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Packers Melt in Monday Night TV Lights

The Green Bay Packers is the youngest team in the NFL. Take 36 year-old quarterback Brett Favre out of the lineup and they are even younger. But take Brett Favre out in the fourth quarter with a minor head injury with the Packers trailing the dominating Eagles and you can just as well turn off the TV. This is pretty much what happened Monday night in Philadelphia.

The young-legged Packers went into half-time with a two point lead, but finished the game a 1-3 team. Their opponents, the Philadelphia Eagles, exploded for 24 second half points in a 31-9 rout of the visiting team. Quarterback Donovan McNabb led the way with two touchdown passes and a pair of touchdown runs, the first time he rushed for two TDs in a single game in his career.

Green Bay has now lost nine straight in Philadelphia, beginning in 1962. Would this season continue for the Packers in this sign? This does not look like a winning season for them, not at all, but first half defensive plays, like recovered fumbles at their own 2 and 4 yard lines, were encouraging signs. For the young Packers, it looks like "next year" already sounds like a sweet promise four games into the season.