By Carl Bialik

The Green Bay Packers are five wins from the NFL’s second-ever 16-0 regular season — and the hardest part is over.

Green Bay traveled to Detroit for the Lions’ traditional Thanksgiving game and won easily, 27-15. The Packers’ next big challenges come on the country’s next two big holidays: They will host another division rival, the Chicago Bears, on Christmas Day, before finishing on New Year’s Day by hosting Detroit.

The three games Green Bay would have to win to improve to 14-0 aren’t gimmes — all come against playoff contenders — but those opponents’ playoff hopes and strengths looked more impressive at the season’s midpoint. The Giants, who host the Packers next weekend, have lost two straight and are slightly below average, according to Pro Football Reference’s Simple Rating System. Then Green Bay gets two teams from the AFC West, the NFL’s weakest division. Oakland is 6-4, but its last two wins were close against two losing teams, while the Chiefs have lost three straight and their SRS is second-worst in the league, despite their merely mediocre 4-6 record.

Then comes Chicago, and a potential letdown. If the Packers are 14-0, they likely will have clinched home-field advantage in the NFC playoffs. The only way that 15th game, against the 7-3 Bears, would be meaningful at that point would be if San Francisco wins its next three games. Those rooting for an undefeated season can blame Baltimore for that: The Ravens beat the Niners, 16-6, on Thanksgiving. Now the Niners will have to win two relatively easy division games, then beat Baltimore’s AFC North rival, Pittsburgh, to keep the pressure on Green Bay.

Whether or not Green Bay finishes 16-0, it has already become just the 10th team since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger to win its first 11 games. Remarkably, five of those teams have done so in the last seven seasons, rising above the league’s supposed parity and the toll of injury, to dominate early in the season. Four of the five teams between 1970 and 2004 that start the season 11-0 won the Super Bowl. The fifth lost in the Super Bowl (the 1984 Miami Dolphins). But since 2005, just one — the 2009 New Orleans Saints — won the title, while the 2005 Colts missed the Super Bowl entirely. (The 2007 New England Patriots, the only team to finish 16-0, lost to the Giants in the 2008 Super Bowl.)

Defending last year’s Super Bowl title remains Green Bay’s ultimate goal, but on the way, the Packers might achieve something else remarkable. They have already won 17 straight games going back to the 2010 regular season. Just one other team to start 11-0 finished the prior year with a winning streak: the 1998 Denver Broncos, who defended their Super Bowl title that year after starting 13-0, winning 18 straight overall. By the Bears game, the Packers could be riding a 20-game winning streak, the second-longest in NFL history.

That Green Bay remains so dominant is rather surprising, given how unbalanced the team is. There is Aaron Rodgers, having one of the all-time great seasons for an NFL quarterback. There is a very accurate kicker, plus good kick and punt return yardage. But there’s also a rushing offense that ranks in the bottom 10 in the league in yards per attempt and a defense that is yielding the second most yards per play and second most first downs. Points count on both sides of the ball, though, and for 17 games the Packers’ prolific passing has been more than good enough to beat the team on the other side of the ball.

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Erik Walden was arrested Friday on suspicion of felony domestic violence/substantial battery and will remain in the Brown County Jail until at least Monday.

Walden allegedly assaulted his live-in girlfriend at the couple’s apartment in Lawrence, just outside of Green Bay. Because of the Thanksgiving holiday, the Brown County Court is closed for the weekend, so while Walden’s teammates have the next three days off following the team’s 27-15 Thanksgiving Day victory at Detroit, Walden will remain in jail.

The Packers issued a statement Friday saying, “’’The Packers organization is aware of the situation involving Erik Walden. We are in the process of gathering more information and will refrain from making any further comment.”

Hobart-Lawrence police chief Randy Bani told the Green Bay Press-Gazette the incident took place about 2:30 a.m. and the woman involved called authorities about 6:10 a.m. The woman was treated at a local hospital, and Walden was arrested and booked around 8 a.m., Bani told the Press-Gazette.

The 26-year-old Walden joined the Packers midway through last season and played in 12 games (five starts) in the regular season and playoffs. He had started all 11 games this season and played in Thursday’s victory over the Lions. The team flew back from Detroit after the game and players were home by Thursday evening.

Bani said before the woman called police, she was treated for a cut and bump on her head, along with an injured right hand, at St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay.

“The officer felt that were was enough information that was given by the victim that the male was arrested,” Bani said.

Walden is the first Packers player arrested since ex-Packers cornerback Brandon Underwood was arrested June 16 after an incident with his wife following the team’s Super Bowl ring ceremony. Underwood was also arrested in a June 2010 incident in Lake Delton, Wis., after two women alleged he sexually assaulted them.

Underwood was released by the team in September and was suspended for two games by the league, but has yet to sign with another club.

Last week, defensive end Johnny Jolly was sentenced to six years in prison after violating the terms of a plea bargain with his third arrest on drug charges in three years. Jolly remains suspended indefinitely by the league.

