Green Bay Packers: Five Reasons Not To Panic Yet

Truth be told, there were very few Green Bay Packers' supporters who would have ever guessed the 2010 season would have started with a 3-3 record.

Believe it or not, that's exactly where the Packers stand through six games. 

But before Packers' fans jump ship, start the website Firemikemccarthy.com, or give up on the 2010 season altogether, I'll give you a few reasons why this season is still very much for the taking in Green Bay. 

The Whole NFC Has Struggled Too

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GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 10: Quarterback Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints sits on the bench during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the S

Guess what? The Green Bay Packers' 3-3 record puts them in a tie for the second best record in the NFC. 

Every team in the conference has at least two losses, and there isn't one team you can point to and say they are the run-away favorites. 

The Packers are a game back of five teams with 4-2 records: Saints, Falcons, Giants, Eagles, and Bears.

In all honesty, you could find fatal flaws in every team in the NFC, including the five I just mentioned. 

Yet still, if the season ended today, the Packers wouldn't make the playoffs. But with ten games left, and being only one game back of the top spot in the conference, the NFC is undoubtedly wide open. 

3-3 is far from where the Packers want to be, but they are still right in thick of the chase for a playoff spot. 

The NFC North Is Struggling Too

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 11: Dwight Lowery #26 of the New York Jets scores a 26-yard interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter against Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings at New Meadowlands Stadium on October 11, 2010 in East Ruth

You can look at the NFC North as the pinnacle for the struggles that the conference has suffered so far. 

The Minnesota Vikings, while seemingly revived with a victory over the Dallas Cowboys, have struggled all season and are currently just 2-3. 

They have a 41-year old quarterback who could be one hit or one suspension away from sending the Vikings' season into a tailspin, and if you think Mike McCarthy is bad, try having Brad Childress as coach. 

I've yet to meet a Vikings' fan that is overwhelmingly happy with the job Childress has done. 

The division-leading Chicago Bears have their own set of problems. Jay Cutler is a quarterback who's never produced a winning-season in any of his five years as a starter, and he's on pace to be sacked 61 times. 

Add in the fact that the Bears have a worse rushing attack then the Packers (Chicago ranked 26th, Packers 19th), and you have a team that is primed for a collapse. 

Regardless of what's happened up to this point, the Packers still have a very good chance at winning the NFC North this season. 

Weren't We 4-4 in 2009 and the Season Was Over?

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TAMPA, FL - NOVEMBER 08: Defensive end Stylz G. White #91 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers sacks quarterback Aaron Rogers #12 of the Green Bay Packers during the game at Raymond James Stadium on November 8, 2009 in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers defeated the

When the Packers lost to the previously winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers last year to drop Green Bay to 4-4, everyone was convinced the season was over. And McCarthy had to be fired. And Thompson was the worst general manager in the history of the game. 

Yet, after a closed door meeting following that loss, the Packers convincingly beat the Dallas Cowboys the next week and went on to win seven of their last eight games to finish 11-5. 

Who's to say that can't happen again in 2010? 

The Packers have a tough schedule coming up, but they also beat good teams in their march to 11-5 last year.

Sure, the Packers are an injured bunch, but that leads me to my next point...

The PUP List Spells Relief

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GREEN BAY, WI - OCTOBER 18: Atari Bigby #20 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates an interception in the end zone on a pass intended for John Standeford #16 of the Detroit Lions as teammates Charles Woodson #21 and Nick Barnett#56 run off the field at Lambe

The Packers are about to get some reinforcements via the physically unable to perform list. 

Al Harris, Atari Bigby, and James Starks are all set to practice this week and play this coming Sunday. 

Harris and Bigby will provide help to an ailing secondary, and while I don't expect Starks to save the running game right away, my prediction all along has been he'll take the starting spot by week ten and not relinquish it the rest of the season. 

If Starks can have a 2007 Ryan Grant type effect on the Packers' season, then the running game actually could be a factor in our offense. 

Speaking of returning from injury...

The Defense Returns a Star and Adds a Piece We Shouldn't Have Let Go

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GREEN BAY, WI - OCTOBER 03: Clay Matthews #52 of the Green Bay Packers wears a sticker on the back of his helmut for breast cancer awarness during a game against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field on October 3, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jona

I think the final 20 mintues in Washington, and the entire Dolphins game, proved how much Clay Matthews means to the Packers' defense. 

Without Matthews, the Packers were unable to generate any pass rush, and Donovan McNabb and Chad Henne were able to hurt Green Bay with ample time in the pocket. 

That should change next week. Barring any set backs, Matthews will be on the field Sunday to wreck havoc once again. 

And, in all reality, the Packers' defense has been good this season. In every game of 2010, including the three losses, the defense has played well enough for the Packers to win the game. 

Giving up 20 points to the Bears, 16 to the 'Skins, and 23 to the Dolphins, should be enough for the Packers to win those games. 

In addition to Matthews coming back, the Packers also traded for safety Anthony Smith. If the name rings a bell, it should, because Smith was signed by the Packers in the offseason before the 2009 season, then let go in final cuts. 

His return, and knowledge of the 3-4 defense, should also help strengthen the Packers secondary for the remaining ten games. 

And Finally...

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 03: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers looks on from the sideline against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 3, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

As long as number 12 is under center, the Packers are going to have a chance. 

I think we could all agree that Aaron Rodgers hasn't been as good as last season, but he still give the Packers' a chance to win every game. By all accounts, he's still an elite NFL quarterback. 

And he still has plenty of weapons. His four receivers—Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, James Jones and Jordy Nelson—are still among the best in the NFL. 

The group, even with the losses of Jermichael Finley and Ryan Grant, has the potential to be the explosive offense we've been waiting to see all season long. 

If the Packers' can find any kind of offensive rhythm this season, they'll be a tough group to stop. And just as long as Rodgers' is the one flinging the passes, the Packers will have a chance to make something of their sinking 2010 season.