The Green Bay Packers are about to enter the most important stretch of their season and fortunately for them they had what amounts to a second bye week after beating the Lions last Thursday. All of sudden all is well in Packerland but their are five games remaining with one of the two hardest games a week from today against Baltimore. Before I get into that, though, I thought I would throw out my current thoughts on the Packers and the NFL in general.
* The Packers are playing much better than they have all year and the defense, now No. 1 in the NFL, still has room to improve. If Jarrett Bush doesn’t make the big mistake we are all waiting for the defense should continue to get better. As long as Charles Woodson is healthy, they will be a force to reckoned with. I love the way they are using Woodson at every position in the secondary. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him at linebacker or defensive end next. Good stuff. Might be the Packers most impactful player on defense since Reggie White. Woodson should also get consideration for Canton if he keeps this up another year or two.
* I’m not so worried about the total number of penalties the Packers have but more so the ones committed on special teams. Those are killers and are usually longer than the actual mark-off of the penalty. They usually result in a 2o or more yard difference in the start of the possession. Simply inexcusable.
* I think the Packers for sure need three wins to make the playoffs. Damn! Had Washington and Tampa Bay held on Sunday the Packers would have almost clinched a spot. The way the Bears are playing it is hard to imagine them beating anyone. Lovie Smith is a fired coach walking. Seattle should be a win and I still think Arizona will have nothing to play for in week 17. A benchmark game is at Pittsburgh. If the Packers win that one they may well be on their way to round three with Brett Favre. Looking at the schedule I think that may be the only game the Packers are not the favorite.
* The Saints game tonight will say a lot about who is the best team in the NFC. Win and the Saints are it, lose and I have to give the nod to Minnesota. The Vikings have the running back to go with the quarterback. The defenses are about the same.
* I do think the Vikings are getting arrogant. How else do you explain going for two after a touchdown that puts you up 36-10 with six minutes left in the game? This is the NFL, things like that come back to haunt you. Pride cometh before fall
* It may be cruel but I don’t care about concussions in the NFL. I would gladly risk a concussion to have the ability to play in the NFL. Every single position player in the NFL knows his life after football will not be like a normal person’s older years. It can’t be given the punishment taken over the course of their careers. If the players pass the necessary tests they should be allowed to play just like any other kind of injury. Besides, they get paid millions to entertain me, so let ‘em play. Tape an aspirin to it and get back on the field.
* I just have a feeling the Packers will be making back-to-back trips to Arizona in January. It will be either there or Dallas. Which would you prefer? I’ll take Arizona.