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Copyright © 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.

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The Green Bay Packers have won 17 consecutive games following a 27-15 victory over the Detroit Lions in Week 12 of the 2011-12 NFL season on Thanksgiving Day of 2011. The Packers improved to 11-0 for the first time in franchise history.

What’s the possibility of an undefeated regular season? The Packers have five games remaining against the New York Giants, Oakland Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs, Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions. They’ve already defeated two of these teams on the road. Three of these games will be at home.

I don’t like to talk much about undefeated regular seasons until… Week 17. While I’m not one of those fans who’d feel more comfortable with losing before the playoffs, I will point out that an 11-0 start doesn’t mean that the Packers will win their fifth Super Bowl. There are many recent examples who’ve fallen short of their destination despite the media’s hype.

What’s even rarer than an 11-0 start? The seven teams who’ve started 12-0 Since the AFL/NFL merger. Four of those have occurred since 2005-06. Let’s take a brief look at some of those teams.

2009-10 Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts were one of two teams who were positioned for an undefeated regular season after Week 14 (The other will be mentioned later). The Colts were 14-0 before they elected to rest Peyton Manning(notes) for the playoffs. The Colts would lose their final two regular-season contests with the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills.

The Colts breezed into the Super Bowl as they were favorites against the New Orleans Saints. The Saints used some gusty playcalling and a second-half surge to pull off the 31-17 upset.

2009-10 New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints had lost their final three regular-season contests following a 13-0 start. The Saints featured a high-powered offense that was led by head coach Sean Payton and quarterback Drew Brees(notes). The Saints also have an opportunistic defense that was coached by Gregg Williams. The Saints’ blitz-heavy defense pressured many of the NFL’s best quarterbacks into uncharacteristic mistakes.

Although the Saints slumped into the postseason, they pulled off victories against the Arizona Cardinals, Minnesota Vikings and Indianapolis Colts en route to their first Super Bowl. They were the first team to start 11-0 to win a championship since the 1998-99 Denver Broncos.

2007-08 New England Patriots

The 2007-08 New England Patriots are the only other team to complete an undefeated regular season since the 1972-73 Miami Dolphins. They waltzed into the Super Bowl and were huge favorites against a New York Giants team that they had already beaten in the regular-season finale.

The Giants had already pulled off road victories against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys and Packers during the postseason. They were 0-3 against the Cowboys and Packers in the regular season. The Giants just believed that they could get it done.

That’s what the Giants did. The Patriots were stunned in the closing seconds after Eli Manning(notes) orchestrated a remarkable touchdown drive that was capped off with a 13-yard reception from Plaxico Burress(notes). The Giants wouldn’t surrender their 17-14 lead with half-a-minute remaining.

The Patriots would settle for an 18-1 season. Tom Brady(notes) and Bill Belichick haven’t won a playoff game since then.

2005-06 Indianapolis Colts

The 2005-06 Indianapolis Colts had started 13-0 before a loss to the San Diego Chargers in Week 15. They were the first team to have started the regular season with a record of 10-0 or better since the 1998-99 Broncos. The Colts would finish the season with a 14-2 record.

They had a short stint in the playoffs. The Pittsburgh Steelers would upset the Colts in the AFC divisional playoffs. The Steelers would win their first of two Super Bowls under Ben Roethlisberger(notes).

Joshua Huffman grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula as a Green Bay Packers and Chicago Cubs enthusiast. His favorite Packer moments include Super Bowl XXXI, XLV, and Al Harris(notes) interception return following Matt Hasselbeck’s(notes) “We’re gonna score” comments. As a Packers and Cubs fan, he suffered through Steve Bartman and “4th & 26″ in a span of three months.

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This week, Packers linemen got together on their own to watch film of last year’s miserable 7-3 loss at Ford Field — an early step in their preparation for Thursday’s much-hyped game in Detroit.

The reigning Super Bowl champions are 10-0 going into a big Thanksgiving Day showcase and have been unstoppable at times on offense, but watching last year’s film was humbling.

“We were actually just watching that game, and we did not play well,” Bulaga said. “Didn’t do anything well, really. It was just a poorly played game. That may be a nice way of putting it, too.”

The Packers were forced to shuffle their offensive line on the fly in that game after an early knee injury to then-left guard Daryn Colledge. Jason Spitz replaced him, struggled, and was replaced by T.J. Lang.

The Packers couldn’t get anything going on offense, and the Lions knocked Aaron Rodgers out of the game near the end of the first half with a concussion. Backup Matt Flynn struggled, too, and a late attempt at a rally came up short.

The Packers allowed four sacks and several more quarterback hits that day while gaining only 66 yards on 20 rushes — and 25 of those yards came on a pair of runs by Rodgers.

“Let’s not take anything away from them,” Bulaga said. “They beat us, they were more physical than us. They deserved to win. We just didn’t play well enough to win that day.”

But right guard Josh Sitton dismissed suggestions that the Packers struggled because the Lions’ defensive line was superior that day.

