Packers peaking, will it be enough?

Unlike the the other contenders in the NFC, the Green Bay Packers seem to be peaking at the right time. The Packers, in fact, have been peaking since last year, having won 14 of their last 16 games. On the other hand the main contenders in the NFC looked woeful last Sunday when Seattle lost at Carolina and the mighty Dallas Cowboys lost at home to the Eagles. The Vikings won last night but showed that their lack of a quarterback will likely be their downfall in the playoffs.

The Packers still must beat the Bears in Chicago and Detroit at home and hope for one Cowboy loss to get the NFC Championship game in Lambeau Field, but after watching the Jessica Simpsons lay an egg at home like they did, I don’t think it matters where the Packers play the Cowboys. The biggest question is whether or not the Cowboys are even good enough to win a playoff game to enable them to play the Packers again.

If it wasn’t for the loss to the lowly Bears the Packers would be in driver’s seat in the NFC. Hopefully the Packers use that game as incentive to get win number 13 and keep alive hopes for home field advantage. The Packers will know what the Cowboys did before they play Sunday because the Cowboys play Saturday night in Carolina. A loss by Dallas should really fire up the Packers as then all it takes is wins over Chicago and Detroit to pave the road to the Super Bowl through Lambeau Field. Two teams they should rout, but also two division foes who will be playing their own personal Super Bowl. Much like Philly was in Dallas Sunday.

My thinking is the Cowboys are in their December swoon and the Packers will only need to win one of two to get home field advantage. In fact, I’d be shocked if the Packers faced the Cowboys again this year, and that won’t be because of a Packers’ loss. Those of you who know me have to be shaking in your boots. I think this team can win the NFC Championship. The gut-check win over the Rams convinced me. Two games left, but I just can’t see Mike McCarthy laying down, especially against two division foes.

I’m going out on a limb and predicting 14-2. If I get too much backlash I might reconsider. Whatever is in the best interest of the team. If I have to I’ll do a Brian Westbrook.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 18th, 2007 at 8:58 pm and is filed under Al Davis. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

  • Mel e Mel

    Well the TO cancer has spread again. He was whining like a little girl in the Philly game. The guy was trouble with Steve Young, Jeff Garcia, Donovan McNabb and now Tony Romo. I am happy for Jerry and his crew. Also Bum Phillips kid wears his emotions on his sleave its so funny to watch. He is like a 250 pound cheerleader. Any I would like to beat Dallas for the right to face the Evil Empire (NE).

  • Michael Legat

    I’d frankly like to see Green Bay and Indianapolis in the White-Out Bowl, named thus for the Liquid Paper used by all the pundits who had inked New England and Dallas into the Super Bowl weeks ago.

  • Michael Legat

    Also, Al, looking for some thoughts on the Pro Bowl picks. I have a lot of love for Al Harris, but I think we all know that Charles Woodson is the true difference maker in the secondary; also sad to see Barnett not get to make the trip.

    Pro Bowl Game Predictions: Brett will bow out of playing due to an infected hangnail he got during Green Bay’s winning drive in the Super Bowl. On defense, the NFC team will honor Sean Taylor’s selection by taking a page out the Redskins book and putting ten players on the field for the first defensive play. AFC QB Tom Brady will then honor Sean Taylor by throwing deep to Moss for a touchdown and running off the field.

  • Mark

    For the first time this year, I’m starting to believe the Packers can go all the way. I wish I could bet somebody. The Packers have not choked all year (the Bears game was a collapse, not a choke) and that “luck” that many analysts have attributed their wins to (myself included) in retrospect looks like a team of destiny. I don’t believe in such tripe, but if there ever was a team that proved the existence of miracles, this is it. They’ve been underrated all year, and that’s just fine. The Pro Bowl snub of many great players is further motivation.

    Someone should research another Favre record: most popular jersey ever sold.

  • Scott S.

    The Packers haven’t peaked yet. That implies that they stopped getting better. I think they are still improving in some aspect of their game every week. This week was the special teams. No, they haven’t peaked but they are maintaining a high level of play. They need to peak in the last game of the year.

  • http://packsmack.blogspot.com PackSmack

    We might be peaking, but I hope we are not peeking so far ahead that we are over-looking. Chicago is defending NFC champs. Period. This is a divisional game, and we all know that anything can happen. Anything at all. And I do believe that they thumped us a few months ago, which means that they could thump us again. (But dang, we gave that one away, didn’t we??)

    As for the Cowboys, they are tough. Maybe not playing really well right now, but we know they can. But the question that must be asked, is are the Cowboys good enough to beat Green Bay TWICE this year? If they are, they deserve to go. I am not sure I would want to bet against Favre on this on, though.

    Also, loved the White-Out Bowl!! Absolutely!

  • JeffN

    I got tickets to all the playoffs games at Lambeau so I agree with Al. NFC chamipionship game in Green Bay. Even tho this young Packers team has many good years ahead they need to play the rest of this season like it’s the biggest oppurtunity they will ever see.

    I’m predicting Good vs Evil in the super bowl. Packers vs Patriots.

  • TRIP

    White-Out Bowl… awesome. But not to jump on the bandwagon of the TV commentators, perhaps the Jaguars will represent the AFC? Who knows. Anyone but the evil Patriots. But, then again, the Pack beat them before in ’97, right? Maybe Favre owns them. lol… Honestly though, Al, 14-2 is definite. If this team were to stumble, the would have done it weeks ago. They have a good coach, and they are prepared. No need to fret. The Cowboys have always stumbled late in the season, they’ve just held out longer this year. The Pack can beat the Bucs in Lambeau, the Vikings might be a close one, but I think this team will be victorious after that bye-week rest. Can’t wait for the Super Bowl!!!!

  • TRIP

    Nevermind. LOL

  • http://delta-pm.com snyz

    al, i can’t believer your columns. even after 14 nothin i knew we’d be good purely because favre was on. sorry you haveno faith. keep in mind i have always been a supporter of your column.

    MCCARTHY HAS BROUGHT BACK THE 15 INCH LAMBEAU PLAYOFF COCK.