Week 2: Packers 24, Bengals 31

Last week I talked about an ugly win. This week, it’s an ugly loss. Losing to the Bengals? The Bengals? At home? Pitiful.

One thing that struck me about the game this week was that every aspect of our team played poorly. Special teams, the defense, all the dropped passes from receivers, and Aaron Rodgers’ inability to actually let go of the ball. To make matters worse, we’ve lost ground in the NFC North, because both the Vikings and Bears won this past week. The Vikings won against another division rival, which puts us behind them at .500. Here are some highlights in case you missed the game:

The score of this one makes you think it was a close game. But it wasn’t. The Packers were never really in it. One thing we got used to with Brett Favre was not sweating it when we were behind. He’d come on the field like Cool Hand Luke and lead the team into the end zone. You got used to seeing that as a fan. But with this team, you can’t relax and think you’re going to make up the points at the last minute.

The thing is, Aaron Rodgers is a good quarterback. We could have so much worse. But the other problem is that by focusing on Rodgers, Ted Thompson has neglected the veterans of the team. He’s traded many of our best players so that after four years we are still the youngest team in the league. And that just can’t keep happening. When you have a young team you are going to have sloppy play and mental errors. Eleven penalties? Heck, it could have been worse.

Also, we have to be more careful with our second half timeouts. We blow them at the drop of a hat, and they are too precious for that. So what if the play clock is running down? Take a five-yard penalty instead. This game might have been a little different had we not frittered away those timeouts.

I talked earlier in the week about Ochocinco’s claim that he would do the Lambeau Leap if he got into the end zone. I loved the fact that he was turned away at first. But of course, Green Bay fans are just too darn nice. I knew he’d eventually get in. Although I did love the fact that one fan gave the camera the finger and thus showing a replay of his Ochocinco’s leap was virtually impossible. (I’m not a fan of the finger, but in this case it worked quite well.)

I know I’ve talked about our Packer tree and whatnot, but I forgot to mention that this year we also have our dog decked out with a Packer collar, which is supposed to bring the team luck. (But obviously didn’t this week.)

But let’s not forget the food. For the game this week we served my famous white chicken chili. It was a hit all around, and helped soften the blow of the loss.

Luckily (I’ll say it again) the Packers have a pathetically easy schedule this year. Of course, I thought that meant for sure we’d win this week. That’s the beauty of the NFL, you never know. Still, next week we play the 0-2 Rams. I’m still putting my money on the Pack. How about you?