“That’s not about them, necessarily,” Sitton said. “I’d say our fundamentals, as an offensive line, weren’t great in that game. We’ve got to start from within.”

But what about the player Sitton will line up against Thursday, defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh?

“Good football player,” Sitton said. “But like I said, it’s about us.”

Packers coach Mike McCarthy acknowledged that watching film of last year’s game in Detroit is part of their preparation this week, but said they are far more concerned with studying what the Lions are doing on defense this year.

“It’s something we can learn from,” McCarthy said. “You pay more attention to what they’re doing on defense and the personnel matchups and the tendencies of the individuals. But, yeah, it definitely factored in the game last year.”

Detroit has 27 sacks this season, tying them for eighth-most in the NFL. While the Lions have been vulnerable to the run, they’re allowing 192.8 yards passing per game — fifth-best in the league.

“They’ve got as good a front four as you’re going to see and they rotate some guys in who can play as well, so it’s going to be important for us to control them when they’re just rushing four,” Rodgers said. “They’ve been getting after the passer really well with (Kyle) Vanden Bosch and (Cliff) Avril and they’ve got a good rush up the middle.”

GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Tampa Bay Buccaneers weren’t just out to give the Green Bay Packers a scare in the middle of their perfect season.

   Raheem Morris and his team really thought they had a chance to hand the reigning Super Bowl champions their first loss of the season. And until Aaron Rodgers’ deep pass ended up in the arms of wide receiver Jordy Nelson for a game-clinching 40-yard touchdown, it looked like the Buccaneers had a chance.

   Josh Freeman threw for 342 yards with two touchdowns and a pair of interceptions, LeGarrette Blount bounced off tacklers all day on his way to a 107-yard rushing performance and the Buccaneers’ late rally came up just short in a 35-26 loss to the Packers on Sunday.

   “I felt great about the whole game,” Morris said. “Our guys did a nice job competing. We came out and played the way we wanted to play. We played aggressive. We played hard and tried to get a win. Try to steal one from the champs.”

   The Buccaneers (4-6) have lost four straight, but this wasn’t anything like being blown out at home by Houston last week.

   “I thought we were going to come back and win it,” wide receiver Mike Williams said. “It just happened we fell short today.”

   Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth didn’t want to hear about moral victories.

   “There is no moral victory,” Haynesworth said. “Moral victory is for teams that are not that good and go out and play OK against another team. This team is good and we have a lot of talent.”

   With a 10-0 record going into a Thanksgiving Day game at Detroit, the Packers remain perfect, even if their quarterback walked away expecting much more from himself. Rodgers threw for 299 yards with three touchdowns, including a pair to Nelson, but wasn’t happy with the way he played.

   “I’m just frustrated,” Rodgers said. “I didn’t throw the ball very well. I’m not trying to be ridiculously humble right now, I’m just frustrated. The ball wasn’t coming out the way I wanted it to today.”

   Some of the credit goes to an aggressive Tampa Bay defense that Rodgers said played more man-to-man coverage than the Packers are used to seeing.

   “We weren’t going to be played scared regardless of how good they are,” cornerback Ronde Barber said. “They put their pads on the same way we do. They got a lot of good players, so do we. We are in it to win. There is no sitting back and letting it happen. We were going to go get them. We tried, gave ourselves a great opportunity. Get one more third stop on their touchdown, I think we win this game. It was the one stop we didn’t get.”

   Tampa Bay was penalized nine times for 55 yards, but Morris wasn’t using it as an excuse.

   “Penalties are what they are, they are judgment calls and the judgment went against us a lot of times,” Morris said. “It is what it is.”

   The Buccaneers trailed by only four and seemed to have some momentum when they tried a surprise onside kick before halftime. After a replay review gave the ball to Green Bay at Tampa Bay’s 38, Rodgers drove for a 5-yard touchdown to Nelson that gave the Packers a 21-10 lead.

   Tampa Bay then had a touchdown taken off the board in the third quarter when Kellen Winslow was called for offensive pass interference. The Buccaneers settled for a 32-yard field goal by Connor Barth.

   “I really felt we made enough to plays to beat those guys,” Winslow said. “It is hard to win when you put the game in the refs’ hands.”

   The Buccaneers’ defense got a stop, and Freeman directed an eight-play, 91-yard scoring drive that ended with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Mike Williams. Tampa Bay tried to tie it with a 2-point conversion, but Winslow — who had a pair of big gains on the drive — dropped a catchable ball in the end zone.

   Packers running back James Starks did the majority of the work in an eight-play, 85-yard scoring drive that ended with a 2-yard touchdown run by Kuhn.

   But the Buccaneers got another chance when Rodgers threw an interception to Elbert Mack — only Rodgers’ fourth pick this season — and Freeman threw a 37-yard pass to Arrelious Benn to set up first-and-goal at the 2.

   Freeman then threw a touchdown to Dezmon Briscoe and the Buccaneers kicked the extra point to cut the Packers’ lead to 28-26 with 4:25 left.

   Tampa Bay tried another onside kick, but the Packers recovered and Rodgers found Nelson to put the game away.

   Morris knew he might get second-guessed for the onside kicks but wasn’t apologizing.

   “We wanted to get the ball and win,” Morris said. “We are not going to apologize for being aggressive. When you play the Green Bay Packers, you’ve got to play aggressive, you’ve got to go out and make plays. (You’ve) got to steal possessions.”

   (Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

   APTV 11-20-11 1954EST

The Green Bay Packers remained undefeated with a 45-7 victory over the Minnesota Vikings in Week 10 of the 2011-12 NFL season on November 14, 2011. The Packers excelled in every facet of the contest except for one. That one concern has me a bit concerned with the remaining games on their schedule. It also has me a bit worried for Aaron Rodgers(notes).

Here were some of the studs and duds from that game.

Mega Stud: Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers went 23-of-30 for 250 yards. He also had four touchdown passes. This guy is just unbelievable right now. I feel like there’s only one way that Rodgers can be contained (and they’ll be mentioned later).

Mega Stud: Defense

The defense would’ve pitched a shutout had it not been for Randall Cobb’s(notes) third-quarter fumble. Charles Woodson(notes) led the team with eight tackles and three pass deflections. Clay Matthews(notes) had two sacks. Tramon Williams(notes) had an interception. The Packers were only penalized once during the entire game. The Packers have surrendered 10 points in their past two home games.

Stud: Jordy Nelson(notes)

Jordy Nelson had five receptions for 63 yards and two touchdowns. He was one of ten receivers who caught a pass from Rodgers.

Stud: Randall Cobb

I’ll forgive the third-quarter fumble from Cobb because of his contributions elsewhere. Cobb had an 80-yard punt return for a touchdown and another 55-yard kickoff return that set up a scoring drive. He also had three receptions for 36 yards.

He just needs to eliminate those fumbles. Once that happens, I think he’ll be one of the NFL’s best return specialists.

Stud: Matt Flynn(notes):

Tim Tebow(notes) doesn’t have anything on Matt Flynn. Flynn went 2-for-2 for 38 yards. He had a three-yard rushing touchdown that extended the Packers’ lead to 45-7.

Dud: Offensive Line

My biggest concern from this game was seeing Rodgers get sacked three times and having six rushing attempts. The offensive line had difficulty with creating running lanes in the first half. I felt like the Vikings, primarily Jared Allen(notes), were getting too much pressure on Rodgers.

That’s definitely a concern as they’ll be playing the Detroit Lions, New York Giants and Chicago Bears in their final seven games.

Summary:

That would’ve been a perfect game had the offensive line played better and they avoided the fumbles. The Packers are now 3-0 against NFC North opponents. They’ll host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on a short week on November 20.

Grades:

Offense: B+ (Slow start in first half)

Defense: A

Special Teams: B+

Joshua Huffman grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula as a Green Bay Packers and Chicago Cubs enthusiast. His favorite Packer moments include Super Bowl XXXI, XLV, and Al Harris(notes) interception return following Matt Hasselbeck’s(notes) “We’re gonna score” comments. As a Packers and Cubs fan, he suffered through Steve Bartman and “4th & 26″ in a span of three months.

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Going into Monday night’s game against the Minnesota Vikings, the feeling is becoming familiar for the Green Bay Packers: Another week, another win, another uneasy feeling about the state of the defense.

The reigning Super Bowl champions are the NFL’s only undefeated team at 8-0 and have won a franchise-record 14 straight games going back to last season, including playoffs. It has been so long since the Packers actually lost a game that defensive players now seem to be stewing about substandard performances in victories the same way they might after a loss.

That certainly was the case after the Packers’ Oct. 23 victory at Minnesota, where Green Bay allowed rookie quarterback Christian Ponder to play with poise in his first career start and gave up 175 yards to Adrian Peterson.

“Last time, we didn’t feel like we played as good as we could have played in Minnesota,” defensive lineman Ryan Pickett said. “We feel like we could have put it away, and then we kind of let them back in the game. ‘AP’ rushed for 175 yards. We felt sick after we even won that game. So this is a good opportunity for us to right our wrongs.”

Going into the second game between the two division rivals in less than a month, the Packers are giving up 299.6 yards passing per game this season, second-most in the NFL behind New England. They nearly coughed up a 21-point lead in the fourth quarter of last Sunday’s win at San Diego.

The Packers remain dominant on offense behind Aaron Rodgers. And while their defense does lead the NFL with 16 interceptions and has been good enough to win all eight games so far, the porous nature of their pass defense means they can’t take anybody for granted.

“If you look at it, it’s kind of good,” Pickett said. “We’re feeling sick and we’re 8-0. We definitely know we’ve got a lot of room to grow, and we know we’re going to get there. Especially as a defensive unit, we have segments of great games, but we have yet to put a complete game, the way we want to play, out there. We know it’s coming, and we’re going to just keep fighting til we get there.”

