Today, I was unable to keep track of the game.  I was at a family function of my girlfriend's, which (for better or for worse) kept me from monitoring the game.  But that doesn't mean that it's far from my thoughts.  In fact, I was often distant and caught not paying attention, because I was wondering whether Green Bay's defense could contain Michael Turner and expose Matt Ryan for the raw rookie quarterback that he is.  I was constantly dreaming about Ryan Grant finally breaking the century mark and the offense operating smoothly and efficiently.  I was dreaming of what should have been a Packers' win.

Then I woke up, which conveniently coincided with me regaining access to a computer.

Here are my reactions:

•  
•  
•  
• YOU JUST LOST TO FREAKIN' ATLANTA!!!!!!
• ::assaults a pillow::

Seriously, guys?!  Atlanta?!  They haven't been decent since Mike Vick went to jail.  They have three players that are worth their salt: Michael Turner, Keith Brooking, and Roddy White.  Yes, Sam Baker, Matt Ryan, and the rest of the young ones have potential to develop into solid players.  BUT NOT IN WEEK 5 OF THEIR FIRST NFL SEASON!!!!  ESPECIALLY NOT AGAINST ONE OF THE QUOTE-UNQUOTE BEST TEAMS IN THE LEAGUE!!!!!!

How did I not see this coming?  This season has been rife with warnings.  The Minnesota game?  Penalties negated any advantage we had and made the game far too close.  Detroit?  The Motor City Kitties retook the lead in the fourth quarter before Charles Woodson got his hero-of-the-universe on.

Everyone said that the Dallas loss was to be expected: the Packers couldn't match up with them yet.  Ok, fine, 2-1, whatever.  Then the Tampa loss came around, and people started getting a bit nervous.  At least until it was explained that Tampa was a solid team that made the playoffs last year with a rejuvinated defense and the Packers had injury problems and blah, blah, blah.  (Yes, I realize I was one of these explaining people I am ripping into.)

Now, I come home, and I find that we lost to Hotlanta, a team that hasn't deserved serious consideration since Jamal Anderson and his Dirty Bird dance were trounced by Denver in the '99 Super Bowl.  How, oh how, did this happen?

It's not Aaron Rodgers' fault: he posted a decent stat line of 25/37 for 313 yards, 3 TD's and 1 pick.  He also completed passes to 8 different recievers (including Greg Jennings (4 catches, 87 yards, 1 TD) and his bid for recognition as a top-5 WR) and only took 2 sacks.  All in all, an impressive day from someone with a serious shoulder injury.  But if we can't blame the quarterback, who's left to blame?

Who else?  The impotent offensive line and the seive of a defense that remains after everybody except Aaron Kampman and Nick Barnett got hurt.  Ryan Grant almost reached mediocrity with a showing of 18 rushes for 83 yards, surprisingly, an average of 4.6 YPC.  So the running game wasn't THAT bad.  But 9 penalties for 97 yards?!  I'm sure that killed more than a few drives. 

And the defense!  You just allowed Michael Turner, a back that posted 100+ yard games against Detroit and Kansas City, to make you worthy of mention as one of the biggest defensive disappointments in the league!  You made Matt friggin' Ryan look like he was back at BC and playing the field general!

I could go on and on and on (as I'm sure I already have).  But the point is that the 2-2 Packers are now 2-3.  That's not gonna make you famous.