Credit Where Credit Is Due: Life After The Packers' Win Over Dallas

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This just in: The Packers played an outstanding game.

Yes, I’m admitting that, even as Green Bay’s self-appointed chief pessimist as of late. After seemingly bottoming out against the then-winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers the weekend before last, they managed to defeat the red-hot Dallas Cowboys by a score of 17-7 with countless Dallas and Green Bay fans looking on.

No, I didn’t see it coming, either. After hearing of the Packers’ loss to the Bucs whilst hanging around downtown Milwaukee that afternoon, I would’ve considered the Packers lucky to lose to the Cowboys by less than two touchdowns.

Of course, the Pack proved me wrong—and in a good way, too—as evidenced by their decisive ten-point victory over Dallas that was a shutout until very late in the game. They deserve credit for their performance, and for that, I do give them said credit.

However, the Packers still have a ways to go if they are to salvage this season. One game does not make a satisfactory season, and the fact remains that the Packers are still 5-4.

Could they make the playoffs? Yeah, sure, in theory. It’d most likely be a wild card berth if it does end up happening, though, as the Vikings may very well go 14-2. In addition, the Packers will have to really “clean up” on the rest of their schedule by way of consistently dominating, something they’ve had problems doing as of late.

One thing the Packers have going for them as far as their remaining schedule goes is the overall strength of their seven remaining opponents. With the Seahawks, Lions, and 49ers all coming up, a 9-7 or 10-6 finish is not entirely out of the question.

Of course, the Packers shouldn’t get complacent with their recent victory, either. It could be argued that the Buccaneers wanted their victory against the Packers more than the Packers did; much the same, it could very well be argued that Green Bay wanted their win this past Sunday much more than the Cowboys did.

Anything’s possible in football. For all we know, the Packers could be beginning a tear that leaves them at 12-4; on the other hand, they could also begin an unthinkably bad free fall similar to last year that leaves them at 6-10 or even 5-11, however unlikely either of the aforementioned situations may actually be.

We won’t know for sure until those upcoming games in question are actually played, but one thing’s for sure: If the Green and Gold play hard, bear down, and take the rest of this season one week at a time, they may very well find themselves in the playoffs for the second time in three years.

As that guy from the beer commercial would say: Stay thirsty, my friends.

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