The Packers hit the midway point of the year with an astonishing 7-1 record, yet still questions remain. One question that has been answered is whether or not Brett Favre was still capable of playing at a high level. Not only is he playing at a high level he is putting up MVP numbers. It is kind of funny how all offseason the national media were saying the Packers should trade Favre because the Packers had no chance to win and it wouldn’t be right for Favre to go out on a losing team. Well, the Packers are two wins away from a winning season and probably three away from a playoff berth. It is also funny how those same guys, particularly shows like “Around the Horn” and “Pardon the Interruption”, have not revisited that topic in light of the Packers’ record. The Pack is back, but let’s not overlook the Minnesota Vikings this week at Lambeau. Eight-and-one is a must for the Packers with Detroit breathing down their neck and a date with the Lions Thanksgiving Day. No time for a letdown.

Another oddity at the midpoint of the year is the teams the Packer have beat. They have beaten three of the teams in the NFC East and three of the teams in the AFC West and one team in the NFC North. This will be the same next week if the Packers take care of business Sunday. While beating Denver and Kansas City back-to-back is very impressive and keeps the Packers in first place in the division, I am more impressed with the Packers taking care of business in the NFC. In the past it seems like they were always at a disadvantage in tiebreakers because they lost to a key NFC opponent or got into a three-way tie and conference record killed them. By beating the Giants, Redskins and Eagles early, they have secured tiebreakers with each team for the playoffs and or seeding in the playoffs. Not too shabby.

The most amazing stat of all to me is that the Packers have done this with the youngest roster in the league. Having Brett Favre obviously makes up for much of that youth, but the Packers are finding ways to win like a veteran team would be expected to do. Which makes the coaching job of Mike McCarthy all the more impressive. McCarthy seems to be able to keep the team at an even keel when things are going bad, which, judging by the comments to this blog, that is something I still need to improve on. That must, however, rub off on the players as they always seem to come through in the end. Of course, with the exceptions of Greg Jennings, it’s been the Packers veterans making the big plays. Charles Woodson has been huge, Nick Barnett is playing out of his head, Donald Driver is Donald Driver, Ryan Pickett is a stalwart in the middle and Aaron Kampman is borderline ridiculous.

Things are going great and thoughts of Packers-Cowboys in the playoffs are hard to put out of your mind. Hopefully McCarthy and his players can do just that and focus on each game with knowledge that the weekly work leads to a large reward in the end.  The Packers are getting better each week and getting used to winning, if they can do 7-1 in the second half of the season the road to the Super Bowl will come through Lambeau. Of course, that is the fan in me thinking. Reality is, one week at a time.

Defense shuts down the Chiefs on the opening drive. Unfortunately a penalty on the punt return sets them back. Good opening play, though, Favre to Jones for 12. A roll-out left and a roll-out right, two first downs. Nice little drive going. Let’s finish it off now.

Finish it they did, Favre is picked off. Oh well, if they hold them again the Packers showed they can move the football. This pass was close to being a big gain, too, just too much on it.

Defense did it’s job again and after being pinned back to the one-yard line, the Packers have moved out to the Chiefs 45. They dodge a bullet when Ryan Grant fumbled a hand-off that the Packers recovered. A late hit on Favre didn’t hurt any either.

Drive stalls but a 48-yard field goal from Mason Crosby gives the Packers a 3-0 lead. Hows that for a pressure kick? The guy you beat out in training camp is standing on the opponents sideline and is still bitter about being cut, yet you drill it. Very nice.

Defense is playing great. Shut the Chiefs down again. I think they only have two first downs thus far. Be nice to put a touchdown up now and make them stress a little more.

Forced to punt and after pinning the Chiefs back, the defense gave up a few plays to all-world tight end Tony Gonzalez, but stiffened again. The Kansas City defense is getting harder to penetrate. This good be 3-0 for a long time.

The Packers now trail 7-6 and all the blame goes on head coach Mike McCarthy. For him to call a pass with third down with thirty-five seconds go is the worst call of his head coaching career. It may well indeed cost the Packers the game today. Favre gets hit, throws a pick, and Atari Bigby makes yet another mistake with an interference call in the end zone and the Chiefs lead. We had better see an angry team in the second half or this game is over. The Chiefs might dominate from here on out.

After a horrific first offensive series of the second half, the Packers are moving the ball a little here. Can’t make a third-and-one and now we miss a field goal. Very sad. Like I said, the Chief will dominate from that interception on. So far that is the case. McCarthy is going to be grilled for this likely to be loss. I know the Packers can still easily win this thing, but they need a defensive or special teams touchdown I think.

What does Greg Jennings do? Answer, catch touchdowns. Another beauty by Jennings and the Packers turn a A.J. Hawk pick into seven points. A sweet catch and run, but the pick by Hawk was an awesome play. Packers lead at the end of three, but K.C. gets a long pass play to end the quarter at their own 43. Lets go defense. Don’t give it right back.

The Packers’ defense looked gassed on that last drive in which KC took a 14-13 lead. Thankfully Dave Rayner kicked the kick-off out of bounds and the Packers hit a long pass to Donald Driver, but a failure in the red zone will again haunt the Packers.

The Chiefs are chewing up huge chunks of yardage now on the Packers’ defense. How can an offense like this gain yards on what is supposed to be one of the best offenses in the NFL? Like I said, and I believe it still, the Packers’ defense needs to win this game and right now they do not appear capable. It’s one mistake after another. Kansas City is already in field goal range. Rayner beats his old team to win the game. Moot point now as the refs call Charles Woodson for a bogus pass interference penalty and the Chiefs score on the next play. It’s all over folks. Chiefs 22, Packers 16. I told everyone but this blog before the game if the Chiefs score 20 points, they win the game. I still believe that as well.

What does Jennings do? Catch touchdowns! Packers 23, Chiefs 22. Please defense, please. One time.

Defense held. One first down and game over. Nice return by Woodson gives the Packers a chance at a field-goald and a 4-point lead, forcing KC to get a TD. One first down, please.

Couldn’t do it. Can Crosby do it? Yes! Chiefs need a touchdown, but it is far from over.

Now it’s over! Put er’ in the ole’ vice! 7-1 and still ahead of the unbelievable Detroit Lions, who destroyed the Broncos today. Brett Favre, Greg Jennings, what a combination that would have been if Brett was 28 instead of 38. Amazing. Now get ready for the Vikings in Lambeau.