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I’m not a doomsday type of guy. A “sky is falling” existence is a really stressful way to take on the world, especially the world of sports fanaticism. But I’m also not blindly glass-half-full. So while Monday night’s loss to the Bears in Chicago by no means spells disaster in my eyes, I am concerned. That was not the performance of a championship caliber team. And I guess that’s what’s truly frosting my cookies today.

Are we a championship caliber team? I’m getting really tired of asking that question. I’m even more exhausted from my team failing to resolve the issue.

I think we’re crazy talented. I think we’re well coached. I think we’re plenty prepared. I think we’ve got a very good shot to get to Dallas in a wide open NFC.

I also thought Milli Vanilli was for real.

Thinking means jack when the doing is…well…that. And the most concerning matter is the team trending. Every team falls victim to a bad day. But the penalties, the drops, the special teams gaffs, the sideline mismanagement – these are legitimate, traceable trends over multiple seasons.

So I guess the real question is this: Are the trends the ailments, or are they merely symptoms of a greater disease?

We’re going to take to the field on Sunday and we’re going to beat the visiting Detroit Lions. And then, at the presser, we’re going to hear how encouraged we should be by the team’s 3-1 start through the first quarter. And yet, to date, I’m not encouraged by the team effort of my 2010 Green Bay Packers. And I’m downright fearful of taking this team on the road to Washington, New York, Minnesota, Atlanta, and New England.

Of course, winning on the road is a luxury. Take care of your Lambeau Field business, toss a handful of roadies into the mix, and you’re lookin’ pretty good in January. But it’s not as though Miami, Minnesota, Dallas, and Chicago are going to roll over on our home turf.

Many things are very good over at 1265. And to answer my own question – I think the trends are the sickness. I think they are reparable and I think this team is of championship caliber. But Sunday marks the end of the first quarter. It’s no longer “early.” There are a precious 16 opportunities to come together and to be special.

I don’t plan to win ‘em all. But I do expect to handle the lesser opponent on game day.  So before this situation gets completely out of hand, I urge the team to invoke the problem solving expertise of consultant Oscar Rogers: