So, the battle at the Palace in Dallas is over and the Packers and their fans are licking their wounds.

Mike McCarthy gave his players four days off and they are coming back to work today. I also took four days off and am coming back to work today, following four days of thought, introspection and examination of the standings and the schedule.

Because I wonder about this team. I believed in them when they were 10-1. And I still believe in them now that they are 10-2, but I've got to admit I'm a little bit shaken.

I hated the way the special teams played, with Dallas always seeming to start in great field position because our kickoff coverage team was so awful. When your kicker makes tackles, you've got a big problem.

I am a little dismayed at Brett Favre's reversion to the "throw that sucker down the field" mentality. He hasn't said anything about it, and I'm sure he thought he saw coverages that he could exploit. But that's the same thing he thought when he threw all his interceptions.

I'm more than a little dismayed how the absence of just two players, KGB and Charles Woodson, can render what had been an outstanding defense almost toothless. And, I really wonder about our first round draft pick last year, whatever his name is.

But that's about it, really. I still have lots of faith in this team and a huge amount of faith in our quarterback. I even have some faith in the other quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, and that's a real surprise. I like the way our running game is closer to respectable. I think most of the guys on the offensive line are doing pretty good.

But, I'm now at the point where I'm wondering what is likely to happen. I'm checking stats and schedules. I'm doing a lot of what ifs. I'm trying to see what the chances are that the Packers get to the Super Bowl.

There are a couple of givens. Dallas and Green Bay win their divisions and have a bye in the first week of the playoffs. Right now, Dallas has a two-game lead over the Packers for best conference record, which is important in determining home-field advantage.

If the Packers win out, which is possible, Dallas would have to lose twice. The Cowboys play at Detroit, Philadelphia, at Carolina and at Washington. Finishing a season with three of four on the road is never easy, but unless something unusual happens, the Cowboys probably won't lose two of those games.

I think the other two division winners are going to be Seattle and Tampa Bay, who will host first round games. The two wild cards will mostly likely come from a group that includes the Giants, Eagles, Redskins and New Orleans.

I don't think Seattle loses a home playoff game, but Tampa Bay is vulnerable and could lose easily to one of those wild card teams.

What we will end up with, most likely, is the Packers heading back to Dallas for the NFC championship game.

You can call me stupid, or a big fan, but I like the Packers chances against the Cowboys, even if it's in Dallas. Deep down, I think Green Bay is a better team that the Cowboys. Whoever wins that game is going to have some things go right.

You have to be healthy. But you also need a good game plan and you need to be able to make adjustments on the fly. I think McCarthy is a better coach than Wade Phillips.

And in those categories, I think the Packers can take Dallas and make it to the Super Bowl for the dubious right to take on the New England Patriots. More on that later.