The Green Bay Packers once again did just enough things right to stay in the game but also did just enough things wrong to lose, falling to 0-4 with a 32-29 loss to the USFL-ish Carolina Panthers. I give Carolina credit for being a good team but I could really do without them and all the other Johnny come lately teams with their XFL-esque uniforms and logos. Bring back the Baltimore Colts, Houston Oilers, and Los Angeles Rams!

Brett Favre...I can't say enough good things about the Greatest Quarterback Ever. Without him, the Packers would still be 0-4 but they probably would not have even had a chance to win any of their games. Last night he threw four touchdown passes including two in the fourth quarter and also made good on a pair of two point conversions.

The Packer offensive line, on the other hand, just plain stinks. They are unable to either run block effectively or provide reliable pass protection for Favre. The result is a running game that has been basically non-existent (with the exception of a few plays where Ahman Green or Najeh Davenport just pick up some yards through sheer effort) and also too much pressure on Favre which leads to turnovers.

Green Bay's recieving corps is (like the o-line) both hampered by injuries and just plain not getting the job done. A perfect example of this being a nice pass by Favre that SHOULD have been a completion but instead was an interception because Robert Ferguson let a Carolina defender take the ball away from him. Like many of Brett's recent INT's, it was really not his fault but rather the fault of sloppy or careless play by his receivers.

The Packer defense is not as bad as last year which (as I have probably pointed out in the past) not saying much. They still are not a great defense, merely an average one. They need more help from the offense than they have been getting so far.

Then there are the special teams, which have really not been very special particularly in terms of punts and kickoffs. The Packer return teams never really break a long one, and the kick and punt coverage all too often allows the other team to get good field position.

While it is all too easy to criticize the officiating, I believe that this has also been a factor in the Packers' struggles so far this season. An example being the Packers final possession last night. On 4th and 3, Donald Driver was CLEARLY interfered with but no yellow hanky. Meanwhile the Packers were assessed their usual quota of ticky tack calls including a pass interference in the end zone that did not look any different from the mugging that Driver took on the aforementioned play.

Next up is a home game against the Saints. It goes without saying that this is a MUST WIN for the Packers.

If I have not already mentioned it, Brett Favre has been about the only thing the Packers have had going for them in the first four games. His four TD passes last night bring his career total to 385 for his career. Which leaves him only 36 away from breaking the all time NFL record held by (overrated, never won a Super Bowl) Dan Marino. Favre is also getting closer and closer to Marino's other career records.

Another Packer who is doing well is Cullen Jenkins, a defensive lineman and fellow graduate of Central Michigan University (FIRE UP CHIPS!). Jenkins blocked an extra point, recovered a fumble, and had several tackles against Carolina. He has generally been playing well as has Kabeer Gbaja Biamila. Now, if only enough other Packers can raise their level of play.

Finally, I just have to say that Carolina WR Keary Colbert sucks. I don't have to have a reason for thinking this, I just don't like the cut of his jib. Or maybe it is that he is from the evilest of all evil institutions, the University of Southern California. Yeah, that might be it!