Ponder helped Minnesota beat Carolina two weeks ago for his first career win — the Vikings had a bye last week — and he sees no reason why the Vikings can’t make it a game Monday night.

“That’s kind of what their defense is, bend but don’t break,” Ponder said. “They’ve given up some yards but not a lot of scoring. Obviously my two mistakes I had last game, you’ve got to be careful with the ball but capitalize with the opportunities we’re given. I think as the offense if we do things right we can be pretty good.”

And Ponder says he can play better than he did in his first career start.

“The biggest thing is we kept it close, which should give us the confidence that we can hang in with those guys,” Ponder said. “Completion percent around 40 percent’s not good. Two turnovers isn’t good. So, there’s a lot to fix there. But still, with a 40 percent completion rating with two interceptions and we still had the ability to win the game, I think that’s a good sign.”

Vikings coach Leslie Frazier has no concerns about Ponder’s poise going into a prime-time road game.

“To come out there in your first start against the defending Super Bowl champions and play as well as he play and to make some of the plays that he made in the fourth quarter, just gives you the idea that he can handle adverse situations, he can handle being on the road and playing well like he did against Carolina,” Frazier said. “I don’t foresee him being in a situation on Monday Night where you go, ‘Oh, this is not a good situation for Christian.’ I just don’t foresee that.”

The Packers still will be most worried about stopping Peterson, who says the Vikings are comfortable with Ponder at quarterback.

“I really think the sky’s the limit for him with what he has shown in the past two weeks before the bye,” Peterson said. “I feel like we can do some really good things. We just can’t keep doing things that hurt us. Offensively, defensively, make sure we’re eliminating some penalties and make sure we take advantage of the opportunities that present (themselves).”

Peterson is plenty impressed with Rodgers, who threw for 335 yards and three touchdowns with an 80 percent completion rate on Oct. 23.

“I feel like he’s the best quarterback in the league,” Peterson said. “I’ve always like Rodgers, even before he blew up. I could see the potential in him, just how he played, the attitude he played with. His passion shows. So it’s not really surprising to me.”

The Vikings’ defense will welcome back cornerback Antoine Winfield, who is set to return to the starting lineup after missing the last four games because of a neck injury. Defensive end Jared Allen leads the NFL with 12 1/2 sacks and Rodgers was sacked four times by San Diego, some of which were the result of good downfield coverage.

Still, stopping Rodgers will be a tough test for the Vikings. Linebacker E.J. Henderson made it sound like he’d rather be facing Brett Favre.

“He’s pretty hot right now,” Henderson said of Rodgers. “Even Brett in his (heyday) when we used to play the Packers he was still good for a couple three interceptions here and there. I definitely think he’s playing at a high level, we all know that, we know what a challenge it’s going to be for us Monday to come out and slow him down but we’re looking forward to it.”

I seriously think the football gods set up this weekend to torture Minnesotans. As if a Gophers-Badgers game isn’t bad enough, the Minnesota Vikings have yet another face off against the Green Bay Packers. And this time, the Vikes won’t have the home field advantage.

The Packers are currently at 8-0, and many enthusiastic fans are predicting a 16-0 season and another Super Bowl victory. This week, the Vikings’ big job is to wipe that smug smile off the Packer Backers’ faces.

There are a few signs of hope for Sunday’s game. First, there’s Christian Ponder(notes). I really wish Leslie Frazier would have gotten Ponder in the game several weeks ago, because the Vikings might have had more than two wins by now. My Packer-loving friends like to point to the fact that Christian Ponder is nowhere near Aaron Rodgers(notes) in playing ability. Still, watching a Vikings game led by Ponder is far less embarrassing than watching one with Donovan McNabb(notes) as starting quarterback.

Another promising development: better use of running back Adrian Peterson. Everybody knows Peterson can rush, but he also makes a great receiver. Peterson’s abilities were not fully utilized during the first few weeks of the football season. He complained about this in a recent interview: ” Sometimes I don’t get the ball and I’m like grrr I was wide open.” But when the Minnesota Vikings played the Carolina Panthers, Peterson had five catches for 76 yards and a touchdown.

The Minnesota Vikings lost to the Green Bay Packers when they hosted at the Metrodome three weeks ago, but they did not lose by much. In fact, for a brief period, they were actually leading the Packers. If they can pull it together this week, there’s no reason why they shouldn’t hand the Pack their first loss of the season. Tight end Visanthe Shiancoe says it best: “[The Green Bay Packers] need a loss, don’t they? They need one. We’re going to see what we can do about that.”

Born and raised in Minnesota, S. Gustafson has remained faithful to the Vikings through their many ups and downs.

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Charles Woodson spoke candidly last week about the Green Bay Packers’ pass defense, acknowledging its weaknesses and making one specific suggestion for improvement. All-Pro linebacker Clay Matthews is sitting at three sacks through eight games, and Woodson implored coaches to “find ways to get Clay to the quarterback.” He added: “We can’t continue to allow him to be stuck on a side and double-teamed every time he gets upfield.”

