Second Verse Same As The First

Second verse....well maybe fourth verse is more like it...same as the first after the Packers eked out a 30-27 win over da' Bears thanks to Aaron Rodgers and Jordy Nelson and, for that matter, Mason Crosby to keep the Packers not only in playoff contention with their 4th straight win, but also Masters Of Their Own Fate.

After the Washington Redskins lost to the Panthers Monday night the Packers are NOW the sixth and last playoff team ahead of the Bucs, Redskins and the Vikings and just 1 game behind the Lions in the race for the 4th seed and the North title.

This week the Packers (8-6) host the Vikings (7-7), who beat them 17-14 in week 2 while the Lions (9-5) play at the Cowboys (12-2), the Bucs (8-6) host the Saints (6-8) and the Redskins (7-6-1) are at da' Bears (3-11).

The Giants (10-4) are the top wild card leaving the Packers with only the North title and 4th seed to win or the 6th seed to hang onto left to them.

If the Packers win out, (a phrase thanks to Aaron Rodgers), the Packers win the North and are most likely the 4th seed because the Cowboys are the top seed and the Seahawks (9-4-1) and the Falcons (9-5) are most likely the 2nd and 3rd seeds needing just 1 more win to clinch those spots.

There was a lot to love last week, especially 162 yards rushing and 2 rushing TDs by Ty Montgomery, who should have won the starting tailback job. And the 42-yard TD run by Christine Michael should have won him the second spot in the backfield.

However, for some odd reason Coach Mike McCarthy seems reticent giving Montgomery the job full time and playing Michael more leaving the door open for James Starks to return and take over.

Up until this season Starks has been an excellent backup and replacement starter for Eddie Lacy, but, for some reason, he has been terrible averaging just 2.3 yards a carry so far this year. He is currently in the concussion protocol so a decision by McCarthy won't be made this weekend. Let's hope he leaves Starks on the bench.

The final play was vintage Aaron Rodgers if you only go back a season or 2. He really hasn't been known for game-winning drives or TDs, except for the 2 Hail-Mary's and the game-winner to Randall Cobb in the win over the da' Bears when he returned from his broken collar bone. That win not only put the Packers into the playoffs, but also knocked da' Bears out on the final game of the 2013 season.

Tight end Jacob Cook had a good game catching 6 of 8 passes for 85 yards and wide receiver Jordy Nelson catching 7-of-10 for 124 to put him over the 1,000 yard mark for the 4th time in the last 6 seasons to put him into the mix for Comeback Player of the Year. Cook, on the other hand, has had trouble staying on the field because of injuries. Hopefully he remains healthy for the stretch run.

The offensive line continues to shine even without former Pro Bowler Josh Sitton, who has been replaced adequately by Lane Taylor. Ironically, Taylor was on the sidelines on the throw to Jordy with Jason Spriggs taking his place for the throw and the spike.

As far as what is not to like I will leave that for two posts from now. Right now the Packers are winning and will have to take care of the free-falling defending North champion Vikings Saturday.

As McCarthy says the Packers have to take one game a time without looking beyond. As the great philosopher Aaron Rodgers said, "I think we can run the table. I really do."