Packers Remain Unbeaten

Anyone who anticipated a Super Bowl hangover in Green Bay better prepare to wait a little longer, following the Packers 24-3 victory over the Rams at Lambeau Field. Green Bay’s win was their twelfth consecutive dating back to last season.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has proven his status as one of the game’s top performers. Rodgers leads the league in passing touchdowns and completion percentage, and his 2,031 yards passing is third in the NFL, trailing only Drew Brees and Tom Brady.

Rodgers went 17-28 against the Rams for 310 yards and three touchdowns, including a 93-yard catch and run by wide receiver Jordy Nelson. His lone interception came off a drop by wide receiver Greg Jennings.

Maybe Rodgers’ greatest asset is his ability to throw out of the pocket and on the run. One of the biggest concerns scouts had about Rodgers as he entered the draft was his lack of athleticism. However, since becoming the starter in 2008, he has shown an uncanny ability to make plays with his feet.

Jordy Nelson evades the St. Louis Secondary as he runs for a 93 yard TD.
Photo Courtesy of totalpackers.com

Although Green Bay readily handled the winless Rams on Sunday, the offense went stagnant in the second half and was unable to add to their lead.

"We didn’t do a very good job handling the football. We didn’t convert the third downs, we had a number of drops," Head Coach Mike McCarthy said.

The players recognize that their performance was not to their fullest capability.

"No one thinks that’s good enough," said offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga. "We just didn’t play well enough in the second half to move the ball…we need to be able to put drives together, keep our defense off the field and score points."

An ongoing point of concern for the Packers has been their inability to take the fight out of opposing offenses, something they did well last season. Sunday was the only game where Green Bay held their opponent to under two scores.

The Packers’ "bend don’t break" mentality, as stated by linebacker Frank Zombo, works in theory. But if the defense bends too far they could be in for some tough losses later in the season.

Despite the success thus far, the Green Bay defense understands that they have work to do.

"We’re 6-0. That’s a great accomplishment, it happens very rarely in this league, but there’s still room for great improvement," said linebacker Clay Matthews.

In the postgame press conference McCarthy said that his team was seven days from being 7-0. In order to stay undefeated the Packers will have to go through running back Adrian Peterson and the Minnesota Vikings.

Peterson is sixth in the league in rushing yards and his seven touchdowns put him atop the leaderboard.

"If you want to be the best you have to beat the best, and at his position I believe he’s the best," said linebacker Desmond Bishop.

If the Packers can stop the Vikings’ ground game they have a good chance of staying unbeaten. With sources saying that Minnesota will start rookie quarterback Christian Ponder over veteran Donovan McNabb, Green Bay will have a distinct advantage.

Kickoff is set for 3:15 on Sunday