Week Eight -- A Look Ahead

Our game is the game this football weekend. It's the game that everyone's talking about, the one getting all the national buzz. In addition to being a competitive match-up, it is also a key game in a Divisional race. But beyond all of that, of course, it is Brett Favre's return to Lambeau Field, and that's what makes it amazing drama.

We'll process the emotions of the occasion at another time. For right now, let's focus on the football.

When we played the Vikings in Minnesota four weeks ago, I think they proved that they are the better team. They only won by 7, but they were in control the whole time. Their running game was better. Their defense was better. And their passing game was better inasmuch as their passer had time, while ours did not.

The question, then, is this: How much has changed in four weeks?

I still fear that Minnesota is the better overall team. On the other hand, I doubt that they will be able to dominate us as thoroughly in this second meeting as they did in the first. I think we will make fewer mistakes, and I'm hopeful that we'll have some better technique for coping with Jared Allen. Those things, plus the home field advantage, add up to a several-point difference in my judgment.

Meaning what? Meaning a one- or two-point loss for Green Bay instead of a seven-point loss. That's my assessment. My hope, however, is for a butt-kicking win!



Meanwhile, we certainly need to win. The Vikings already enjoy a game-and-a-half lead over us in the Division, and the Bears are almost certainly going to win this weekend when they play the Browns. (If Chicago loses to Cleveland, Lovie Smith and Jim Zorn will have to form some sort of support group together.)

The other NFC North game is entirely inconsquential: the Rams are playing in Detroit this Sunday. What an ugly-fest that is likely to be. I'm picking the Lions to win -- but, really, who cares?


Elsewhere, the 49ers trip to Indy might be an interesting game, though I expect the Colts to remain undefeated.

The really sexy match-up of the weekend (beyond our own game, of course) is the Falcons against the Saints on Monday Night Football. New Orleans is still perfect on the season, but they haven't played a divisional game yet. The Falcons, meanwhile, are a solid team, and clearly they are the Saints best competition in the NFC South.

Historically, you know, Monday Night Football is where some famous undefeated streaks have come to an end. It could be an amazing game. And if it were being played in Atlanta, I would probably pick the Falcons to upset the Saints. As it is, though, I say that New Orleans stays perfect for another week.

Bottom line for Week Eight?

Everyone in our Division wins except us, setting us up for a 9-7 finish and missing the playoffs. Favre, meanwhile, adds to his legacy with another amazing performance on a national stage, but this time at our expense.

Elsewhere, three undefeated teams going into the weekend; two coming out (I say the Broncos go down in Baltimore). And three winless teams going in; two coming out (I'm picking Tennessee to take care of business against Jacksonville.)