Packers lose at Lambeau...again.

For the second time in as many home games, the Green Bay Packers lost at Lambeau Field...something that hadn't been the case in...oh, I dunno...anyone remember? Yeah, it's been a while.

It was, of course, a loss at home for literally the first time in a generation to the then 1-7 Detroit Lions that was the tip of the Frozen Tundra iceberg. Last Sunday, the Pack was able to get a win in Minnesota. Fans thought the ship was righted.

Packers legendary quarterback Bart Starr and his wife Cherry enjoy the cheers of the crowd as they enter Lambeau Field at halftime Thursday night.
(Photo: William Glasheen/P-G Media/@wmgl)
Then came Thanksgiving. And other than the thanks given for seeing Brett Favre's number 4 retired to the Ring of Honor inside Lambeau Field, and the return of Packer legend Bart Starr to the field for what likely is the last time, there wasn't much to be thankful for. Another lackluster performance by the offense saw the Pack lose to the arch-rival Chicago Bears despite a flurry of the usual last minute bluster that has put the Pack in position to win in the closing seconds...but...not.

The Packers, who for a few short days sat atop the NFC North by virtue of the tiebreaker with the ViQueens, now find themselves in second place with a 7-4 record, losing four of their last five games after starting the season 6-0.

As the late, great Vince Lombardi would definitely say (among other things, no doubt), "What the heck is going on out here!?".

That's what coaches, players and fans are trying to figure out. QB Aaron Rodgers' completion percentage and quarterback rating has taken a nose dive during this stretch. Some of that is on him. But a great deal of that is on his receivers who continually are dropping passes that they should be catching, who are running routes that are not on the same page of the playbook as the one Rodgers is apparently using, or who simply are unable to get separation from defenders. It's not the plays being called it's the players not executing the plays called that seems to be at the heart of the offensive woes.

The Packers defense has been playing well enough to win. The Packers offense hasn't. If things don't get turned around soon, say this coming Thursday night in Detroit, the season is definitely in peril. Perhaps it already is. Imagine losing this upcoming game to the Lions. It could happen. Detroit has won three games in a row now, starting with the win over the Packers. Trendline: up. Packers, again, have lost four out of five. Trendline: down.

That's the state of things as of today.

We'll be back with a preview/prediction for the Detroit game a bit closer to the actual game. For now, we must still try to wrap our heads around this underperforming group known as the 2015 Green Bay Packers.

Packers vs Bears Thanksgiving 2015 - This. Will. Be. Epic!

Happy Thanksgiving, Packers fans! There is much to give thanks for. Especially as Packer fans. After all, we could have wound up as Bears fans...eeeewwwwww!

If we can clear that bad image out of our heads, let's move on to what's in store for us today: the Packers play Da Bearz at Lambeau Field in the final game of the NFL's Thanksgiving Day triple header. It's the first time the Pack will have played a Thanksgiving Day game at home since 1923. That's pretty special right there, right? But even more special will be seeing Brett Favre's ol' number 4 retired at halftime to the Ring of Honor inside Lambeau.

Oh...one other thing: Packers legend Bart Starr will remarkably be on hand to help celebrate this occasion. From all accounts, and in particular from his wife, Cherry, this will probably be Starr's last trip to Green Bay.

Whether fans will be more excited to Starr or Favre remains to be seen. All we know is that seeing both of them...and perhaps even with a moment somewhere along the way with current QB Aaron Rodgers...will blow the roof off the place (that's a metaphorical statement, of course, as Lambeau doesn't have a roof..well, I'm assuming, as good Packer fans, that you already know that, but just in case...).

So with all this emotion flowing inside the stadium, is there any chance that this current Packers team won't rise to the occasion? Sure, there's a chance or two: slim...and none.

The Pack shook off the doldrums from their three-game losing streak with a very good performance Sunday against the ViQueens. Now, it wasn't perfect...but it was pretty darn good on a number of counts, many of which were noted in our last post. See that one for details. The defense, as Mike Daniels noted this week, understands that their performance is highly related to their attitude. During the three-game losing stretch, no sacks; on Sunday, six sacks and holding Adrian Peterson to 45 yards. They dominated the Vikes. It started with attitude and then execution. They need to do the same tonight against an improved 4-6 Chicago Bears team. There's no reason to believe they won't.

Offensively, the Packers got a bit more in sync against the Vikes than they had been in the past month. (Another thing to be thankful for!) Again, it wasn't perfect. There were still missed throws and dropped passes. But...better. Just in time for Da Bearz.

Now, while Da Bearz are certainly an improved team since the first meeting of this season, can they take the Pack down? Anything is possible. We didn't think the Lions could come into Green Bay and steal one but they did. But the Packers were still in their collective funk then. Now? Not. Plus, Aaron Rodgers is 13-3 versus the Bears while Jay Cutler is 1-11 versus the Packers. Rodgers usually has one of his better games against Chicago, while Cutler -- obviously -- just can't get it done against Green Bay. (Another thing to be thankful for!) If the Packers defense gets consistent pressure on Cutler he gets nervous in the pocket and will start flinging it about. Everyone says that you know in a game with Cutler that you are going to get at least two or three occasions where you can get a turnover and you should come away with at least one of those. That can be the case tonight.

The Packers offensive line comes into tonight's game a bit banged up but if they can hold up and do what they did against the Vikes in the way of protecting Rodgers and opening holes for Lacy and Starks, it should give Rodgers and the offense enough opportunities to score.

The Prediction
The Packers are currently favored by 8-1/2 points at the time of this writing. What could get in the way of a Packers win, apart from Da Bearz, that is? The weather might play a role. The forecast is for rain and possibly sleet. That will affect both teams, obviously, but could have a greater impact upon the kicking game: punters, kickers, returners. Don't look for Mason Crosby to kick five field goals from more than 40 yards as he did Sunday. And if he has to...well, he can...but it sure doesn't reflect well on offensive production, does it?

Our call? We've got the Packers winning it, 27-20.

Go Pack Go!!!

Packers whack Vikings, get ready to smack Bears

The rejoicing over the Green Bay Packers 30-13 victory Sunday over the up-and-coming Minnesota Vikings is still continuing several days later. At least among Packer fans. While the players also feel much better from an attitude standpoint than they have in the last month, they didn't have much time to celebrate the big NFC North Division win. After all, the rival Chicago Bears come to Lambeau Field Thanksgiving night. It's a short turnaround for both teams. But the Pack come in with a much-needed win while Da Bears arrive following a loss to Denver in Chicago.

Since the players can't take time to recount Sunday's glories, however, allow us to do so briefly.

First, kicker Mason Crosby did what had never been done before in NFL history: kick -- and, more importantly, make -- five field goals of more than 40 yards each in a single game. Wow. Congratulations, Mr. Crosby! I guess you could say he more than made up for that clunker in the closing seconds of the loss to the Lions the week before.

Secondly, RB Eddie Lacy, despite not getting the start, rushed for 100 yards on 22 carries, shaking off not only ViQueen defenders in the process but also the doubters among the Packers faithful who were beginning to wonder, "What's wrong with Eddie?". Apparently, not much when the O-line does its job opening holes and Eddie decides to make decisive cuts. Yay.

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers regained some of his mojo against the Vikings on Sunday.
(Photo by Ann Heisenfelt, File/Associated Press)
QB Aaron Rodgers, after a few weeks of looking not-at-all-Aaron-Rodgers-esque, regained a good portion of his mojo, throwing for two touchdowns. His 16-for-34 passing for 212 yards still wasn't outstanding -- Rodgers at less than 50% completion rate? C'mon! -- but he did hit important third down conversions that had almost been non-existent in recent weeks. WR James Jones accounted for nearly half of Rodgers' passing yards, catching six balls for 109 yards and one fantastic TD that is the stuff of highlight reels; Jones had practically disappeared from action in the prior weeks' losses.

Kudos also go to a banged up offensive line for doing a much better job than had been the case recently. Despite losing starting center Corey Linsley in the first quarter (replaced by J.C. Tretter who didn't miss a beat), the line performed admirably.

As for the Packers defense, which hadn't gotten a sack in the last three games, they came up huge on Sunday, accounting for six quarterback sacks. ViQueens QB Teddy Bridgewater was under pressure constantly. The Packers "D" dominated Minnesota from start to finish. Perhaps nowhere was this seen more than in the shutdown of star RB Adrian Peterson who had just 45 yards on 13 carries with one touchdown. He also lost a fumble at the Packers 21 early in the fourth quarter which was a huge turnover and game-changer.

