The Packers will not not make it to the Super Bowl.  The Packers will not win the division and, as of right now, they are a long shot for the Wild Card.  But they are not a bad or a bottom tier team either.  The Packers have lost two high profile games to Favre and the Vikings.  They also lost to a winless team, which is very embarrassing.

The Pack did beat the Bears on opening night in a national game.  They mercilessly destroyed three hapless bottom-of-the-barrel teams.  They are currently, the definition of a .500 team.  It was only 3 years ago, that the Packers finished .500 with Mike McCarthy and we here at Lombardi Sweep were ecstatic.  This season, especially with such high expectations coming in, we cannot help but feel depressed with being .500 at midseason.

I am tempted, like so many others, to scream for heads.  However, I do not believe a mid season firing of Mike McCarthy or Ted Thompson would help the Packers win more games this year.  I came into the season believing that the Packers were a serious threat to win the division and it would be a race with the Vikings for the division championship.  I was wrong.  Still, the season is not over.  There are eight games left and much can happen.  Last season, the Packers were  4-4 at mid season  and they finished 6-10.  I see no reason why the Packers cannot finish at least 10-6 this year, but sadly, 6-10 is a possiblity.  The remaining games are against the Cowboys, 49ers, Lions, Ravens, Bears, Steelers, Seahawks and the Cardinals.

After some thought, I changed my perspective on the Packers and my expectations.  If the Packers finish below 8-8, I will feel it was a complete failure of a season.  At this point, I can be content with 8-8.  I will be pleased if the Packers finish 8-8 and beat the Cowboys  and the Bears, or go 9-7 with no playoff bid.  I will be very happy with a 10-6 season or better, playoff bid or no.  Whatever else, we must keep Aaron Rodgers healthy and protected and away from Jim Everett syndrome.

Overall, I’m not saying that I’m happy or content with how the season has played out.  Far from it. The faults are numerous and obvious.  The Packers have been outplayed, out-coached and out-drafted and it is almost shameful.  While I am not happy with the Packers season, I am readjusting my outlook.  I am not a company man or an eternal optimist, and I will come looking for heads after the season, but until then. Go Pack Go and beat those damn Cowboys.