[In the spirit of the season, I couldn't resist one of my all-time favorite Packer game screen captures. Oh, this guy!]

A short edition today; I’m writing this article in the couple days before Christmas, and as I’m sure you all are experiencing all too well, there’s a lot to do to get ready! 

This year, the Backes family is once again hosting gatherings on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and with young kids also in the picture, there are a whole lot of plates to balance. However, I feel like I enjoy Christmas in my 30s (and late 30s now) more than I did in my 20s; having kids around really brings the holiday to life. 

While my mind is primarily on wrapping the last couple remaining presents and making sure I get the floors cleaned, I’m also, of course, still reflecting on the absolute disaster that was the final several minutes of the Packers’ debacle in Chicago.

I happened to have some friends over that evening to watch the game, and as soon as the Bears recovered that onside kick, we all knew what was going to happen. Heck, I believe we all watched the NFC Championship game against Seattle together all those years ago. 

On paper, this is not as bad of a loss as the game against the Browns. It came against a better opponent with many of the Packers’ most critical players sidelined with injury. There is something to the idea that the Packers could and should have won the game while basically playing their JV squad, and that’s not nothing.

But of course, games aren’t played on paper. This was against the Chicago freaking Bears, and that makes it fifty times worse than the Browns game, especially considering the stakes: possible control of the NFC North.

Now, that being said, I’m not entirely sold on the Bears actually being NFC North champions. Consider the teams’ remaining schedules.

The Packers play at home against a Lamar-less Ravens, and go on the road against a Vikings team that already has no quarterback, but will likely be without JJ McCarthy. 

The Bears play on the road against a hot 49ers team (who actually has their starting quarterback) and finish against a hungry Lions team that, regardless of whether they’re still in the running for a playoff spot at that point, always are keyed up and would love nothing more than to play spoiler.

It is not remotely out of the question that the Packers win out and the Bears lose out, resulting in the Packers earning the division and second seed anyway.

But no matter what happens, the Packers and Bears are almost certainly destined to play again in the first week of the playoffs. And if you think these first two games were intense… hoo, boy. The first matchup of the year featured players flying around and hitting each other. The second matchup got more personal and intense and occasionally dirty. The third… there will be carnage.

With it being Christmas, I’m not particularly interested in rehashing what happened at the end of that game, casting blame, or calling for jobs. That’s been done enough this week already, and I’m sure you’re as sick of it as I am by now. All I know is losing to the Bears is the worst… especially in that way. But the season isn’t over yet.

My conviction remains strong that this Packers team, even without Micah Parsons, is still capable of beating anyone in the league in any given week. Of course, if players continue to drop like flies, that feeling might change. But in the absence of any truly great teams this season, why not Green Bay?

They’re going to have to be more consistent. They’re going to have to take advantage of red zone opportunities. They’re going to have to keep their heads and not lose the game in critical situations. 

The chances are certainly much greater that they will not make a deep run. But I don’t know. Maybe it’s the generosity of the holidays rubbing off on me, but I think this team still has a little bit of spark left, and they could surprise us.

Anyway, a very merry Christmas to you and yours. Enjoy the day – and the Netflix football games! My kids are excited for the KPop Demon Hunters halftime show.

Wisconsin Beer of the Week

With it being a holiday and all, I’m going to forgo the typical Wisconsin Beer of the Week in favor of something a bit more festive and resembling what I will likely be drinking by the time you’re reading this. It’s a quick look at the must-have beverages on Christmas Day.

• Mimosas: A great morning drink and an easy way to celebrate on Christmas morning without having to do a ton of mixology. Some champagne and some splashes of OJ and you’re all set to go.
• Cherry bounce: We’ve had some cherry bounce prepping in jars for a few months now and will be unsealing the first one this evening. For those who are unfamiliar, basically you take fresh cherries and infuse them with sugar and a base liquor (we use brandy). It’s super super easy and results in a great beverage. You can have it on the rocks or use it in cocktails, such as…
• Brandy old fashioned: I mean, it’s a Wisconsin staple. And it actually works quite well with the cherry bounce. But if you’d prefer to make it the “old fashioned” way, here’s how I do mine: muddle cocktail cherries and navel oranges in a glass and add in ice. Pour in a couple fingers of brandy, a few dashes of angostura bitters, a couple spoonfuls of the cherry juice, and some sprite or 7Up. Everyone has their own style, but that’s how I was taught.
• Brandy slush: I made a big ol’ container of brandy slush for Thanksgiving, and we still have a little bit left. Basically you make a bunch of black tea, add in thawed lemonade and orange juice concentrates, then pour in some brandy, mix it all together, and let it freeze. Then, with an ice cream scoop, put a few scoops into a glass and top with a white soda. 
• Brandy Alexander: If you’ve never been to Wisconsin before, you’re probably wondering what the deal is with all this brandy. If you HAVE (or live here), then you’re probably nodding your head along with all this. My favorite post-meal beverage at a Supper Club, the Brandy Alexander is deliciously sweet with a little bit of underlying warmth, and it’s a great holiday addition.

What’s your go-to holiday beverage?

Around the NFC North

As always, it’s time to go around the NFC North. 

• The CHICAGO BEARS are a good team, and that shouldn’t be understated. They’ve also been lucky enough this year to catch good teams with backup quarterbacks. They face perhaps their stiffest test of the season against San Francisco, and with a tough two games remaining, they still need to win at least one to be the NFC North champions. The pressure is on; how much more magic does Ben Johnson have up his sleeve?

• The DETROIT LIONS dealt themselves a major blow to their playoff chances with a home loss to Pittsburgh, and now their likeliest top ambition is to play spoiler against Chicago in the final week of the regular season. But given events of the not too distant past, you know Dan Campbell is going to have his guys ready to do exactly that.

• The MINNESOTA VIKINGS once again find themselves without JJ McCarthy, and now the remainder of the season is simply about going through the motions. What path will the team take this offseason with its roster construction and with the quarterback position? It’s got to be difficult for them to feel good about pretty much anything they accomplished this season, so there is a long, dark offseason that lies ahead.

Mr. Backes’s “This or That”

Every day I put a different “this or that” poll up on my whiteboard and have students leave tallies throughout the day. I then compile this information and post it here for laughs. However, this week we’re out all week (and next) on Winter Break. There’s only two updates to report from the end of last week:

• Muppet Christmas Carol defeated Mickey Christmas Carol
• Chill winter break defeated busy winter break

Week 17 NFL Picks

Even if Jordan Love is out, so is Lamar Jackson. I like the Packers B team at home against the Ravens B team. 

Packers 27, Ravens 17

THE REST:

COWBOYS over Commanders

LIONS over Vikings

BRONCOS over Chiefs

CHARGERS over Texans

PACKERS over Ravens

BUCS over Dolphins

PATRIOTS over Jets

STEELERS over Browns

JAGUARS over Colts

TITANS over Saints

SEAHAWKS over Panthers

BENGALS over Cardinals

GIANTS over Raiders

BILLS over Eagles

49ERS over Bears

RAMS over Falcons