Looking Ahead, Seeing Darkness

Readers of this blog and my thoughts collected at PocketDoppler.com will note that I have been optimistic about the Packers first two rounds of the NFL post-season: I picked them to win both games. Surprisingly, my confidence has been rewarded with two victories. But looking ahead to this Sunday, in their long-awaited playoff showdown v. CHI, all I see is darkness.

The negative factors I outlined in the most recent edition of Packers Therapy include:

• The nagging, irritating spate of Bears good fortune, punctuated by their easy draw into the NFC Championship.

• CHI's home-field advantage.

• Match ups -- mainly CHI's D v. GB's O -- that don't favor the Packers.

• GB's stated distaste for playing in the cold.

• The weight of four previous weeks of elimination football combined with the accumulated stress of playing short-handed for most of the season is bound to catch up with them.

I am not saying that the Packers can't overcome these things and find a way to win. Heck, the Bears might pee down their collective legs and make things easy for GB. What I am saying is that I don't like how this game is setting up for the Packers. Perhaps 45 years of being a fan that has witnessed far more disappointment than ecstasy has conditioned me to expect the worst.