The Green Bay Packers are 10-0 and are almost assured of making the playoffs, but coming off less than stellar performances two of the last three weeks one has to wonder if they maybe peaked a little too early this year. The Packers now face a tough two-game road trip that will surely shed more light on the subject.

The Packers have a huge game at Detroit and follow that with a trip to play the Giants in the Big Apple. While the Giants didn’t look very good last night, it is still a tough trip. Thursday’s game has all the makings of a 63-60 college-like game. The Lions’ defense is better but the Packers’ offense is better. Last team with the ball probably wins.

The Packers did not play very well at all yesterday against an inspired Tampa Bay team that was determined to upset the defending champions. Only the Bucs own mistakes prevented that from happening. The two areas of concern of late are the usual defense and now an offensive line that can’t pass block. MVP candidate Aaron Rodgers is getting killed back there and is being forced to scramble way more than he should. He took a helmet-to-helmet hit yesterday that could have ended his season.

I’m amazed that Dom Capers hasn’t been able to adjust his defense like he has in previous years. Are the players simply not playing as well? I just don’t get it. Same thing for the offensive line, which was shaky earlier, settled down for a while, and now is a sieve. Josh Sitton has turned into a penalty machine, Chad Clifton is out with an injury, there is a first time starter at left guard. Maybe it’s a combination of all of those things. Not even trying to establish a running game doesn’t help either.

The Packers, especially Rodgers, met the press after the game yesterday in a somber mood. I think they know they dodged a bullet, which also tells me I think they were looking ahead to the Lions’ game. If that is the case I would expect the Packers to play much better on Thursday.

I don’t think the Packers will go 16-0, so winning a game ugly won’t be the low point of the season. How the Packers respond to the loss will be the telling point. Did they let one loss turn into two or did they use it as motivation to start another late season Super Bowl run?

I am almost, and I emphasize almost, to the point where I think a loss might not be the worst thing in the world. I’d hate to see it but it has been a loss that turned around each of the past two years. First an embarrassment inTampa in 2009 and then a moral victory in a loss at New England last year. Of course it’s not like the Packers are that terribly much in need of a turnaround, but the fact is they have to play better than they have the last few weeks to win games in the playoffs.

I still think the Giants are the best bet to break the streak. Like the Lions, they have a dominant defensive front that can put pressure on Rodgers. Two weeks in row facing that kind of pressure is going to be tough.

I do expect the Packers to play better Thursday in Detroit. Will it be enough against the suddenly resurgent Lions? Good question. Can’t wait to find out.

Minutes away from kickoff. I’m sorry for being worried about these guys. They have their backs against the wall and nothing to lose. If the Packers lose it could be the start of three straight losses with trips to Detroit and New York following. Big game. If we take them seriously. Should be OK.

12:07 PM: Well, we got a stop after giving up one first done. Good start. Let’s see if the offense did their homework. Clay Mathews is currently out with an injury.

12:12 PM: Packers’ offense looks out of sync, thought it was going to be a cake walk. Holding on Sitton the main culprit. Not even two Bucs penalties could stop a three and out.

12:16 PM: Might be Aaron Rodgers’ first bad game coming. Or, maybe not…

12:20 PM: Getting a TD here after they had us three and out and blocked a punt. That would hurt.

12:28 PM: Rodgers takes a helmet-to-helmet hit but seems OK. B.J. Raji scores from a yard out. 7-0 Packers.

12:36 PM: Mathews back in, and a three and out for the defense. Good field position for the Packers, let’s get another TD and make it really cold for the Bucs!

12:47 PM: 14-0 Packers! Not going to say I was wrong yet, but it is starting to look that way. Would love to the defense keep the clamps on.

12:52 PM: Defense gives it right back! Unbelievably poor tackling. We got ourselves a ball game folks.

12:59 PM: Drop by Finely ends a ugly series of plays by the Packers. Momentum on the Tampa side big time.

1:04 PM: Stupid play Tramon Williams and now another third and long given up, the Bucs are getting stronger by the minute. Defense’ good performance of last week a distant memory.

