The Vikings are not a great team, but winning in the Metrodome with three rookie offensive linemen finishing the game is a significant accomplishment. At 4-5, the Packers have thrust themselves into the Wild Card picture in the mediocre, sorry, parity-filled NFC. There are currently three teams in the NFC with 5-4 records -- Philadelphia, Dallas and Atlanta. Carolina has a chance to join them with a victory over Tampa Bay on "Monday Night Football."
The Packers have yet to beat a team with a winning record this season, but they'll have chances the next two weeks against New England and Seattle. Are the Packers for real? We'll know a whole lot more by the end of November. While the next two games will be serious tests, neither of those opponents is unbeatable. In fact, the Packers are catching the Patriots on a two-game skid. Then again, even if the Packers lose to the Patriots and Seahawks and drop to 4-7, they're likely to still be in contention in this crazy and unpredictable season.
Donald Driver's 191-yard performance against Minnesota was a career best, but it did not threaten the Packers' record for receiving yards in a game. There have been 10 200-yard games by Packers receivers. Billy Howton holds the record of 257 receiving yards against the Los Angeles Rams on October 21,1956.
Amazingly, he accomplished the feat on just seven receptions, an average of over 36 yards per catch. Howton also had a 200-yard game against the Rams in 1952. Don Hutson hit the 200-yard mark four times, the highest being a 237-yard day against Brooklyn in 1943.
In the modern era, Don Beebe caught 11 passes for 220 yards on a Monday night against San Francisco in 1996 at Lambeau Field. James Lofton caught 11 passes for 206 yards in the snow of Denver on a Monday night in 1984. Carroll Dale had six catches for 205 yards against Detroit in 1968 and Javon Walker had 11 catches for 200 yards in a loss at Indianapolis in 2004.
Dennis Krause joined OnMilwaukee.com as a contributor on June 16, 2006. He is a two-time Wisconsin Sportscaster of the Year and a regional Emmy-award winner. Dennis has been the color analyst on home games for the Milwaukee Bucks Radio Network for the last 10 years. He has also been involved with the Green Bay Packers Radio Network for 16 years and is currently the host of the "Packers Game Day" pre-game show.
Dennis started his broadcasting career as a radio air personality in the Fox Valley and Milwaukee.
He spent three years as a sportscaster at WMBD radio and television in Peoria, Illinois before joining WTMJ-TV in Milwaukee in 1987 as a weekend sports anchor. Dennis spent 16 years at Channel 4, serving as its Sports Director and 5 and 6 pm sports anchor from 1994-2003.
Dennis grew up in Hartford, Wisconsin and attended UW-Oshkosh. He lives in Thiensville with his wife and two children. He serves as the Community Resource Director for the Mequon-Thiensville School District.
