XLV

Well, the Packers won the Super Bowl.  Hard to believe.  It is funny the roller coaster ride that is the NFL season.  In the preaseason I thought we were a top 5 team.  Then we kinda struggled in mid October and I had my doubts.  Then the Packers put together another good run, but once again stumbled in mid December with another rash of injuries.  All along I felt that beating NYG and CHI at home the last couple weeks of the year would guarantee a playoff spot.  That turned out to be the case, and as everyone now knows, they came up big in those two home games, went on the road for the NFC playoffs and made their way to the Super Bowl, and the rest is history.

There is so much that goes into putting a Super Bowl champion football team in today's NFL.  The exciting thing to me is that this could be the start of something, not the conclusion.  Depending on the offseason labor situation (that's a post for another day...) the Packers should be set up next year to make another strong playoff run.  I actually think they should be better.  One of the difficult things will be playing jacked up opponents every week, and I assume a lot more prime time/national TV games.  Also, the roster will be a different make up next year.  Some of the solid players off of IR will be back (Jermichael, Barnett, Grant)  Some players may retire or not be resigned (Jones, Driver, Jenkins, Jackson...)  The thing that gives me confidence is that the coaching staff and management is committed to a certain vision, and with exceptional QB play and a strong, playmaking defense you will always be able to contend in the NFL.

It will be interesting to see how things go, but for now I am enjoying seeing this team bask in the glory of being champs.  It's fun to see Matthews on Leno, Rodgers on Letterman, Jennings on Lopez, and this young team is about to become the face of the NFL.  Can't wait for XLVI.