The Tennessee Titans are 7-0? Go  figure.  The Titans are the epitome of what is happening in the NFL this year. What’s up is down and what’s down is up. But the Packers are kind of riding an even keel, ironically. Next week the Packers face the surprising Titans who have now won 10 straight regular season games, tying a franchise record. Unfortunately for Titan fans, that record won’t be broke next Sunday.

Let’s see, the Titans are the one of the best rushing teams in the NFL and the Packers couldn’t stop the run if they tried. So why do I think they Packers will win? It comes down to intangibles. The way I look at it is this. The Titans just won their Super Bowl, they beat the reigning division champs Monday night by pummeling the Colts on national TV and staked their claim as the best team in the NFL. I think the Titans are due for a letdown, and with a big lead in their division and back-to-back games against NFC opponents I don’t think their focus against the Packers will be what it was for the Colts. Ripe for an upset.

I do worry about the Titans running game but with the Packers ability to trust their cornerbacks to lock down the wideouts with no help it helps the Packers put more men in the box to defend the run. The Titans passing game is not a factor unless the Packers make the mistake of overlooking it. Against the Colts the Titans came out passing and had success, which made it all the easier for their dominating running game. They will not have that luxury against the Packers’ defense that will have Al Harris back, and with the play of Tramon Williams the last five weeks, makes the Packers’ secondary one of the best in the NFL.

One thing I am counting on is having Atari Bigby back at safety. Bigby is a huge factor in the run game and brings toughness to the secondary. Health has always been Bigby’s bugaboo, this might be his last chance to be a starter. Backup Aaron Rouse hasn’t exactly sucked in Bigby’s absence. One thing is sure, Nick Collins is not going anywhere, so the battle is between Bigby and Rouse. I love the competition. Just like Williams playing pretty darn good in replacing Harris will spark Harris to a great second half I think. If the Packers can just contain the opponents’ running game, I think this defense is going to be what I expected it to be.

The game Sunday is huge. A Packers’ win will put them back in the “best teams in the NFL” talk, a loss won’t kill them but will certainly be opportunity lost. Like missing a two-footer for birdie. I think the Packers will knock it in dead solid perfect. The early prediction again says Packers 30, Titans 21.

Considering all that has happened since late June, and the schedule the Packers have played, I am more than pleased with where the Packers are seven games into the season. The Packers have already played four teams that made the playoffs last year and another, the Vikings, who were many pundits pick to at least win the NFC. It may not have went according to script, I think I predicted they would be 5-2 at the bye, but I am by no means disappointed.

The Packers have overcome injuries to starters Al Harris, Atari Bigby and Cullen Jenkins, and the defense still had their best game of the year last week against the Colts. All of a sudden safety Nick Collins has emerged as the playmaker he was expected to be. The thing with guys like Collins who come out early and start right away, if you stick with them the reward could be huge. In the case of Collins, the Packers might have hit gold. He still has nine games to play, but I think his play this year has been the surprise of the defense.

Having said that, I feel like I slighted Charles Woodson in a way, but I guess we set the bar is higher for Woodson. After seven games the Packers’ defensive MVP has to be Woodson. He has taken leadership of this defense from the start of the season and because of that the Packers have been able to bounce back from the injuries and are showing what they are really capable of.

Offensively everything begins and ends with quarterback Aaron Rodgers and wide receiver Greg Jennings. These two seem to have found the same niche that former QB Brett Favre had with Donald Driver. That doesn’t mean Driver is not part of the offense, in fact, Rodgers spreads the ball out very well, it is just that Jennings is the bigger talent at this stage of their careers. Driver is an inspiration to the whole unit and his presence should never be understated.

Those who doubted Rodgers’ ability to replace Favre should be feeling much better at this stage. Rodgers has been stellar all year and also showed his toughness in playing through an injury to his throwing shoulder while still playing at a high level. His accuracy is astounding with only four interceptions and two of those were not his fault. He never throws into triple coverage which has resulted in a few more sacks, but fewer game-changing interceptions. The decision to go with Rodgers continues to prove itself each and every week. If Rodgers stays healthy, the only thing he hasn’t proven yet for a full season, the Packers are a playoff team. With the declining Favre, who already has eight interceptions in one less game than Rodgers, the Packers would not be 4-3.

