When Laurence Tynes’ game-winning 47-yard field in overtime sailed through the Lambeau Field uprights in the NFC Championship on Jan. 20, Green Bay Packers fans were left shocked and very disappointed.

As one of the legendary franchise’s many dedicated fans, and not one of these bandwagon hoppers that only pay attention when they’re deep in the playoffs, the extreme pain felt will not go away anytime soon.

It’s not everyday that you get to play the NFC Championship for a shot at the Super Bowl on your home field against a wild card team. As fans poured out of the stadium on that eerie bitter cold night, you could hear a pin drop in the parking lot of Lambeau.

But hats off to the New York Giants. They played a hell of a game and deserved to win.

But the Pack did have a hell of a year and that should not be forgotten.

Projections ranged from the pessimistic 6-10s to the optimistic 10-6. Everyone crowned the Bears the North Division champs before the season, except the Green Bay organization and perhaps Dennis Green.

No one saw coming what would happen next for the NFL’s youngest team: a 13-3 regular season record, a division title, first round bye and a memorable playoff win against postseason-tested Seattle in a Wisconsin blizzard.

To wrap up the season, here’s a list of several raves and a few rants for the 2007 Packers.

Rave: Brett Favre. Just when everybody thought the 38-year-old was well past his prime after two substandard seasons, Favre responded with one of his best statistical years, including a career high 66.5 percent completion rate and lowered his interceptions to 15. Along the way, he broke NFL career quarterbacks records for yards, touchdowns and wins. He was also the perfect influence on the young team.

Rave: Mark Tauscher and Chad Clifton. The two eighth-year tackles continue to be unheralded. However, they’re the major reason why Favre was sacked just 19 times.

Rave: The “Big 5”. Green Bay’s receiving core was outstanding in racking up yards-after-the-catch. Donald Driver is back in the Pro Bowl and Greg Jennings caught 12 total touchdowns. James Jones, Ruvell Martin and Koren Robinson threw in contributions.

Rant: Getting swept by Chicago. They’re the Pack’s biggest rival, but in 2007 Chicago won both games despite going just 7-9. If the Pack wants to control the North next year, they’ll have to play better against Brian Urlacher and company.

Rave: Ryan Grant. At the end of training camp, General Manager Ted Thompson sent away a sixth-round draft choice. Grant didn’t find the lineup until the seventh game, and once he did he lead the NFL in rushing yards from that point on. His 201 yard, three touchdown performance after losing two fumbles against Seattle etched him a spot in Packers playoff history.

Rave: Aaron Kampman and Ryan Pickett. These two align to the strong side of the formation and anchored a defensive line that played well for the majority of the year.

Rant: Nick Collins. The third-year safety does not look to be improving. While his safety-mate Atari Bigby improved late in the year, Collins was inconsistent. Aaron Rouse could battle him for his job in 2008.

Rave: Charles Woodson and Al Harris. Harris did get beat around badly by Plaxico Burress in the championship, but all-in-all had a good year and is headed to Hawaii. Woodson consistently shut down number two receivers.

Rant: Inconsistent Guard Play. Daryn Colledge improved later in the year, but his two years in the NFL have been a roller coaster. Jason Spitz is the best of the group and played well. Junius Coston is constantly injured.

Rave: The Special Teams. Wins against Philadelphia, Oakland and St. Louis can be attributed to dominant specials teams. Kicker Mason Crosby was solid, and when healthy, Will Blackmon added a big-time dimension to the return game.

Rant: Cold-Weather Blues. Green Bay struggled badly in their two coldest weather games they’ve faced in quite some time. Somehow, they’ve got to shore that up.

Rave: Road Warriors. Green Bay went 6-2 on the road after going 5-3 in 2006.

Rave: Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy. Both faced heavy criticism entering the year, but both exited the season with contract extensions. There has been a tremendous youth movement in Green Bay and fans have a lot to look forward to, primarily because of the work of these two.

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