Longwell Must Drive a Stickshift...

Because the man is clutch! Yeah, enough with the remarkably bad sports sayings, but the Cardiac Pack is back with a vengeance this year. First of all, they need to give everyone else a few games head start to begin the season by dropping four straight. Now that's they've given everyone else their, lead, I guess it's time to start playing. As if that wasn't enough, the Packers have taken to making their games as heart-stopping as possible. Let's enter my time machine, shall we? (I built it over the weekend with Liz out of town.)

3 Weeks Ago - October 31st (Halloween): The Packers gather a nice fat 20-7 lead against the Washington Redskins only to have Favre throw an interception in the 4th quarter which led to a Redskin touchdown and a narrow, 6-point lead. No big deal - the Packers get the ball back and can take control. Yeah - right until Favre throws another interception with under 5 minutes to play. Only by the grace of God (and Al Harris), did the wonderfully inept Mark Brunell throw an interception of his own that led to the Packers eventual win.

1 Week Ago - November 14th: The Packers build a "comfortable" lead against the Vikings, leading by as much as 14 points as late at the 13:50 mark of the 4th Quarter. Apparently, this was just too much for the Packers, so they decided to let the Vikings get back in the game, allowing 2 touchdowns in the final 3 minutes of the game. After Robert Ferguson fumbled the ball away on the ensuing kick return, it looked as if all was lost until Ben Steele, of all people, wrestles the ball away from a half-dozen purple jerseys at the bottom of a pile that was probably rougher than Vietnam. Brett Favre then did what he does best and moved the Pack close enough for a 33 yard field goal, which Longwell nailed.

Yesterday - November 21st: The Packers decided to go a different route this week (the big lead thing had apparently become too "cliche") and promptly fell behind 13-10 at the half. Deciding not to rush the inevitable, the Packers allowed the lead to stand until the 4th quarter. A gorgeous pass from Favre to Driver (I don't know if it gets any prettier than that) put the Pack back within scoring distance and, 5 minutes later, Longwell nailed a 39 yarder to tie the game. Then, with the game tied and only seconds remaining, Longwell lined up for a 46 yarder to win the game. Keep in mind, he missed a 49 yarder ealier, apparently for dramatic effect. Careful not to make it look to easy, Longwell shaved the right upright as the ball went in, to extend the Packers winning streak to 5.

So, what happens now? The Packers take on the Rams on Monday night - prime time. Who knows what they'll have concocted for such an audience. I think I might be afraid to watch.