe Plaxico Burress’ late hit on A.J. Hawk and subsequent penalty on the Packers’ Brady Poppinga fired them up. Now let’s see what the offense can do.

So far so good for the Packers’ offense. Favre is sharp and Brandon Jackson and DeShawn Wynn had some nice runs. Lets get some points now. Third and one, Green Bay timeout. I cannot stress enough how important it would be to get a touchdown here. The Giants defense will be questioning itself and might quit.

Unbelievable! Wynn can’t get a half-yard and Mason Crosby yanks a 43-yard field goal attempt. Might have been a bad snap, but still the Packers failed to take control and on the road you can’t blow opportunities like this. Confidence is not high.

Packer defense continues to struggle.

Amazing. How you can you not know a draw is coming on 2nd-and-15? Fortunately the Packers got pressure on Eli Manning to force fourth down. Watch the fake, please.

The offense has dug itself out of a hole at the end of the first quarter. If anything, it looks like the Packers might be able to score an offensive touchdown today. If the defense gets one, I think the Packers can win.

A terrible three plays ends the Packers drive, but there is a penalty on the Giants for roughing the kickers gives the Packers new life.

So much for that. Donald Driver pulls an Antonio Freeman and tips the ball to the Giants for an interception. This, my friends is getting ugly on both sides.

The Packers’ offensive line is not good. They simply cannot run block. Thanks to a Favre rocket to James Jones and a great screen pass to Ryan Grant the Packers have a first-and-goal.

Wow! What a nice drive by the Packers. 71 yards for a touchdown. Wynn, who I thought could have been cut on draft day makes a nifty move to score the TD. Sweet. 7-0 Pack.

Manning with way too much time ties the game in two plays. Nice defense. Charles Woodson and Al Harris get burned and the Giants seem to be in control again.

The Packers’ defense is simply playing horrible right now. Harris with a illegal contact penalty now and the fact is the Giants are gaining yards on pretty much every play now. Confidence is very low at this point.

This is the 2006 Packers’ defense all over again. Giving up huge chunks of yardage and not getting timely pressure on the quarterback. The Packers’ defense isn’t quite what we thought they were.

Man, the offensive line is just a joke. They couldn’t block a pee-wee team. This does not bode well for the Green Bay Packers heading into the second half down by three.

Pack up by four as Favre closes in on Dan Marino. Nice 51-yard drive set up by a nice kickoff return, however, the Giants needed one play to get to the Packers 37. Now to the 25. Simply put, the Packers’ defense is highly overrated.

Well, what can you say about Brett Favre? He has simply taken control of the Packers’ offense and the Packers havean eight point lead. Favre was red-hot on the drive finally hitting Donald Lee for a TD.

Now the Packers get a fumble on the kickoff return. A TD here and the game might be over.

Am I seeing this? Is this 1996 all over again? Favre is ripping it up in the Meadowlands and as much as the Giants’ fans hate it, I hope they appreciate what they are seeing. Favre is on fire! Now the Packers’ defense better not blow a 15-point lead in the fourth quarter. I had to say, because we are all thinking it. Confidence is medium.

Confidence is growing, but now it seems like the Packers called off the dogs here with two meaningless running plays after a great defensive stand. Now a punt. We might have to go through this after all.

Why did McCarthy challenge that call? What an idiot. The Giants have new life and are looking good.

Holy cow! The Packers will win the game! Corey Williams intercepts a screen pass or something and the Packers take over. With seven minutes left, the Packers should be able to protect a 15-point lead. A couple of first downs would go a long way right now. That’s one.

This is bananas. Wynn breaks a long one and the rout is on. I could not have been more wrong about this guy, he should be the starter next week at home against San Diego. What a game for a guy that pretty much completely missed training camp. The Packers are 2-0 and in first place in the NFC North and I must say looking pretty good. The defense struggled at times today, but the offense bailed them out, the opposite of last week when the defense bailed out the offense. Teamwork at its best. Is the Pack back? They have won six games in a row and are gaining confidence with each one. This could be a fun year, but we still need a running back. Is it Wynn?

Mike McCarthy is now 10-8 as a head coach. Who would have though that?  Of course, having Brett Favre as your quarterback can’t hurt. This was a classic. Favre is still one of the best and now he has won more games than any other quarterback in NFL history. What a day.

All the stars are aligned and while it may not be the dawning of the Age of Aquarius it may be the dawning of a Green Bay Packers playoff appearance. Yes it is only week two, but the percentages will be in the Packers’ favor if they can beat the Giants in New York and move to 2-0 on this young season. Even with star quarterback Eli Manning hurting or out with a shoulder injury, the Packers are still in for a tough game.

I think the Packers can win the game but I think it will be only if the win battle between their own ears.  The Packers win over the Eagles last week seemed to raise a few eyebrows around the league and the Packers have a chance to gain some serious respect with a win this week. A loss however and that Eagles win was just a fluke and with San Diego coming to town and next week and trip to Minnesota the following week, 1-3 is a distinct possibility. If the Packers are to take that huge next step, it starts today.

I’m sorry, but I must be honest and the fact is I have a bad feeling this morning. 19-17 Giants.

The Green Bay Packers have a chance to get off to the fast start head coach Mike McCarthy is looking for by beating the banged up New York Giants in the Meadowlands on Sunday. The Giants are for sure without their starting running back and may be without quarterback Eli Manning. If the Packers’ defense is licking it’s chops, they have good reason.

McCarthy seemed to lay blame for the Packers’ offensive woes last Sunday on the offensive line, which certainly played a huge part in the Packers being unable to run the football effectively. The zone-blocking scheme is still a problem for me, I’ve yet to see holes open like the they do in Denver or Atlanta. Something is wrong if you can’t learn it in 17 regular season games and eight preseason games. If one area might hold the Packers back from taking the next step it’s the zone-blocking scheme.

Vernand Morency hopefully will be back this week and he supposedly knows the scheme better than the other backs, so maybe we will find out if it is the line or the running backs. The Packers beat Philly with rookies Brandon Jackson starting at running back and Korey Hall starting at fullback, but they only gained 46 yards on the ground.
Brett Favre didn’t do anything special other than his one vintage play when he underhanded a pass to DeShawn Wynn that resulted in an 18 yard gain on third down. Favre even ran down field and jumped on Wynn after the play. I thought Wynn had scored a touchdown there for a minute. Favre is still Favre, that’s for sure. The one thing Favre did do well was handle the immense pressure the Eagles put on him and only made one real mistake when he threw late down the middle and got picked off.

I think you can count on the Packers defense to play well, but you can’t count on special teams to come up those kind of plays every week.

More to come.

While it may not have been pretty, beating the Philadelphia Eagles is always a good thing. To be honest, beating them like that is kind of icing on the cake. You always like to pull games out when you are not at your best and the Packers did just that. The defense did its job but the Packers’ offense was woeful at best.

When the Eagles took a 13-10 lead, I figured the rout was on, but not on this day. Unlike last year in Philly, the Packers defense buckled down and held the Eagles in check the rest of the way. A very impressive performance against last year’s number two offense in the NFL.

A win is a win, but clearly the Packers need to figure out what to do on offense with such limited weapons. The Eagles defense owns the Packers though, so I’m not going to get to overly upset over yesterday’s performance. The way the Cowboys lit up the New York Giants defense last night, I’ll wait and see if the Packers can do a little better in the Meadowlands next week.

Bottom line is the Packers are 1-0 and going back to last season have won five straight. Brett Favre is now tied with John Elway for the most wins in NFL history with a good chance to beat that next week in New York. Who would have thought the Packers could win a game without scoring an offensive touchdown? Amazing. And judging from the smile on Favre’s face as he ran by me after the game, it didn’t matter.

If the Green Bay Packers want to get the naysayers off their back there is no better way than to beat the Philadelphia Eagles today in Lambeau Field. The Packers have struggled against the Eagles of late and many are predicting the Eagles to go along way this season. A win by the Packers today could change the fortunes of both teams.

The Packers are simply going to have to find a way move the ball with their one-dimensional offense. The Eagles will throw the kitchen sink at Brett Favre today so the Packers offensive line and rookie running backs will be put to the test. The Ealges defense slipped to 15th overall last year and they have a young linebacking crew that Favre may be able to take adavantage of with the re-emergence of tight end Bubba Franks.

The Packers defense will have to contain Donavon McNabb and that might not be as hard as before considering this is McNabbs first full game back from a knee injury last year. The brittle McNabb might play a little smarter with his health for a few games until he gets back in the swing of things. He only played a few series in the preseason and didn’t play at all in the first and last preseason games.

When the schedule came out I felt the Packers were catching the Eagles at a good time by playing them opening day. I still feel that way, even though I’m worried about the Eagle blitz. I’ll say the Packers hit enough plays to back the Eagles off the all-out blitz scheme and the Packers’ defense keeps it close enough for Favre to win one in the end. Packers 19, Eagles 17.

“At the end of the day we feel pretty good about this group.” With that one quote, one has to wonder what Packers’ general manager Ted Thompson is smoking and are GMs subject to drug testing. Thompson has three rookies, a wannabe and never-will-be joining one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time hoping to go out on a winning note. Good luck with that.

Now the never-will-be has been in camp two days and pulls a hamstring, so count Ryan Grant out of the Eagles game. What a joke this has become. The Eagles will blitz the heck of said quarterback Brett Favre and if the rookies can’t protect Favre he will take the beating of his career on Sunday. Look for a lot of tight end Bubba Franks in backfield after rookie one, Brandon Jackson, gets whipped on the blitz the first time.

The more I look at this game the more all I want out of it is for Brett Favre to remain standing. The Packers best hope is to somehow hit a big screen pass or quick hitter early in the game to make the Eagles back off on the blitz a little and maybe the Packers’ offense can run some real plays. I’m not saying the guys like Brandon Jackson and Korey Hall can’t do the job, maybe they will surprise. DeShawn Wynn, I doubt it. Wynn should be on a practice squad somewhere.

The Eagles are not the defense they once were, so if Favre has some time, he should be able to do some damage. A turnover or two by the defense could also force the Eagles out of their gameplan.

Only Thursday and I’m getting nervous. Sunday can’t come soon enough. More tomorrow. By then I might be thinking Packers win in a blowout. Typical week one. I change from day to day.