The Packers are in the playoffs.

The ticket was punched with a solid, workmanlike and thoroughly impressive 38-7 thrashing of Oakland on Sunday afternoon at Lambeau Field.

Since the game-time temperature was 18 degrees, we offer the following 18 observations:

1. There still is work to be done if the Packers want to secure the No. 2 seeding and a first-round bye. Seattle is 9-4, but Green Bay needs to win two of its remaining three games in order to wrap up the bye.

2. The stars of the game for the Packers were defensive back / punt returner Will Blackmon, running back Ryan Grant and general manager Ted Thompson -- not necessarily in that order. Blackmon, who scored on a punt return and a fumble recovery, was sidelined by broken foot earlier this season but Thompson listened to the medical staff and decided not to put him on injured reserve. The decision paid off. Thompson picked up Grant from New York for a sixth-round draft pick. The rookie out of Notre Dame reeled off another 100-yard game and has a chance to reach 1,000 rushing yards for the season.

3. Blackmon was the first player to score a touchdown on a punt return and fumble recovery in the same game since Cincinnati's Lemar Parrish had a 90-yard punt return and 47-yard fumble return TD against the Redskins on Oct. 6, 1974.

4. It wasn't shocking that Brett Favre started, because the guy makes Superman look like a pencil-neck. Favre took a few shots, but the Packers clearly wanted to protect him. They didn't run a lot of five-receiver sets and were able to run the ball effectively, which is important in cold weather.

5. Packers first-round pick Justin Harrell was on the field for extensive action Sunday. He was credited with three assists. He would have had a pass deflection, but it was wiped out by a penalty - his own. Harrell steamrolled guard Robert Gallery, tipped the pass and was flagged for roughing Josh McCown.

6. The Packers have to be a little concerned about Mason Crosby's mental state. In his first taste of frigid weather, the rookie kicker missed badly from 43 and 52 yards. Crosby has the leg strength to be a standout in the league, but his confidence could be wavering. Two factors to consider: Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski missed from 44 yards; and, the Packers coaching staff continues to publicly support Crosby.

7. He's more meat and potatoes than flash and dash, but CBS announcer Kevin Harlan did a solid job Sunday. Harlan is particularly good at keeping track of injuries, substitutions and strategy. But, he did have one somewhat annoying tick. When a guy is in the middle of an exciting play, we don't need to hear what college he went to or when he was drafted. It's like Harlan committed the media guide to memory and doesn't want to leave of the info in the holster.

8. The Raiders looked like the league's 30th-ranked rushing defense. The Packers did not look like the 30th-ranked rushing offense. Green Bay didn't have to throw a lot, but Oakland's secondary looked hideous. 9. Middle linebacker Nick Barnett got poked in the eye and has a scratched cornea, but the Packers' biggest injury concern for the next week will be Chad Clifton's shoulder. Clifton has been a rock this season.

10. Packers safety Nick Collins, who has come under fire (with good reason) this season, turned in his best game Sunday. His best moment may have come when he tackled Justin Fargas for a two-yard loss on 4th and 1 from the Green Bay 47.

11. The Packers' defense put the clamps on Fargas, who had been one of the hotter running backs in the league. Fargas gained 57 yards on 15 carries.

12. Look for Favre to set another record next week. He needs 84 passing yards to surpass Dan Marino's NFL record of 61,361.

13. By the end of the game, Favre was wearing a new "NFC North Division Champions" hat. The design on the hat was simple and classy. I still cringe when I see those ugly, saxophone-adorned Super Bowl XXXI hats from New Orleans.

14. Jason Hunter deserves credit for stripping the ball from Tim Dwight to set up Blackmon's recovery / touchdown.

15. Referee Ed Hochuli gets a lot of attention for his huge biceps, but he also runs a great game. He's quick with replays and descriptive in his explanations.

16. Oakland punter Shane Lechler had kicked 574 times without seeing one of his howitzers returned for a score. That streak ended Sunday.

17. Packers receiver Greg Jennings has caught 11 touchdown passes this season.

18. Cullen Jenkins owes Atari Bigby a steak dinner. Bigby returned an interception for a touchdown, but the play was called back because Jenkins crushed McCown on the play. You can't blast quarterbacks after interception. Jenkins should have known that.