“The Dagger!”  That’s the call Wayne Larrivee makes when the Packers have pounded the final nail in an opponent’s coffin.  Unfortunately for the Packers, this call seems to come much later in the game than it should.  One clear weakness the Packers have had for almost two seasons is the inability to finish opponents.  This cost Green Bay several games in 2008.  It also cost the Packers the Tampa Bay game, where they were leading 28-17 with 13 minutes left in the game and failed to land a coup de grace on the Buccaneers and allowed them to come back and win.  Against the 49ers, the Packers were up 30-10 with 11 minutes back left in the forth quarter when the Pack allowed two touchdowns and were forced to run a successful four minute drill in order to win.

Mike McCarthy just doesn’t seem to have that killer instinct to finish a team when they are down.  When you watch teams like the Patriots, they will beat on the opposition until that team’s will and chances are completely shattered.  I’m not sure what it is, but the Packers offense and the defense seem all too often seem to slacken when the Packers have the lead in a game.

As the Packers head into this critical point in their season, it’s time to play for keeps.  It’s time for a 60-minute ball club to plunge the dagger in early and often–or rather early and decisively.