The Green Bay Packers are in the midst of a storybook season and even the staunchest of fans could not have predicted 8-1. One thing is sure, as Joe Friday would say, is general manager Ted Thompson, while maybe slightly surprised at 8-1, is certainly thinking that this is why I hired the man. Like Thompson has said numerous times, he can take a few knocks in the media if he believes he is doing the right thing and hiring McCarthy at this point in time certainly seems like the right thing.
McCarthy has this team playing with a never-say-die attitude that has allowed the Packers to win games this year in a variety of manners, and doing so with the roster Thompson has given him, which six months ago seemed to be pretty poor in most pundits’ eyes. Thompson has supplied talent that most people didn’t see and McCarthy has developed his game plan around such talent. Like a young Mike Holmgren, McCarthy won’t accept defeat and doesn’t care if you are a 17-year veteran or a rookie.
In my mind one of the best moves McCarthy has made was the decision to keep Bob Sanders on as defensive coordinator. Through ten games last year it looked like the Packers’ defense was headed nowhere and Sanders might be another Bob Slowik. How things change. The last six games of 2006, especially the last four, the Packers’ defense has transformed into one of the best defense’s in the NFL and appears to be getting better each week, which combined with the Packers new found running game, makes this team a formidable foe to anyone in the NFL.
The NFC will be determined in the next four weeks when the Packers play Panthers at home and Lions and Cowboys on the road. The Lions then play the Cowboys the week after. The Packers or Cowboys will come out of that stretch with home field advantage throughout the playoffs. One thing about the NFC is at least there will be drama come playoff time. The AFC appears to be already decided.
The Packers appear to be improving each week so how devastating would a loss to Carolina in Lambeau be on Sunday? The Packers should be able to beat the Panthers with their “B” team but Vinnie Testeverde has had some big games against the Packers. On the other hand he has also thrown five picks against Green Bay. I lean toward the later.
The devastation of the Vikings really has me thinking this team can rise to the challenge. All week prior to the game was Adrian Peterson this and Adrian Peterson that. Final result? Goose-egg. Offensively McCarthy’s game plan was a thing of beauty and cut the heart out of the Vikings defense with it’s ability to run the ball. Throw in the five-wide set and the Vikings were clueless.
Like Brett keeps saying, it only gets tougher from here. The Packers have a two-game lead in the division and probably only need two more wins to make the playoffs, so things could be a lot worse. I’m starting to think this team might really be for real. At least for this season. The best thing is everybody and their uncle is picking the Cowboys to win the NFC which should keep the Packers’ heads in check. Buckle up, the next four weeks are going to be fun.