Packers Still Pushing for Perfection

For anyone who had any doubts as to the ability of the Green Bay Packers to go for the perfect 16-0 regular season, then their suspicions were surely dismissed in the final 58 seconds of last weeks encounter with the New York Giants.

In what was probably the best encounter of the NFL season so far, and with the score tied at 35-35, Aaron Rodgers led a drive from near his own TD zone to the 31 yard line in three ruthlessly efficient plays, setting up the winning field goal which was duly converted by Mason Crosby.  Packers win 38-35.

Mike McCarthy’s team has rarely been challenged that close this season, and the Giants will consider themselves a little unlucky as the game extended their losing streak to 4 games.

But a tight contest is just what the Packers needed at this stage of the season.  Without playing brilliant football, they have gone undefeated and remain the only team in the NFL with a perfect record in the regular season.  The narrow win will have been used by McCarthy to strengthen the focus of the Packers team as they look to go forward and defend their Superbowl crown.

So it’s little wonder that the Packers came flying out of the blocks at Lambeau Field last night against the Oakland Raiders.  The game was won halfway through the second quarter as Aaron Rodgers led his team to a 31-0 first half lead.

Aaron Rodgers - Is he and the Packers unstoppable?

By the time he was rested late in the third for back up QB Matt Flynn, Rodgers had gone for 281 yards, 2 TD’s and 1 interception – a solid if unspectacular night’s work by his very high standards.  It’s not as if the Raiders played particularly badly.  Rodgers was harassed on a number of occasions as the Raiders defence made holes in the Packers offensive line.

Packers ended up winning out 16-46 in a convincing display, taking their season to 13-0 and a total winning streak of 19-0 going back to last season.

One major concern for the Packers on an otherwise satisfying night’s work was the injury to Greg Jennings, who suffered a blow to his left knee.  It’s hard to really say who Rodgers' number one receiver is; he has rich pickings with Jordy Nelson, Jermichael Findlay and Donald Driver amongst others to aim for, but Jennings is a major part of the Packers offence and could be a big miss at this stage of the season.

With 3 games left of the regular season, I have to ask whether the Packers are keen on getting that perfect 16-0 season?  I have no doubt that if you offered Mike McCarthy the Superbowl now at the expense of a 15-1 or 14-2 regular season, he would take it.  But I would suggest that the Packers would ask if it's not too much to ask for both.