1:10 PM: Packers playing mediocre at best but have a great opportunity with the ball and four minutes to halftime, then the opening kick of the second half. Need to get it done.

1:30 PM: The only team that can stop the Bucs today is the Bucs. We need them to make enough mistakes to give Rodgers opportunities.

1:34 PM: So instead of taking a knee with 32 seconds left you get two star players hurt. Stupid mistakes like that get you beat. Packers need a TD on that first drive of the second half. Can’t give them the ball right away the way the defense is playing.

1:54 PM: Packers’ offensive line is getting worse by the week. I don’t understand it. This game will be won or lost by the defense.

2:00 PM: Enough with the blitzing already! Freeman is eating it alive. I was afraid last week was due more to the Vikings than it was to the Packers.

2:09 PM: I wouldn’t be so worried about the crappy defenses if the offense was doing its part. Tampa has the 31rst ranked defense and yet they have stymied the Packers with a pass rush the Packers can’t stop. I called it.

2:18 PM: Offense can’t overcome it’s offensive line problems. Pressure on the defense again. Rodgers rattle for the first time this year. Rodgers can’t beat Tampa just like Mike Vick can’t beat Chicago. We’ll be an angry bunch come Thursday, though.

2:29 PM: Should be a tie game but the Bucs dropped the two-point conversion. The only way the Packers can win this one is if the Bucs give it to them. Offense can’t move the ball and the defense can’t stop them. 13:07 left to the Packers winning streak.

2:41 PM: Huge drive for the Packers and the lead is back to nine. Can they finish it? I must say I am not that overly confident. Might need 35 to win this one.

2:54 PM: Rodgers interception and the Bucs are knocking on the doorstep. Worst play call of the year by McCarthy. We are not winning this game. Mark my words.

2:57 PM: Bucs take advantage and score the TD. Had to happen eventually, hopefully it’s a wakeup call.

3:33 PM: OK, we won. But the ugliest of the year so far. At least they can promote Thanksgiving as the “10-0 Green Bay Packers” versus the Detroit Lions. 1962 all over again. Can the Packers flip the script this time and go to 11-0? Can’t wait!

I wonder what line Mike McCarthy is using this week to get his team ready for another inferior opponent. So far he has been able to get the Packers focused week in and week out, but this might be his toughest test so far. The Bucs are sandwiched between two division games and have given the Packers’ fits for years.

Maybe McCarthy is using the ugly loss in Tampa two years ago as motivation, maybe he is preaching the don’t be looking ahead to the Lions angle, whatever it is, I hope it works. The Bucs had a rough week media-wise and are going to be trying to shut people up today.

Tampa has the second worst defense in the NFL, so naturally, the Packers will probably struggle on offense today. I think the Packers’ defense needs to keep trending in the right direction. If that happens the Packers should win handily. But I think it will be a tough game, and the questions on defense will remain for another week. Packers 23, Bucs 20.

The Green Bay Packers’ defense for one game looked like the shutdown defense it was during last year’s playoff run. This game was better than the St. Louis game in which they only gave up three points. The Rams basically killed themselves in that game.

Against the Vikings the Packers were flying around with reckless abandon and instead of relying on turnovers, they made stops. After giving up a few early third down conversions, the Packers put the clamps on Vikings for the rest of the game.

The question now is can they sustain it? I’m sure you saw the poll question about the defense and I must say I’m a C – ask me Thanksgiving night. Thorn in the side Tampa Bay comes to town this week and the Packers never seem to fair well against the Bucs.

I’m not worried about the Packers getting up for a game like the Vikings’ game, Monday Night Football, division opponent, but getting up to face the Bucs with a huge game against Detroit four days later does worry me a little.

That is why if the defense is indeed back, it couldn’t have come at a better time. It was the defense that broke down two years ago in Tampa when the Packers lost to the winless Bucs. The Packers had no answer for Josh Freeman that day. Sunday would be a great day to redeem themselves against the struggling Freeman.

That was then and this is now and currently we have two teams going in different directions. The Bucs got blown out last week and even though they have played a tough schedule they have been wildly inconsistent. If the Packers’ defense plays the same as they did Monday my worries will be short lived.

