Happy Thanksgiving

It was a disconcerting start -- fumbled kickoff, dumb penalty, early deficit, missed field goal -- but the visiting Packers overcame their early troubles to jump out in front and never look back. It wasn't a virtuoso performance, but it was good enough to get the W against a bad team.

Matthew Stafford had become a local hero with this gutty and effective comeback win against the Browns. And he showed the spirit of a comeback kid in the 4th quarter of the Packer game, as well. His several interceptions, however, were likely too much to overcome.

Going into halftime, with the Packers leading just 13-7, Joe Buck congratulated the Detroit defense for stopping Green Bay when it counted. That is to say, even though the Packer offense was effectively driving down the field, the Lion defense twice stopped them in the red zone.

I take issue with that interpretation of events, however. I don't think Green Bay's failure to score in the red zone -- indeed, to score after two first-and-goal opportunities -- is a credit to Detroit's defense. Rather, it reveals a weakness in the Packers' offense: we can't score up close.

I've heard many commentators refer to Green Bay's "explosive offense" or "big play offense." By that they mean that we can score from 30, 40, 50 yards out. My concern is that that may be the only way we can score touchdowns. Once we're less than 20 yards away, however, we show that we don't really have the offensive scheme to finish the job.

What does that pattern mean? I'm not sure, but my hunch is that goes something like this: Our long-distance scoring is a credit to our speedy wideouts, while our up-close impotence reflects the ineffectiveness of our offensive line.

Whatever. We won the game, and I'm sure that Coach McCarthy will identify those problems and get 'em fixed.

Beating the Lions is not necessarily a great achievement. All but two teams in the past two years have beaten them, after all. But it's better than losing to them (cf. Tampa Bay). And now, after dropping to .500 following the Buccaneer debacle, Green Bay has reeled off 3 straight wins and they're right in the thick of the NFC wild card race.

Well, the Packers get to go home now, get some days off, and then host the struggling Ravens, who will be coming off a short week. 'More about that match-up in a few days. In the meantime, we'll cheer for the Steelers on Monday Night so that Baltimore has virtually nothing left to play for when they arrive at Lambeau.