Poll: how many games will the Pack win down the stretch?

At the three-quarters mark of the 2008 season, and with the Packers sitting in third place (shudder!) in the NFC North with a 5-7 record, it might be of interest to see how many folks out there -- or at least those who care to voice an opinion -- think the Pack will win out...or not.

So, for any readers who care to participate, check out the poll in the righthand column underneath the link for our PackerFansUnited.com store (which, in the interest of a shameful plug, you will really want to visit to get some great gifts for family and friends for Christmas!). We'll keep the poll open until game time on Sunday.

Do you think the Pack will run the table and come up with a 9-7 final record? Or will it be something else? How many more games will the Packers win? Coming up are games against the Texans (at Lambeau), the Jaguars (away), Da Bearz (away), and the Lions (at Lambeau).

What say you? Vote today!

Breaking News: 2 ViQueens Suspended!
Well now here's a piece of breaking news that just might affect Minnesota's ability to hang on to it's #1 spot in the NFC North. Defensive linemen Kevin and Pat Williams (not related, as you know) were part of the six players suspended by the NFL today for four games -- that's the rest of the season, folks -- without pay for violating the league’s anti-doping policy. They were suspended for using a diuretic, which can serve as a masking agent for steroids. It's likely that there might be legal maneuvering of some kind to try to delay the suspensions.

But if the Williams' are done for the season, it would hit the ViQueens' defense hard and perhaps put their division lead in jeopardy as they head down the home stretch of this season. The 'Queens schedule winds up with the next two games on the road at Detroit and Arizona followed by their last two games at home against Atlanta and the NY Giants. According to an article in The Sporting News carried by Yahoo Sports, "The schedule was tough enough with the Williamses in the lineup. A 3-1 December likely would be good enough to win the weak NFC North, but the Vikings, based on the matchups, are now more likely to go 1-3."

As Seinfeld might say, "That's a shame."

As that same article also states, "What does that mean? It’s now a good bet the Bears-Packers game at Soldier Field in Week 16 will decide the division. Green Bay is the biggest beneficiary of the Vikings’ suspensions, because of all the teams in the NFC North, it has the best chance of running the table."

It ain't over yet, Packer fans. Not yet.

Happy Fans Everywhere

Yesterday's announcement by Packers QB Brett Favre that "I think I'll go one more time," as he told Packers GM Ted Thompson, was met with much rejoicing not only in Wisconsin -- where it is akin to the Second Coming -- but also throughout the NFL (click here for that story).

In a poll still going on in the online version of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, fans were asked if they are glad Brett is returning for 2007. Gee...that's a toughie...let's see the results as of the time of this posting:

Are you glad that Brett Favre is coming back in '07?
Yes (94.7%)
No (5.3%)
Total votes: 18,007

What I want to know is, who are the 900 or so boneheads who said "No"? Must be some disgruntled fans of Da Bearz who still wish they could find a quarterback.

In a second poll, readers were asked if Brett's return makes the Pack a playoff team. Here are those results so far:

Do you think Brett Favre's return makes the Packers a playoff team in '07?
Yes (86.5%)
No (13.5%)
Total votes: 5,186

OK, there may be a bit more debate on this question. NOT!!! C'mon, people. Even the talking yappers on ESPN's Around the Horn yesterday unanimously agreed that the Packers can definitely be in the hunt next year...heck, they climbed into the playoff hunt this year until the last day when they were bumped out of the wildcard slot by the Giants. The NFC North Division is not a strong one. The NFC is not all that strong right now. I mean...Da Bearz??? It will be the Pack and Da Bearz slogging it out next year for the Division Championship. Give Brett a few more offensive weapons -- some good downfield and after-the-catch receivers and tight ends -- and a legitimate running threat, and keep that young defense coming around as it did down the stretch and the Pack are in it.

That's obviously also Brett's thinking, and he's basically said as much in explaining why he's coming back. It will be a fun season, Packer fans! Let's see what Thompson does in free agency and with the draft. He has salary cap room to play with. He's not one to toss it around...but if he wants to make a run at the Super Bowl with Brett at the helm, this is his chance to make the investments needed for impact players.

Go Pack Go!!!