As good as Aaron Rodgers and the offense is, I think it will be the Packers’ defense that keys a successful title defense. The weather is going to get worse and the cushion the offense has been giving is going to shrink.

Beat the Bucs and Lions and I change my vote to A.

Almost game time. I’ll say Packers 30-24. Vikings have been talking trash all week, hope the Packers were listening.

7:46 PM: Randall Cobb and prime time go hand in hand! 80-yard punt return! Are you kidding me?

7:54 PM: Defense off to good start but Rodgers drops the ball on the first snap and forced to run on the second. Vikings defense came to play too.

8:02 PM: Offense a little sloppy, too much pressure on Rodgers, no running game. No matter, Rodgers to Jennings and 14-0 Packers. Come on defense, keep it up!

8:08 PM: Real defense back on the field. Vikings right back in it.

8:18 PM: That looked like a sure touchdown drive the Vikings and they got nothing. Woodson is the Brett Favre on defense. Either giving up a big play or making one. Thanks to a false start penalty still 14-0. But offense only had the ball twice in the first quarter.

8:28 PM: Packers’ offensive line is getting schooled. This has to be fixed and soon!

8:30 PM: Got three anyway. Feels shaky though. Offensive line is in shambles and on defense blitz not getting home. I know, they still have a goose egg up there, but they still need to get that fixed. We don’t want them hanging around.
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8:41 PM: Packers get a pick but a horrible set of downs by the offense. Rodgers is rattled by the Vikings’ pass rush. I think he has lost faith in the line’s ability to keep him clean. I think we need two more TD’s to secure this game, it’s going to be tough. Couple of more turnovers by the defense would be nice.

8:51 PM: Defense holds but offense is pinned. Very dangerous. Almost a safety but Starks saves the day. Now take a shot but don’t make a mistake to let them back in it. I wouldn’t mind if they run it out.

8:59 PM: Terrible mistake by Starks by running out of bounds. Any points the Vikings get are his fault.

9:01 PM: Defense bails him out.

9:26 PM: Nice methodical drive, getting the ball out quick on short passes and the Packers march 70 yards for a 24-0 lead. We need one more unless the defense can finish it like they did against St. Louis last month

9:35 PM: Defense did its job Cobb gave the Vikings a touchdown but muffing a punt. Inexcusable. The Vikings have life they never should have had and all of a sudden the momentum shifts. Pressure on offense now to bail him out.

9:43 PM: Got my two TDs, we should be in good shape. Problem is they came so fast the Vikings have time to answer, but the offense’s adjustments have slowed the Vikings rush to a crawl. The offense should be able to score again.

9:59 PM: Starting the 4th quarter with the lead again. But sacked on 3rd and 12, oops, penalty on the Vikings. Score here and sit Rodgers down.

10:19 PM: What a second half performance by the Packers. 28 points, including a nice drive by Matt Flynn. I’m out of ways to describe this offense. How does that feel Jared Allen?

The Green Bay Packers remained perfect yesterday by beating the Chargers in Lambeau Field West, er, Qualcomm Stadium but it was easily their ugliest win of the season. The Packers’ defense with the exception of two plays was simply awful.

“A lot of bad football” cornerback Charles Woodson said. It has been that way all year. The Packers can count on Aaron Rodgers to keep the Packers close in every game but they can’t count on the defense to keep getting interceptions at this pace. They need to be able to get a stop the old fashioned way every now and then.

I was shocked at poorly the defense played coming off the bye when the coaches have two weeks to prepare. The Packers put very little pressure on Philip Rivers and looked confused in the secondary on three of the four touchdown passes.

I think teams have figured out Capers’ schemes and he hasn’t been able to adjust as well as he has in the past. Maybe losing Nick Collins to injury and Cullen Jenkins to free agency are bigger blows to the defense than we thought. Something is not quite right.

I think if the Packers have to face the Saints or the Eagles in the playoffs they will have a hard time winning. The Eagles are really scary because they have the second best running back in the league behind Adrian Peterson in LeSean McCoy. Throw in Mike Vick and an excellent receiver group and they have the balance to rival the Packers’ offense.

