A university is just a group of buildings gathered around a library. ~Shelby Foote

Wednesday, October 05, 2005

A Lost Season?

After watching the Packers suffer injury after injury on Monday night and fall to 0-4 during the easy part of their schedule, I think it is safe to say that this is a lost season for the Pack. I mean, they lost their starting guards to free-agency, and have now lost their starting center and one starting tackle for at least a game or two. And their best wide receiver. And their promising rooking wide receiver. And their pro bowl tight end. And their pro-bowl running back. And their best linebacker. I know, I know, waah, waah waah.

But it is quite sad, considering Brett Favre doesn't have too many seasons left in him, and he is still capable of capturing lightning in a bottle on occassion-- the comeback on Monday Night pretty well illustrated that. But there's just not enough in cupboard to make much more than gruel. So, the Pack wins maybe six games, tops.

And makes the playoffs.

Perposterous, you say? Au contraire. Gym Jim made the case to me that the NFC North is so dreadfully bad, that it is quite possible that the winner of the division may finish 6-10. The more I think about it, the more I agree with him. Seriously. To date, the North is 3-11, and only Minnesota has managed to win a game outside of the division. That was against the mediocre Saints at the Humptydump.

The Bears, Lions, Vikings and Pack are all dreadful. The Bears have a good defense, but their offense is woeful. The Pack still has flashes of their former offensive brilliance, but injuries and lousy coaching means they repeatedly shoot themselves in the foot (sometimes in the head). The Vikings probably have the most talent in the division, but Mike Tice is making a concerted effort at winning the Worst Coach in NFL History title, Dave Wannestadt and David Shula not withstanding. The Lions still have Joey Whinerton at QB, and I can't imagine them winning more than six games until they get a legitimate QB.

Now, it's possible that one of those teams could win seven, or even eight, but I think it's just as likely that nobody wins more than six. Actually, I think there's a small chance, but not an infintisimal one, that three or even all four of them wind up with six wins.

Take a look at the remaining schedules of the four teams, and tell me you think any of these squads is a lock to win six or seven more games (home games are bolded):

Vikings: Bye, Bears, Packers, Panthers, Lions, Giants, Packers, Browns, Lions, Rams, Steelers, Ravens, Bears

Bears: Browns, Vikings, Ravens, Lions, Saints, 49ers, Panthers, Bucaneers, Packers, Steelers, Falcons, Packers, Vikings.

Lions: Ravens, Panthers, Browns, Bears, Vikings, Cardinals, Cowboys, Falcons, Vikings, Packers, Bengals, Saints, Steelers.

Packers: Saints, Bye, Vikings, Bengals, Steelers, Falcons, Vikings, Eagles, Bears, Lions, Ravens, Bears, Seahawks.

The Lions probably have the easiest remaining schedule, with the Cardinals, Brown and Saints, plus the advantage of not playing the Eagles. But are you really confident that they can win six of those thirteen games, much less seven of them? I mean, you can mark down the Falcons, Bengals and Steelers as nearly guarenteed losses. The Saints and Cowboys on the road are no picnic, and neither is having the Ravens and Panthers at home. Plus, you still have to travel to the Humpty Dump and Lambeau.

So, amazingly enough, the four teams in the NFC North may be competing (I use the term loosely-- it is not dead on balls accurate, nor an industry term) all year for two distinct rewards. A playoff berth. And the number 1 overall pick in next year's draft.

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Comments:
ahh that was a dead on balls accurate report Nick. If only the Vikings would fire Tice and hire Me!!! Yes Me..I would get that team to at least 7 wins and the divison crown..... something I could not do with any of the other teams in the division... all hail Me!!!!!!! I Rock!!!!!.. The Knights Who Say Ni Rock, the Gumby's Rock, the Yankee's Suck!!!
and just think about Next year!!!! ahh yes i always have next year!!!!!
love,
Any Guy But Mike
 
In all fairness to the Daves, they weren't scalping tickets in their spare time. And they weren't stupid enough to put on those dumb glasses in a effort to make themselves look smarted. The Bears will win the division because they have the only coach who isn't a moron. (In all fairness to Mooch, Millen is much more of a moron than he is, but he's catching up quick.)
 
The Packers are toast, and who the flip cares? Really! Get a grip on yourselves people and grab onto some life. Your identity should not be grafted onto Brett's stem, and if it is you have my pity.
 
the guy who was too much of a pansy to sign his comment brings to mind a good point.... just because you choose to discuss something , even in depth, why is it assumed that you are obsessed?

we discuss many topics in depth on this fine forum... is our ballless commentator also implying that we are obsessed with the war in Iraq?? or media bias?

i just dont get how one AUTOMATICALLY makes the leap from passionate discussion to life or death obsession so easily
 
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