After finishing the first quarter of the season 3-1, the Green Bay Packers are about to find out what they are made of. The Packers travel to Dallas and Minnesota before returning home against the rejuvenated New Orleans Saints. Win all three and you might want to visit an online sportsbook and drop a little coin on the Packers to win the Super Bowl.
OK, that might be hyperbole, but it is a crucial stretch for the Packers. They have already lost to Atlanta, the current favorite to win the NFC. They can’t afford to lose to the Cowboys, who are still among the conference favorites even having lost two of their last three games. The Packers need to start beating these teams if they want the playoffs to go through Lambeau Field.
The Packers have good memories in the Cowboys stadium. They won a Super Bowl there and then beat the Cowboys in epic fashion last year in the playoffs. The Packers may have their starting tackles back on offense and hopefully Mike Daniels back on defense. That would leave them at almost full strength, pending the availability of running back Ty Montgomery.
By the time the Packers meet the Vikings I’m guessing quarterback Sam Bradford will be back. Winning in Minnesota is never easy and Mike Zimmer’s defenses have always given Aaron Rodgers fits. The Vikings are a hard team to figure out, they look like world beaters one week and cupcakes the next. But they are almost always up for the Packers.
The Saints seemed to have turned things around since a horrible opening day loss in Minnesota. Drew Brees and company are always a tough out with their ability to move the football. It’s always been a defensive issue for the Saints, but they have shut down the Panthers and Dolphins in consecutive weeks. Glad that one is at home on grass, might slow they down a little.
The Packers have a bye week following this stretch. 6-1 would look aweful nice for two weeks.