Some Thoughts on the Packers' 7-0 Start

Because I am obligated to produce some kind of work over the bye week, and because I have some thoughts to share with the world (or at least that segment of the world that reads Patch), I've got a few things to share with you on an otherwise relatively football-dull Wednesday in Wisconsin.

-I'm glad the Packers aren't playing the AFC North this season. As of this week, according to NFL.com, the top four defenses in the NFL in terms of yards allowed are: 1. Baltimore, 2. Cincinnati, 3. Pittsburgh and 4. Cleveland. The Ravens are 1st in points allowed/game, the Steelers are third, the Bengals are fourth and the Browns trail at 9th.

-The Packers' pass defense has been terrible so far this year, giving up 288.9 yards per game (31st in the league). They've played a diverse range of offenses, including Carolina (No. 5 in yards) and New Orleans (No. 2), but have allowed bottom-feeders Denver and St. Louis to gash them for lots of yardage. However, when you consider that Pro Bowl S Nick Collins is out for the year and every other starter in the secondary has had some sort of injury (Morgan Burnett's broken hand, Tramon Williams' shoulder, Charles Woodson's knee and foot, Sam Shields's concussion) it's not a huge cause of alarm. Philip Rivers will be a serious test after the bye week, but if everyone gets healed up in the next two weeks or so, there's no reason why this secondary shouldn't reclaim its status as one of the best in the league.

-B.J. Raji has clogged up the middle well this year against the run, but hasn't been able to make pressure against the pass when the Packers are in either base or nickel. I think a lot of that has to do with not having a legitimate pass-rusher at defensive end, such as the departed Cullen Jenkins. Opponents can double-team Raji more frequently and devote one blocker to the other rushers in passing situations. This defense misses Jenkins, but it misses Mike Neal just as much. When Neal gets back, and if he can stay healthy, we should see dramatic improvement in the pass-rush.

-This isn't news or trenchant analysis, but it still flummoxes me: through seven games, Aaron Rodgers has thrown twenty touchdowns to three interceptions, two of which came as a result of dropped passes. Is there anything he can't do?

-By the way, despite giving up yards by the bushel, the Packers rank a respectable tenth in points allowed (the most important stat, in my opinion). Our thirteen interceptions certainly help that total, but I think red-zone defense is even more important. Beginning with three spectacular stands against Drew Brees, the last of which sealed the game, the red-zone defense has been surprisingly good so far this year, given how much yardage the team yields in general.

-It's been sort of lost in the glare of Calvin Johnson's ridiculous ten-touchdowns-in-seven-games-hear-me-roar season, but Greg Jennings is quietly putting together a fantastic year. He trails Johnson by only two yards at present (679 to 677), has caught 42 passes, scored five times and is averaging 96.7 yards per game. On an offense loaded with receiving threats, Jennings just keeps producing week after week. He's really grown into the role of a No. 1 receiver this year.