How far will the Packers go? Tough answer. This article sets the stage for the final two weeks of a very interesting season of NFL football.Who are the Green Bay Packers? Well, they’re the only professional football team in Wisconsin. They have a rich tradition including some of the best players and coaches to ever play the game. That’s the obvious part. Now what if I clarified and asked, who are the Packers of this year? Your answer would probably be as good as mine. Their identity has been far from clear this year. Having started out 1-4, the Packers were certainly in a seemingly inescapable hole.
They came on extremely strong in week six, however, winning the first game of a six-game winning streak against the surprising Detroit Lions.
The Packers followed that victory up with strong victories over the Cowboys, the Redskins, the Vikings, the Texans, and the “greatest show on turf”, the Rams.
When week thirteen came around, the Packers appeared to be one of the strongest teams in the league having obliterated the Rams by a score of 45-17. The Packers pretty much had a first-round playoff bye if they kept up the streak. They then had to go into Philly, which, at the time appeared to be an NFC Championship game preview. With the nation watching, the Packers were dominated in every facet of the game, losing by a score of 17-47. The media changed the question about who could stop the Packers to, who could stop the Eagles. The Eagles appeared to easily be the dominant team in the NFC.
Lets fast forward two weeks. The Packers split the two weeks following the big loss in Philly by winning against Detroit, and losing a game in Lambeau to the hungry Jags. The NFC playoff picture is suddenly very foggy after a “series of unfortunate events.” The Eagles may have seen their easy flight to the Super Bowl get interrupted following T.O. severely hurting his ankle in a close victory over the Cowboys. Mike Vick also got injured in Atlanta.
The Packers “Super Bowl or bust” season may have just gotten back on track. The deciding factor may be in Christmas Eve’s game versus the opposing Vikings. The Vikings are another mystery team. With pro-bowler Daunte Culpepper and Randy Moss, anything can happen, but another sub-par end to their season may once again spell doom for the Vikes.
There are still fifteen teams battling to get into the playoffs in the NFC, so there is still a lot to be decided. Among the teams still in contention, perhaps the biggest surprises are the Panthers, who are following a terrible start; the Cardinals, yes, the Cardinals; the Lions; the Bears; the Saints, and the pre-season favorite, the Seahawks. Keep your eyes pealed to your television over the next two weeks, because there is still a lot to be decided in both the NFC and the AFC.
One reply on “"Super Bowl or Bust" Season Still Alive”
great article This is a great article. It contains good information, and it accomplishes it’s goal of setting the stage for the end of the season.