Pack uses bye week magic to inch closer to 1st place

The Packers had last week off and it came at an opportune time for injuries and the standings. Former division leader Detroit engineered a thrilling come-from-ahead loss to Chris Weinke and the Carolina Panthers. That loss contributed to the NFC North Division's pattern of allowing someone different to lead the division each week.

This week it's Da Bears' turn at the top spot, made possible by their 28-3 drubbing of the Vikings. I was surprised that the Vikings looked so flat this week after having their bye last week. Usually teams use the bye week as an opportunity to get a little R-n-R and get away from football a little. The Vikings didn't look very refreshed at all on Sunday. They must have a different approach in Minnesota--one that is predicated on players pushing themselves to their very limits and a narrow focus on the common goal. Their coaching staff probably had the players sequestered in the Metrodome, conducting two-a-day practices during the bye. "No rest for the weary," must be stamped all over the Vikings' locker room. Poor guys. They're gonna burn out if all they ever think about is football.

Our first win comes at a price

As great as the Packers win was today, it is just one win--and it comes at a price. Najeh Davenport is, in all likelihood, out for the season with a broken ankle. The Packers can't keep absorbing all these injuries.

KGB forces a fumble and the Pack scores on the following play. 32-21.

Roman's PI in the end zone was garbage. I wonder if there's a rule prohibiting OFFICIALS from piling on.

End of 3rd. CAR26 GB 13. CAR at pack 8.

The D will have to score.

Pack scores on pass to Driver (80 yd drive). CAR 26 GB 13. 2 pt conv. failed. Near the end of the 3rd.

Terrence Murphy has been hurt and they're bringing out a stretcher. Our thoughts and prayers are with him.

The Packers can't avoid turnovers and penalties and missed opportunities. Ferguson bobbles a slant--result INT. PF penalties on top of it.

Cullen Jenkins blocked PAT. CAR 16-7.

Earl Little getls the 1st marathon tackle in NFL history after Foster goes for 47 him (30 while in contact w/ him). Next play CAR scores on rub.

Pack punts again with only 3/5 of their line intact. THIS COULD BE REAL TROUBLE. The D is playing stout v the run.

Good tackle by Lenon on Foster, split wide, who even got a rub on the play. LENON was playing off though and could break on the play. 10-7 CAR

Ahmad Carroll easy PI call against Steven Smith. That was horrible technique and just plain bad football.

Grady makes a play. Harris gives up quick slant for 1st. Carolina apparently just read the scouting report and found out our pass D is suspect.

Cullen Jenkins got the last defensive series off to a good start with penetration on first down and dropping the runner for a loss. Let's c if w

Great series by the D--forcing a punt. Flanigan is out and now Clifton--Packers punt.

Tied at 7.

Some might say that David Martin has atoned for his previous sin with his touchdown catch just now. RUBBISH. He's supposed to catch the ball.

Thank you, David Martin for not only stinking but also screening your own left tackle from protecting Brett Favre. 7-0 Carolina. That's on you.

We're no dummies. The Packers are in ideal position.

What's all the hubbub about? The Packers are sittin' pretty at 0-3 right now. What(?!?!) you say? The 3-time defending NFC North Division Champion Packers have been an utter disaster this year with offensive production (pun intended), turnovers (giving and receiving), and penalties (offensively, killing drives and defensively prolonging them). Thankfully, our special teams are just mediocre.

But here's the good news...The Bears are in FIRST place!

At 1-2.

That's right. The Bears moved into first place today thanks to the fact that they didn't play this week and both their neighbors at the top of the NFC North lost. That's the same strategy the Lions used last week to gain sole possession of first place of the NFC Norris.

Don't play and you can't lose.

So are the ViQueens going to be in sole possession of first place next week since they have the bye this week? Not a chance--but they'll be close. The Bears will lose to the Brownies, and the the Lions will lose to the Ravens, leaving all three of our division rivals at 1-3. If the playoffs were to start then (and I wish they did just to get this season over with), the Bears would be in the playoffs. But, as Vikings fans could well attest, the regular season is not just 4 or 5 weeks long. The Bears and Vikings--and Lions, for that matter--are out of bye weeks to back their way into first place in the division--(the Bears and Vikes will actually have to play each other in Week 5 for a share of the division lead).

The only team with a bye left after next week will be your Green Bay Packers.

That's right. The team everyone has been castigating and incinerating in the papers and call-in shows is just a bye week away from a share of the division lead. Of course, we'll have to beat the Panthers Monday Night and the Saints the next week to do it, but hey, why not?

"But wait," you're thinking, "You said the Packers were 'sitting pretty' now. Wouldn't 'sitting pretty' be 3-0 and looking like the only competent team in the division?"

Hardly. We now have a GM who understands that the way to build a solid NFL franchise is through the draft. Starting the season 3-0 is flirting with disaster in the draft order. You've pretty much guarateed yourself that you're not going to get a top 10 draft pick (where most franchise players are found). However, at 0-3 and a game and a half out of first place, we're keeping our options open. We may get our next franchise player in the upcoming draft. Or we may get our fourth consecutive division championship.

Or we may get both.

If we can conserve our victories (and so far we're doing a good job) so that we just beat our remaining division opponents and a couple other NFC teams, we may be able to get this done with a 7-9 record. It might take 8-8, but at this rate, I doubt it.

So there you have it.

The Packers are sittin' pretty.

OK, I'm back...

Sorry about the lapse in podcasts and blog posts but I've been sick and out of town at my wife's grandmother's funeral (God rest her soul, she was 98).