So as the Packers prepared for Monday night’s matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, it seemed fair to examine how the Packers have used Matthews this season. Are there, in fact, ways to elevate his sack totals to reduce pressure on Woodson and the rest of the Packers’ secondary? It might not be a critical factor against the Vikings’ run-oriented offense Monday night, but the issue rests atop a short list of questions the Packers must answer as they pursue a second consecutive Super Bowl championship.

According to numbers from ESPN Stats & Information, and by Matthews’ own observation, Woodson has a strong point.

Matthews has lined up as the Packers’ left outside linebacker, over the opponent’s right tackle, on 95.6 percent of the snaps he’s played this season. The chart provides the details, but suffice it to say, Matthews’ pre-snap positioning has been more predictable than in recent seasons. As a result, Matthews said this week, he has “absolutely” faced more double teams in 2011.

“You’re definitely seeing more help in regards to bringing guards over or tight ends or backs that are chipping,” Matthews said. “It’s pretty obvious, but at the same time, that’s not an excuse. We have to continue to create pressure, whether it’s me or one of the interior linemen or the other outside linebacker. We have to find ways to get to the quarterback and take pressure off of our DBs.”

There are some football justifications for anchoring Matthews on the left side of the defense. He has proved adept against the run and in covering opposing tight ends, both of which are more likely to originate from that side of an opposing offense. Covering tight ends or running backs has separated Matthews from 20 percent of the pass plays he has been on the field for (72 of 360).

Defensive coordinator Dom Capers told reporters this week in Green Bay that “we try to be as creative with Clay as you can possibly be,” and that Matthews said it is “definitely a possibility” that he could move around more Monday night.

But for what it’s worth, coach Mike McCarthy has prioritized communication problems as the Packers’ top area of defensive concern — not Matthews’ pre-snap positioning. The Packers have had some well-chronicled coverage miscues in their secondary that have resulted in big plays, whether safeties have bitten on run fakes or provided coverage over the top to the wrong receiver.

And if Matthews is double-teamed more often, McCarthy said, he expects other players to take advantage of the corresponding opportunity.

“Our biggest improvement on defense is that we need to clean up some communication,” McCarthy said. “The recurring big issue we’ve had is giving up big plays. That’s what we’re focusing on. … Pass rush comes down to winning your one-on-ones. Someone is going to have a one-on-one situation, and anytime you do have a one-on-one to rush the passer, it’s important to win those.”

In an ideal world, of course, that would be a fair expectation. But after eight games of waiting for another pass-rusher to step up, the Packers’ best option remains neutralized. Even Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, speaking this week on his ESPN 540 radio show, acknowledged that “I don’t think we’ve had the same kind of pressure through the first eight games that we’ve had in the past.”

The Packers’ defense would improve immediately if it eliminates the communication issues McCarthy is concerned about. But Woodson wasn’t just talking about getting better. He wants to win the Super Bowl. The Packers need an active Clay Matthews to ensure that. The problem has been identified, and a possible solution floated. Will it happen? Stay tuned.

When you start 8-0, you get to be compared with more lofty company. Many teams start 6-0, but only 13 other teams have survived to 8-0 since the league went to the 16 game schedule in 1978. Most people think that the Packers are the clearly best team in the league, and it’s just a question of when the coronation will occur. My thoughts haven’t changed much since I wrote this about it being too early to talk undefeated with this particular team, and the Packers have since won games over Minnesota by 6 and the Chargers by 7.

I went through the 14 teams (including Green Bay) who started 8-0, and looked at 10 different categories: points scored, points allowed, point difference, turnover margin, yardage margin, net passing yards per play on offense, net passing yards per play on defense, yards per carry on offense, yards per carry on defense, and strength of schedule (opponent win percentage after 8 games). I rank-ordered each team from 1-14 in each category, and tallied the totals. Here are the 8-0 teams in order of their strength across all categories, relative to each other.

1. 2007 New England Patriots – Lost Super Bowl
2. 1991 Washington Redskins – Won Super Bowl
3. 1984 Miami Dolphins – Lost Super Bowl
4. 1985 Chicago Bears – Won Super Bowl
5. 2009 New Orleans Saints – Won Super Bowl
6. 1998 Denver Broncos – Won Super Bowl
7. 1990 New York Giants – Won Super Bowl
8. 2005 Indianapolis Colts – Lost in Divisional Playoffs
9. 2008 Tennessee Titans – Lost in in Divisional Playoffs
10. 2003 Kansas City Chiefs – Lost in Divisional Playoffs
11. 2009 Indianapolis Colts – Lost Super Bowl
12. 2011 Green Bay Packers – ?
13. 1990 San Francisco 49ers – Lost in NFC Championship Game
14. 2006 Indianapolis Colts – Won Super Bowl

You may think this is meaningless, but if we cut this list in half, the top 7 teams all reached the Super Bowl and 5 of them won. The bottom half? Of the other 6 teams, only two of them reached a Super Bowl, with the 2006 Colts the only one to win, after going 4-4 down the stretch in the regular season. Dominance matters.

