I am a happy person, one who is generally so positive that it probably annoys the hell out of my friends and family. I am upbeat and when it comes to my Green Bay Packers, my optimism is unmatched. When I was a kid, thinking they would win every game and every Super Bowl was just a cute, childish phase. Now that I am an adult who thinks they will win every game and every Super Bowl, it’s obnoxious.
This last few days have provided some perfect examples of how deeply rooted my positive Packer thoughts are. After Greg Jennings dropped a perfectly thrown touchdown right into the hands of a defensive player against the Lions last week, I actually made the argument that the mistake may wake them up and get them to play better football. When discussing this Sunday’s Packer-Patriot game with my buddy BC, I actually said, “Best case scenario, Rodgers plays, they beat the Patriots and win the Super Bowl. Worst case scenario, Rodgers doesn’t play, they lose to the Patriots, win out, sneak into the playoffs and win the Super Bowl.” Look, I know that I am ridiculous. But when you care so much and so deeply about a sports team, thinking rationally becomes impossible.
But the Packers current situation troubles even me. Full disclosure, as regular readers/listeners know, I am a staunch supportive of Ted Thompson, Mike McCarthy, and Aaron Rodgers. Coming into this year, I would have said that I was staunchly behind Thompson/Rodgers and a little lukewarm towards McCarthy. Despite the team’s struggles, I am now completely sold on McCarthy as a head coach and believe in him far more than I did before the season.
That very support is what troubles me. With Rodgers seemingly out for Sunday against the Patriots and the Bears playing the Joe Webb led Vikings outdoors, it seems all but certain that the Bears will clinch the NFC North on Monday night. Meaning that the Packers will need to beat the Giants and the Bears at Lambeau to finish the season, and hope everything falls correctly into place to sneak into the playoffs. If the Packers finish out of the playoffs, the first problem is that Ted Thompson haters gain fuel for their fire, even if it is undeserved. Forget that the Packers have been ravaged worse than any team in the league by injuries or that the depth created by Thompson has kept them alive despite those injuries, his haters don’t use reason when crafting arguments. So my first problem, is that I have to listen to those people spout off more garbage over the next year. Beyond that, we’ll have to listen to the anti-Rodgers crowd continue the “He hasn’t won a playoff game!” drumbeat. Gag me now.
Beyond all that, the most troubling aspect of it all is that I am staring what potentially is the final three weeks of Packer season in the face. This week barely counts as Sunday will be full of nothing but dread, as I am looking forward to this Packer game less than I have any game over the last decade. During the 4-12 season, I went into games with an apathetic attitude and partially hoping to secure a high draft pick. This game actually matters and I have to watch us get annihilated with our backup quarterback on national TV. Then, I may only have two games left this year. Both are at Lambeau, and my biggest saving grace is that even with the likely loss to the Pats on Sunday, those games will still matter. So I know that I have three weeks left to care about Packer football with all my heart and soul. But the suffocating, empty feeling that is the end of a Packer season without a Super Bowl title is closing in on me. And despite being the most optimistic Packer fan around, I don’t know that I can stop it.
NFL Picks
TENNESSEE -1.5 over Houston
Jake and I discussed this game on the podcast, so I apologize for double dipping on these points. Despite Houston being the more talented team, this game has stink bomb written all over it. First, the Texans gave the Ravens all they could handle Monday night and this Texans team’s MO is their inconsistency. But more importantly, their season officially ended with that loss, they are on a short week, and Mario Williams has been placed on IR. Tennessee on the other hand has dropped six straight, has to be hungry for a win, and have had extra time to prepare. Titans get off the losing streak in a big way on Sunday.
Jacksonville +5 over INDIANAPOLIS
The Colts probably win this game, but they simply are not playing well enough to be more than field goal favorites over a solid team, which the Jags qualify as at this point. Pure value play here.
Philadelphia +3 over NY GIANTS
I absolutely love this. The Eagles are the better team in the East and will not blow a game that is essentially for the division title. Eli Manning has been maddeningly turnover prone this year and I do not expect that to end in a cold, swirling New Meadowlands. I think that the Eagles will make enough big plays offensively to win this one, so covering +3 seems like a gimmie.
TAMPA BAY -5.5 over Detroit
The Lions have been playing better than previous years, but let’s not forget that they are still 0-6 on the road this year. Tampa has their playoff lives on the line and played their bad game last week against the Redskins. The Lions hang around for a half, like usual, but the Bucs roll in the second half.
New Orleans +1 over BALTIMORE
I have been bashing the Ravens all year, saying that they are merely a good team that people wrongfully elevate to elite, so I’m not going to stop now. They are playing the Super Bowl champs who need this one to keep pace with the Falcons. The Ravens meanwhile have a playoff spot almost locked up but realistically, aren’t going to catch Pittsburgh. I expect a close game, but I like the Saints when it counts.
55 Percenters 2010 - 2011 Season Record: 70-65-2 (.518) All Time on ADPTP: 127-126-4 (.502) Last Post: 3-3 (.500)