Woodson says the Packers need to find a way to free up Clay Matthews who has been held in check the first eight games. That would be a good start. Amazingly the Packers are leading the league in interceptions with little or no pass rush.

Winning regular season games is all fine and dandy, but winning in the playoffs is a different beast. The Packers have eight games to get it fixed and have no breathing room with the 49ers sitting at 7-1 and playing a JV schedule the rest of the year.

This will be either Capers’ finest work or his darkest hour, as the only thing standing between the Packers and another Super Bowl title is the play of their defense.

3:18 PM: Rocky start as usual for the Packers in sunny, er, raining San Diego. Chargers moving with ease against the Packers’ defense. Same old song and dance we have seen all year. Would be nice to hold the opponent on the first drive for a change. Maybe next week.

3:21 PM: Packers must still be on bye. That was the easiest touchdown scored on the Packers all year. Why does this continue to happen? Frustrating, and puts too much pressure on the offense.

3:39 PM: And has been the case the Packers answer right back. Incredible.

3:41 PM: I think I just saw the most amazing interception return of the season! Wow! Just like that 14-7.

3:47 PM: One thing that worries me is the Packers’ defense struggling against the run. But when you have two pick-sixes in the first quarter you can get away with it.

3:55 PM: Chargers not going away though and other than the turnovers the Packers’ defense is playing horribly. I thought the bye would have helped the defense more than the offense but apparently that is not the case. 21-14 now.

4:06 PM: Offense couldn’t finish a nice drive. Go for the first.

4:07 PM: Maybe we should punt. 4th and four. We can’t stop them it seems, so maybe we should go for it. Charger defense covering well, Rodgers has had plenty of time to throw. I think we should pin them back.

4:43 PM: I don’t think the TD will count.

4:10 PM: Should have punted or at least called a better play, either way we’ll be tied shortly.

4:11 PM: Even broken plays are working for the Chargers. I have a bad feeling about this one. Might be our wakeup call.

4:14 PM: Whoever McCarthy has telling when to challenge or not needs to be fired. Dom Capers should be fired too. This defense is simply pathetic. I know they have 14 points but if they don’t get 28 the Packers might get blown out today.

4:19 PM: 21-17 now. At least the defense held them to three. The offense better not mess up again. 28-17 at the half would make me feel a lot better. I’d wouldn’t be that upset with 24-17.

4:24 PM: I’ll be happy with 21-17 now. Nothing is working on offense.

4:26 PM: If Rodgers wasn’t running the ball we wouldn’t have a first down. The SI jinx on the Packers’ receivers is on! This is ugly.

4:36 PM: Rodgers is not playing well at all. Looks like 2009 all over again. Hanging on to the ball way too long.

4:41 PM: Is Rodgers pressing being back in Cali? Can’t believe the Chargers are covering that well. I think Aaron is not pulling the trigger.

4;46 PM: Wow, that was close. I could see them calling that incomplete. Packers lead 28-17 at the half barring a kickoff return for a TD. I’ll take it.

5:10 PM: Got three on the opening drive. Good play by them prevented more.

5:18 PM: Chargers on the move again. Defense needs to step up soon.

5:20 PM: Antonio Gates is like 600 pounds yet the Packers can’t cover him. Amazing. 31-24 shortly. We let them back in to it.

5:32 PM: Chargers have taken away our passing game. Is this the blueprint to stop us?
5:23 PM: I can’t believe our defense is this bad. No improvement whatsoever this year.

5:25 PM: Packers simply have decided not to cover Antonio Gates. Dom Capers has no clue this year. This should be his last year in Green Bay. I think the Chargers win this game. Like I said, we need a wakeup call. Especially on defense. I think we need to score in the 40s to win this one.

5:35 PM: I’m very nervous.

5:38 PM: Huge TD by the Packers! James Jones has proven to be huge this year.

5:40 PM: Now if we can just stop them once we’ll be in good shape.

5:53 PM: Another touchdown is even better! We can’t let them get a quickie now.