The Packers rank #1 in net passing yards per play on offense, just ahead of 1984 Miami and 2007 New England. They are also near the top in points scored as a result. They are average or below average in most other categories, including dead last by a substantial margin in pass defense and points allowed, and ahead of only the 2008 Titans in yardage difference.

What if, rather than looking at overall strength across several categories, we try to find the teams most similar to the way that the Packers are doing it. Using the absolute value difference in each category, here are the 8-0 teams ordered from most to least similar to this year’s Packers.

1. 1984 Miami Dolphins
2. 2009 New Orleans Saints
3. 2006 Indianapolis Colts
4. 2003 Kansas City Chiefs
5. 2007 New England Patriots
6. 2005 Indianapolis Colts
7. 1998 Denver Broncos
8. 2009 Indianapolis Colts
9. 1990 New York Giants
10. 2008 Tennessee Titans
11. 1990 San Francisco 49ers
12. 1991 Washington Redskins
13. 1985 Chicago Bears

No team is truly similar to the Packers of 2011. The pass defense numbers are so far below any other team that started 8-0 it is stunning. The 2009 Saints are the only team on this list that even finished the season allowing barely more than 6.0 net yards per pass. The Packers are currently at 7.1.

The teams that show up near the top of the similar list are other top passing teams, all of whom had a better pass defense. The lower yardage difference totals is also what boosts the 2006 Colts and the 2003 Chiefs up the similarity list. It’s no surprise that the 1985 Bears show up as the most opposite team to this year’s Packers.

While the common perception that this year’s Packers team is the clear favorite to win the Super Bowl, the pass defense is historically bad for a unit to win a Super Bowl. It’s a bit of a surprise given how good they were last year, and maybe they can turn it around as a result, though each passing week raises more flags.

Kerry Byrne of Cold Hard Football Facts states that the Packers are on pace to have the best passer rating differential (offensive passer rating minus defensive passer rating allowed) since Unitas. Here’s the problem with that: it’s comparing end of season figures to the Packers at the halfway point. It also includes interceptions, which are very explanatory, but not as predictive. The more predictive portion of the passer rating–the yards per attempt part, doesn’t bode as well for the defense. Rodgers has thrown only 4 interceptions on 266 attempts, and the defense has 16 interceptions on 319 passes.

IF the Packers continue those interception rates, then sure, they will rank near the top in pass efficiency when we look back and explain why they won. Rodgers, who is playing at a high level, can still have games where the ball gets tipped, or batted, or deflected, and see that turnover number turn. Even more likely, they won’t continue picking off over 5% of the passes thrown at them, particularly when they have been giving up big chunks of yards. If those numbers regress, they will see that differential plummet as the interception portion normalizes.

If we strip away the turnovers, and look at the more predictive net yardage, the difference between the Packers’ offense and Packers passing defense is in the bottom half of the 8-0 teams.

Green Bay has been dominant to get to 8-0 in part because of the turnovers in the passing game, and Rodgers’ efficiency. Compared to the other 8-0 teams, though, they look far from unbeatable. All those 8-0 teams, by the way, averaged 5.7 wins over the second half of the season. Still too early.

[photo via Getty]

Aaron Rodgers(notes) is playing at an MVP level and the Green Bay Packers remain
undefeated. However, the spotty play of a generous defense is keeping them from
being completely satisfied.

The Packers hope to tighten up things on the defensive end and complete
their second straight season series sweep of the Minnesota Vikings on Monday
night at Lambeau Field.

Green Bay (8-0) is off to its best start since opening with 10 straight wins
in 1962, but the reigning Super Bowl champs have not been a complete team.

Thanks to Rodgers, the Packers are averaging an NFL-high 34.4 points per
game this season, and have won 14 in a row including postseason since losing
31-27 at New England last Dec. 19. Green Bay will now try for its 10th
consecutive win at Lambeau Field, where it has also won four of the last five
versus Minnesota (2-6).

The problem for the Packers of late has been on the defensive end. They rank
31st in pass defense (299.6 yards per game), 30th in total defense (399.6) and
17th in points per game allowed (22.4).

Despite returning a pair of interceptions for touchdowns last Sunday, Green
Bay allowed its most points of the season and almost blew a 21-point lead in a
45-38 win at San Diego.

“We’re 8-0. We’ve earned it,” coach Mike McCarthy said. “But we have
expectations and the level of play that not only the individual expects of
himself but what we expect of each position, each unit.”

The Packers have allowed a whopping 43 plays of 20 or more yards, including
two of the Chargers’ TDs last week.

“On defense, anyway, none of us are happy with the way we’re playing right
now,” defensive coordinator Dom Capers said. “Certain segments we’re happy
with. So the only way you improve that is you go back to work and work that much
harder to get better.

“I think we can make significant improvement, I know that.”

The Packers gave up 435 total yards at Minnesota on Oct. 23, when they held
on for a 33-27 win. Adrian Peterson gained 175 of the Vikings season-high 218
rushing yards in that contest.

