Enough Said

I have discovered something about myself – specifically, about my psyche – during the years of writing this blog.  Namely, that it is personal therapy for me. 

This past week is the anecdotal evidence.  When we lose a game, I sit down and begin to write right away.  I need to.  It helps me process the frustration and disappointment that I’m feeling.  When we win, however, I don’t feel the same need. 

This past Sunday Night’s manhandling of the previously undefeated Houston Texans was so masterful and so complete that there is nothing left to say.  The Packers – and perhaps especially Aaron Rodgers with his clever “Shhhh” quote – said it all by how they played.  And, of course, there is no frustration or disappointment for me to process.

Everyone recognizes that the game was more important to the Packers than to the Texans.  Also, it was a non-Conference game for both teams, and so it doesn’t have the strategic tie-breaker function that some other games have.  Also, Green Bay is fighting its way through a very competitive division, while the Texans could win the AFC South this year with one hand tied behind their back.  For all those reasons, therefore, some folks have discounted the Packers’ dominant victory.

On the other hand, we know well the pride and the drive involved with being undefeated.  Plus, it was a home game in prime time.  The crowd was juiced, all the energy and momentum was on the Texans’ side, and they were enjoying a rare national spotlight.  But Green Bay went in there and took it to the favored Texans from start to finish. 

Our defense looked great, our offensive line held up much better than predicted, and the running game was also better than expected given Cedric Benson’s absence.  Best of all, the offensive pace and efficiency was back to its 2011 form.   I believe we could have beaten anybody that night – including any of the three teams that have bested us thus far this season. 

All of which is to say that being a good team and playing well are not exactly the same thing.  Just ask the 49ers after they got shellacked by the visiting Giants last week.  The mediocre and troubling start to the 2012 season does not make me doubt that Green Bay is a good team.  But we have not been playing well – not consistently, at least.  We played well against Chicago.  We played well against the Texans.  And now that we have rediscovered what that looks and feels like, can we keep it up over the long road from here until the middle of February?