As we struggle through the weekend without any pro football that we care about, we do need to come up with an answer to the question: Just How Big Is The Game Monday night?
That is the night, of course that the Packers, led by Aaron Rodgers, will play the Minnesota Vikings, led by Brett Favre.
Lord knows, the media is treating this like a huge deal. And, on many levels, I suspect the players and coaches are treating this like a big deal.
But what about us, the average fans? The people who went to the Ice Bowl, who claim to have gone to the Ice Bowl, who wanted to go to the Ice Bowl. How big a game is this for all of us?
Lawyers say that you should never ask a question to which you don't know the answer. Well, this is one of those. I don't know how big a game it is.
On one hand, of course, I want the Packers to win. I always want the Packers to win, especially when they are playing the Vikings or the Bears. The days of fall and winter are always much brighter when my favorite football team is playing well and winning games.
On the other hand (there is always an other hand), I love Brett Favre. He may be my favorite Packers player of all time. James Lofton, Jim Carter and Greg Koch have been my favorites for years, but Favre eclipses even them. I rooted for him last year with the Jets. I loved it last week, when he threw that last second dart to win the game for Minnesota.
To say I'm conflicted puts me in the boat with, I suspect, lots of other people. The Packers could win and Favre could be outplayed. Favre could be brilliant and the Vikings could win. Favre could play great and Green Bay could still win. The permutations seem endless.
And what's worst of all is I don't know how to decide what I'm rooting for. I don't have a process for this. I can't make up my mind.
The only thing I do know is that it's a big game. A big, big game. This is important, for a lot of reasons. It's not a Super Bowl, but it's close. I just hope I'm not the only one who can't decide who to cheer for. I'd hate to think there were lots of other people who are just as miserable as I am.
With a history in Milwaukee stretching back decades, Dave tries to bring a unique perspective to his writing, whether it's sports, politics, theater or any other issue.
He's seen Milwaukee grow, suffer pangs of growth, strive for success and has been involved in many efforts to both shape and re-shape the city. He's a happy man, now that he's quit playing golf, and enjoys music, his children and grandchildren and the myriad of sports in this state. He loves great food and hates bullies and people who think they are smarter than everyone else.
This whole Internet thing continues to baffle him, but he's willing to play the game as long as OnMilwaukee.com keeps lending him a helping hand. He is constantly amazed that just a few dedicated people can provide so much news and information to a hungry public.
Despite some opinions to the contrary, Dave likes most stuff. But he is a skeptic who constantly wonders about the world around him. So many questions, so few answers.