“We’ve shown on tape that if we execute, we can play with any team in this
league,” said Minnesota receiver Percy Harvin(notes), who expects to play Monday night
despite dealing with a rib injury he suffered against the Packers.

Minnesota might be able to move the ball versus Green Bay, but stopping
Rodgers is another story.

Rodgers completed 24 of 30 passes for 335 yards and three TDs last month
against Minnesota, and went 21 of 26 for 247 yards last week against the
Chargers, tossing four touchdowns to increase his NFL-leading total to 24.

“He is a special, special, special, special player,” said receiver Greg
Jennings(notes), who has caught six TD passes from Rodgers this season including four
over the last five games.

Jennings had seven receptions for 147 yards including a 79-yard catch and
run for a score at Minnesota last month. Rodgers has completed 68.9 percent of
his passes for 1,602 yards with 14 TDs and three interceptions in his last five
games against the Vikings.

His counterpart, Minnesota rookie Christian Ponder(notes), made his first career
start in the Oct. 23 loss, throwing for 219 yards with two touchdowns and two
interceptions to keep the Vikings competitive.

Ponder was 18 of 28 for 236 yards and a TD during Minnesota’s last game, a
24-21 win at Carolina on Oct. 30.

Coming off their bye week, the Vikings hope to maintain the momentum earned
from that victory and parlay it into an upset Monday night.

“You always have to be excited over improvement and build on it,” tight end
Visanthe Shiancoe(notes) said. “The excitement is going to cause the building process,
so it has to be there.”

With Peterson toting the ball, the Vikings at least have a chance to give
the Packers problems. Fourth in the NFL with 795 yards on the ground, Peterson
has averaged 110.3 and rushed for three TDs in his last three games at Lambeau.

The Green Bay Packers have had an unforgettable year in 2011. Their success has currently stemmed from an unbeaten postseason to an 8-0 start to the 2011-12 NFL season.

Here are 10 of the things that I’m most thankful for as Thanksgiving approaches for the Packers:

Super Bowl XLV

The Packers won their first Super Bowl in approximately 14 years after they defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-25 in Super Bowl XLV. The Packers had to overcome three consecutive road playoff games and 16 players on injured reserve. That doesn’t even include injuries to Aaron Rodgers(notes), Clay Matthews(notes) and Donald Driver(notes), to name a few.

Peyton Hillis(notes) and Cleveland Browns Fans

I want to thank all of the Cleveland Browns fans for helping Peyton Hillis to upset Rodgers as the leading vote-getter in the Madden 2012 cover nominations. The NFL is a much better place when Rodgers is breaking individual passing records. I’m so glad that Rodgers isn’t going through hamstring injuries, flues, and contractual disputes.

Ted Thompson

Ted Thompson struck gold again when he re-signed Mason Crosby(notes) to a long-term deal. Crosby has evolved into the NFL’s most accurate kicker this season. He’s made four field goals in two games this season. He also had a franchise-record 58-yard field goal against the Minnesota Vikings.

My Samsung Picture Phone Purchase In June

The best feature with the phone is that Brett Favre(notes) is not included. However, I keep receiving awkward text messages about Justin Bieber and “Mistletoe.”

Aaron Rodgers’ Health

Rodgers suffered two concussions in a span of approximately two months during the 2010-11 season. That forced him to miss his first start since replacing Favre as the starting quarterback during the 2008-09 season. There was concern about whether Rodgers could remain healthy or if the concussions would be a persistent problem.

Rodgers hasn’t had anymore concussions. He’s also won 14 consecutive games (and counting) since returning from that injury.

Contract Extensions

The Packers have extended the contracts of Jordy Nelson(notes), James Jones(notes) and Josh Sitton(notes). They’re currently trying to structure a long-term deal with Jermichael Finley(notes).

Rodgers appears like he’ll be in good hands for the foreseeable future.

God

That should appease Randall Cobb(notes).

Winning Streak

The Packers have won 14 consecutive games dating back to Week 16 of the 2010-11 season. Heading into Week 10 of the 2011-12 season, they still haven’t lost during 2011.

NFL Lockout Conclusion

Remember when people doubted that there would even be a season? I’m so glad that’s a thing of the past. I’m not sure what I’d do without Packers football on Sunday. The economy also doesn’t need the loss of jobs that would’ve occurred from that. That’s even truer now that the NBA is having an extended lockout.

Thanksgiving Football

The Packers get to ruin Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day for the Detroit Lions. Of course, I’m still thankful for their victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season. Maybe the Packers owe them one.

Joshua Huffman grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula as a Green Bay Packers and Chicago Cubs enthusiast. His favorite Packer moments include Super Bowl XXXI, XLV, and Al Harris(notes) interception return following Matt Hasselbeck’s(notes) “We’re gonna score” comments. As a Packers and Cubs fan, he suffered through Steve Bartman and “4th & 26″ in a span of three months.

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