Well, that was more like it! After four agonizingly close losses, the Green Bay Packers finally put it all together and in a BIG way, as they unloaded on the New Orleans Saints to the tune of 52-3. This kind of blowout is not seen too often in the National Football League, as the teams tend to be closer to each other in talent level unlike in the collegiate ranks where, for example, there is a great disparity between a Big Ten team like Michigan or Ohio State and a Mid American conference team like Eastern Michigan or Ohio University.

There were some not so pleasant occurences in Sunday's game, including Najeh Davenport's ankle injury which (according to at least some reports) may keep the big running back out for the rest of the season. Davenport did a fine job filling in for regular running back Ahman Green who is expected to return to action after the upcoming bye week for Green Bay. Overall the team has had a lot of injuries this season including a season ending one suffered by starting WR Javon Walker. Despite all the difficulties and the four losses to open the season, the Packers are by no means out of playoff contention mainly due to the relative weakness of the NFC North division. The Pack are only one game behind division leading Detroit in the win column and two games back in the loss column...so 1 and a half games out of first.

The week off comes at a great time, with all the banged up players needing to heal. Then commences a tough stretch starting with road games against Minnesota and Cincinnati, a home game against Pittsburgh, and a road game against Atlanta. All of these games will be challenging but they are all games that the Packers are capable of winning if they play like they played against New Orleans.

The offense really came out of their shell against the Saints and the defense, which has been much improved over last season, really looked good. Granted the Saints are not the greatest team in the league, but they did come to Lambeau Field with two wins which at the time was two more than the Green and Gold could claim.

Speaking of the defense, I once again must give a hearty shout of "Fire Up Chips!" to my fellow Central Michigan University graduate and Packer defensive lineman Cullen Jenkins! He is really turning out to be a fine pro player and proved it again yesterday with five tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble. Great job, Cullen...and way to make Old Central proud!

So, we will see what we will see, but this is certainly a good sign for the Packers.

Brett Favre's three touchdowns against New Orleans raised his career total to 388, leaving him needing only 33 more to oust (overrated, never won a Super Bowl) Dan Marino from the all time top spot. Another overrated, never won a Super Bowl QB, Peyton Manning, is way behind at 223 TDs. My bet is that Peyton will not only never win a Super Bowl, but also will not come close to having the guts to last as long as the Greatest Quarterback Ever With The Possible Exception of Bart Starr.