With running back Ryan Grant starting to show some signs of life and head coach Mike McCarthy’s willingness to give him the ball 30 times a game, the Packers are a team to be reckoned with. The defense was mostly responsible for the three game losing streak, and while might be a little harsh, they have redeemed themselves the last two weeks and that shows how good the Packers can be. The Packers’ offense is for the most part much unstoppable, they will get their yards and points, when the defense helps with points of their own, it results in wins like last Sunday. Before I rant about Favre, I will predict Packers 24, Titans 9. Hey, the early prediction worked last week.

Now, since at this point in time, two days after the story broke, it has become clear that the anointed one, Brett Favre called the Detroit Lions to offer tips on how to beat the Packers. Why am I not surprised? Favre has acted like a baby during this whole ordeal. Going on Greta? Come on? Ripping Ted Thompson? Come on? All Thompson has done was turn the team from a loser to a winner. Sorry for that Brett. The fact is the Packers are clearly better with Rodgers at the helm. Favre has looked pathetic since his six touchdown aberration a few weeks ago. His two interception, three fumble performance last week in Oakland I think signals a slow decent into hell. And when former teammate LeRoy Butler says this is only the tip of the iceberg, that there are “other stories that are going to come out” about Favre, Packers’ fans have to be feeling extremely betrayed. And you think I am emotional.

Brett, you’ve gone away mad, now just go away. How sad this is. Favre may not be in the Ring of Honor in Lambeau Field for a long time, and in my mind, should have to wait a year to get in to the NFL Hall of Fame. He has disrespected the game, there is no honor in that. I wish big Irv was around to kick him in the butt. How sad for Packers’ fans and Favre’ fans alike. But how many old time stars have we seen end their careers in disgrace? The list is long. Ad #4 to it. As Vince Lombardi once said “it takes years to build a reputation, but only an instant to lose it.” Brett just lost it.

I told you so. Why do you question me? The Green Bay Packers beat a team I told you they should beat and head in to the bye week with a 4-3 record. I could not be more happy with the way the day unfolded. I guess I would have liked to see the Bears lose because we have the win over the Vikings already, but either way, the last two weeks show the Packers are still a team to be reckoned with in the NFC. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been nothing short of spectacular the first half of the season and the Packers have to be considered one of the favorites to win the NFC.

I don’t know why I felt so confident in getting this win, probably more thinking that the Colts are not that good, but either way, a win is a win and after all the crap that has happened to this Packers team team the first seven weeks, to be 4-3 feels pretty damn good. Rodgers is clearly an upgrade at quarterback and running Ryan Grant is finally getting back to his 2007 form. More importantly, the defense is showing some of it’s teeth, despite injuries to key players.

Things change so fast in the NFL,though. After the Cowboys beat the Packers in week three Dallas was anointed the best team in the league. Now they are long shots to make the playoffs. The Packers were written off after three straight losses and now are right there in the NFC. The NFC East is no longer looking so hot and the Packers and Chicago Bears are starting to look like forces in the conference. Arizona may even factor in the mix yet.

What a great way to enjoy the bye week.

More to come…

The thing I hate most about the bye week in the NFL is the week before the Packers have a bye. Lose and you suck for two weeks, win and everybody is in a great mood for two weeks. At first glance it would appear that the Packers would have a hard time generating that good mood for two weeks because of the opponent they face Sunday. The Indianapolis Colts all of a sudden “found their stride” while beating the lowly Baltimore Ravens for their first win their new stadium and third overall. This after overcoming a 17 point deficit in the final five minutes at Houston the previous week.

Like the Packers, the Colts have beat a bunch of sissies in the Vikings, Texans and Ravens. Pretty much the same as the Packers’ trio of Vikings, Lions and Seahawks. The Colts and Packers are very similar to each other this season. Both have been hit with injuries and both have gotten off to slow starts as a consequence. Both teams have no problem passing the ball, the Colts are seventh in the NFL and the Packers tenth, both struggle running the ball, the Packers are 21rst and the Colts are dead last at 32nd.

