Green Bay Packers: Why They Can Be This Year's Cinderella Story

Come Sunday, the Green Bay Packers will make their second trip to Lincoln Financial Field this season.

On that trip, the Packers beating the Eagles probably helped Philadelphia make the playoffs. Because Clay Matthews injured quarterback Kevin Kolb, Michael Vick took over the helm for Philadelphia. If it isn't for that concussion to Kevin Kolb, the Eagles (and numerous fantasy teams for that matter) probably don't make the playoffs.

Now, the Packers have to face what they did to the NFL—unleashing the beast that is Michael Vick.

But, the Packers have what it takes to run the table this season and possibly make a play for the NFC Title game.

As I write this, they are probably hard at work and dissecting the half of football that saw Michael Vick make his turn around in Week 1. He was on fire against Green Bay Week 1, and don't think they haven't forgotten.

Green Bay has overcome everything that has been thrown at them. This is a season that has been plagued by the injury bug and has seen numerous starters get placed on the IR. Four linebackers, four players in the secondary, three defensive lineman, their star running back, and a handful more have hit the injured reserve list.

Still, with all that injury, the Packers have still pressed on to a 10-6 record and the final spot in the playoffs. Their passing attack has looked phenomenal, ranking 5th in yardage. The running game is slowly coming together with James Starks breaking out a little bit.

With the release of cornerback Al Harris, undrafted rookie Sam Shields was given a look. Shields has done it all and possesses some real talent by helping anchor a secondary that was 5th in the league in passing yards against. Also, Tramon Williams has helped this secondary tremendously, filling in as the cornerback opposite reigning Defensive Player of the Year Charles Woodson.

With Clay Matthews roaming middle earth and striking fear into the hearts of children everywhere, he makes the defense almost impenetrable. Watching Matthews virtually stalk Vick all over the field will be interesting to watch. 

The only problem is if the Packers win Sunday, they will have to return to Atlanta to play in the Dome—a place where only a couple have succeeded in beating the Falcons. The Saints proved they were beatable in Atlanta, and the Packers will now have the opportunity (again) to dethrone Atlanta.

The playoffs will be chock full of past opponents for the Packers, and believe it when I say they will learn from their mistakes.