I'm not sure I can say anything about the beat down the Minnesota Vikings gave the Green Bay Packers that anyone hasn't already said. While the game wasn't season defining, it certainly was a big game the Packers had to have if they wanted to have a realistic chance at the division. The Packers were beat in every phase of the game and the better team clearly came out on top.
Minnesota is just better than Green Bay right now. That's not to say the Packers can't get lucky and catch the Vikings. They can, but the percentage of it happening is very slim. The Vikings would have to sustain injuries to key players such as Adrian Peterson, Jared Allen, or Brett Favre and the Packers would have to remain injury free. The Vikings would have to choke away under the pressure which is something they've done in the past while the Packers would have to rise to the occasion. Something they've yet to do under Mike McCarthy.

The Packers won't concede the division publicly, but the standings will likely show Green Bay at three games including the tiebreaker back of Minnesota by the time both teams play eight games. The Packers will be rewarded with a pair of home games against playoff contenders Dallas and San Francisco followed by a Thanksgiving showdown with Detroit.

Minnesota will be rewarded with an unusual three consecutive home stretch against the likes of the Lions, Seahawks, and Bears. Even if Green Bay can go on a run which is possible by looking at their schedule, Minnesota is probably going to get to 10-1 or at the very least, 9-2.

Is the season over then?

Absolutely not. You don't need to win the division to make a run in the playoffs. It certainly helps, but in recent history, two teams have played zero home games and gone onto win the Super Bowl. In the case of the 2007 New York Giants, they actually beat the Dallas Cowboys in what turned out to be the last playoff game in Texas Stadium.

How is the relevant to the Packers?

Dallas swept New York that year during the regular season. I wouldn't dare suggest that Green Bay would beat Minnesota a third time around in the playoffs. Afterall, I picked Minnesota to win both games against the Packers as the matchup just favors the Vikings top to bottom. However, Packer fans need to remember that the season is a marathon and a lot can happen.

What I Know
The Packers loss to the Vikings in both games not because of Aaron Rodgers, but because Minnesota is a very very good football team. The comparisons between Rodgers and Favre are now irrelevant. Favre plays on a team with arguably the best 4-3 pass rusher, runningback, and offensive lineman in football. Where is that type of talent on Green Bay? No where to be seen, which is why the best thing that ever happen to Brett Favre late in his career could very well be the Packers' decision to move on from him. Have Favre fans thought of that?

What I'm Thinking
Now that the media circus has left the town, perhaps Green Bay can focus on football. The distractions have come and conquered. It's not good, but at least it's over with. The Packers can move on and worry about themselves.

What I'm Wondering
How good is the Packers' defense? Statistically, Green Bay is very good on the defensive side of the ball, but in two games versus Minnesota, Green Bay gave up 30 and 38 points respectively. Was that because Brett Favre was just going to be unstoppable regardless of how good the Packers defense is playing? Maybe or maybe the Packer' defense isn't that much better. My guess is the answer falls somewhere in between.

What I Don't Know
Will Packer fans treat the Dallas game as big as Minnesota? Right now, that seems like a no due to obvious reasons, but the fact is, Dallas coming to Lambeau is always big and could have huge playoff ramifications. The likely loser could find themselves in a hole as they make a playoff push with the winner feeling confident. I know the game will be big, but I feel like I'm the only one that believes this at this time.

What I Like
I like the fact Tampa Bay is going throwback this week. Yes, the old Buccaneers uniforms are ugly, but it reminds me of the 1990's all over again. Those were good times for both Green Bay and Tampa Bay to some extent. A little blast to the past could do both the players, coaches, and fans some good.
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Well my son and I will be at the game doing our part.

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Tauscher and Clifton coming back and performing well will be as good as an upgrade as you can hope for midseason. Our biggest problem is our OLine and we're getting two guys with a great deal of experience.

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Great write-up, Porky - I'm with you on the Dallas game, that's my key game for sure.

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I don't think Dallas is that great. I think they are on the same level as us. They haven't beat anyone really good, just like we've only beat one decent team. Dallas has beat Atlanta I think and we beat the Bears.

Dallas and Green Bay are not as far off as some want to think.

Ravens and Steelers are going to be the two hardest games for us.

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Good job Porky.



Let's not forget a nightmare ST player, which we don't have. We're not catching the Vikings. Our best shot is a WC, which we can still get without too much of a hitch as long as we win some games. Win 6 more and we're almost a shoe in for a WC.

The big difference between the '07 Giants and our beloved '09 Packers unfortunately is I think their coach does circles around our current coach. Hate to say that, but it's true.

Not that I won't be rooting for the Pack to win it all. I will. I got enough money on us to win it all that if we do, I'm taking Mrs. Z on a cruise (we had 25-1 odds at the beginning of the season in Vegas, how can a fan pass that up?).

But realistically, we're a long shot. We'll need to go injury free from here out and hope Lang develops into someone by Playoff time that can give Rodgers that that extra second, and also hope Tauscher's comeback is successful. I really think that the OL decides how far we go.

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Fact is that we played good, but we weren't the better team. Nothing wrong with playing tough against a better team. We could have gotten beaten bad, then I'd be more worried.

Well, gotta pay tough the rest of the season and hope for a wildcard. Although, if Favre goes down, the Vikes will lost many more.

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It's always good to hear from porky. He's realistic, but he does not yet have the shotgun in his mouth. It's true that the Vikings are just better than us right now. I could accept that if I thought the Packers were young and improving. I really think they should be farther along at this point, though.

There is a lot more football to be played this season, but things will get interesting if the team does not show significant improvement down the stretch.

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That could go a long way towards righting the ship. Pretty pathetic though.

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Dallas has been a jinx for us for a long time. Now you can add the Vikings to that. Sort of like how the playoffs are a jinx for Romo. LOL.

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