Brandon over at The ACME Packing Company Blog has  an astute post looking at how he sees Ted Thompson approaching the upcoming draft. He makes good points all around, especially his tabbing a couple off-the-radar quarterback prospects the Packers could take a look at on day two, though I personally see them using a pick in either rounds two or three (which, yes,  is now a second day pick) on a signal caller. They don’t need a raw, undeveloped prospect. They need someone who’s played big-time ball and can make NFL throws that they can develop over the next year or so to push Rodgers and either take his job or be traded for picks.

My quibbling aside, it’s a good post, one of many, and Packer fans would do themselves a favor by bookmarking Brandon’s blog.

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Patrick Kerney is getting all sorts of press after an outstanding regular season, and more importantly, just a dominate performance against the Washington Redskins. But the way people are carrying on, you’d think he was the second coming of Deacon Jones. Let’s all just slow down a little bit, shall we?

First of all, the Seahawks as a whole are a different team in the confines of Qwest Field. The offense plays better, usually provides a lead and the defense is then aided by an opposing offense that needs to deal with the thundering home crowd that makes it easy for Kerney and his line mates to get off the ball. Now, are they talented? Of course. But the Seahawks, and the defense in particular, is quite a different animal away from the upper Northwest.  And Kerney is no different.

Looking at Kerney’s 14.5 sacks from the regular season,  it’s interesting to note that just 4 of them came on the road, and 3 of those were at St. Louis against a horrible, banged up Rams offensive line. And the other came against the 49ers, who sport possibly one of the three worst offensive lines in football. Kereny’s whole game is taken away from him when the tackle opposite can get off on the actual snap count, rather than two beats after Kerney is already charging across the line.  None of this is to say that the Packers should not pay attention if Mark Tauscher should struggle in the early going. But Tauscher handled Kerney the last time they faced each other when he was with Atlanta. (Not to mention Tauscher is worlds better than most of the scrubs Kereny has made his living against this season)

Finally, the best weapon the Packers will have against Kereny is Mike McCarthy. His playcalling and ability to keep the defense guessing will slow down the entire front seven. I won’t be surpised to see a liberal use of the play where Favre pump-fakes the slant pass and then hands the ball to Ryan Grant  up the middle, since the blocking on that particular play allows Tauscher to let Kereny rush up the field and take himself out of the play.

All in all, yes Kereny needs to be accounted for. But the Packers have the tools necessary to neutralize him.

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The Packers come roaring out of the gate, scoring two quick touchdowns. But the Bears answer with a score of their own, and then score on a interception return to tie the game. It’s a back-and-forth affair that goes down to the last second, when Mason Crosby nails the game winner.

Packers: 27

Bears: 24

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• The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

A romp.

The Packers methodically drive down the field on their first possesion, scoring a touchdown with a Favre pass to Greg Jennings for the record breaker.

The Vikings stick around for the first half, but by the middle of the 3rd Quarter, it’s over.

Packers: 31

Vikings: 10

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• Madden Prediction

New feature

Since my ‘Game Day Prediction’ posts haven’t exactly set the world on fire, for the rest of the season I will offer up a ‘Madden Preview’ for the week’s Packer game.

This week, against the Chargers, the Packers come out and everything goes wrong. Down by 14 in the first quarter, the Packers are steady and methodical on offense, start to make key stops on defense, and win the game on a dramatic touchdown and a ferocious defensive stand. Oh, and Donald Driver scores the winning touchdown. Book it.

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JSOnline and the Green Bay Press Gazette are unanimous in their thinking that the Packers will win today. (I’d like to point out that Tom Silverstein stole my quote - if the Packers can’t run the ball today, they won’t be able to run the ball period.)

My take? Well, my fears about Atari Bigby turned out to be unfounded  last week, although I was close on the final score. This week’s game is one the Packers should win. While all the attention is on weather Eli Manning will start, I am much more concerend with the Giant’s Derrick Ward. He is the type of back that could give the Packers trouble, especially if he gets into space against Poppinga or Hawk.

Final score:

Packers: 17

Giants: 10

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• What To Expect From the Giants

The Giants are in a world of hurt. Literally.  Quarterback Eli Manning may or may not play. (I doubt it) Running back Brandon Jacobs is out. Starting defensive end Osi Umenyiora is out. Their kicker is hurt. (Hey, after the last game we know how important kickers are…) Taking a look at Bob McGinn’s opponent preview (sorry, sub required) you can see this team is all offensive skill positions, and not much more, especially now that Umenyiora’s out.

Here’s what I’ll be looking for from the Giants:

Offense: Derrick Ward will do a pale Tiki Barber imitation, but from what I saw of him last Sunday night against the Cowboys, the Packers better be careful. This kid has got some quickness and definitely hits the hole much quicker than Brandon Jacobs. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a bunch of draws and screens surrounded by a heavy dose of running between the tackles, especially if Jared Lorenzen starts for Manning. The only hope the Giants have is to get the running game going well enough that the Packers are forced to bring Bigby down into the box, thereby giving Lorenzen some one-on-one match-ups off play-action. Also look for Shockey out wide to match up against our linebackers. He is more athletic than all but Barnett and could do some real damage if the line gives Lorenzen time.

Defense: What a mess. This unit looked absolutely pathetic against the Cowboys. Play after play Dallas exposed the middle of the field with tight end Jason Witten. The Packers don’t have anyone of that caliber at the tight end position, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see similar zone drops from the Giants, thinking Lee and Franks won’t beat them the way Witten did. (And let’s face it, they’re probably right) If the Packers can’t run the ball this game, they wont be able to all season, because with R. W. McQuarters and ancient Sam Madison playing corner, there’s no way they leave them without safety help over the top much of the game, meaning there should only be seven defenders in the box for most of the contest. If the Packers can’t get something going in the run game, something is seriously wrong.

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• Gameday Predictions

The staff at Packersnews and JSOnline have made their picks for today’s game.

Here’s my take on today’s festivities.

The Eagles come into Lambeau as 3 point favorites, which is surprising for a team that is supposed to be far superior and is a popular pick to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. The Packers will surprise them with a stout defense that will be able to contain Brian Westbrook, if not McNabb. However, Atari Bigby will be picked on early and often, and will give up a score, perhaps two, giving the Eagles all the points they’ll need to hold off the Packers.

Final Score -

Eagles: 20

Packers: 10

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