by Packerlifer, Packer Addict Contributor

Are the Packers a playoff caliber team this year and could they do anything respectable if they do make them?

We know the Pack can beat the Browns, the Lions, the Rams. But they haven’t won yet this season against a team with a winning record. And the “weak sisters” part of the schedule is done now.

If the Packers are going to return to postseason qualification in ‘09, they’ll need to be at least 7-3 going in to Thanksgiving Day at Detroit. A 10-6 record will be the minimum necessary to make the playoffs and the schedule after that looks unlikely to provide too many opportunities to try coming from further behind.

The Packers have to start winning against good teams and they’ll have 3 of those coming up, with a road game at down but still unpredictable and dangerous Tampa Bay in the next stretch.

At least the good teams on the schedule will all be coming in to Lambeau. If the Packers are going to reestablish their once vaunted “home field advantage” this will be the time to do it.

The game this Sunday with Minnesota is essentially for the division this season. Green Bay is only down 1 in the loss column but suffering their first sweep in this rivalry in 11 years could be fatal.

They can stay further in the wild card chase and will have to win vs. Dallas & San Fran. to secure their positioning in that.

Last year the Packers were 5-5 after 10 games and then fell out with that frustrating 5 game losing streak of close, late losses.

So in a sense the Packers’ playoffs are starting this month. The playoffs to make the playoffs.