Anyway, it was a win. A big win, as the Pack took control of the NFC North. While still tied with the Vikes at 7-3, the Packers hold the tiebreaker by virtue of this win.

Bring on Da Bears!
Any game against Chicago is epic. The fact this will be a Thanksgiving game played in Green Bay will only be the second such occasion since 1923. Yeah, that's right: 1923. The historic series stands at 93-92 in favor of Da Bearz, so the Pack can get things back to square with this win Thanksgiving night.

But as important as these historic aspects are for this game, there is another: the retirement of former QB Brett Favre's number to the Ring of Honor in Lambeau Field, forever to be immortalized among the Packer greats...as if that wasn't already the case. Another element to this halftime event will be the appearance of Packer great Bart Starr who, in all likelihood, will be making his last appearance at Lambeau Field. After serious health issues over the last year or so (heart attack and stroke), Starr is lucky to still be with us according to all reports. He's gone through a great deal of physical and mental rehab work to be on hand when Favre's number joins his among the Packer legends. He and Brett always had a great relationship and it could be suggested that Favre delayed this whole event so that Starr could be on hand. To say it will be an emotional moment is an understatement. The only thing that could put a damper on the festivities is the weather, with rain currently forecast for the evening.

We'll be back tomorrow with our Packers vs. Da Bearz preview and prediction. So, stay tuned to PackerFansUnited.com, Packer fans.

Go Pack Go!!!

2015 NFL Week 11: Packers vs. Vikings Preview and Prediction

First things first: regular readers of our Packer Fans United blog no doubt recognize that we did not post a post-game review of the Packers loss to the Lions. Reason? Hell froze over and it took us this long to get out.

Seriously, what can one say about that dismal, depressing game? Let's move on.

So we now get to visit Minnesota, the land of 10,000 lakes, they say. Although, truth be told, Wisconsin actually has more lakes than our neighbor to the west. So there's that. By the end of this afternoon's game between the Packers and the ViQueens that might still be the only thing Packer fans have to hold over our friends in purple.

If it sounds as if we are leery of the late afternoon game today, yes, we are. Why shouldn't we be? After all, the Packers have really shown us nothing over the past three games -- and especially the last -- to make us think that they will have their collective act together to beat Minnesota on their home field.

While the Packers have been kings of the NFC North for quite a while, their recent struggles over a three-game losing streak combined with the ViQueens five-game winning streak, now see the Pack a game behind Minnesota. Who could have imagined it? Even worse, imagine if the Packers lose today: they will be a full two games behind Minnesota in the division with six games remaining, including three more divisional games. Throw the Cowboys, Raiders and Cardinals in that mix (the last two back-to-back on the road) and the Pack could find themselves in a world of hurt if they don't get this train back on track. Soon. Like, today for instance.

Packers RB Eddie Lacy needs more carries to help turn things around.
Photo by Mark Hoffman, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

The Packers will have their hands full on both sides of the ball, trying to fend off an aggressive defense managed by the head coach himself, Mike Zimmer, and a very good offense under coordinator Norv Turner. Oh, and did we mention that RB Adrian Peterson is back to his old self...unfortunately...tearing up the turf once again? Second-year quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has come along nicely, as well. Even without the Pack's recent skid, Minnesota is obviously the real deal this season. Playing their arch-nemesis, Green Bay, on their home field will only make this game even more difficult for a seemingly bewildered and unconfident Packers team.

It's hard to explain, let alone know, what is actually ailing the Packers at this stage of the season. It seems as if they start off quickly, then fall apart, and then in the closing minutes of the game put together another run or two to make it close. But it's that 50-minutes-or-so part of the game between the start and the finish that seems to have been the team's Achilles heal; they just get too far behind. Go figure.

Some fans have suggested that offensively it's a matter of play calling and that head coach Mike McCarthy should resume those play-calling duties. Both Wayne Larrivee (radio voice of the Packers) and sidekick Packers Hall of Famer, Larry McCarren, have each made the point that from their perspective it's not a matter of who calls the plays; the plays still have to be executed and right now the players are just not executing the plays...for whatever reason.

Will the Pack continue their bumbling ways today? Or, somehow, get it together to avoid an outright tailspin? As we mentioned in the preview to last weekend's game, if the Pack couldn't beat the 1-7 Lions at Lambeau Field we would know the wheels have really fallen off. Well, the wheels did indeed fall off. The question for today is: did a new and improved set of wheels get installed that can win this game?

The Prediction
As the Five Things to Watch article by Rob Reischel in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel states: "Green Bay is in the midst of its first three-game losing streak under Aaron Rodgers since late in the 2008 season. The Packers rank 21st in total offense and 22nd in passing offense. Green Bay also hasn't had a sack in three games and plummeted to 23rd in total defense. Green Bay heads to Minnesota one game out of the lead in the NFC North, trails the Vikings in all major tiebreakers and finds itself at a crossroads. If the Packers can't fix some of what ails them Sunday, they might not be able to save this sinking season."

Minnesota is favored by 1 point by some oddsmakers at the time of this writing, while others have this game listed as a toss up. It's a bit surprising that spread isn't greater in favor of Minnesota given trends by both teams. As much as we view things through Green 'n' Gold-colored glasses around here, until the Packers show us they have turned things around it just seems as if the recent past is a good predictor of the immediate future.

We have to call this one in favor of the ViQueens 27 - 20 over the Packers.

With that said, hope we're wrong today...and...Go Pack Go!!!

2015 NFL Week 10: Packers vs. Lions Preview and Prediction

After two consecutive losses on the road to unbeaten teams (at the time, in the case of Denver, and still, in the case of Carolina), the Green Bay Packers return to the friendly confines of Lambeau Field today to begin a four-game stretch against NFC North division opponents...all in 19 days. The team will be tested, that's for sure.

Of course, we can say that's the case already, can't we? The team has been underperforming and underachieving for at least the last month. What was a steam-rolling offense and dominating defense the first three or four weeks of the season has become ineffective on both sides of the ball almost ever since.

What head coach Mike McCarthy called the best offensive line since his time in Green Bay has allowed their two-time MVP quarterback to get battered week after week as of late. Wide receivers somehow are not getting separation against defenders and the rushing game has been almost non-existent, whether through play-calling, down-and-distance situations, whatever. The offense has been very much out of sync. The team is last in the league in third down conversions right now. Not good.

The defense, which had been putting a great deal of pass-rush pressure on opposing quarterbacks during the early part of the season hasn't had a sack in the last two games.

OK, enough of the team woes.

The Packers defense has a chance to get to Lions QB Matthew Stafford often today.
(Photo: Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media)
What can we expect against the Lions?
The 1-7 Lions are -- or should be -- just what the doctor ordered for the Pack to get back on track. The management and coaching staff are in disarray. Whether that will translate to the field or not, or make any difference at all, isn't the main factor today.

What might be a key to the game is that the Lions have issues up front offensively. This is a chance for the Pack to dominate defensively...assuming that the secondary doesn't let Calvin Johnson, Golden Tate et al run run wide open. That would...not...be...good.

If the Packers offense can convert on third downs and get back in sync, and rest the defense in the process, the Packers should get the win. The Lions haven't won in Green Bay since 1991 and there's no reason to expect that they should do so today. While the Packers might have issues right now they are nowhere near as many as the Lions have.

The Prediction
The Packers are favored by 10-1/2 points at the time of this writing. Given the way they have performed recently, that's pretty hard to believe. Still, the Pack should come out of this game with the win.

We're calling this one 31-17 Packers.

Go Pack Go!!!

Lacy inactive today
In late-breaking news, we've just heard that RB Eddie Lacy is inactive today. Coach McCarthy had named James Starks as the starter for this week earlier in the week. For more on this, click here.

Packers, Packers...what's going on?

It's taken this long for many Green Bay Packers fans, including yours truly, to digest the loss to the Carolina Panthers last Sunday...let alone write about it. It was ugly, disheartening. It actually left a bad case of indigestion in its wake. So, to just get past things, let's just say it goes in the loss column, as I regrettably predicted it would in my game preview.

