Washington gets the win and Aaron Rodgers gets a concussion as the Pack fall in OT. Redskins 16 – Packers 13.

Well well well, that was one buzzkill of a game for Packers Nation. This could mean that our boys in the Green and Gold are in some serious trouble, folks. Now, I never want to blame a win or a loss on injuries or officiating but those two factors may have had something to do with the Packers late game collapse as they lost on an overtime Field Goal to the Washington Native Americans or American Indians against abuse or whatever you think they should be called. (If you’ve never read about the controversy over this NFL team’s offensive name, do so here and then decide for yourself.)

I never like games where pass interference or defensive holding calls turn the tides or the game in favor of a team. I thought that there were two bad calls in overtime – one holding penalty called on Poppinga, and the PI called on Woodson. Everybody knows that Woodson is an extremely savvy veteran player and he did nothing to deserve that call. That’s the shitty thing about the NFL, sometimes the Refs can help decide the game. Of course, I wouldn’t be bitching about the game if the Packers had won or gotten questionable calls in their favor, but that’s just the way it goes sometimes in today’s NFL.

Donovan McFavre, er I mean, McNabb, looked like the washed up soup salesman that we all know he is during the game – especially in the first half. But, in the immortal words of Dennis Green – We had ’em, and we let ’em off the hook. Even a broken clock can tell the right time twice a day, and in this case it was McNabb’s Favre-ing of an injury decimated Packers’ defense. By which, I mean, he made some miraculously lucky throws when he had to. I’d like to say that his talents won the game, but I guess Fourth-and-26 is just too fresh in my memory and we all know that McNabb is garbage, anyone who watched the game could see how many times he failed to hit some wide-open receivers. I can’t believe we lost to that soup-chucking giant-headed goon again… (end of rant.)

Anyway, after holding the ‘Skins offense to a pathetic showing and only 3 points in the first half, Clay Matthews‘ hamstring tightened up as the Pack’s defense loosened up in the second half. Washington’s stellar defense also started to lock in on Aaron Rodgers and they took advantage of the fact that Green Bay was either afraid to or couldn’t run the ball at all near the end of the game.

I also was disappointed with coach Mike McCarthy‘s call to go for it on fourth-and-goal so early in the game (second quarter). A chip-shot field goal there for an even bigger lead might have changed the outcome of the game. Plus, it usually frustrates an opponent when you can put any points on the board while already leading – it also could have been a factor in taking the crowd out of the game too. It is especially frustrating when you consider that the Pack only lost this game by three.

I never liked coaches making decisions like going for it in the first half when their team is already leading, there is just way too much football left to play. An easy field goal at that point would have put the Packers up 10-0. Instead they drove the ball 85 yards and came away with nothing. Not good, McBumbles. I mean… McCarthy.

Adding to the list of our (packers fans’) woes is the fact that Aaron Rodgers took a hard hit and may have sustained a concussion on his last throw of the game, when he got rocked as he threw that interception to Laron Landry. Because concussions have become a huge league concern, this could be an even bigger concern for all Pack fans – Rodgers could be held out of the next game if he doesn’t check out OK with the medical staff. Jay Cutler of the Bears had a similar knock to the head last week, and he was held out of a game as a medical precaution. I don’t know about you, but I don’t love the Packers chances next week without Rodgers commanding the offense.

The blow to Rodgers’ head wasn’t the only thing that might derail the Packer’s playoff hopes. Injuries to starting linebacker Nick Barnett (wrist), starting safety Morgan Burnett (ACL) , OLB Clay Matthews (hamstring), TE’s Jermichael Finley (knee) and Donald Lee (shoulder) , DE Ryan Pickett (ankle) and yes, dare I say, Al Harris (PUP) have really hurt the Pack’s chances of making a deep playoff run.

Both Barnett and Burnett suffered injuries last week and both are likely out for the rest of the season. It remains to be seen how serious the injuries are to the other players on the team. For that we will have to wait for the injury report, which comes out Tuesday. Harris could return to action as early as next week, which would be a huge lift to an underwhelming Packers’ secondary.

Ahhh well, at least we can take comfort in the food that rules the fall – that classic food of all foods to warm your insides and then sizzle your outsides on the way out, of course I mean some homemade chili. Tis’ the season, people. I was going to give you my own hand-crafted recipe but then I realized I probably shouldn’t reveal any ancient family secrets on the Web. So you’ll all just have to settle for second best and try cooking up what you find here. Remember to top that off with some udderly fantastic Wisconsin CHEDDAR. What could be better, right?

Happy eating and thanks for reading!!

Next week the Packers take on the Miami Dolphins at home. I’m too full to make a prediction, so shoot me your own here or on Facebook. Best of luck, and Go Pack!

The Pack is Back!! And so is my blog! Packers 27 – Eagles 20.

I started writing this blog as part of a college class but I’m a graduate now and I thought I’d just give it a go- now that I’m not getting graded on it.

I am still going to bring you Packers game recaps, news and updates. And I’m still going to blog about the best foods in the world. And seriously, what could be better than food and football? Not much in my estimation. Hope you enjoy it like Troy enjoys Abed. Or haven’t you heard of Community? It’s only the best new show on TV.

So let’s just dive right in, like a pit-bull into a T-bone steak – Here are the highlights. (and some lowlights.)

The Iggle’s Kevin Kolb‘s first start after the Donovan Mcnabb era was short-lived, as Packers linebacker Clay Matthews III gave him a concussion and knocked him out of the game. Ouch. Eagle’s MLB Stuart Bradley was also concussed in the first half, leading to him sitting out the second half as well.

Ryan Grant also suffered a serious ankle injury, and there was a gruesome leg injury to the Eagles’s Leonard Weaver. Overall it was a tough game to watch as far as injuries ..

The Packers Defense had the Eagles shut down in the first half (they had more penalty yards than yards of total offense), until the Mike Vick show showed up in the second half and started making all of us here in Packer country nervous.  I still haven’t forgiven Vick for defeating our Packers in the playoffs almost five years ago when he was with the Falcons. (Among other things that he won’t be forgiven for.)

Fortunately though, the Pack had built a nice lead and the Defense came up big when it counted. Even a late Aaron Rodgers interception couldn’t turn the tide in favor of the Eagles, an interception that was noticeably uncharacteristic of Rodgers, he threw the fewest number of picks in the NFL last season (for a starting QB).

That’s all sports fans, and for this week’s food we’ve got to go with none other than the classic Philly Cheese Steak. It’s a classic and a Philadelphia tradition. Try the recipe here. But remember to replace that American cheese with some DELICIOUS WISCONSIN CHEDDAR.

Maybe some Philly fans can find comfort by gobbling down a couple of these. Don’t forget to let those kaiser rolls soak up your soggy tears you Eagles chumps! Don’t worry though – you still have Rocky.

Next week the Pack take on the Buffalo Bills in their first HOME game on the as of now not-so-frozen tundra of Lambeau Field.

Fearless Prediction: Packers 35 – Bills 10. Look for Rodgers and the Packers D to dominate.

Questions, Comments, Likes or Dislikes?? Feel free to say whatever you want, and thanks for reading! Happy reading and happy eating!