On paper this game is dead even, the Packers are 20th on defense and the Colts 21rst, the Packers are 14th on offense and the Colts are 17th. It is hard to even pick a paper champion in this game. The Colts are the exact opposite of what the Packers faced last week in Seattle. The Colts can pass the ball but simply cannot run it. On paper, this plays right into the Packers’ hands. You would think the Packers defense would be able to stop the Colts running game. Of course the Colts are looking at the Packers and thinking this might be the week they can finally get some yardage on the ground. To me, this is where the game will indeed be won.

I think Aaron Rodgers will be able to keep pace with Peyton Manning in a shootout if it comes to that. I doubt either defense will be able to really stop the other. However, if the Packers can muster just enough of a running game to keep the chains moving a few times and keep Manning off the field, things would be much easier. Ryan Grant appears to be healthy, carrying the ball 33 times against the Seahawks, so all we need now is that breakout game he had so many times last year. Sunday would be great time for Grant to have his first 100-yard rushing game this year.

I guess I am nervously confident the Packers will prevail. Going to come out with the early prediction and say 27-24 Pack. Can’t wait to take me seat.

That is the way they draw it up. With the Packers’ season hanging in the balance late in the first half, trailing 10-3 to the fading Seahawks, the Packers, led by the courageous Aaron Rodgers, scored 24 straight points and dominated the second half on their way to a 27-17 victory in Seattle. Rodgers was superb while playing hurt for the second week in a row. For the fourth time this season he didn’t throw an interception in the game and had another of his patented quarterback sneaks for a touchdown. Rodgers’ toughness should never be questioned again. I mean come on, Tony Romo is out 4-5 weeks with a broken pinky? Brett Favre played with a broken thumb, I think that is a little more important than a pinky. I mean, you have three other fingers.

But I digress, the Packers win Sunday was just what the doctor ordered, and I don’t care if Charlie Frye was the quarterback. When someone hands you a victory you damn well better take it. The Packers did just that and hopefully built some confidence in the process, because the big bad Indianapolis Colts come to Lambeau next week. A win over the Colts would shed a whole new light on the rest of the season, a loss and we are back to wondering what we actually have here.

The Packers have talent, that is for sure. Greg Jennings is fast becoming one of the best receivers in the NFL, he leads the league by almost a hundred yards in receiving yards and his 108 yards per game is also tops. Jennings right now is unstoppable, which should start providing more opportunities for Donald Driver and the up-and-coming Jordy Nelson. Nelson is going to be a player if you ask me. All the things you saw in his highlight film from college you see starting to come out. A little bit at a time. I predict a 60-70 yarder for him coming in the next few games. If Jordy keeps improving and replaces Driver in due time, he and Jennings are going to be quite a duo for Rodgers over the years, maybe a better duo than even Favre ever had to work with.

On defense Charles Woodson is certainly a Pro Bowl player. He just continues to shut down half the field and when they throw his way he picks it off. Almost had another pick-six yesterday. Tramon Williams played well again in replace of Al Harris and Nick Collins continues his much awaited emergence. The Seahawks were unable to run the ball but much of that of course was due to the fact the Packers knew Seattle couldn’t pass the ball. Still, secondary played well and they are the strength of the Packers’ defense. However, they will need to play twice as well against the Colts next Sunday.

No matter what, the Packers are off the snide and any chance they had of beating the Colts would have been down the drain had they lost to Seattle. I’m not going to predict a victory just yet, but if the Bears can beat the Colts, the Packers should be able to. By the way, wasn’t that one of the greatest moments in Packers’ history yesterday when the Falcons came back with 11 seconds on the clock to beat the mini-Ditkas? In fact, my NFL Ticket paid for itself in a nine minute span yesterday afternoon. All was good except for the Vikqueens winning ugly once again.

It appears the Packers didn’t suffer any serious injuries, but I’m extremely worried about Ryan Pickett. His injury I think is more serious than the team is letting on. Let’s hope I’m wrong as usual.

