Well, I doubt you missed me. But I just couldn't stay away. I realized that maybe there was some sort of unbeknownst blogging curse. Once I stopped blogging, the Packers started winning. And kept on winning.
In fact, since my last post, the Packers beat Brett Favre for the first time in a thriller at Lambeau (I was there), shut out a AFC Super Bowl favorite Jets squad at the New Meadowlands Stadium fresh off their bye, and topped it off with a thorough dismantling of an overmatched Dallas Cowboys team on Sunday Night Football, which promptly got Wade Phillips fired.
On that note, if the Packers lose this weekend at Mall of America Field to the despised Vikings, I am NEVER blogging again and going public about an extremely possible, yet also coincidental blogging curse.
Much has happened since my last blog. Clay Matthews continues his rampant 2010 season with his 10.5 sacks and an interception returned for a touchdown to add to his resumé.
The Packers also released Pro Bowl corner Al Harris. Harris had been on the PUP list all season, and the Packers made the smart decision of not trying to implement Harris into a surprisingly decent defensive secondary outside of Charles Woodson.
Tramon Williams has come into his own as an NFL shutdown cover corner in just his fourth year and the new nickel corner, Sam Shields is doing his part as well. Did you see that interception of Jon Kitna, while Miles Austin was draped over his back? He's a playmaker.
Oh yeah, and the Vikings soap opera rages on. Jenn Sterger, Brad Childress, that #4 character, you name it. It's all coming together to be the #1 television hit next year. If only Hard Knocks could be televised during the season, the Vikings could have been a prime candidate.
Back to the game this Sunday. I fully expect the Packers to win. They are aware the Bears already won and need to keep pace in the division. Much less, it is most likely the last time the Packers will face Favre, and I'm sure Rodgers would much prefer a win over his former mentor in Green Bay.
The Packers are coming off a bye and should be possibly the healthiest they've been since before preseason. Atari Bigby has had one more week to get up to speed and that could be critical to the Packers secondary and blitzing packages. It's no secret Dom Capers loves to blitz with his corners and with the Vikings depleted wide receiver corps, it could wreak havoc but could also leave open running room for Percy Harvin.
The real test for the Packers defense should be Adrian Peterson. The Packers defense handled the Cowboys rushing attack with ease. Not to mention, the previous week, they limited the two-headed rushing monster of LaDanian Tomlinson and Shonn Greene to less than 100 yards combined. However, Peterson ran over them to the tune of 131 yards and a touchdown at Lambeau.
The Packers offense may be back to top form after Aaron Rodgers clean three touchdown outing against the demoralized 'Boys. It was easily Rodgers' best game of the 2010 season and may have given a preview to the wide receiving corps post-Donald Driver with James Jones' team-high 8 receptions for 123 yards and a touchdown.
The Packers look to be in control to return the season sweep of the Vikes after the Vikes swept the Packers last year.
Packers 31, Vikes 23
Written by:
