The Green Bay Packers had every reason to play a good, hard, competitive game against the Chicago Bears. It was alumni weekend, not to mention the 10th anniversary of the teams last Super Bowl. Reggie White's name was unveiled on the stadium facade joining the other former Packers greats who are members of the NFL's Hall of Fame. Throw in the fact that it's the home opener, it's opening weekend and Mike McCarthy was making his NFL head coaching debut. All that mattered little in the end though, as the Bears rolled to a convincing 26-0 win over the Packers.
What are fans wondering now? They're wondering if they just witnessed the worst team in the NFL this season. They're wondering if the first pick in the 2007 NFL draft will belong to the Green Bay Packers. Some are probably wondering when the Packers will pull the plug on Brett Favre and get the organization's future (Aaron Rodgers) in the game.
How hard is it to get shutout in the NFL. Well consider the fact that the Packers had gone 233 games since they were last blanked, ironically by the Bears on Oct. 17, 1991 (10-0).
The offense struggling is no huge surprise though. They're starting three rookies at key positions on offense. But what's the defense's excuse? This group of mostly veterans was used and abused on Sunday.
Over-reacting to a season opening loss might be a stretch, but this game doesn't leave a very comfortable feeling inside at all. There's a lot that needs to be corrected, and the Packers will have to get that done with a winnable game on the horizon against New Orleans this Sunday at Lambeau Field.