Packers Opponents So Far

[Upnorth]

Is it just me or does it seem like a down season for every one but the power houses? It's like the whole parity concept was destroyed by a small nuclear device to the head

[Harlan Huckleby]

Is it just me or does it seem like a down season for every one but the power houses?

Put another way, there is a lot of crappy football. Maybe it will get better later in season.

BTW, the Packers are not looking like a power house, although they are balanced.

[Joemailman]

I think injuries to elite players have impacted some teams. Jordy, Roeth, Romo, Dez, Kelvin Benjamin, Alshon Jeffery, Suggs, Lynch, Jamal Charles, Victor Cruz. Also, some teams have been hurt by free agency defections and disappointments. Just seems worse this year. I do think things will stabilize. There are currently 9 2-3 teams in the NFL. some of those will be able to right the ship. We may also be seeing a decline in QB play. Brees and Peyton Manning are in decline and are not being replaced. Rodgers, Romo, Brady and Roeth are all over 30. There are currently several future HOF QB's playing in the NFL right now. That might not be the case a few years down the road.

[mission]

Only one 5-0 team has beat a team with a winning record. Kind of crazy.

[Joemailman]

Only one 5-0 team has beat a team with a winning record. Kind of crazy.

I think it might just be a quirk in the schedule. Lots of strong teams scheduled against weak ones early in the year.

[pbmax]

I think it might just be a quirk in the schedule. Lots of strong teams scheduled against weak ones early in the year.

Division games early then late.

[Pugger]

Doesn't seem like SD will lose tonight, but the Chargers have a history of being very volatile. Could be they shit the bed. Could be they win 42-13.

I wonder what their collective mindset will be this Sunday after that kind of loss tonight.

[Joemailman]

I wonder what their collective mindset will be this Sunday after that kind of loss tonight.

Tough situation for them. Short week to recover from a tough loss and they have to travel to Green Bay.

[Pugger]

Tough situation for them. Short week to recover from a tough loss and they have to travel to Green Bay.

And face a frustrated Rodgers hell bent on atoning for his performance against the Rams.

[hoosier]

I think injuries to elite players have impacted some teams. Jordy, Roeth, Romo, Dez, Kelvin Benjamin, Alshon Jeffery, Suggs, Lynch, Jamal Charles, Victor Cruz. Also, some teams have been hurt by free agency defections and disappointments. Just seems worse this year. I do think things will stabilize. There are currently 9 2-3 teams in the NFL. some of those will be able to right the ship. We may also be seeing a decline in QB play. Brees and Peyton Manning are in decline and are not being replaced. Rodgers, Romo, Brady and Roeth are all over 30. There are currently several future HOF QB's playing in the NFL right now. That might not be the case a few years down the road.

This, and it also seems like NFL defenses have been catching up to the offenses a little bit. A few years ago people were saying that the era of the shutdown corner was over. Now maybe there is a little more balance, and you don't see quite as many 45-35 games. But with the exception of Seattle there aren't many teams who can live on defense alone, so what you get is a bunch of inconsistent teams.

[bobblehead]

Through the first 5 games the Packers opponents have a combined record of 8-17.

The Packers have yet to play a team with a winning record.

At no point during the season have any of the Packers first 5 opponents been above .500
.

The Rams were 1-0. They were at that point above .500 (perfect in fact). SF was also 1-0. Seattle has a losing record because we beat them. The Bears have a losing record because we beat them. The Rams have a losing record because we beat them. The Chiefs have plays 3 teams that are undefeated.

[Fritz]

It's funny how this can all be parsed. On the one hand, it's true that the Packers have played opponents who (now) have a losing record. But for about three of the five games, McGinn's assessment of the Chiefs, Seahawks, and Rams all suggested the kinds of opponents that make fans poop their pants. KC had furious outside rushers, a solid, solid, line, and and great running back. The Rams front four was reminiscent of the old fearsome foursome, and Gurley was breaking out. Seattle had that defense, plus Lynch and Wilson.

Three of the five Packer opponents sounded like possible Super Bowl teams, yet in the end, they've got losing records.

[ThunderDan]

The only teams I really think are for real other than the Packers are in the AFC. I worry about CIN and NE.

I have watched ATL, DEN and CAR all play games and am not impressed. In the NFC the only team I have yet to decide on is ARI.

[pbmax]

Denver can play defense on a championship level. But they are getting hurt. Ware has a back and Miller did something this weekend.

I wouldn't mind seeing them if the Packer offense can adjust to its new personnel.

[MadScientist]

This, and it also seems like NFL defenses have been catching up to the offenses a little bit. A few years ago people were saying that the era of the shutdown corner was over. Now maybe there is a little more balance, and you don't see quite as many 45-35 games. But with the exception of Seattle there aren't many teams who can live on defense alone, so what you get is a bunch of inconsistent teams.

Seattle is finding out it can't live on defense alone. Their offense and perhaps season have gone into the tank after trading away their center. It usually takes a season or two for defenses to really stop an offensive innovation (spread offense, running QB's, etc.). There hasn't been as many new wrinkles added to offenses lately.

It also seems like pass rushers have gained an edge over the O-Line, which makes every aspect of a defense better. Perhaps the next thing is the NE O-Line rotation:
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap300...-line-rotation