This was a bad loss. No debating that. But I know how this board can get - really high after wins and really low after losses.

I just spent the past 15 minutes looking at schedules, so let me try to put thi in perspective. We are certainly not out of the playoff hunt. In fact, I see a decent shot at winning the division even with 1 more loss, so long as that loss isn't to the Bears or Lions.

Let's play out some scenarios real quick operating under the assumption that we win the two division games and two of the other three. (I don't think beating two of Carolina, Jacksonville, and Houston is a reach.) That would put us at 9-7. Lets take a look at the Vikings and Bears.

We'll start with the Vikings/Bears game next week and look at the ramifications for each team winning.

First up: Vikings.

A win vs the Bears gives them 7 wins, meaning they would need 3 more wins to win the division if we get out 9 wins. We hold the tie breaker against since the season series is tied, but we would have a better division record after beating the Lions and Bears. Their other 4 games look like this:

@ Detroit
@ Arizona
vs Atlanta
vs NYG

We could catch a bad break if the Giants have nothing to play for in Week 17, but even so, I don't see a 3-1 record as likely. Sure, it could happen, but I would still see our chances of winning the division as reasonable.

Next up: Bears

A win vs the Vikings next week gives them 7 wins, meaning they too would need 3 more victories to win the division. Again, this is assuming our win over them in Week 16 giving us the head-to-head tie breaker. Let's take a look at their schedule:

vs Jacksonville
vs New Orleans
vs Green Bay
@ Houston

Now we've assumed our win vs the Bears, so that means they would have to sweep the remaining three games. It could happen, but it's not likely.

So what does all of this show? It shows that if we beat the Bears and the Lions (not unreasonable victories), I still think we have the best shot to win the division, even if we lose one of the Carolina/Jacksonville/Houston games.

Now, if we don't beat the Bears and Lions, all bets are off. But I'm trying to bring some optimism to the board. Truth is, we're still in pretty decent shape. (So long as our defense doesn't ever play again like they did tonight.)

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With the way this team has played, I can't say any win is set or a should win. You go from letting up 3 points to 51 points. That says something right there, and that is that this team is insanely inconsistent.

Wow that schedule is brutal for the Vikings. Too bad the Giants won't have anything to play for though.

Are we out of the playoffs.. nope.

But unless we start playing consistent ball week in and out.. does it matter?

It is always something failing with the 08 Packers... lack of focus and intensity.

Find were I was really high after the Bears win.. I learned a lesson early this year.. we are not the 07' Packers that beamed consistency.. we have regressed as a team.. well not the oline.. they were this shaky last season. 😉

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Very well thought-out, matt, and I appreciate your optimism. The problem is that it is very deep in the season to be playing this badly. I'm getting the feeling that this team simply isn't very good, and even if they somehow squeak into the playoffs they will be bounced in the first round.

One thing I will say is that there have not yet been any major signs of discontent on the team. But now I'm beginning to wonder if a little discontent might actually be a GOOD thing at this point. Sorry, it's hard to be positive right now.

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Consistency is something this team does not have and that is what scares me. I used to have faith in looking at the schedule and saying "Packers are better than that team. They should have that game.". Can't do that anymore this year. Hell even a blow out to Lions the last game of the year isn't out of the question. Imagine that. Ending the season losing to the 0-15 Lions. Oh boy. But yeah, let me stop being such a downer.

Yes.. in my haste.. Matt that was one dandy of a post.. tip of the cap.

We have problems.. but listening to ESPN comments of MM comments.. he thinks we are in pretty good shape.. one week of solid ball invokes that comment.. we have been consistent he claims. Maybe after 30 years of studying this game I am missing something..

Next week we are home on a slower track.. things will be different.. I hope.

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I'm not denying any of this. I'm merely pointing out that we "control our own destiny". And more than that, we don't have to be anything special or become a different team. A win vs the Lions, Texans, Jaguars, and Bears can put us in the playoffs.

I'm only being optimistic, yet I don't feel it takes a ton of optimism to think we have a good shot at winning said 4 games.

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I'm with you. We were there until the end in the Titans game. We lost by 1 to the Vikings in a close game marred by mistakes. We blewout the Bears the next week and than get blown out by the Saints. What does it say about us as a team? We're entirely and totally inconsistent. However, one thing I've noticed is that the only good QB we've actually beaten this year is Peyton Manning.

MM better light a fire under their ass. Rip them apart.