Well, last week's loss was a tough one. I mean, we came in, got punched in the mouth and.......




Wait, we won?

That's right. By 26 points. It wasn't pretty, but this ain't figure skating. It's a bunch of 275 pound bohemoths smashing into one another. Even in a game that seemed to be heavily one-sided talent-wise, it's bound to get at least a little messy.

Which brings us to this week as we enter the Dog Pound of Cleveland. Anyone expecting a Patriots-pulling-a-80s-style-Tyson-knockout might as well turn the channel. This one will be no prettier than last week. It's an away game which makes it even tougher. Plus, I'd argue the Browns at this point are very close to the, "Nothing to lose" point -- which makes this an even more dangerous matchup for the Pack.

That all said, we've seen a number of key players throughout this early season. Rodgers and Matthews did a great job last week for their respective sides of the football. Woodson has been, "the guy" a couple times, too. This week, we'll need someone -- hell, anyone to step up.

And I think that player is going to be:






Aaron Rodgers

Ok, not much of a reach there. But I'm selecting Aaron for two very big reasons. First, our defense, even on an average day should be enough to contain the Browns. Second, I think this season, this team will go as Aaron goes. He's the closest thing we have to a leader right now. He needs to come out, throw some sharp passes and get the Browsn D on their heels early. If they (Browns) get any confidence and start to pin their ears back and come after Rodgers, it's going to be another sore Monday morning for our QB. He needs to establish the offense with quick decision making (i.e. not holding onto the ball) and make good passes early.

Another big reason I think this is a big game for Rodgers ---- is because of next week. We need to develop some confidence. If this team plays the same against both Detroit and Cleveland, then I don't see much hope for what will be the biggest game of the year come Nov. 1st.

TJ Lang

IMO Clifton will not be able to play, and if Lang can step in and stand up to the pass rush alone on the left side of the line, and keep the pocket intact for Rogers, then the packers will win.

For me , it's the O-line. Let's see if they can look at least competant. I don't know that there will be much for us to take from this game no matter how it goes. The Browns are terrible, and may not even be able to field enough people for a gameday roster. Heard this morning they have as many as 20 players down with the flu.

R. Grant # 25

I too think it is the O line. If they give AR time and Grant holes we should win as long as we don't turn the ball over.

Aaron Rodgers.

I suspect he really lights up the Browns. I will not be surprised if he throws for either 4 or 5 TD's.

I'm predicting Nick Collins grabs a pick 6 at some point late in the first half that blows the game wide open and the Pack wins convincingly.

I agree. This one could get ugly for Browns fans.

Whoever the LT is. Its been said that the two most important positions in football are the QB and the lineman protecting his backside. So far the LTs haven't been very good at protecting Rodgers' blind side, resulting in him getting happy. At this point I'll have to say whoever is playing LT is the key player for the rest of the season. This offense could be ridiculously good with just decent protection from the OL. This OL makes every team's opposing DEs look like Pro Bowlers. Detroit is now #6 in sacks after facing the Packers. Antwan Odom was the NFL leader in sacks before he got injured. Nearly all of his sacks came in one game against the Packers. Half of Jared Allen's total sacks this year came in one game against the Packers. Its imperative that the LT do a credible job in pass protection. Rodgers is on pace for 80 sacks and I keep saying that its an anomaly and that they will get better but he keeps getting sacked. 25 sacks through 5 games is just horrendous. Some will say many of the sacks are a result of Rodgers holding the ball. I believe that those instances are caused by Rodgers not trusting the LT at all and he feels that from the moment he gets the snap he has to be scanning the pressure and moving around in the pocket. That is going to result in sacks. That is exactly why having a solid LT is so important in the NFL. The QB MUST trust his LT. At this point he has no reason to trust either OT. So Rodgers feels he has to make plays with his feet on every play.

The Packers have scored 21-26 points in all but one game. I'd expect to see them in that range again. The line problems and feeble running attack aren't going to go away, but neither are Rodgers' excellent deep ball nor the receivers' impressive YAC ability. It will probably be messy, but the Pack can and should score on the Browns.

The key then becomes defense. On the face of it, the Browns' offense is dismal. Jamal Lewis makes Ryan Grant look like Speedy Gonzales. The team's only two receiving threats have jumped ship, to be replaced by rookies, backups and journeymen. And Derek Anderson might be the worst starting quarterback in the NFL — yes, worse than JaMarcus. Through the last two weeks, Anderson has completed 11 passes on 46 dropbacks. His passer rating has exceeded 51 only once in four starts. When the game has been tied, Anderson has a passer rating of 28.9. Randy Wright was better than that.

Nonetheless, there are reasons to be cautious. Rookie WR Mohammed Massaquoi has made some plays. The offensive line is pretty good. And the Packers will see more wildcat plays than in any game so far, with Josh Cribbs under center. The Browns won't have many impressive drives, but they are capable of scoring on quick strikes, gadget plays and special teams.

Green Bay will need to be assignment-sure on defense. They will need to get off downfield blocks and can't afford to miss tackles or blow coverages. The key to all that is the quarterback of the defense, Nick Collins.

I'm just going to post this once instead of every week. Every week for the rest of the season, the key player/s will be the offensive line. They are all that is really stopping this team. Not that every other area is perfect but we shore up the line and this is a different team imo.

Offense - LT: T. J. Lang - Not only because we need to keep Rodgers upright and healthy, but also because we need to see what exactly Lang is capable of before investing in a 1st round LT prospect if there's already a guy on the roster who can move into the job.

Defense - LB: Aaron Kampman - They changed up his responsibilities last week and he had one of his best games in the new defense. A sack and lots of pressure. I'm hoping that it's a trend towards better production and consistency out of him. I'm looking for him to have continued success against John St. Clair and the Brownies. The more pressure he gets, the better the defense plays as a whole IMO.

X-This a must win for the Pack-period. Vikings are necxt up and they be hard to handle when they can stick a dagger in the PAck-a 4 game lead, not acceptable! There are no reason why MM and Company can't game plan a victory at Cleveland-a must win game-then they need to retire! It's time too make a statement-a win will start that process! Go PAck!

Clay Matthews. Follow a great game, with an even better one. Pressure, pressure, pressure!!

My 2nd key player: Hawk. He has to get something going when he's on the field. Make the coaches keep you there.

I will take Ryan Grant.

He Has to still have Some of what he showed us in 2007. I want to see him break a couple of long ones, without
Any holding calls or penalties to bring it back.

Yes, I know. This is all predicated on the OL holding their positions, getting some holes for him to run through and Ryan using some good vision....hoping he can learn something from Green.

TJ LANG ...is there any other

Offense: Brandon Jackson. He needs to show he can be a change of pace back and can hold onto the football in only his second game of the season. If he can get it rolling he could be a good weapon out of the backfield.

Defense: Nick Barnett. With extended playing time it will be interesting to see if he can start making big contributions as a focal point of the 3-4 defense.

I say Ryan Grant as well. The Browns are woefull on both sides of the line, but if there's any game where Grant should and needs to have big yardage in the first half its this one. Good medicine for Rodgers not getting knocked to the turf alot.

I'm gonna say Grant because I decided to not start him on my fantasy team and that's probably all the motivation he needs.

A Rodgers,,,,the game is his lead today