More to come. Let’s enjoy the victory and think positive this week. Is that too much to ask?

Like much of the season the Packers again are slow starters. Now after a Rodgers fumble they are down 7-3 to the lowly Seahawks. The defense is playing much the way it has all season. Bad. Time to put the game on the sore shoulder of Rodgers and open things up. The Packers need to score on every drive pretty much to have a shot at beating anybody. Come on Dickey!

4:31 PM: The Packers tie it up with a minute to go on a Rodgers run. 1:08 left in the half, a little momentum, please don’t do something stupid on the kickoff return or on defense. In fact, if they try to score it should be a good chance for the defense to pick one and take it to the house.

4:57 PM: With a chance to take control of the game the Packers went three and out now the Packers just dodged a major bullet when a penalty erases a 56-yard run by the Seahawks. The defense better pull its head soon. They did a get a three and out thanks to the penalty, but not exactly a confidence builder.

5:08 PM: Another bumbling drive by the offense, another horrible punt by Frost. The defense needs to make the game-winning play.

5:19 PM: That was a great throw and it came just as I was thinking that Rodgers’ shoulder was hurting him too much. Perfect throw, perfect catch, 17-10 lead. Come on defense!

5:40 PM: This is more like Packer football. Keep the sticks moving and the clock running and get a Brett FAvre-special one-yard TD pass. Sweet. Rodgers and the offense have stepped their game up the last couple of drives. They look much more like the confident unit of the first two weeks. The Pack is back, but there is still 11 minutes left in this game.

5:46 PM:  Barring a Bear-like choke job, Mason Crosby’s 51-yard field goal seals the deal. The Packers have broken their three game losing streak and return to first place in the NFC North with the Vikings and Bears.

The Packers’ offense did a much better job of keeping drives alive and giving the defense some rest. As a result the Packers’ defense looks fresher here in the fourth quarter. This is what needs to happen the remainder of the season. The defense is banged up and needs all the help it can get.

Now it is over. Frye picked off by Tramon Williams. Game, set and match. Williams is making a statement the last three weeks. His third straight game with an interception. I doubt the Packers will rush Al Harris back before he is ready.

Finally a week to enjoy in Packerland.

If anybody wanted a true test of who the Green Bay Packers really are, it was yesterday in Lambeau Field. What I thought was a clearly inferior team, the Falcons, came into the Packers’ house and put a whopping on the them. So now one has to look the Packers and wonder how good this team really is. They did not look like the better team yesterday, especially on defense. In fact, this is without a doubt the worst defense in head coach Mike McCarthy’s three years here and since the middle of last season is one of the league’s worst defenses.

Offensively I think the Packers will fine. Ryan Grant showed some improvement Sunday and Aaron Rodgers has been excellent at quarterback. His second-half interception yesterday not withstanding. However, like the Packers of the early 80s, scoring 30 points a game doesn’t guarantee wins, like those teams I think this team is headed to 8-8 at best.

I don’t have a clue how the Packers can go about fixing the defense at this late stage. This is what training camp is for. I don’t know of any players out there that could help the Packers and nobody who has a good defensive lineman is going to trade him unless it is an offer they can’t refuse. Highly unlikely.

The Packers simply now have to go into every game knowing they need to score 50 points to ensure victory. If that means the run-and-shoot and or more gadget plays, whatever it takes. McCarthy has to adjust his coaching to his team and the Packers simply need to open up the offense early and often. Even with a sore shoulder Rodgers has proven more than up to the task, and with Grant still feeling his way back from injury, it only makes sense.

The Packers get no favors from the schedule makers, nor should they, this is the NFL, but with a trip to Seattle and then the Colts at Lambeau, two-and-five-at-the-bye has a real ring to it. Pray for the best but prepare for the worst.

I’m sorry. I don’t have the energy to defend my team any longer. It is a losing battle. It is one thing to be a fan with your friends, but quite another to try to appease the masses. I can’t take the heat any longer. Thanks for keeping Packernet around this long. Jon won. I lost.

See ya…