The Packers desperately needed a win versus one of the hottest teams in the NFC yesterday, and they got it. With Charles Woodson leading an inspired defense the Packers walked out of Lambeau with a 17-7 win, keeping their playoff hopes alive.

With the win the Packers find themselves in a tie with the Eagles, Falcons, and Giants for the one of the last two spots in the NFC. If the season ended today the Packers would still be on the outside looking in, but they are now just one game behind both the Cowboys and the Cardinals for the third seed in the NFC playoffs.

With seven weeks to go the Packers schedule shapes up in their favor, and if the defense can play they way they did yesterday, it appears there could be good things on the horizon for Green Bay. Two winnable games are in front of them with the 49ers coming to Lambeau next week and then a date with the Lions the following week in Detroit.

This big win put the Packers back in the hunt, albeit with a lot of work to do and with many of their issues still unsolved. Despite the victory, Aaron Rodgers was sacked four more times and countless penalties (12 for 100 yards) set them back all too often.

Instead of letting those mistakes get to them, the Packers played more solid run defense and suffocating coverage by Woodson and Al Harris allowed the Packers to come away with a win and nearly a shutout. They are now 5th in the NFL in run defense, allowing just 93-yards per game and they have allowed only three rushing touchdowns on the season.

While the switch to the 3-4 was in question before the season, it appears that the Packers have grown accustom to it much faster than people may have anticipated. Green Bay now ranks 5th in the NFL in overall yards allowed and 6th in passing yards allowed.

The Packers are also second in the league in 3rd down defense, allowing a first down just 33% of the time. They are also a +10 in the turnover department, good for 2nd in the NFL behind only the Eagles who are a +11.

There is a lot to like about this Packer defense, despite consecutive 38 point outings the in weeks eight and nine. It's funny how quickly attitudes can shift in the NFL. One week you can be down and out, the next you can envision the post-season.

I'm still not convinced that this Packer team is a post-season contender, but they very well could be a participant.

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