In an effort to alleviate a lot of the frustration over the loss today, I'd just like to bring up the status of some of the "powerhouse" teams of the NFL:

San Diego: 1-1 (Picked by some to be in the SB)
New England: 1-1 (Everyone picked them to win the AFC East)
Pittsburgh: 1-1 (Again, picked by some to repeat, tough loss to Chicago)
Arizona: 1-1 (Great game after a not-so-great opener)
Tennessee: 0-2 (What happened?)

Teams no one expected to do much, but have played beyond expectations:
Buffalo: 1-1
New York Jets: 2-0
Denver: 2-0
Baltimore: 1-0

And you know what separates most of these teams? a single game. While some may say the talent level of these teams are different, there is only a 2 game difference between the best team in the league, and the worst. So I say to you, oh great Packer fans, that it is too early to give up, and although we have experienced more losses than we would've wanted, it is far too early to throw in the towel for the whole season because we have one thing on our side, time.

No all is not lost, and GB definitely overlooked this CIN team who was motivated after a very tough loss. I am happy for the Jets but do not think they are better than NE. Still the jets played like it was their superbowl. CIN played what will prob be one of their best games all season, and hats off to them. GB will be ok, but there are some problems that may be so systemic that this team does not a realistic chance to do much this season. Right now that problem is the offensive line. Let's hope something can be done.

I agee, the season is young, they'll be fine. But having the weak spot of your team being the Offensive Line is not a good thing.

There's a lot more to it than the fact that they've only lost one game so far - it's the way they lost this one game. They didn't just lose; they looked terrible. They showed huge weaknesses, very few strengths, and unless they fix a lot of broken parts pretty quickly, they're going to lose a lot more games than this. I agree, all is not lost, but there's legitimate reason for serious concern. And not a lot of reason for expecting it to get fixed any time soon, because the people who are responsible for getting it fixed are the same ones who let it get broken in the first place. Call me skeptical, but I'll believe it when I see it.

Agree. Not sure how you overlook a team after making so many mistakes the week before. Reminds of the <fill in the blank> game last year. This team has been sloppy for two years now. You just can't play like that in this league. Every weakness and mistake will be exploited (ask Antwan Odom).

BTW. I am weraing a Packer tee shirt because we are the best fans in the world. Anyone else?

Now that the euphoria of preseason has worn off and I look at the first 2 games and how our OL has performed, I am not so confident. I guess I got blinded a bit by all the hype of the season starting and how good we looked...

I think our OL and our DL are still the achillies heel of this team. Worse, Rouse and Bush are below average and if they have extended playing time, we are going to give up some very big plays and a lot of points. That does not bode well for the OL and Rodgers nor does it do Grant any favors. Grant is a good RB when and if the OL can open up some holes for him. Otherwise, he cannot power his way into making things happen.

Defenses are going to start teeing off on Rodgers, as if they haven't already. A QB cannot sustain those type of hits week in and week out.

Sort of like the flawed foundation of a building, everything else you build on top of it will just crumble down with it.

Not sure where this is coming from on the NY Jets, but here in New York, there is open talk of going deep into the playoffs and a great Jets team was fully expected. Especially with the great FA pick ups and the drafting of Mark Sanchez.

Ryan and his team are playing as expected.

I agree. Sure the Chargers lost to a good Ravens team. The Cowboys lost to a good Giants team. They were competitive though and were in it until the very end. We flat out got dominated by a team that won 4 games last year and has been a perennial cellar dweller at Lambeau Field. The problem is that from the looks of it, we don't have a credible NFL caliber OL. Our offensive front is an absolute joke. Come on 5 sacks to Antwan Odom. Who the hell is this guy? This isn't Demarcus Ware or Derrick Thomas. I'm failing to be optimistic after Rodgers has already been sacked 10 times in two games. The guy won't make it past Week 4 with the OL playing the way they are. Our OL are a bunch of pansies with no pride or dignity. Sorry but there is no other way to say it. Our right side of the line was abused in Week 1 and our left side of the line was an utter embarassment yeserday. This is serious. If this keeps up Matt Flynn will be playing in Week 6 after the bye week, followed by Brian Brohm. I just can't be optimistic after what I saw yesterday. This team needs a real OL. Its about time we start addressing it. If I was Ted Thompson I would be offering up a 1st round pick for a legit OT. It drives me nuts that Jermichael Finley could knock Ogunleye completely on his #$% but Barbre got manhandled all night long. We don't have a legit backup LT. I think Colledge could become a very solid LT if he practiced at that position every week as a starter but McCarthy always plays musical chairs with the OL. To be fair to College he was playing with a foot injury at a position that he doesn't practice at. McCarthy has to have a better plan to deal with Clifton going out. You have to have a solid player to backup LT. Its the most important position on the OL. You can't have an injured player playing out of position to man this spot.

If we end up drafting in the Top 10 again next year, Thompson better pull his head out of his #$% and draft an OT in the 1st round. This is getting silly already. The Packers are one of only eight teams in the NFL that doesn't have a 1st round pick starting on OL. Drafting OL and especially OT is fairly straight forward. For the most part you get what you pay for. You need to invest early draft picks on them. Every once in a while you can hit on a great OT later in the draft but this is the exception not the rule. I think we are seeing the results of Thompson not valuing OL in the draft. We have tons of talent at the skills positions but they look like garbage because we have bad play in the trenches where games are won and lost.

This is the big problem I have with the way this has played out. You DON'T move your BEST O-lineman to a different position due to injury!! All you succeed in doing is taking your biggest strength and weakening it! If Colledge truly is the 'best' O-lineman as he has been touted, then leave him where he is successful! If you don't have confidence in your depth then what's the point? If that's the case, then as a coach you're doomed. This business of bringing the 'best o-lineman' off the bench, (in this case Wells) and moving 2 players because 1 got hurt, is nonsense. Bring in your next LT who is sitting on the bench! What? You don't have one who deserves to see the field? Then you're screwed anyway!!