The Packers are now 6-2 at the midway point of the 2015 NFL season. But which Packers team is it at this point in time? The team that was offensively blowing opponents away handily in the first three or four games of the season, aided in no small measure by a stifling defense? Or, is it the Packers that we've seen for about the last four games who can't convert third downs, can't effectively run the ball, whose receivers can't seem to get separation against defenders, an offensive line that has QB Aaron Rodgers under constant pressure and taking far too many hits, a defensive unit that gave up more than 500 yards to the opposing offenses in consecutive games and almost did so for a third game in a row? We just don't know.

Everything seems out of sync. Rodgers is missing or not even seeing receivers he'd otherwise be hitting in stride, RB Eddie Lacy can't get more than a few yards on a few carries, opposing receivers are left wide open for huge gains. Are the wheels falling off? Probably not. But a tune up is definitely in order.

Packers head coach Mike McCarthy has challenges to resolve.
Photo by Jim Biever, Packers.com
That tune up has apparently begun with head coach Mike McCarthy naming RB James Starks as the starter for this week. It's been rumored for a few weeks that the coaching staff has not been pleased with Lacy's performance as of late. Whether it's a lingering ankle injury, his weight or something else, he just isn't performing at the level that the team expects. He'll still be getting his reps, but the fumble against Carolina did nothing to endear him to the coaches right now.

It's also become known that quarterbacks and wide receivers coach, Alex Van Pelt, will be moving from the upstairs coaches booth down to the field. Whether that's to better interact with the players or offensive coordinator and play caller, Tom Clements, and head coach McCarthy we can only speculate. But obviously, McCarthy felt some adjustments are needed.

Just what the football doctor ordered?
Coming off back-to-back road games against undefeated teams -- and losing to both -- the Packers now come back to Lambeau and begin a stretch of four games against divisional opponents over the course of 18 days. Yowzers. At least first up in this NFC North gauntlet is the woeful 1-7 Detroit Lions. Now, it can rightfully be said that if the Pack loses to the Lions at Lambeau for the first time in seemingly forever, the team is in free-fall. Not that the season will be over, but...the Lions? At Lambeau? C'mon. If the Packers can somehow regain the mojo they had earlier in the season, they should be able to dominate this Lions team. Of course, it must also be said that the Lions have nothing to lose and will bring whatever they can muster against the Pack. It should also be noted that the Lions are better than their 1-7 record would indicate. But the Packers are so much better...but they need to demonstrate that again in no uncertain terms this coming Sunday.

We'll be back with a more timely preview closer to game time. For now, let's just get the chant going: GO PACK GO!!!

It can't hurt.

Packers vs. Panthers Game Preview: Will the Pack get back on track?

While no one is saying this is a "must-win" game for the Green Bay Packers, fans -- including yours truly -- want to see how well the team bounces back from its first defeat of the season. Let's also not forget that the Minnesota ViQueens are now only a game behind the Packers in the NFC North. But the question for today is: Will we continue to see sluggish play out of the once-vaunted offense -- now ranked 28th in the league -- and sieve-like defense from what had been a very good unit until giving up more than 500 yards to opposing offenses in the last two games? Or, will the loss have served as a wakeup call to the players and coaching staff that things are just not where they should be at the roughly halfway mark of the season?

We'll get an answer in just a few hours' time.

Granted, there's still a long way to go in the season. And the Packers have certainly been dinged up. Today, Ty Montgomery, Sam Shields and Quinten Rollins look as if they will be held out of the game. Clay Matthews says he'll be ready to go but how will last weekend's ankle/leg injury affect him today? The rushing game has been moribund without a healthy Eddie Lacy and James Starks; one or the other is needed to take pressure off Aaron Rodgers and the passing game. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Packers reporter, Bob McGinn, asserts in his most recent article that the Panthers coaching staff has been compensating for their team's injuries better than the Packers have with their injuries. Matter of opinion, I guess, but one team is still undefeated and looks well positioned while the other has been pretty flat overall for a while now, despite only one loss so far.

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers hopes to bounce back against the Panthers today from his worst passing performance as a pro last weekend.
Photo by Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media
It's been far too easy for opposing defenses over the last month or so to play tight coverages on the Packers wide receivers who are not getting open, thus allowing the front seven defenders to just come after Rodgers play after play. Without a deep threat to loosen things up, or a running game that keeps defensive linemen and linebackers honest, well, it hasn't been pretty. Seventy-seven passing yards vs. Denver...from Rodgers? Admittedly and arguably the best defense in the NFL. But...c'mon.

Today, Rodgers will have a chance against a Panthers secondary...if receivers can get open, the running game is effective, etc. etc. You know the drill as well as I.

But...and it's a big but...the Packers defense will have to keep one of the most dangerous offensive weapons in the league, in the person of QB Cam Newton, in check. They did so in a dominating win against the Panthers at Lambeau Field last season. But that was then, this is now. The Packers defense is starting to remind at least some fans of Forrest Gump's proverbial box of chocolates: we just don't know what we're going to get. Will it be that great and essentially win-preserving "D" we saw on display in the first four or five games of the season, or the sieve we've seen the last two weeks? If the latter, the Packers are in trouble today.

There's at least one factor in the Pack's favor today, despite playing a second consecutive game on the road against an unbeaten opponent: Rodgers rarely has two bad games in a row. Still, Green Bay Press-Gazette's Packers reporter, Wes Hodkiewicz, puts it like this: "Only twice in NFL history has a team faced a pair of teams with 6-0 records or better in consecutive weeks. The Packers are only 6-6 since the start of the 2014 season on the road, but Rodgers tends to have some of his best games after disappointing losses. The Panthers will put that theory to the test with the NFL’s top-ranked rushing offense and a potent defense coming off an emotional overtime win on Monday night."

The Prediction
While the Packers are favored by 2-1/2 points as of the time of this writing, it really seems to be more of a toss-up to this writer. We rarely pick against the Packers. And when we do, we sincerely hope we are very wrong.

But today, even though Rodgers and the Packers often seem to bounce back after a poor performance, it seems as if what ails the Pack -- whatever it is, apart from injuries -- is still not remedied. Until we see some evidence to the contrary -- which we hope happens today -- we'll have to go with the following prediction:

Panthers 31 - Packers 24.

Go Pack Go!!!

Packers get smacked down in Denver, 29-10

The headline on my preview/prediction post for last night's game between the Green Bay Packers and the Denver Broncos noted that only one of those teams would be 7-0 after the game. Sadly, it's not the Packers.

Boy, was I wrong about this game...although I did note that I was nervous that the Packers were favored and that most pundits were projecting the Pack to win. Somehow, there often seems to be a game such as this lying just around the corner when those types of predictions are made.

In about as flat a performance as we've seen from the Pack this season, even coming off a bye week and supposedly being rested, the intensity level on both sides of the ball for Green Bay did not match that of Denver.

For the second game in a row, the Packers' defense gave up more than 500 yards to the opposing offense. Not a good trend. Conversely, the Packers' offense could do nothing. QB Aaron Rodgers took a pounding. Even when he did get the time to search for receivers, none were getting open. The results was a mere 77 yards passing for Rodgers, the lowest of his career. This ongoing lackluster performance by the offense, despite the record, has essentially been present since about the fourth game of the season.


Packers QB Aaron Rodgers took a pounding in last night's loss to Denver.
Photo by Mark Hoffman, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
We had also made the comment in our preview that some thought Denver's 6-0 record was more reflective of a pretender than contender. Not last night. In fact, it might actually be the other way around: the Pack's record might be a reflection that in their first six games they had not played a team with a winning record. Who's the pretender? Who's the contender?

So, Packer fans, there are areas for concern. Genuine concern.

The Packers have to go on the road next weekend to play the currently undefeated Carolina Panthers. If the Pack's defense gave up over 500 yards to a supposedly immobile and lacking-in-arm-strength Peyton Manning-led team, just imagine what a quarterback such as Cam Newton might be able to roll up. Think of similar type pass-run quarterbacks and what they typically do against a Packers defense: Russell Wilson and (prior to this season, anyway) Colin Kaepernick come to mind, don't they? It could easily be another 500-yard offensive onslaught by an opponent this coming weekend.

Even more concerning, perhaps, is that the Minnesota ViQueens are now only one game behind the Packers in the NFC North after their last-second win over Da Bearz yesterday. A-whaaaaaa??? Yes, really.

