I couldn’t happen to a better bunch of folks.  I am so glad the Vikings got thoroughly destroyed yesterday.  Granted, the Bears are the Packers longest rivals, but Bears fans are not nearly as annoying as Vikings fans.  The Packers and Bears fans don’t like each other, but there is still a certain amount of respect there.  Maybe it’s because the rivalry is much older.  With the Vikings its different.  Every Vikings fan I know — granted that’s a subset of fans mostly limited to Southeast Wisconsin — talks trash all week before the game.  They go out looking for a fight.  Bears fans wait for the game.  It’s kind of like the yappy little dog that tries to act tough so you don’t step on it on accident versus the confident 120 pound rottweiler sleeping in the corner.

So, I’m overjoyed the yappy little dog is finally quiet.  I’m sure I’ll run into someone today who will excuse their teams awful play with the one or all of the following:

• It would’ve been a different story if Peterson didn’t get hurt
• If Woodson didn’t make the INT on the 5, there wouldn’t have been a shut out
• If Sharper didn’t wipe out his own player it would’ve been 6 the other way instead of Martin’s second TD
• The refs didn’t officiate a fair game (15 yard blow to the head penalty on Favre roll out offset by 2 roughing the passer penalties against Green Bay but it still won’t be fair I’m sure)
• If Favre played like he did last year we would’ve won
• If we had a different head coach our team would’ve won
• If we actually had a QB, we would’ve won
• Any numerous other pathetic excuses someone might come up with

On top of the the Lions lost.  Green Bay now owns a 2 game lead in the North.  Which is good because I just don’t like the looks of the back to back road trips to Detroit and Dallas.  8-1 and tied with Dallas for the best record in the NFC.  Which admittedly is a lot like being the best downhill skier in Jamaica, but it’s still the best record and you can’t get to the playoffs without first taking care of business in your own conference.

And, a running game.  How sweet was that to start the game?  It sure made Favre’s life a lot easier to be able to use the play action.  And the amount of clock it chewed made the defense’s life easier by keeping Peterson out of the flow of the game.

So, 8-1 with the Panthers at Lambeau next.  Most importantly, 7 games left and most likely needing just 2 wins to make the playoffs.  As I said earlier, I did not expect this out of this year’s team, but I sure am enjoying the ride.