The Packers have lost four of their last seven games at Lambeau Field, including the last visit by the Bears.
So it is no longer such an unfriendly place to play.
Question–You mean the Bears have a chance to win?
Answer–Let’s not jump to conclusions.
Q–Why are the Packers struggling?
A–They haven’t scheduled enough games against the Arizona Cardinals. And they haven’t played the Bears yet. Compared with the Bears, the Packers are riding high with a two-game winning streak.
Q–Doesn’t Brett Favre still play for them?
A–Yes, but he’s not exactly the same Brett Favre.
Q–Why not?
A–For one thing, he’s throwing to people and handing off to people you never heard of, sort of like Mick Jagger playing with a house band.
Q–Aren’t they tearing down Lambeau?
A–That’s County Stadium in Milwaukee, where the Packers used to play.
Q–Didn’t Packer fans just vote to build a new stadium?
A–Renovate is the word. They reluctantly voted to add a half-cent to their sales tax in Brown County to upgrade the most famous building in town.
Q–Does John Thierry play for the Packers now?
A–Yes, he’s a defensive end, the position he wouldn’t play for Dave Wannstedt and only reluctantly played for the Cleveland Browns.
Q–How’s he doing?
A–Very well, thank you. The No. 1 draft choices of the Bears–Thierry, Trace Armstrong and Alonzo Spellman–have 91/2 sacks among them playing outside of Chicago. Meanwhile, the whole Bears team has eight sacks.
Q–Is the Packers’ defense suspect?
A–It was supposed to be, but it is currently ranked fifth in the league, thanks in part to feasting on young quarterbacks such as Donovan McNabb and Jake Plummer the last two weeks.
Q–Are they looking forward to playing Cade McNown?
A–They are sending a Porsche to Chicago to pick him up.
Q–Who is coaching the Packers this year?
A–Mike Sherman.
Q–Wasn’t he Mike Holmgren’s offensive coordinator?
A–That was Sherman Lewis. He didn’t get the job. Mike Sherman was Holmgren’s former tight ends coach.
Q–What are his qualifications to be a head coach?
A–As a kid, he read books by Vince Lombardi. But what really helped prepare him for handling NFL athletes, Sherman said, was teaching the seventh grade. “There is no greater challenge in the world,” he said, “than trying to teach `To Kill a Mockingbird’ to 7th-graders.”
Q–Harder than teaching Packers to pick on Bears?
A–These days, easily.
DON PIERSON’S NFL RANKINGS
1. Rams–They’re averaging 40; you have to score 50 to beat them.
2. Colts–Looked great in Monday romp over Jaguars.
3. Titans–Struggled in Pittsburgh; battling injuries.
4. Vikings–Moving up, with Lions and Bucs next on list.
5. Jets–Something good is happening for Al Groh.
6. Buccaneers–Big letdown at home suggests complacency.
7. Jaguars–Couldn’t stay on same field with Colts.
8. Dolphins–Dave and Trace getting last laughs.
9. Bills–Looking for bounce-back game against Colts.
10. Ravens–They believe they can steal the AFC Central.
11. Lions–Hard to tell if they’re as good as their record.
12. Giants–Home loss to Washington disappointing.
13. Broncos–Their fortunes rest on Griese’s shaky shoulder.
14. Raiders–They have started fast before and faded.
15. Redskins–They’re 2-2, and the schedule gets tougher.
16. Chiefs–Elvis hopes to perform on Monday night.
17. Falcons–Can only hope to stay close to Rams.
18. Panthers–Must beat Dallas at home to stay in it.
19. Seahawks–Kitna vs. Grbac has no ring to it yet.
20. Packers–Coming off best game, Pack shows life.
21. Eagles–McNabb gets Sunday night forum vs. Falcons.
22. 49ers–Mariucci asserts himself; Garcia effective.
23. Browns–Facing old Browns in upstart Ravens.
24. Cowboys–They appear headed for disaster.
25. Patriots–The best 0-4 team in football.
26. BEARS–Have won once in September since 1996.
27. Saints–0-2 at home is not a good start; see Bears.
28. Cardinals–Looked awful against Packers at home.
29. Chargers–Eight interceptions lead league.
30. Steelers–Bad enough without refs picking on them.
31. Bengals–Dick LeBeau tries to rally the troops.