The elements of this beat-down can be analyzed every which way, and are. For one of the better analyses of the game (to no one's surprise) you may wish to read this great article by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Bob McGinn.

Nothing I can add at this point except next week is an opportunity for redemption. The young players who are being asked to step in and step up due to injuries need to start doing so...big time. We'll know what type of team this season's Packers are after this upcoming game against Carolina: pretenders...or contenders.

NFL Week 8: Packers at Broncos...Only one will be 7-0.

Well, Packers fans...the boys in the Green 'n' Gold (or white, green and gold tonight) have had a week off and time to get healthier before the battle in Denver against the Broncos this evening. Yay. B.J. Raji and Davante Adams should see action, while safety Morgan Burnett will be back in the lineup...finally...giving a big boost to the Packers defense. James Starks is questionable with a hip injury. Ty Montgomery is likely out.


Packers safety Morgan Burnett should return to action tonight.
Photo by Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Denver, however, also had their bye week last week, as well. Both teams should come in rested and with game plans well-worked out.

But, getting a healthier Eddie Lacy back into the ground game, plus giving QB Aaron Rodgers someone to stretch the field, i.e., Davante Adams, bodes well as the Pack goes against the league's No. 1-ranked defense.

According to Wayne Larrivee, radio voice of the Green Bay Packers, the Denver Broncos defense is the fastest and best the Packers will face this season. They lead the league in sacks and takeaways, and have four defensive touchdowns, including two pick-6 INT returns by DB Aqib Talib. The cornerbacks are good enough that Denver defensive coordinator Wade Phillips doesn't need to give them safety help, meaning he can sometimes go with seven or eight men at the line of scrimmage. Denver leads the league in sacks as a result.

Some might argue, though, that part of Denver's defensive success is that they really haven't played a very good team yet. I'd say regardless of that that any team that can be unbeaten at this stage of the season -- regardless of quality of opponent -- is doing something right and has to be respected. By the way, this is only the fourth time in NFL history that two teams with at least 6 wins and no losses have met one another.

Turning to Denver's offense, you certainly have to respect QB Peyton Manning, particularly when he gets the time to step up in the pocket to pass. He may not have the arm strength he used to, and he's never had great mobility, be if his offensive line protects him tonight against the Packers' also-stellar pass rush it could set up for a very interesting game. On the other hand, if the Packers' "D" can do what they've done all season, and get pressure on him, the Packers should win this game. No mistaking, Manning has weapons he can leverage offensively. The Packers defense must minimize those offensive opportunities, particularly the two top wide receivers who lead the league in receptions and yardage: 86 catches and more than 1,000 yards receiving combined. However, they only have combined for four touchdowns. The Packers' secondary will be tested if the defensive front doesn't get effective pressure on Manning.

On the Packers side of the ledger, the offense has to display more than they have the last several weeks in particular. They've done enough to win, but without the great performances from the defense generally the Pack might not be at 6-0 right now.

The Prediction
Without further ado, particularly with only about about an hour to gametime, it's time to make our call. A big consideration, among all the others listed here, is that the Packers are 8-1 after the bye under head coach Mike McCarthy, which is the best record in the NFL during that span, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Some pundits think this will be close, others that Denver is more of a pretender and the Packers will put them in their place. Most all are calling for the Packers to win this game which, frankly, always makes me nervous. The Packers are favored by 3 points. My own take is that I think both teams will be up for this game and want to keep that unbeaten tag. If the Pack play their game and get pressure on Manning while protecting Rodgers, the Pack will prevail. (I know: "Thank you, Captain Obvious!") This could be tight into the fourth quarter. Still...

We're calling it 31-24 Packers over the Broncos.

Go Pack Go!!!

Packers down Chargers, go into bye 6-0

At this point, Packers fans, it's a bit of old news that the Green Bay Packers beat the San Diego Chargers last Sunday, 27-20, in heart-stopping fashion, and in the process giving head coach Mike McCarthy his 100th regular season win. McCarthy now trails only the legendary Curly Lambeau for wins as Packers head coach. Congrats, Coach McCarthy. (Oh, by the way, Lambeau has 209 regular season wins.)

Behind a franchise record-setting performance from Chargers QB Philip Rivers (43 of 65 passes for 503 yards and two touchdowns without committing a single turnover), the Pack's defense was lit up like Otis on the Andy Griffith Show.

The Packers defense was on the field for roughly 40 minutes -- two-thirds of the available clock time -- trying to defend against one of the best pocket passers in the league. Kudos to Mr. Rivers for his performance. For even when the Packers did get pressure on him, which, to be fair, was quite often, he was still able to get the ball out courtesy of his quick release.

Still, while racking up all that yardage and roughly 40 more offensive plays than the Packers, the Chargers were only two for six in the red zone and, most importantly, still lost.

The final series for the Chargers was emblematic of the Packers defense on the day. With the Chargers having first and goal at the three yardline, the Pack held them out of the endzone on three straight plays with no gain, capped with the great pass break up in the end zone by rookie defensive back and first round pick, Damarious Randall.

Packers RB James Starks racked up 112 yards on 10 carries against the Chargers, including a 65-yard TD run...the Pack's longest TD run in almost seven years.
Photo by Mark Hoffman, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

A depleted Packers offense continued to sputter -- but do enough -- to win. WR Davante Adams was held out once again and TE/WR Ty Montgomery was injured early in the game and is expected to also miss the Denver game following the bye week. RB Eddie Lacy was still hobbled by his lingering ankle injury (which may be worse than he or the Packers are letting on) and was ineffective on a few carries. In his place, James Starks had a great day, carrying 10 times for 112 yards including a spectacular spin-to-the-backside 65-yard touchdown run, the longest for the Packers in nearly seven years.

Other players also made plays. WR Jeff Janis made the most of his opportunities, catching two passes for 79 yards and making a huge hustle block downfield on Starks' TD run. Let's also not forget that short shovel pass from Aaron Rodgers to Janis on a scramble which turned into a 33-yard play down to the San Diego 20-yard line in the fourth quarter.

So, going into the bye weekend, the Packers are banged up and hoping to get healthy. Despite key injuries to key players, some season-ending, the Packers are 6-0 for just the eighth time in the team's long, long history. As this great article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel notes, "The first six Packers teams that began 6-0 all won World Championships. The 2011 Packers started the year 13-0, went 15-1 in the regular season, then lost in the NFC divisional playoffs."

So there is a long way to go in this 2015 season, Packers fans. In the next two games after the bye, the Pack goes on the road to take on the also undefeated Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers, followed by four divisional games. This is the heart of the schedule. While off to a great start, there are still lots of areas for improvement. But just imagine what this team could do if it was at 100 percent.

For now, though, Packers fans...enjoy the week off. Enjoy your undefeated Green Bay Packers.

Go Pack Go!!!

NFL Week 6: Packers vs. Chargers Preview and Prediction

The good news, Packers fans, is that the San Diego Chargers are coming to Lambeau Field. Sometimes, it's be careful what you wish for, I know. But not in this case.

The Chargers are missing three starters on their offensive line and one of their top backups. While still sporting one of the top-ranked offenses in the league, racking up lots of total yards and passing yards behind quarterback Philip Rivers, they are scoring just 23.2 points per game. Conversely, the Green Bay Packers defense has been on a roll, holding teams to just 13 points total in the last two games against what were touted as some potentially dynamic offenses. It didn't happen. Not gonna happen today either.

This is the last game before the Pack heads into their Week 7 bye. Occasionally in the past, head coach Mike McCarthy's teams were looking more to the bye than the opponent on the other side of the ball. That's not going to happen today. The coaching staff and players want to go into that bye week undefeated. The only way to do that is to put the hammer down on the Chargers.

RB Eddie Lacy is set to have a good day against the Chargers.
Photo by Mark Hoffman, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Defensively, despite being banged up a bit across all facets of that unit, the Packers have plugged players in and haven't missed a beat. The pass rush has been relentless. Against an immobile pocket quarterback such as Rivers, the Packers could be set for a big day. Get to Rivers and you control the game. Yes, rookie running back Melvin Gordon has shown flashes of what made him so special at Wisconsin (Go Badgers!), but has yet to really have a breakout type game behind San Diego's makeshift line. Who do the Chargers have for receivers? Who knows? Won't matter. The Pack will get it done on "D" today.

