NEW ENGLAND INDIANAPOLIS PITTSBURG DALLAS GREEN BAY

[Scott Campbell]

That list sure doesn't look like a bunch of Cinderellas. Outside of us, there aren't any real surprises.

[Cheesehead Craig]

I agree with the rankings on that list. To me, Pitts/Dallas could be flip-flopped, they are pretty close.

[PackerBlues]

Having an actual running game makes the Cowboys look like a better team than the Packers on paper, but this Packer team is actually a lot more different from last years than most may think at a glance.


While the running game is in fact a work in progress that we can only hope will get better as the year goes on, the Passing game is very much improved. To start with, Jennings is in his second year, and honestly, he wouldn't have to play all that much better than he did in his rookie season last year (prior to his injuries), to impress many people. Next, we have the addition of Jones, who as a rookie with a large frame and great hands, compliments Driver and Jennings in a great way. However, the biggest difference to the Packers passing game, in my opinion, is the addition of the TE's to the playbook. They are no longer being kept back as "training wheels" to help the O-line block. The TE's are now a big part of the Offense. Last but not least, is the improvement of the O-line in pass protection. Without the help of the TE's, they are giving Favre all the time he needs to get rid of the ball, against some pretty damned good Defenses. (lol, the Chargers and Eagles anyway)

Personally, I find it to be very gratifying that the Packers Offense is so damned threatening without the run game. It simply means that we will be relying more on Favre, which is more than fine with me, because I would trust him with our Offense more than any other QB in the entire NFL.

[b bulldog]

1. Patriots



2. Steelers
3.Colts
4.Cowboys
5.Packers

[swede]

Remember when the Pack was on the upswing in the early 90's and Dallas always seemed to be the thorn in our side? The ones who always knocked us out of the playoffs for what 3 years in a row? Then we finally get to the SB, but we didn't have to face them that year in the playoffs!

I know it's too early to think or worry about this, but I can't help but think this is again, a team on the upswing and here we are already talking about Dallas and GB, which one is better, blah blah blah.

I do have one thing to say... I am happy as hell and never expected us to have a 3-0 start!!

I've always said that the team that was leading Dallas in the 4th quarter of the NFC championship games was better than the team that lost to Denver two years later.

As far as this year, Dallas played an incredible vertical game against Chicago. They kept taking those long downfield shots and then bashed them with the running game after loosening up the linebackers.

Dallas plays 3rd and 20 like it's just another down.

But we could take 'em. It was just Chicago, after all.

[rpiotr01]

if we kick the snot out of the Bears the way Dallas just did, then we'll talk about being as good as them. But so far, sorry, we're not in the realm of those top teams.

Honestly, I'd still rank SD above us. I know we just beat them, but I think they would beat us 6 or 7 times out of ten. Pittsburgh has had a ridiculously easy schedule so far. They don't get a real test for a couple weeks. NE plays cinci next week, and that'll be a good game if only because cincy can score some points.

We'll see. Enjoy it now though

[BallHawk]

1. Colts- They are the reigning Super Bowl champion and have beaten good teams, New Orleans, Tennessee, and Houston. Their offense is the best in the league and they have the best QB in the league. Their defense has played well, also.

2. Patriots- The Patriots look fantastic, but two of those wins are against the Jets and the Bills, two teams that are below average (Yeah, I know NY went to the playoffs, they got lucky. IMO, they're not a good team.) Brady has a great array of WRs and a decent RB. Addai is a better back than Maroney and one of the big reasons I think the Colts are better. NE looks good, but I still think Indy is a better team, as of now.

3. Packers- Are the Cowboys more talented then Green Bay? Yeah, probably. But the Packers are playing their style of offense and are letting the defense is getting it done. The running game is the Achilles heel but if they can pass protect and Favre can play like he did in San Diego, they are the team to beat in the NFC. We can run with Dallas' offense, but they can't run with our defense.

4. Steelers- I'm skeptical just a bit because of their opponents, but Willie Parker and the rest of the offense is playing great. The defense is top ten and Mike Tomlin looks like a great coach.

5. Cowboys- They looked great against Chicago, but the Bears aren't who they used to be. Their offense is the best in the NFC, but their defense isn't at a playoff caliber. They allowed 35 against the Giants and 20 against the Dolphins. Also, I really don't have any confidence in Wade Phillips as a coach.

[HarveyWallbangers]

if we kick the snot out of the Bears the way Dallas just did, then we'll talk about being as good as them. But so far, sorry, we're not in the realm of those top teams.

Maybe, but why Dallas? They went 9-7 last year. Both teams beat the Giants. They beat Chicago, but we just beat a team that was better than Chicago. Our other victory was over Philadelphia. Their other victory was over Miami. I'm not saying we are better, but I certainly see the argument that we are in the same league as them.

[LL2]

If the GB running game can get in gear and start producing 100 yd games and the defense and passing game stays great then this Packer team could go all the way to the NFC title game. Now that would be something else.