It's the how they lost and what it will take to fix it that gets depressing. I hope Raji can help on the run stuffing but where do you get a left tackle and right from this time of year. I wanted a MLB during the draft- I still think they need to change up there if Bishop is not the answer. Safety is hurting.

A hard fought dog fight where you come up short is still a bummer but forgivable. To get burnt in spots that have been issues for 2-3 years only begs for the, "Here it comes again response."

I will give them a couple games to fix it, but what I would like to see is some improvement in the following before I give up on them:
Run stop (MLB)
the tackles showing up
the run game not leaving yards on the field
stupid receiver mental mistakes
Some play calling that uses imagination and is not so predictable.

Everyone is right. It's how they lost that is most concerning.

I don't know why we should be so surprised. I mean, essentially, this is the same team that went 6-10 last year, throw in a couple draft picks. I think the talent is there, I really do (just not on the offensive line).

But, IMO, it's pretty safe to say the team just isn't developing under Mike McCarthy. I just don't know if he knows how to get them over the proverbial hump.

Sorry but I don't think any NFL team overlooks their opponent...fans maybe...but not the teams.

I've often heard that players don't know who they are playing the following week much less 2 or 3 weeks down the road. As an athelete they are focused on one play at a time. As it should be.

Lots of great posts here with many good points.

I'm one who is not surprised by Cincy taking this one, they are a competitive team and extremely familiar with facing a 3-4 defense. I think we have some issues that CAN be addressed, however, what TT, MM and staff do to make adjustments will ultimately determine the fate of this year's team.

I agree that all is not lost with this season. There are only a few things that concern me:

AR's comments in his post game interview regarding "not practicing like a pro", etc. It gives me the impression that MM is not commanding and leading this team with much control.....just a strange openess, some truth coming from a guy that wants to win and apparently isn't worried about MM or what he thinks...way to go AR, maybe this will put some pressure on MM and staff, is the seat getting hot for MM ?! Gives me the impression that MM is soft, maybe he'll listen to AR's wake up call...maybe AR is the leader this team has been looking for...I sure hope so....this team NEEDS a leader!

TT just doesn't put enough stock in vetran players that could help lift this team and fill some holes. Wolf peppered his roster with a combination of vets and young players and that formula worked (and still works) well. Why we are the "youngest team" in the NFL for the 2nd straight year(?) makes no sense to me...note to GB Admin...this isn't the award we want to keep winning....

How is it that we have NO vetran OL....as in none, nil, zip, zilc.........why is TT so against bringing in some vets to settle some of these positions down? 11 sacks in 2 games is bush league and this team is too good to waste on a substandard OL. This should have been fixed, and still can be, so why not fix it? This staff sees more game film in one week than I will in a lifetime, how is it that I can see our OL stinks and need some serious help and they can't?

We will see what happens, but if Nick Collins is out there are going to be problems with our D. Rouse is not that good and TT inexplicibly cut Smith on the final cut. If Collins is out for more than the Rams game, we are going to struggle. This is another case of TT cutting a vet over a younger player. Smith didn't last too long on the wire and we could sure use him now....

I really think this team has a chance to be successful this year. This team is loaded with talent and we've seen how exciting this group can be.....

It's just frustrating to feel that TT and MM seem to "settle" for the "it is what it is" philosophy when the major issues that hold us back are actually correctable, and in some cases, they should have been fixed months ago.....

Perhaps the way to say it is, "Lack of preparation and poor game planning?"

I don't know, game one seemed like an extension of last year till a mighty offensive play put them up and a mighty defensive play sealed the game. Game two was definitely an extension of last year. Easily could be 0 -2.

I will need to see better play from this team (and not just against the Rams), before my optimism returns.

I still think this team has Viking on the brain and it is affecting their play. I hope not.....

Yes, can easily be 0-2, same thing could be said that a play here or there in the Cincy game and GB is 2-0. No fumble on 3rd and 34, game is still tied, GB gets the ball back. Hell same thing could be said last year. A play here or there, GB goes from 6-10 to possibly 13-3 again (7 games decided by less than 4 pts).

True, we could be 2-0... or 0-2..... but we are 1-1 and both games were very close.

IMO, I am upset that we didn't kick the Bengals around for 60 minutes and come away with a good, easy victory with a point spread of 21 or more. Even if we did win on Sunday, by some last second miracle, the Bengals showed that we have some very glaring weaknesses that will be exploited by the better football teams we are going to eventually face. Worse, average teams are going to be exploiting these as well and it will make for some close games. A few "lucky bounces" go against us and it will be a long year.

I am not as low on Nick Barnett as others are. I have always believed that Nick is best in a defense where the front line is very solid. He is not Ray Lewis and he is not a game changing LB. But he can be solid and an asset when he has a proper supporting cast. I don't think he is good in a 3-4 defense either. I think the real problems on this team are in the trenches. You have to have a solid foundation to build on. Without that, everything else built on it will come crashing down.

My main concern is not that we lost. It's that we played incredibly poor on offense, defense and ST.

NT

Good teams make plays like that

Aaron Rodgers and the Packers made a play like that in week 1, last time I checked, which is already an improvement.

Yes, an improvement. I guess if having a +4 in the turnover department, then needing to come from behind in the last 2 minutes of a game is an improvement.......

I would think that if you give good teams 4 turnovers, they wouldn't be in such a position.

Kudos to Rodgers though. He did make a nice play and he is hardly at fault.