Will the Packers offense break out of its funk?
The Packers offense has certainly seemed to be misfiring in the last few games. They've still done enough to win, aided in large measure by their defense. (Yeah, I know, when was the last time we could say that?) But with Eddie Lacy getting over his ankle injury and perhaps with Davante Adams back in the lineup to stretch the field -- the thing everyone, including QB Aaron Rodgers has said has been missing -- the Packers "O" should shake off a couple so-so performances. With a three-turnover outing at home last weekend, including two Rodgers' INTs and a fumble -- as rare as the three-eyed jackalope unicorn (hey, they're out there!) -- the offense will be looking for some redemption. Rodgers just does not have two back-to-back bad performances; he just doesn't. He wasn't happy about last week's game, and in his post-game comments gently called out not only his receivers for their imprecise route-running but himself for throwing the way he did...which was, umm, not great.

The prediction
The Packers are favored by as many as 10-1/2 points depending on what source you're looking at. It could be that big of a day.

Unless the wheels fall totally off the Packmobile...we're calling this 34-20 Packers.

Go Pack Go!!!

Packers are 5-0 after win over Rams. Begin preparations for Chargers.

For the second week in a row, the Green Bay Packers defense was the difference in a team win versus a possible loss, as the offense continues to struggle...at least by recent Packers' standards, that is. The Pack dispatched the Rams, 24-10. We had the winning margin -- 14 points -- as part of our prediction, but seems as if we were once again a bit optimistic about the overall scoring power of both teams.

Nevertheless, the Pack came away with an important win at home against a team that had taken down two of the supposed early season juggernauts in the league, the Seattle Seahawks (who may be more pretender than contender this season) and the Arizona Cardinals. The win did come at a price, however: more injuries. RG T. J. Lang went down with a knee injury, although it is not believed to be serious...at least if you believe the Tweets he sent out afterward. NT B. J. Raji left the game with a groin injury, also not believed to be serious. OLB Nick Perry sustained a shoulder injury, and was seen with his arm in a sling after the game. Packer fans had been waiting for the former first-round draft pick to make an impact, which he had been doing so far this season: he had accounted for multiple tackles in the first four games and was tied for third on the team with 3-1/2 sacks, trailing only Julius Peppers and Clay Matthews, who both have 4-1/2 sacks.

Ha Ha Clinton-Dix gives fellow safety Micah Hyde a congratulatory pat to the head after Hyde's interception against the Rams.
Photo by Associated Press
As noted, the Packers defense has been something to behold so far this season. Believe it or not, they rank seventh in the league in overall defense. Quite a change from what we've seen in recent years, isn't it? Yay. Oh, yay.

Despite injuries in all areas of the defense, including starting safety Morgan Burnett who has missed the last three games, the Packers "D" is stepping up big time. The pressure they are getting on opposing quarterbacks is coming from everywhere on the field. And even rookies are getting in on the act as evidenced by 2015 second-round pick Quinten Rollins who grabbed two of the four interceptions against the Rams, including a pick-six for a touchdown.

Conversely, and as even admitted by QB Aaron Rodgers and other members of the squad, the offense seems to be sputtering. While having generated the third-best rushing stats in the league going into the game against the Rams, the leading rusher for the Packers on Sunday was Rodgers with 39 yards...that's not what you want to see. Yes, the offensive line was playing against arguably the best front four in the NFL, but...c'mon.

The biggest shocker of the day, perhaps, as regards the offense was the play of Rodgers and his receivers. They just didn't seem to be on the same page. Rodgers offered some soft criticism of both himself and his receivers in his post-game comments, saying that he needed to do a better job throwing the ball than he did while his receivers have to run better routes. The result of this confusion Sunday were two interceptions of Rodgers (one tipped and another trapped, which should have been overturned) and a fumble on a stripped ball. These were the first interceptions of Rodgers at Lambeau Field since 2012. The odds finally caught up with him.

Overall, the Rams never really threatened. The Packers defense did give up 159 yards rushing to RB Todd Gurley, with about a third of those yards coming on one run. But overall, Rams QB Nick Foles was under pressure all day. If the Packers defense keeps playing with this level of intensity throughout the rest of the season, it's championship-worthy. We also know that the offense will get things straightened out. The emergence of a downfield threat to stretch the field -- something missing and obviously so since WR Jordy Nelson's injury -- will help a great deal.

Next up at Lambeau: the Chargers
We'll do a game preview a bit closer to the event, but the 2-3 Chargers will be coming to Green Bay for a late afternoon game this Sunday. They are coming off a last-second loss at home against the Steelers. They'll be looking to get back to .500 and perhaps hope to find a Packers team looking past them to their bye in week 7. They shouldn't count on that, though. Whether all (or most) hands are on deck for the Pack or not, we can expect the offense to get back on track and the defense to continue its stellar play.

Go Pack Go!!!

NFL Week 5 Packers vs. Rams Preview and Prediction

So, let's get this out of the way first (since I was negligent in writing a follow-up earlier in the week): the Packers beat the 49ers. Let's repeat: the Packers beat the 49ers. In San Francisco. And throttled heretofore Packers-killer QB Colin Kaepernick in the process behind a great defensive effort by the Pack. 'Bout time. Yay.

Now..on to today's game: the Packers vs. (the once-and-future Los Angeles) Rams.

Packers DE Mike Daniels and the rest of the "D" have been playing lights out lately.
Photo by Mark Hoffman, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The Packers come into this game as either 9 or 9-1/2-point favorites depending upon whom you believe for that sort of thing. Either way, Holy Schnikey, Batman, that's a big spread. Yes, the Packers are at home. And are 4-0. And have the best quarterback in the NFL. Even have the third best rushing game in the league (true!) and a vastly-improved defense from the last few years. What do the Rams have to offer? Well, to hear the pundits tell it, probably the best front four defensive linemen in the league. A young and dangerous running back. A speedy receiver. A head coach who will have his team well prepared. And a not-all-that-bad QB in Nick Foles...who, by the way, has beaten the Packers...at Lambeau...when he was with the Eagles.

But that was then, this is now.

The Rams seem to be a Jeckyll-and-Hyde type team so far this season, winning two big games within their division -- at home against Seattle and at Arizona last weekend against the previously undefeated Cardinals -- but who don't seem to do as well against teams outside their division. So they're a bit like Forrest Gump's proverbial box of chocolates: you never know what you're going to get.

But whatever team shows up for the Rams, we know what team will show up for the Packers: very good special teams, an attacking defense (tied with the Rams for the league lead in sacks at 17) and a powerful offense when running on all cylinders. Whether or not the Packers have starting RT Bryan Bulaga back on the line today will be a gametime decision apparently. He did practice this week and said he felt he'd be ready to go. If not, Don Barclay will once again have to hold his own. The tackle positions -- left and right -- have been an issue so far this young season for the Packers. But Aaron Rodgers' mobility is the difference maker if there is pressure. He may be sacked a few times given his tendency to sometimes hold on to the ball a bit too long. But, conversely, his ability to scramble and find receivers downfield, or to break off a run himself, is something which defenses have a hard time defending against...as we've seen through the first four games.

One of the knocks on the Packers' offense right now is that, without Jordy Nelson, the Packers lack a downfield threat to stretch the defenses. Well, the short and intermediate type passes seem to be working quite well. One has to believe, too, that sooner or later one of the young, fast receivers -- Jeff Janis or Jared Abbrederis, perhaps -- will gain Rodgers' trust and start to emerge as at least an occasional threat. That may or may not happen today. But, regardless, the Packers will have all they need to dispatch the Rams despite being without WR Davante Adams and S Morgan Burnett for today's game.

The Prediction
Here it is, gang, the moment you've all been waiting for: our prediction.

While we thought the Packers would easily handle the 49ers last week, things were much closer than expected as the offense just wasn't as in sync as usual. That will have gotten corrected this week. We don't say this will be a blow out. But we do see the Pack winning comfortably.

We're calling it...31-17 Packers.

Go Pack Go!!!

Other notes from this last week

Former Packers head coach -- and Coach of the Year in 1989 -- Lindy Infante passed away this last week at age 75 in Florida. Infante coached the Packers from 1988-1991. He was an offensive genius and universally regarded as one of the nicest guys you'd ever want to meet. RIP, Coach. Read more here.

Safety and special teams standout Sean Richardson was reported to have sustained a second neck injury -- a herniated disk -- which is likely not only season-ending but career-ending. You can read more here about that. We wish the young man well whatever transpires for him going forward. We admired his play.

