October
Undefeated But Not Overconfident: What The 2011 Packers Can Learn From The 2007 Patriots
It feels pretty good, doesn’t it?
The Green Bay Packers, the defending world champions, are 7-0 and the only remaining undefeated team in the National Football League. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is playing lights out (and that may be an understatement) and shows absolutely no signs of slowing down. The Packers’ nearest competition in the NFC North, the Detroit Lions, have lost two straight games which has given the Packers a two game lead in the division. Brett Favre remains a source of scorn and ridicule.
Could life be any better for Packer Nation? Not likely.
There is one major roadblock each week going forward that both the team and its fans will have to face.
Overconfidence or even arrogance.
For their part, Mike McCarthy and his players all seem to be saying the right things. They know they nearly blew in Minnesota against a rookie quarterback. The defense is all too aware they are giving up far too many yards.
McCarthy himself said it best in his press conference yesterday: “It’s exciting because we know our best football is ahead of us.” He even described his team’s play right now as “above-average” despite the Packers not blowing out their opponent for the first time in weeks. The team knows it can play better and that slow starts could come back to haunt them.
As for the fans, they seem to be doing their part as well.