5:59 PM: Packers’ defense is getting ripped again. This is far from over.

6:02 PM: Chargers get the onside kick. Come on defense! Please. Make one stop.

6:04 PM: Packers’ defense is an absolute joke! 45-38. Told you the Chargers would win this game. I’d love to be wrong, but, you know, I’m not.

6:06 PM: This one game means nothing, even if the Packers win they aren’t winning a Super Bowl with this defense. Packers are panicking with Woodson returning a kickoff. What an idiot move by the Packers.

6:08 PM: Biggest joke job the Packers under McCarthy I have to believe.

6:15 PM: Talk to you later this week. I can’t believe this.

6:34 PM: Unbelievable!!!! 8-0! I was scared!

The Green Bay Packers withstood a scare from the Vikings to go 7-0 for the first time in 49 years. Now they have two weeks to get ready for San Diego and the second half of the season that has them playing five times in Lambeau Field.

To say the Packers are sitting good would be an understatement. They have a two game lead in the division and a game-and-a-half lead over the 49ers for home field advantage in the playoffs. And of course the aforementioned 5-of-8 games at home.

I don’t like to get to carried away looking into the future and I like the way head coach Mike McCarthy put when he said he’ll worry about the playoffs when they get to ten wins. That could be before Thanksgiving if they keep this up.

It doesn’t seem to matter that the Packers’ defense is not playing very stout because the Packers simply cannot be stopped on offense. The only thing standing between Aaron Rodgers and the league MVP award is an injury. That may be the only thing standing in the way of back-to-back Super titles too.

Looking at the 49ers’ schedule tells me the Packers will probably need 13 wins to secure home field advantage. The NFC West is just so pathetic. The West De Pere Phantoms could win that division in most years.

For now I’m going to enjoy the next two weeks as the only undefeated team and hope that the Chargers back-to-back road trips east plus a short week leave them ripe for the taking when the Packers come to town.

The Lions should pick up a win this week at Denver, but with Tim Tebow playing I wouldn’t bet my life on it. That place will be rocking if Tebow gets going early. Tebowmania is almost as big as Favremania. Can’t wait to watch that one.

The Vikings should lose at Carolina, but who cares? The Bears are also on bye. The Bears are the one to watch out for in my mind. They are coming on strong after losing to the Packers and Lions. The Bears hardest game outside of the Packers is at Philly in two weeks, other than that they have a very easy schedule the second half.

Relax, kick back, and get ready for the ride. Hopefully it ends in February again.

3:19 PM: Who is the idiot and dummy now? First play bomb and Vikings lead 7-0. I told you so!

3:21 PM: So what is wrong with Tramon Williams? He’s a shell of his former self. Packers need secondary help badly.

3:33 PM: Packers answer with a long drive. If they can move the ball like that all day, we might be OK.

3:39 PM: Packers’ offense might need to score every drive, the Vikings are moving the ball at will against the Packers’ banged-up defense. Need to keep them out of the end zone this time.

3:43 PM: Defense got off the field. Now let’s take the lead!

3:48 PM: Jared Allen lights up Marshall Newhouse to end Packers’ drive. got them pinned back though. Time for a pick six.

3:52 PM: Almost got the pick six. Three and out almost as good.

3:53 PM: Only in the Metrodome does this crap happen. Muffed punt, Vikings ball. Come on man!

4:00 PM: Ponder picking apart the Packers like a veteran. Game going as I expected so far.

4:12 PM: Rodgers on fire. We needs even. Got to demoralize them a little. Big drive here.

4:14 PM: Newhouse gets burned again and Cobb drops a perfect pass. Settled for three.

4:22 PM: Defense continues to struggle. Not getting seven there hurts big time. I’ll be happy with 17-10 at halftime.

4:32 PM: Vikings did their part, 52-yarder by Longwell. Minute left in the half.

4:40 PM: Never seen Rodgers do something that stupid. If Allen didn’t come across the line he still be calling signals. Got 3 anyway.

4:57 PM: Touchdown Green Bay! Total mistake by the Vikings and the Packers take advantage and the lead. Now don’t look back!