Packers vs 49ers NFL Week 4 Preview and Prediction

Today's the day, Packer fans, when we learn if the Green Bay Packers have really turned the corner on their two recent nemisises. We know they cleared one hurdle in the win at Lambeau Field over the Seattle Seahawks in the second week of the season; now, we find out if they will finally get past the Colin Kaepernick-led San Francisco 49ers.

Veteran receiver James Jones and rookie tight end Ty Montgomery hope to be celebrating a lot in today's game against the 49ers.
Photo by Rick Wood, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Here's what we know
The Packers are 3-0 and the Niners are 1-2. We know that the Packers were 8-1/2-point favorites earlier in the week with the line now at 7-1/2 points. Big whup. Total points projected for this game are 48, the largest set for any game this weekend. One would expect that most of that figure comes by way of the Packers. That's because the scoring for and against each of these teams is quite revealing. The Packers have scored 96 points and allowed 68 over the course of the first three weeks of the 2015 season; the 49ers, on the other hand, have scored 45 while giving up 93.

These numbers sometimes don't mean much. But in this case, I think we can rightly say that as regards the Packers it is a good reflection of how hot the Pack's offense is at the moment behind a clearly dominant quarterback in Aaron Rodgers, as well as how surprisingly good the defense and special teams have also been this season. While still a work in progress, those two units also deserve a lot of credit for the Packers' success so far this season.

As regards the Niners, the points for and against reflect a team with problems on both sides of the ball. These are not the same Niners that have beat the Packers four straight times. Colin Kaepernick had probably his worst game as a pro last week against the Cardinals, getting picked off four times in a blow-out loss. Still, we know what his legs have done and can do against the Packers. Plus, he'll be looking to have a big game resurrection against a team that he's typically been able to have big games against. The Packers will have to hold him in check the way they did Russell Wilson in week two. San Fran does have capable receivers, so if the pass rush doesn't get to Kaepernick, as well as contain him, the Niners will have their scoring opportunities. Defensively, it's not the same group that often caused problems for the Pack in the past either. The Packers offensive line has given up just three sacks in the first three games of the season. They should hold their own once again against whatever the 49ers can bring. A mobile Aaron Rodgers is a dangerous thing for defenses to contend with. Yay for our side.

Our prediction
This is a game in which the better team will exert itself and come away with the win. Who do you think that is? Ten points for you if said "Packers." (Save up those reward points, kids. Not for anything, though, other than the pure joy of you being right. That's a good enough reward, isn't it? Glad you agree.)

We're calling this game in favor of the Packers, 41-24.

Go Pack Go!!!

By the way, be sure to follow us on Twitter @packfansunited. We often Tweet in real-time giving added enjoyment and excitement to your game-viewing experience. It will be spectacular! (Question: can time be anything but "real-time"...or...is that just something we made up, too? Hmmmm...)

Packers take it to Chiefs, 38-28

The final score was closer than the overall tone of the game itself. That's because the Green Bay Packers completely dominated the Kansas City Chiefs last evening at Lambeau Field, going to 3-0 on the season as they notched an impressive 38-28 win.

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers sliced and diced the Chiefs all night long.
Photo by Rick Wood, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Key to the win was, not surprisingly, Packers QB Aaron Rodgers who put in a masterful peformance. He was 24 of 35 for 333 yards passing, including five touchdowns and, once again, no interceptions. He even had two scrambles for 16 yards and one first down. Rodgers targeted 10 different receivers on the night, with completions to eight. Randall Cobb had three TD catches while James Jones and rookie Ty Montgomery -- in relief of the again-injured Davante Adams -- each caught one TD pass.

The Packers scored early and often in the first half, building a 24-7 halftime lead. And while the offense and Rodgers certainly and deservedly is the talk of the sports shows today, kudos must also be given to the Packers defense and special teams. With a handful of exceptions, Dom Capers' defense -- switching up personnel and schemes often -- completely stymied Kansas City's offense until well into the 4th quarter. Likewise, Ron Zook's special teams -- with the exception of allowing one long kickoff return -- kept the Chiefs from getting untracked by limiting field position most of the game.

DE Mike Daniels and OLB Mike Neal get one the night's seven sacks on Chiefs QB Alex Smith.
Photo by Mark Hoffman, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Sam Shields had a big interception, and six members of the Pack's "D" racked up seven sacks on KC QB Alex Smith; Clay Matthews accounted for 2 of those sacks. Pressure was constant on Smith. The defense also kept Pro Bowl running back Jamaal Charles from hurting them too badly; he did score three touchdowns, two coming late, but had just 49 yards on 11 carries, with a long run of 13 yards. This was the third week in a row that the Packers have a faced a top-notch running back. To this point in the season, they've answered the call admirably.

The injuries continue
Davante Adams (ankle), tight end Andrew Quarless (knee), defensive end Datone Jones (possible concussion) and linebacker Jake Ryan (hamstring) all departed the game early; their status for this Sunday's game at San Francisco will be determined as the week goes along, although it's likely Adams will be sidelined a week or more, re-injuring the same ankle as during the Seahawks game a week ago. Quarless took a nasty hit right to his knee after he caught a pass and while his leg was planted. We'll have to see how that goes this week. Jones will have to go through concussion protocols before being allowed back to practice. Ryan was seeing action not only on special teams but in the middle prior to his injury. The Packers were already down four players to injury coming into the game; add these players to that list.

The Packers will, however, get Letroy Guion back following his three-game suspension. That will definitely help the rotation on the defensive line.

Next up: the 49ers
The Packers travel on a short week to San Francisco to take on the slumping Niners. QB Colin Kaepernick had perhaps his worst game as a pro this past Sunday in the team's 47-7 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. He had four interceptions on the day, including two in his first four passes. Let's hope that poor performance continues this coming Sunday. Packer fans know all too well that Kaepernick seems to have had some of his best games against the Pack. The Niners, however, are not the same powerhouse they once were. Still, on any given Sunday...

The Packers are currently listed as 8-1/2 point favorites over San Francisco. If they keep playing the way they have been through these first three games of the season, this is a game that should take the Packers to 4-0 on the season.

We'll have more as the week goes along.

Go Pack Go!!!

Packers vs. Chiefs in Week 3 Replay of First AFL-NFL Championship

Well, that's the hook, anyway. The two teams from the very first Super Bowl -- then known as the AFL-NFL Championship -- meet tonight at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI: the Packers and the Kansas City Chiefs. Well, OK, not those exact teams...that game would really look like a rolling MASH unit. Still, on hand tonight will be quite a few of the Packers who actually played in that first championship game 50 years ago. Imagine that. Fifty years ago.

While that is cool enough in itself, it's history...good history: the Packers won. But our concern is more immediate. What's going to happen with this Monday Night Football extravaganza?

Get ready for a show at Lambeau Field tonight.
Photo by Mark Hoffman, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Here's what we know about the Packers
We know Packers QB Aaron Rodgers is healthy. That's a good thing. A very good thing. Starting RB Eddie Lacy is "probable" tonight, which is an upgrade from his "questionable" status of a few days ago. That means probably limited action. But James Starks can certainly fill the void, as we saw again last week against the Seahawks. In terms of receivers, Davante Adams is also listed as probable. So, again, perhaps limited action. But that means there are opportunities for other receivers. Plus, the Packers have had a week to game-plan for a reduced role for Adams. The receiving corps didn't seem to miss a beat last week while Adams was out. And let's not forget TE Richard Rodgers, who was not only working at his usual spot but also on occasion out of the backfield. There's plenty for the Chiefs to worry about.

We know we are in good shape with our skill players (note that I can say "our" because I am a Packers shareholder...a-hem), but we may have cause for concern at the tackle positions, particularly on the right side where Bryan Bulaga is still out and Don Barclay will have to take on arguably one of the best pass rushers in the NFL, Justin Houston. On the other side, we saw LT David Bakhtiari get speed-rushed a few times last weekend; he's got to hold up better this week. The Chiefs have a good front seven and can cause problems if the Packers O-line doesn't perform well.

On defense, we know that the Pack will be without S Morgan Burnett tonight. He helped a great deal in terms of secondary toughness last week against Seattle, as well as being the defensive backfield "quarterback." Seems as if the secondary is just not as good when Burnett is out of the lineup. Against a very good opposing quarterback such as Alex Smith, the Pack's secondary has to play more like they did last week than in the opener against Chicago.

