It's not what you'd call a natural rivalry. The Bears and Vikings are intra-conference foes we play twice a year.
Seattle? Until fairly recently they played in the American, not the National conference.
One of the early owners was from Monroe, Wisconsin. Their first good quarterback, Dave Kreig was from Wisconsin and played for Milton College. Milton College, by the way, went out of business.
The Seahawks joined the NFL in 1976. Green Bay started playing football in 1919, two years before the group of teams that grew into the NFL was born.
This is a recent rivalry created by tension and competitive fire and a play known simply as the "Fail Mary."
The Seahawks beat the Packers in three straight games on their home field. Most recently in last year's NFC Title game. Green Bay led, until they did what my dad used to refer to as "snatching defeat from the jaws of victory," The lead disappeared in a series of paper cuts, the Pack rallied to tie, and ultimately lost in overtime.
So, Sunday night, the Lambeau faithful were in full throat and the Packer players, who for a week insisted it was just the second game on the schedule, came out with fire in their eyes.
The defense played strong, tough, and prepared. The offense was ready. Special teams looked sharp.
It was a thorough win. A satisfying victory. It is early in the year, but the Packers have 2 games and a tie-breaker in hand over the team expected to challenge for the best record in the conference.
Last week's win over the Bears was vital, but it didn't feel like this game. This game had a hint of the taste of future playoffs.
Why is it important? The best record in the NFC gets home field for all playoff games before the Super Bowl.
It may be September, but Green Bay can't wait to welcome teams to the Frozen Tundra in January.
Go Pack!
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