There's Always Next Season

I wasn’t planning to delve into Sunday on here, but I need to get it off my chest.

I’m depressed. Correction. I’m irritated.

If I would have expressed my feelings towards Sunday’s NFC Title game against the Giants immediately after that abomination, this post would have been filled with profanities, and clearly this isn’t the forum for that.

You all know what happened. It was a blend of penalties and bonehead plays that caused the Packers and Giants to go neck and neck for the majority of the game. It wasn’t supposed to be so close, just like I wasn’t supposed to chew off all of my finger nails.

As the game moved back and forth and back and forth again, there still was a glimmer of hope until the Packers failed to get a first down on their last two drives, which inevitably gave the game to the Giants with a pretty ribbon on top. At that point it was tied as New York drove the ball down the field. Then, a high snap led to a missed 36-yard field goal by Lawrence Tynes as time expired and the game went into overtime.

I nearly passed out.

My hope was fully restored as the Packers won the coin toss, but luck wasn't on our side. I told Eric that the game was in the bag as long as they don’t get picked. And what do you know? Just like that, Favre threw an interception and it was over. (Enter four-letter word here). I jinxed them. Tynes made up for his other misses with a 47-yarder to send the Giants to Super Bowl XLII against the Patriots. Our Super Bowl. As I picked my jaw up off the floor, I felt that familiar sense of devastation that comes with an all-too-abrupt end to the season.

On Sunday, a lot of fans were disappointed or in denial like I was. I had to remind myself that the Packers (and Favre) had a remarkable and record breaking season and exceeded nearly everyone's expectations, including my own. The Super Bowl just wasn’t in the cards this year. If Favre comes back and if the young team stays healthy, maybe next year Favre will lead the Pack all the way. Until then, my green and gold will be hanging in the closet.

So here we are two days later and I’m still a little irked. However, I’ve realized that 1) it’s just football; 2) baseball is starting soon and I have season tickets once again; 3) we have snow and now I can finally partake in winter activities.

Speaking of #3, the snow totally cheered me up. I love snow like Wisconsinites should! Actually, I’ve wanted to strap on my snowshoes and trek through Doctors Park or Lake Park since the first snowfall in December, but I was too busy with the holidays. And even after the madness wound down there wasn’t any snow to tromp through anyway, that is, until yesterday. Now, I’ll get to dust off my sled and hit the slopes. I can’t wait! And since we have about seven inches of snow, as well as, frigid temperatures, I’m sure the snow will stick around for awhile. Thus, I’ll have plenty of outdoor activities to share with you in the next couple of weeks, though, I might wait for it to warm-up just a little more.

Remember, even though the Packers’ season is over, winter isn’t. There’s still a lot to look forward to, folks.

Comments

[char]

Too bad! I was shocked because I thought we would blow the Giants away, but during the start I knew I was wrong, but not this wrong. It was horrible to watch and the silence of the fans at the end of the game was overwelming. Good luck to Farve on whatever he decides to do, I think he will retire, but who knows. It was fun watching him this year enjoying himself and I truely think he is one of the greatest QB ever.

[Scott]

I can't tell you how disappointed I was at the end of the game. And the reason was it was one of those games where we beat ourselves. Nothing against the Giants, because they have improved immensely over the year, but we are the better team, and in the end we beat ourselves through mistakes and missed opportunities.

You are right in saying that it was a great year to be a Packer fan as they far surpassed everyone's expectations. It has been awhile since I enjoyed a season this much.

On another note, a friend sent me a link last week to vote for the Greatest NFL Quarterback and like any good Packer fan I voted for Favre.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com:80/id/21036771/

I must admit, my expectations for the running vote was surpassed as well.

[Karen]

Thanks for sharing the msnbc link, Scott. I just voted. Favre has it in the bag!