The loss at Dallas halted the momentum they had built with a five-game winning streak, but the schedule in December certainly gives Green Bay an opportunity to hold on to the second seed and create a full head of steam going into the post-season.

When Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson hired Mike McCarthy to be the franchise’s 14th head coach in January of 2006, many fans’ anxiety levels only grew, including that of this humble columnist.

Green Bay had just finished up its first losing campaign since 1991 by completing the 2005 season at 4-12, costing then-coach Mike Sherman his job. Plus, McCarthy was the offensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers, the team that finished dead last in offense.

With a coaching change and not much optimism for 2006, it seemed quarterback Brett Favre was ready to call it a career after 15 tremendous seasons.

So there was obstacle number one: Convince Favre to return.

McCarthy sold Favre on how much his leadership would be needed and how Favre would get his own stamp on the offense. It took until late April of that offseason, but Favre came back.

Obstacle number two stemmed from a shocking 38-10 home loss to the New York Jets at Lambeau Field a year ago, leaving the Packers at 4-8 in McCarthy’s rookie season. The locker room could have fallen apart, but McCarthy rallied with a win out in San Francisco that kick-started a four-game winning streak to end the season at 8-8.

When it looked like fielding the league’s youngest team with virtually no running game would be a barrier for having success this season, McCarthy has responded by devising excellent game plans (with the exception of the Dallas game).

Youth has turned into gold as Green Bay sits at 10-2 and atop the NFC North.

But now, McCarthy’s new focal point will be on finishing the regular season strong to set up a sustained post-season run.

His 10-4 record on the road will be put to the test with potential landmine visits to St. Louis and Chicago.

The Packers will need help to overtake Dallas for home-field advantage in the NFC playoffs, but still sit well for the NFC’s second seed and a first-round bye. Green Bay needs to continue to get healthy and find a “second wind.”

The loss at Dallas halted the momentum they had built with a five-game winning streak, but the schedule in December certainly gives Green Bay an opportunity to hold on to the second seed and create a full head of steam going into the post-season.

A lot of the improvement process has to do with coaching. McCarthy seems to have his team ascending each week. It should also be noted that McCarthy and defensive coordinator Bob Sanders appear not to have shown much of their respective playbooks yet. We may see more of their full arsenals come January.

McCarthy’s 18-10 career record is the best 28-game start in franchise history. That’s right – better than Mike Holmgren, Curly Lambeau and Vince Lombardi. But in a city with a nickname like that of Titletown, McCarthy will be judged on his post-season results.

We’ll see what he can do.

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