I don?t see the Packers walking off the field tonight wondering why they didn?t make the plays they needed to make.
When Brett Favre gets whacked with a mid season injury, the record indicates he usually responds with exceptional attention (by his gunslinger standards) to his preparation, mechanics, patience and judgment. Examples include last weeks Metrodome performance in what has clearly been an unsettling ?house of horrors?; last year?s Monday night rout of Miami after a horrific looking knee injury against Wahington; the only 5 TD game of his career came against Chicago after a sprained ankle against Minnesota; and a rarely mentioned Milwaukee classic, clipping Reggie White?s vaunted Philadelphia defense in OT in 1992 while playing with a separated shoulder. Going on as well is a perceptible measure of Favre?s teammates on both sides of the ball rallying to the cause. This week, I get the feeling the Packer?s coaches and players expect to get Philadelphia?s best game of the season and will be prepared for it.
You can make what you will from the fact Green Bay has lost twice this season at refurbished Lambeau, or the prospects for a letdown after the Viking game. Although strong chemistry and solid player development are trademarks of the Packers, I have been pleasantly surprised with the Packers recent form while slugging it out with teams in the upper echelon of the NFL. On the other side, I think it?s fair to say Philly has been calling on character and guts to scrape it together against some suspect opposition, and they have spent quite a few emotional bullets in the process. IMO the Packers have gained tremendous confidence from whipping Minnesota in the Metrodome and a lift that is likely to have wings through at least a Monday night spot at Lambeau. I don?t think Green Bay gets tripped up in the 4th quarter of this one.
The league is loaded with teams that the Packers suspect defense playing at its best would be hard pressed to get stops on, but I don?t think Philadelphia right now has that going for them. In this matchup, the Packers talent and schemes will allow strong run support from the secondary, which is something you usually see in the Packer?s best defensive performances. I don?t think Philly with a righteous McNabb will generate the points for a shootout, nor will they be able to control the line of scrimmage and the clock with efficient and error free play while Favre and the offense watch from the sidelines. In the other matchup, I don?t see Philadelphia overwhelming the Packers strong OL and clamping down on Favre?s targets at the same time.
My review going back to 1993 shows Philadelphia has not once managed SU wins in two road games in consecutive weeks. I think ?The Monday Night Factor? of picking a winner and not obsessing about the point spread points you to the right side tonight. Or not.
GL