The Packers are a work in progress and a bit banged up in the third week of the season, but are 2-0 going into a tough, but winnable game at home against a very good opponent, who themselves may be Super Bowl-worthy when it's all said and done.

What we know about the Chiefs
Since this is an inter-conference game, many Packers fans probably don't follow what happens in KC very closely. The Chiefs are 1-1 and have given up as many points as they've scored: 51. We also know the coach used to be a Packers assistant under Mike Holmgren once upon a time. He had a good stint with the Eagles, but didn't get them to the promised land. In Kansas City, he has a a team with a very good defense, particularly up front, a very good quarterback (Smith) and very good running back in Jamaal Charles when he isn't fumbling away the game as he did last week against Denver. This is the third week in a row that the Packers defense will have faced a top-notch running back. Charles is a versatile back, the kind that has often given the Packers defense troubles. Still, the "D" has done pretty well containing those backs the first two weeks; they'll need to do so again tonight.

Our prediction
The Packers are 6-1/2 point favorites. Many think it will be closer than that, and some even think this is a game the Pack could lose given their emotional expenditure in the win against the Seahawks. But the Packers are establishing dominance at home. Aaron Rodgers hasn't thrown an interception at Lambeau since...2012? Amazing.

The Packers get this win. We're calling it 31-24 Packers.

Go Pack Go!!!

Packers pluck the Seahawks 27-17

It may have been publicly downplayed by Green Bay Packers coaches, staff and players prior to the game, but there's no denying the sweet taste of revenge that comes with the Pack's Sunday night win over the Seattle Seahawks at Lambeau Field. After losing three straight to Seattle, in heartbreaking ways, the Packers finally got their "white whale"...or blue-green birds...whatever.

It was a game where the better team exerted itself and controlled the game, particularly in the fourth quarter. To the latter point, the Packers controlled the ball for more than 10 minutes in the final quarter of the game, scoring 11 unanswered points.

As the Packers went to 2-0 in the division and conference, Seattle fell to 0-2, effectively putting the Pack three games up on their conference rival by virtue of the head-to-head tie-breaker, should it come to that at playoff time. The win was a huge one for the Packers and an equally huge loss for the Seahawks.

The Packers defensive line dominated the Seahawks
Photo by Rick Wood, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
While we expect the Packers offense to score points and lead the way (thank you, Aaron Rodgers, may we have another?), it was the Packers defense and special teams which played key roles in the win with unexpectedly strong performances. Outside linebackers generally held contain, while the D-line, anchored by B.J. Raji and Mike Daniels, stuffed RB Marshawn Lynch time and again, holding him to 41 yards on 15 carries. An amazing effort. Seattle QB and former Wisconsin Badger Russell Wilson was the team's leading rusher on the night, with 78 yards on 10 carries/scrambles.

The defense also caused two huge turnovers. Actually, LB Jayrone Elliott was the party responsible for both: he picked off one-handed a screen pass over the middle and then late in the game chased down RB Fred Jackson from behind and caused a fumble. A great night for the young man, who actually was back up to Andy Mulumba.

Packers special teams also are uncharacteristically performing well two games into the season under the leadership of coordinator Ron Zook. They covered well against the Seahawks. K Mason Crosby hit field goals of 54, 18, 44 and 21 yards. In doing so, he passed K Ryan Longwell as the Packers' all-time scoring leader. Congratulations, Mason!

Downsides
While there was much to be pleased with in this game, injuries again reared up to bite the Packers. RB Eddie Lacy was lost in the first quarter to an ankle sprain; there is a possibility -- given the extra day of rest because the Packers don't play until Monday evening against the Kansas City Chiefs -- that he could be available to play. But James Starks carried 20 times for 95 yards as his replacement, proving why Ted Thompson decided to keep him in free agency rather than let him depart. Randall Cobb and rookie Ty Montgomery also got snaps out of the backfield, proving their versatility and how this offense just keeps coming at you no matter what.

WR Davante Adams was also out of the game for a while with an ankle injury, but returned to play. The biggest loss of the night was that of third-year DT, Josh Boyd, who broke his ankle and sustained some ligament damage, as well. He has since been placed on injured reserve for the season; the Packers immediately signed ILB Joe Thomas to the roster spot.

Chiefs up next
Next up for the 2-0 Packers are the 1-1 Kansas City Chiefs. The game will be in primetime on Monday night at Lambeau Field. In keeping with their 1-1 record, the Chiefs have both scored and given up 51 points in their first two games. The Packers, conversely have scored 58 while allowing just 40. The oddsmakers have installed the Pack as 6-1/2 point favorites at this point in time.

Check back with us later to read any updates and be sure to check back closer to game day for our preview and prediction.

Go Pack Go!!!

The Big Game of NFL Week 2: Seattle at Green Bay

Is there any denying that the biggest game of the second week of the 2015 NFL regular season is that of the Seattle Seahawks vs. the Green Bay Packers? Is there any denying that this game -- so early in the season -- may well go a long way to determining home field advantage in the post-season playoffs? Also, is there any denying that the Packers desperately want to take down this recent thorn-in-the-side Seattle team?

The answer to all of the above, as Captain Obvious would no doubt suggest, is a resounding "No!".

So what's our take on this game? Perhaps a bit more muted than it was earlier in the week. After the Chicago game, we knew the Packers would be without inside linebacker Sam Barrington for the rest of the season because of his ankle injury. That made an already thin inside linebacker group and overall questionable run defense even more so. The inside linebackers now consist of Clay Matthews, third-year player Nate Palmer (who relieved Barrington last week during the game after Barrington's injury and who will get the start today), and rookie Jake Ryan. The Packers do get back defensive end Datone Jones following his one-game suspension and that should help...somewhat. Consider that the Packers' biggest challenge is stopping RB Marshawn Lynch from tearing them up, followed by allowing QB Russell Wilson to remain untouched in the pocket...or out. The challenges to the Packers defense are significant. Seems as if we've been saying that for a few too many seasons now, doesn't it? Geesh.

Packers' slot receiver Randall Cobb can have a big day against a shorthanded Seattle secondary
Photo by Rick Wood, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
As if that blow to the defense wasn't enough, things then got worse mid-week for the Packers offense: starting right tackle Bryan Bulaga sustained a knee injury. Initially said to not be severe, we soon learned he'd had surgery and would be lost for at least 4-6 weeks. Not good, especially going into a game of this significance. Don Barclay will get the start in his place. Don't forget Barclay's started something like 21 games for the Packers during his previous three seasons with the team, so he's got good experience. But coming off his own injury of last season, Barclay looked overmatched at times during preseason action. Supposedly, he's getting back to his game. But he will need to be fully on his game today in order to give QB Aaron Rodgers the time he needs to work his magic.

While neither the Packers or the Seahawks are the same teams that met during the NFC Championship game, the Packers would seem to have the edge in this game (heck, they had that Championship game won big and gave it away, quite literally). Pundits seem to think so, too, generally picking the Packers to win this game. The oddsmakers have the Packers favored by 3-1/2 points. The projected 49-1/2 points total line for the game is the second highest of this weekend.

Russell Wilson and the Seahawks are 3-0 against the Packers, defeating the Pack twice last season. Seattle is now the Packers' "white whale," much as Dallas and San Francisco were at different points of time in decades past. The Packers have to get by Seattle. Doing so tonight, in the 2015 Lambeau Field home opener, during primetime, would be a big step to not only the playoffs but home field advantage and further the Super Bowl chances which many hold for the team.

Our Prediction
We haven't talked here much about the Packers offense. With the exception of the loss of Bulaga, the Packers offense is the better of the two offenses on the field today overall. The Seattle Seahawks defense is without several key players from last season due to free agency and a holdout. The Packers will put up points. The key is whether or not the Packers' suspect defense can stop the run and keep Seattle from putting up too many points. If they don't, it will be a tight game and -- as we saw last season -- if the Packers play not to lose...they probably will.

But we are going with home field being a big factor today. And the revenge factor, despite being downplayed by coaches and players alike, has to be a factor for the Packers in this game.

We're calling it...30-27 Packers.

Go Pack Go!!!

