This is a confusing time to be a sports fan in Wisconsin.

With two weeks left in the season, the Brewers are a game out of first place in the National League Central. They can practically taste their first playoff berth in 25 years and many fans -- when they aren't calling for the manager to be fired or a reliever to be released -- approach each game with a "What's going to go wrong today?" attitude. Euphoria and joy really can't take root, because too much of the hard drive is crowded with thoughts of worry and dread.

Many Packers fans can relate to that feeling.

Two weeks into their regular season, the Packers are 2-0 for the first time since 2001. They have upended two favored conference opponents, Philadelphia in the home opener and a 35-13 victory over the New York Giants Sunday afternoon at the Meadowlands.

Despite the surprising start by their heroes, who have won six in a row dating to last season, Packers fans are worried about the lack of a consistent running game, the somewhat sporadic play by the defense and still lamenting the selection of first-round selection of University of Tennessee defensive tackle Justin Harrell, who was inactive for the second straight week.

With only 12 percent of the season complete, it's too early to start planning playoff parties. There are some legitimate causes for concern in Lambeauland, but there are also some reasons to be optimistic.

Here is a look at some of the arguments on both sides of the optimism / pessimism argument:

Optimism: Brett Favre can still bring the goods. With his 38th birthday approaching next month, Favre still buys enough time to make throws. It's hard to imagine him playing better than he did in the second half on Sunday, when he became the winningest quarterback in NFL history.

Pessimism: The Giants' defense is pretty bad. The guys up front are OK, but secondary is mistake-prone and the linebackers are stiffs. It's hard to read too much into a victory over that outfit.

Optimism: DeShawn Wynn is looking like a seventh-round steal. He gained 50 yards in 10 carries, including a 38-yard touchdown on a draw play in the fourth quarter. He could be carving out a bigger role in the running game.

Pessimism: Wynn looks good in spurts, but he isn't quick enough to be an every-down back. Brandon Jackson doesn't look like he has great instincts. The Packers need Vernand Morency back, but even he won't make a huge difference if the guards don't start playing better. Daryn Colledge and Junius Coston were ineffective for much of the afternoon. The line play has to get better and the backs haven't to improve, too.

Optimism: Favre has rediscovered his tight ends. When you aren't running the ball effectively, life in the West Coast offense can get tough. Throwing to the tight ends can help, though. Favre hit Bubba Franks and Donald Lee with scoring strikes. Franks, a forgotten man last year, needs to have an impact to take pressure off Donald Driver and the wide receivers.

Pessimism: Punter Jon Ryan has looked shaky at times this season. The Packers are playing a field-position game and they need Ryan to boom the ball the way he did last season.

Optimism: The rest of the Packers special teams have definitely improved. Tramon Williams was a force in the return game, Tracy White and Charlie Peprah forced a fumble; the third in two games for a unit that had one the previous two years.

Pessimism: The Packers will be overmatched next week by the Chargers, who played a tough opener against the Bears and were routed by the Patriots on "Sunday Night Football."

Optimism: The Chargers are talented, sure, but they'll be under duress because of their crummy start. Following a cross-country flight with a trip to Green Bay is not an easy hitch.

Even if the Packers lose next week, they won't have to dig out of a 1-4 start as they have in recent years.

There are some rough spots that need smoothing, but the NFL doesn't award style points. Victories in September count as much as those in the waning weeks of the season. Picking up two of them against conference foes can only help with potential tiebreakers.

The fact that the Packers have the youngest roster in the league bodes well for their future -- both in the next 14 weeks and beyond.