Packers Run Over Broncos... Can it last?

I hope you watched Monday Night Football last night. If you didn't, find a friend with Tivo. Watch NFL Network and look for the replay. Or hell, watch Sportscenter polish Brett Favre's Hall of Fame plaque and tell you how amazing the game was last night. Yes, Brett Favre burned what many consider to be the best corner tandem in the league for two long bombs for touchdowns. Yes, they were perfect throws. Yes the receivers did a great job. And yes, I was amazed and excited and confused all at once. The Packers have won games because Brett is doing one hell of a job behind center this year and having fun, completely eliminating the "should he, could he, will he retire" talk. They're winning thanks to a defense that while not necessarily the best ranked in the NFL might be one of the best in the NFL. If you're a Packers fan like me or just happen to watch their games a lot, you've seen how this defense is carrying the team. The only element missing was something that resembled a running game not installed by June Jones. At first I thought it was our running backs not getting it done. Then I thought it was the offensive line. Then I thought it was both. But after watching Ryan Grant go for over one hundred yards last night on 22 carries, I'm convinced the problem was a lack of commitment and uncertainty by players. I know the Broncos are bad against the run. But the line looked like it was opening holes that could result in four or five yard runs. And to my surprise, Grant hit those holes like Captain Ivan Drago hit Apollo Creed. Not only did he get the four yards or so until getting hit, but instead of falling over or getting knocked on his ass (again, like Apollo getting creamed by Drago. "If he dies, he dies"), Grant hit them and fell forward. This guy runs like you slept with his wife then pooped in his sock drawer. I think the Packers finally found a guy deserving to be called the starting back. When the Packers traded for him, he drew a lot of comparisons to Dorsey Levens. Big guy, not the fastest, runs angry and with power. Well, that's what Grant showed us last night. Not to mention the fact that his name sounds like a good running back. Ryan Grant. He sounds like he would be happy nailing railroad spikes or tossing rocks for fun. Brandon Jackson sounds like he should be in a boy band. Vernand Morency sounds like some creepy old guy with really angry dogs (not of the Mike Vick variety). And DeShawn Wynn sounds like an underachiever who went to a big football program and got drafted simply because he has talent and if he gave a crap he might be OK (Anyone else think he gets leg cramps and tired/dehydrated because he has his very own miniature house on the sideline with his name on it, a water dish in front and a couple chew toys inside and isn't used to actually playing? If only he had worked a little harder in college so that playing more than five snaps a game didn't exceed his full allotment for the game). I'm excited for the Ryan Grant era. It might not last past the first series of next week. I can easily see the line missing blocks and letting grant get hit in the backfield where I believe he lacks the elusiveness to miss a tackle or two and gain two yards he shouldn't have. But if the line can give him two or three yards to get a head of steam, he's going to get the next couple. And that's all the Packers need. A running game that will make the linebackers bite on play action and bring the safeties up occasionally, opening up the middle and deeper plays or the catch and runs. Ryan Grant, the Packers were missing one element that kept them out of the elite category. If you can keep this up, we may be the team to beat in the NFC. If not, I hope Brett has enough magic tucked away in that grey beard of his to make some magic happen the rest of the year. But if not, it's not like we're going to win the Super Bowl anyways. I believe the NFL already has the Lombardi Trophy postmarked for Foxborough, Mass.