Packers beat Bears in 2015 NFL season opener

The Green Bay Packers did what they were expected to do yesterday in their 2015 NFL season opener in Chicago: beat Da Bearz. The final tally was 31-23 (our pre-game prediction was 34-24 Packers for those keeping track). For the betting folk out there, the Pack covered the spread. For the rest of us, it's enough to know they won and are 1-0 heading into the home opener Sunday evening against the Seattle Seahawks at Lambeau Field. We'll talk more about the Seattle game later this week. For now, let's take a quick look at yesterday's highs and lows from the point of view of this writer.

The Good Stuff
In no particular order of importance, here are a few of the things we saw as positives coming out of yesterday's game:

• The Packers won (OK, that definitely is the most important thing coming out of the game.)
• Aaron Rodgers, Eddie Lacy, James Jones, Randall Cobb and Clay Matthews sustained no significant injury (as far as we know so far).
• QB Aaron Rodgers is already looking in MVP form. He didn't rack up big yards yesterday but, in beating the Bears for the 13th time in 16 tries, he completed 18 of 23 passes for 189 yards, three touchdowns, and a quarterback rating of 140.5. Not a a bad start to the season for A-A-Ron.
• WR James Jones looks as if he never left the Pack. He and Rodgers teamed up for two touchdowns, including a tough contested catch on the first TD. If memory serves, a possible third TD catch was taken away because of a holding penalty.
• RB Eddie Lacy is more than just a two-down back; he's worked hard on his receiving skills and it showed big-time yesterday on the improvised flip pass from Rodgers to Lacy who made a very athletic one-handed catch.
• The Packers may have solved their kick returner problems. WR Ty Montgomery looks every bit the part, averaging 35 yards a return on three returns (if I recall correctly...look it up!).
• LG Clay Matthews is one of the most instinctive linebackers in the league, demonstrating exactly that on an amazing -- and crucial -- interception of Jay Cutler late in the game. Yes, we're used to Cutler throwing INTs to the Pack; he has done so at least once in every game he's played against the Packers. But this one was more about Matthews and less about Cutler...amazing as that may sound, particularly as regards the latter part of that statement.
• The Packers' generally inept run defense held Chicago out of the endzone despite a 1st-and-goal situation ...although that might have more to do with Chicago trying to pass in that series than run.

The Not-So-Good Stuff
While the Packers won and there was much to be pleased about in terms of the offense's performance and, generally, special teams' play, there is also more than enough for head coach Mike McCarthy to "get cleaned up" this week.

• Let's begin with the Pack's defense. It was...oh, pretty horrible overall. It gave up 189 yards on the ground to Da Bearz. Certainly not as bad as 235 yards on the ground given up last Sept. 28 at Lambeau Field (that ranked as the NFL's worst in mid-2014), but still nothing to feel good about. Chicago RB Matt Forte ran for 141 yards in 24 carries. Head coach Mike McCarthy said months ago that stopping the run was his most important objective on defense this season. Well, it still looks as if there's work to do: since leading the NFL in run defense in 2009 (defensive coordinator Dom Caper's first year with the Pack), the Packers have been middle of the road or worse in this category every year since.
• CB Sam Shields was more of an asset for Da Bearz during this game than for the Packers: arm tackling and multiple penalties -- including an offside on a field goal attempt which gave Chicago a first down and ultimately led to a TD. Not Shields' best game by any stretch of the imagination.
• The defense had a great deal of difficulty stopping Chicago on third down, allowing Da Bearz to convert 11 of 17 third-down attempts, and convert two out of three on fourth down. Not good, and for a good chunk of the game Chicago dominated the time of possesion as a result.
• The Packers nearly let Da Bearz back into the game late. That onside kick with about a minute or so remaining in the game, with just an 8-point lead, created a great deal of "Seattle 2014 NFC Championship Meltdown" anxiety throughout the Packersphere. The defense needs to dominate...and that's something we haven't seen for a while.

So, that's the good and the bad as we see it coming out of Week 1 of the season. Next up: Seattle. Yeah...those guys. Time for revenge. More on that later. For now, savor beating Da Bearz and being 1-0 in the division.

Go Pack Go!!!

Packers vs. Bears in 2015 NFL Season Opener: Preview and Prediction

This is it, Packers fans: the Pack's journey to Super Bowl 50 (substitute Roman numerals if you are a literalist) begins today in Chicago...against...Da Bearz.

What could be a better kickoff than notching the first win of the 2015 NFL season against the divisional rival from south of the border? (That would be the Wisconsin-Illinois border for those not up on their U.S. geography...which, if recent studies are accurate, is most of you. A-hem.)

So what can we expect today? Well, everyone always says that you can throw out the record books when divisional rivals play...and especially when it's the first game of the season. After all, starters really haven't played that much in the preseason, so perhaps timing is off a bit. It might take a while for new players to get their groove on, so to speak. Well, you get the idea. Who knows what will happen?

Well, apparently, the oddsmakers think they know what will happen. And it's not good for Da Bearz. The Packers have been installed as 7-point favorites (6.5-points in some places...but that half point is hard to come by, even with the new extra point rules). That ties with the biggest projected winning spread of this weekend's games. And the projection for total points scored -- 49 -- is among the top three for Week 1.


Packers head coach, Mike McCarthy, and 2-time NFL MVP QB, Aaron Rodgers (Photo from Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

What can Chicago bring to the field today? Well, there's a new coaching staff, a few new folks on offense and defense. The best thing they have going for them today will be veteran RB Matt Forte, one of the best in the league. They'd be wise to get the ball in his hands as often as possible today; after all, the Packers defense had issues last year and we really have no idea where it sits going into the season. There's been some big personnel changes. Can Forte exploit those? Sometimes. So will WR Martellus Bennett. He could take advantage of a very young and relatively untested Packers' defensive backfield if QB Jay Cutler can get him the ball. Wait, what was that we just said? Oh, yeah. Cutler. Enough said. Let's move on. Defensively, Da Bearz will be nothing special, especially this early in the season.

What will the Packers bring today? Well, QB Aaron Rodgers, of course. Eddie Lacy and James Starks...Randall Cobb, James Jones, Davante Adams, Richard Rodgers...a starting offensive line that's intact from last season and ready to roll once again. Defensively, NT B.J. Raji is back. That's huge...and no pun intended there. DT Mike Daniels will also come up big, as will some up-and-comers on the line such as Mike Pennel. The Pack brings two of the best linebackers in the league to bear (pun intended): Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers, the latter of which should definitely not be underestimated despite his 14 years in the league. There's no arguing that the Packers defense needs to find solid replacements for D-backs Tramon Williams and Davon House who exited the team in free agency. We'll begin to see how well that is sorted out today. As for the Packers special teams...well, they were ranked 32nd in the league last year and until we see evidence to the contrary, we have to keep our fingers crossed in that respect.

The Prediction
Bottom line: the home field opening energy and divisional rivalry will likely keep Da Bearz close until probably half time or so. But over the course of the game, despite some first-game miscues, the Pack is just too much for Chicago to handle.

We're calling this in favor the Packers 34-24.

Go Pack Go!!!

Last Call for Contest Entries!
You have one last chance -- until noon CT kickoff today -- to get in your entry for our Packers house flag giveaway. See this post for details. Get your entry in NOW!!!

My Season Dedication
On a personal note, I am dedicating this season of PackersFansUnited posts to one of my best friends, Marty, who passed away unexpectedly this summer. We'd known each other since we were 5 years old and were lifelong friends...which I consider my very good fortune. Marty was a star athlete in football, wrestling and track-and-field in high school, and went on to have a successful career as a builder and remodeler. Marty was one of the biggest Packers fans on the planet. The area over his barn-sized garage was like a mini-Packers Hall of Fame. He could have charged admission to that place, honestly. He even hand-build a bar in the shape of the Packers' logo. He and his partner, Peggy, called this place the "G Spot," and so it was. Just so you have an idea how well-known and loved Marty was in his community, more than 2,000 people attended his wake; it was epic. Rightly so. He touched so many, many lives. He was a gentle giant, and any time spent with him was filled with so much laughter your stomach hurt from laughing so hard at the jokes and comments. I'm convinced that if the Packers go on to win today and to go to the Super Bowl, it will be because of some unseen block or tackle that seemed to come out of nowhere to give the Pack the win. He'll help the Packers take care of business. Here's to you, Marty. We miss you, but know you are enjoying the biggest and best tailgate party ever...the one that never ends.