Arm-Wrestling with Children

In some games that I play with my kids -- many board games and some card games -- we are on equal footing. My age, size and strength does not make me a better dice roller.

On the other hand, on the occasions when we arm wrestle, play basketball or some such, I begin with obvious advantages. And sometimes, during such contests, one of my girls will ask, "Daddy, are you trying your hardest?"

That was the question that nagged at me as I watched the otherwise enjoyable drubbing of the Arizona Cardinals.

I think it's quite clear that the answer was 'No.' Arizona was not trying their hardest. After Minnesota won their early game and locked up the #2 seed, the Cardinals had nothing to play for. Accordingly, they began pulling out their stars and starters, and they played a pretty vanilla game.

So we beat 'em good, but it's hard to know what that means. Perhaps nothing more than the fantasy touchdown that George Plimpton scored in the Lions training camp in "Paper Lion."

Even if our 33-7 performance was a bit artificial, however, I believe it has some value for the Packers. First, it completes an 11-win season, which is nothing to sneeze at. Second, it means we're entering the playoffs sharp and playing our best ball. And, third, it means that we get to walk back into the same stadium against the same team with a feeling of familiarity and confidence. And IF -- just maybe -- the Packers jump out to an early lead in next Sunday's game, perhaps the Cardinals will begin to wonder in their own minds if the 33-7 game wasn't so artificial, after all.