http://www.hookscenter.com/index.php/2007/11/15/the-packers-are-flying-under-the-radar/

THE PACKERS ARE FLYING UNDER THE RADAR.

November 15th, 2007 by Hook

I’ve never seen an 8-1 team, in the thirty plus years I have been following the National Football League, getting as little respect as the Green Bay Packers are this season.

The so called NFL Experts must think that Rodney Dangerfield is the quarterback of the Packers this year instead of 3-time MVP and first ballot Hall of Famer, Brett Favre.

The Packers have beaten four teams that made the playoffs last season: Philadelphia (16-13), New York Giants (35-13), San Diego (31-24), and Kansas City (33-22). They also holds wins over Minnesota (twice), Washington, and Denver.

The Packers lone loss came at home to last year’s Super Bowl runner-up, the Chicago Bears. The Bears beat the Packers 27-20 at Lambeau Field. The Packers controlled the game most of the way until a questionable call went against them late in the game. The Bears were awarded a touchdown after the official said the receiver was pushed out of bounds in the end zone.

That call stands between the Packers and a perfect record. It’s hard to believe that the sports media always falls in love with a feel good story but for some reason nobody is giving the Packers any credit. I’m sick of listening how good the Patriots and Cowboys are this season. The best team might reside in Wisconsin.

The Packers have a trap game this weekend at home against the struggling Carolina Panthers. Green Bay is a 10-point favorite and should have no problem handling the Panthers at Lambeau Field. The Packers better no look past the Panthers though because all four wins by Carolina have come on the road.

If Green Bay wins Sunday, its sets up the most crucial two game road trip the Packers have had since their Super Bowl runs in 1996 and 1997. The Packers play the Lions at Detroit on Thanksgiving and then play the Cowboys the following Thursday in Dallas.

If the Packers win all three games and are not considered the favorite to go to the Super Bowl by every NFL Expert, then every one of those NFL analyst’s should be fired or sent to a psychiatric ward for help.

The Packers final four games of the season are against Oakland, St. Louis, Chicago, and Detroit. The only real threat over that four game stretch for the Packers is December 23rd when they have to travel to Chicago for a game against their arch-rival Bears at Soldier Field.

I had the Packers finishing right around 8-8 this season give or take a game on each side of the .500 line. It’s very conceivable that the Packers could finish with at least 14 wins this season. I’m going to side that they end up 13-3 and have a first round bye in the playoffs.

I see the Packers winning the divisional playoff game at home before traveling to Dallas and losing in the NFC Championship Game.

If somehow Green Bay can win in Dallas in three weeks the road to the Super Bowl might travel through the Frozen Tundra of Lambeau Field. If that’s the case, Wisconsin will be partying non-stop until the Packers arrive in Phoenix for Super Bowl XLII.

Now that’s a feel good story if I ever heard one. Come mega-sports media, jump on Brett Favre and the Cinderella story brewing in Cheeseland.