Call it ugly if you must but since I’ve never seen it in my lifetime, I’ll call it a beautiful thing. The Green Bay Packers have won a game in Philadelphia! By sneaking out a win over the Eagles the Packers for the time being avoid the dreaded slow start problem that has plagued them for years.

I know I shouldn’t say it but I expect the Packers to beat the Bills next week in Lambeau to get to 2-0. Of course I thought the same thing last year when Cincy came to town, but Buffalo doesn’t have the horses. If we get to the backup QB next week it’s Brian Brohm. Not exactly Vick.

Amazingly it was the special teams that kept the Eagles at bay yesterday. Jordy Nelson was a beast on kickoffs and every time the Eagles thought they were back in it Nelson ran one back to midfield. The Eagles rarely had a short field to work with that wasn’t the result of a turnover. The Packers’ defense did alright considering they were on the field the whole second half.

Which brings me to the offense. What the hell was going on out there? Aaron Rodgers looked like crap. Three early sacks, one given up each by Chad Clifton, Mark Tauscher and Josh Sitton, must have rattled him – thinking “here we go again.” Rodgers did manage two TD passes on what was otherwise a rough day at the office. Rodgers never looked quite comfortable. I’m not too worried about it.

The Packers have lost running back Ryan Grant for what appears to be several weeks with an ankle injury that looked season-ending when it occurred. Brandon Jackson looked OK in his stead but with Jackson starting the onus is on fullback/running back John Kuhn to pick up Jackson’s third-down duties, which include keeping Rodgers upright. Maybe Kuhn becomes the lead runner on third down instead – Kuhn can catch the ball pretty well, leaving Jackson in his normal role.

The Packers’ defense was hard to judge in this game because of the dynamic Mike Vick brought to the game when the Packers knocked Kevin Kolb out of the game with a concussion. The defense only gave up 321 yards which is not too shabby. They completely shut down Kolb before he got hurt, which kind of surprised even me. Kolb looked horrible. Who’d they have last year again?

I think ugly wins can only occur at home when you are supposed to dominate. The Packers went on the road and beat a playoff team with their “B” game. What is ugly about that? Plus, they got the dub and will certainly not be overconfident coming home this week. Let’s get No. 2 and focus on the Bears.

Sorry for the late start, kind of forgot with being so nervous and all. Anyway, a bad omen already when five minutes into the game Aaron Rodgers gets his head ripped off by the facemask and it isn’t called. WTF?! So much for having the umpire in backfield. Wow! Then a pick on a horrible pass in which Rodgers was clearly still upset with the bad call. I guess going as I predicted so far.

3:34 PM:  Always happens after a TD, the offense comes to life, Packers’ defense tested early.

3:36 PM:  3rdd and 21. Oh no!

3:47 PM:  Nice little drive going here – Rodgers showed some speed there. Get it in the zone!

3:54 PM:  Our two stud tackles give up sacks so now we have a field goal attempt. I think I would go for it.

3:57 PM:  Well, we got three. Defense keep it up and we’ll slowly take over.

4:04 PM:  Hope they keep running Vick out there – screws up continuity.

4:16 PM:  Defense is doing it’s job, time for the offense to step it’s game up!

4:27 PM:  Ryan Grant is hurt and won’t be back, this after three great runs! The Packers are in big trouble.

4:28 PM:  We have to pass every play now, it’s not going to be pretty. Guys falling like flies.

4:36 PM:  2nd and goal – must get seven!

4:37 PM:  How can Jordy not be looking for the ball?

4:38 PM:  That is how you do it Jordy! Touchdown to Donald Driver!

4:41 PM:  Maybe a year without football will allow the officiating to figure out what they are doing. This is insane. The Lions get robbed and now they try to rob DD? Either you catch the ball or you don’t, and both Johnson and Driver caught the ball!

4:44 PM:  Dropped interception, you know what that means, Eagles right down the field!

4:45 PM:  Why didn’t McCarthy call timeout!!!!!!!! Just lost three plays at least!

4:53 PM:  Holy cow! Mason Crosby good from 56 with no time remaining! I love it. Maybe we took over too early though. I’m worried.

5:08 PM:  Oh geez! Vick is ripping us up. The worst thing that could have happened was Kolb getting hurt.

5:10 PM:  Big turnover for the Packers’ defense, but it doesn’t look like we will take advantage.

5:12 PM:  What happens after a missed interception? Touchdown! At least a first down to the 25!

5:17 PM:  I like our chances now, up 20-3. We dropped a pick and the Eagles didn’t score and now they dropped a sure pick and we get a touchdown! Dropped pick karma is on our side. Now we have shut down Mike Vick, who has ripped us up in the past.

5:20 PM:  Come on man! Crosby kicks it out of bounds. All of sudden they are back in it. Huge mistake.

5:26 PM:  I’ve seen Vick do it before and I’m seeing him do it again. Not looking good right now.

5:28 PM:  This is a turning point in this ball game. Hold them to 3 and I think the Packers win, they get 7 all bets are off.

5:39 PM:  Packers respond with a great touchdown pass to Jennings. Almost too easy. 17-point lead again. Sweet!

5:48 PM:  Big stop by the Eagles, Packers’ defense needs to step up again.

5:59 PM:  If the Packers don’t score on this drive things are going to get way too close for comfort. I’m worried again.

6:01 PM:  A touchdown on this drive wins it for the Packers, field goal makes it iffy, 3-and-out and you better really be scared!

6:05 PM:  Rodgers throws another pick, Eagles likely win this game now, Packers couldn’t sustain without Ryan Grant. Will be interesting to see how they respond next week. I pity the Bills.

6:11 PM:  Only a turnover saves the Packers now. The defense has failed me big time.

6:14 PM:  We need one drive. Two or three first downs and this thing is over. Can they do it? The offense better because our defense is gassed. Overtime is likely if you ask me.

6:19 PM:  Go for the bomb now! I love it!

6:21 PM:  What the hell is going on here?

6:22 PM:  A first down wins it!

6:23 PM:  The offensive line failed, Rodgers choked, overtime ladies and gentleman.

6:24 PM:  Can’t stop Vick! Period! Unbelievable!!

6:29 PM:  Confidence is not high.

6:31 PM:  We win the ballgame! One and oh and away we go!

While history suggests the Packers will lose today since they haven’t won in Philly since 1962, I think they will have just enough firepower to win a hard-fought battle. Like the Vikings-Saints game, though, I could see this game being a low-scoring game real easy.

One would think the Packers would always score around 30 but in Philly against an agressive defense and being the home opener, the house will be rocking and the Packers might at times struggle. It would be ideal if they could jump out on top early but I think it will be just the opposite, the Packers will be fighting an uphill battle all day but will slowly take over in the second half.

The fans will sense what is happening, we always do, and quiet down as the game goes on. The turnaround will start with a big play by the Packers’ defense, maybe not a pick-six but it will come at a crucial time. Aaron Rodgers will take over from there.

I’m going to say Eagles lead 17-10 at halftime but Packers win 24-20.

I would think the offseason ripping of the Packers’ defense must be a first for a unit that ranked second in the NFL the previous year. It seems like the Packers have very little talent on defense other than Charles Woodson and Clay Matthews and because of that they will have to win a shootout every week. I beg to differ. But if I’m wrong, I hope Aaron Rodgers is your fantasy QB.

For starters, the Packers’ run defense will be every bit as strong if not stronger. The defensive line is clearly the strength of the defense. The Packers’ linebackers are solid with budding star Clay Matthews and veterans Nick Barnett and A.J. Hawk. If Brad Jones lives up the hype the Packers will fine there.

Of course, most of the doomsayers point to the Packers’ secondary, but the Packers have Pro Bowlers at cornerback and safety in Charles Woodson and Nick Collins, and a solid opposite corner in Tramon Williams. My guess is rookie Morgan Burnett is an upgrade over a oft-injured Atari Bigby, who I believe never plays another down for the Packers. Charlie Peprah is far more dependable and can also deliver the big hit.

And last I checked, the Packers don’t play Kurt Warner or Ben Roethlisberger this year, I’m not worried about Brett Favre this time around. I am worried about Jay Cutler and the Bears, though.

I don’t expect the Packers to be number two again, I expect them to be number one. I would hope they would take as much offense to Rex Ryan and the Jets as I do. I loved Buddy Ryan but Rex is a f*!king motherf*&king joke. Charles Woodson forgot more about defense than Darrelle Revis will ever know. We’ll see who ends up on top, and considering the Packers’ run defense and schedule, I like our chances.

I do think the Packers will give up some yards against the Eagles Sunday, Kevin Kolb proved last year he can light it up, but you have to remember when you throw the ball 50 times you are going to gain some yards. And if you can’t run, you throw.

Part of the no respect thought comes from Ted Thompson not signing a free agent, but other than Peppers nobody was worth the money and Peppers is clearly not Packer people. Unfortunately the media buys into that BS, fortunately the Packers’ brass doesn’t.

One thing that might hurt the Packers’ defense is the Packers’ offense. Aaron Rodgers, barring injury, to him or his offensive line, might rewrite the record books this year. Rodgers is Brett Favre with a brain. The offense won’t be stopped very often.

The opener against the Eagles is a hellavu tester. I am not prepared to make a prediction yet. Watching an ugly game tonight while writing this. If that is all the Saints and Vikings have to offer this might be to easy to really appreciate. Not a pretty sight. Of course the Packers and Eagles might stink it up just the same Sunday on national TV.

More to come…

The rigors of training camp are over and the Packers have their final 53 ready to do battle next Sunday in Philly. I can’t wait! This season is the most highly anticipated season since 1996. The Packers of ’96 were playoff tested and went on to win the Super Bowl with a young Brett Favre at quarterback. The 2010 Packers are Super Bowl favorites without even having won one playoff game. Go figure.

The Packers have the best young quarterback in the NFL in Aaron Rodgers, a great receiving core and an emerging star in tight end Jermicheal Finley. The Packers will never be a running team but have a solid starting running back in Ryan Grant and a improving Brandon Jackson behind him. I used to hate Jackson but the kid showed up big time this preseason.

If you are looking for a weak spot it would be the Packers’ defense. Even though they were the NFL’s second-best last year, three regular season games and one playoff game defined their year - awful! They could stop the scrubs like the Bears and Lions but not the Vikings, Steelers or Cardinals. In all those games they had no pressure on the QB. I think they will improve on that this year.

Why you ask? Why can they improve with the same players they had last year that didn’t produce? Hate to be company line but how can guys like B.J. Raji, and Clay Matthews not be better? Raji is right at home at nose tackle and Matthews is going to be a premier pass rushing linebacker in the NFL for a long time. I think the Packers’ defensive line is going to be a dominate force.

Next Sunday we will finally see Charles Woodson and Tramon Williams play for real, which will cure a lot of ills of the preseason. At safety Nick Collins looks solid as ever and newcomer Morgan Burnett looks better than Atari Bigby ever did if you ask me. I can’t wait to see this defense play with all it’s guns on the field. Kevin Kolb better be ready, the kitchen sink might be coming.

I was a little surprised at the final cuts but the fact that several of the released players were snatched up means the Packers have some good players on their team. Props to Ted Thompson for building such a solid team. I couldn’t name a player cut by the Vikings or Bears or Lions. I may be wrong but I doubt many of them got picked up.

Finally, game week is here. Let’s get it on!