5:02 PM: Packers held and a hot offense has the ball back. Nice return by Cobb, but he still has some making up to do.

5:07 PM: Rodgers is simply on fire right now! It ain’t over yet obviously, but I’m like our chances a little better now.

5:23 PM: Seven might do it.

5:24 PM: We tack on three but again didn’t finish a drive. 30-17. Not over yet. Need at least one more TD to feel safe. I feel a quick Vikings TD somehow. It’s the dome, something weird always happens. But maybe Ponder is a little rattle now.

5:28 PM: As long as Adrian Peterson is in the game the Vikings have a chance.

5:29 PM: Charles Woodson is not over the hill yet. Another INT sets the Packers up to deliver the dagger. Finish a drive now.

5:32 PM: Another stupid play by Rodgers but Crosby nails a 58-yard field goal! Close to a dagger.

5:35 PM: Peterson won’t let the Vikings go down without a fight.

5:46 PM: Packers need to quit trying for the home run and get some first downs. Packers are letting the Vikings hang around and no good comes from that. We need another touchdown to win this thing I think.

5:53 PM: Fourth quarter is dragging and the Vikings are driving again. One more turnover and we can maybe hang on. Need a play right now!

5:57 PM: Big play came but it was for the Vikings. 33-27 now. All of a sudden we are in big trouble. If Rodgers can’t answer I think the Vikings win. I’ve had this feeling all week and nothing that has happened thus far makes me feel any more confident.

6:03 PM: Four and out for the Packers. Vikings will leading soon. Amazing meltdown by the Packers. But we were due for a loss. Now we can end all this undefeated talk that is such a distraction.

6:07 PM: Packers’ defense on their heels, given up over 400 yards yet again. It is time to make a play!

6:09 PM: Packers’ defense playing their worst game of the year. This is getting embarrassing. Packers need a wakeup call. Going to be a long two weeks before the next game I’m afraid.

6:13 PM: Packers have the ball back but can they run it out? All signs point to no. This is going back to the defense’s hands.

6:14 PM: False start on Bulaga is inexcusable!

6:15 PM: We need to pass for a first down. How risky do we get?

6:16 PM: James Starks with a huge run! One more first down and we can run it out.

6:21 PM: There is a your dagger! Second to last play of the game. Amazing. Yeah, I know we won but I told you it wouldn’t be easy. I am a dummy and an idiot and I love it! 7-0.

OK, maybe the Vikings were easy last year when the Packers won 31-3 in Minnesota, but normally the they are a thorn in the Packers’ side. It doesn’t matter how good either team is, the Vikings seem to find a way to win in the Packers’ house of horrors – the Metrodome. On paper the Packers are so much better it’s not even funny, but I still think this is going to be the end of the Packers’ 12-game winning streak.

I’ve just had a bad feeling about this one since I left Lambeau last Sunday. If the Packers play like they did against the Rams in the second half the Vikings will win easily. Plus, the whole Packers against rookie quarterbacks thing scares me. I think Christian Ponder will gash us with some long runs which will in turn ease the pass rush on him allowing him to complete some big plays on the Packers’ porous pass defense.

All week I was thinking the Packers need to establish the running game so they can slow down the Vikings pass rush, in specific, Jared Allen, who leads league in sacks. Now though, considering the Vikings are without Antoine Winfield and Chris Cook, I think the Packers should maybe max-protect and let Aaron Rodgers and Co. try and pick apart a depleted secondary.

No matter what strategy they choose the key is getting to an early lead and quieting the Metrodome crowd. If the Packers were to fall behind in this one it will be hard to come back, especially if the Adrian Peterson is running wild. Yes I know the Packers have come back twice from 13-point plus deficits, but neither of those teams have a time-killing running back like Peterson.

I also know the Vikings haven’t been good at holding leads this year, twice losing leads of 17 points or more. Just goes to show you how bad I feel about this game. I think the Vikings get a sack-fumble TD or a pick six or some other stupid play and pull out an ugly win. Vince Lombardi’s 12-game winning streak will remain tied but not broken. Vikings 26, Packers 24.