When the Packers took the field in Week One, the conventional wisdom was that they were the #1 team in the league. They were, after all, the defending Super Bowl Champions, and they were arguably stronger coming into 2011 than they were when they ended 2010.
For the next 13 games, they won and won and won. And for as long as they kept winning, their status as the best team in the league remained a given -- an unquestioned assumption.
But now they have lost. So what now? Do people still assume that we’re the best? Or are there too many questions all of a sudden?
Joe Theisman doesn’t think we’re the best anymore. In fact, he ranks us sixth -- behind the Saints, Patriots, 49ers, Ravens, and Steelers.
I have read Theisman’s piece, and I think his analysis is sound. His logic and his conclusions, however, are not. Among other things, did he see how the Ravens and Steelers looked this past weekend? I mean if you’re going to base your rankings so heavily on the most recent performance and not as much the whole body of work, how do the Ravens and Steelers rank ahead of us?
As it happens, Theisman stands alone at NFL.com in his assessment. The rest of the analysts there still rank the Packers first in the league. The folks at ESPN.com still believe we’re #1, as well, and they were unanimous about it.
Meanwhile, after the Chiefs upset Green Bay last Sunday, the talk is predictably out there now about the “blueprint” for beating the Packers. Bucky Brooks has offered the best analysis that I’ve seen. That said, Aaron Rodgers offered a different -- and interesting -- take on the whole issue.
Don Banks at SI.com still thinks the Pack is #1, and he is also rather dismissive of the “blueprint” or “recipe” talk:
The Packers offensive line was definitely exposed in Kansas City and its health issues represent a real concern as the playoffs loom. But I always find it amusing how fast everyone wants to claim a "blueprint" has been established after a team's first loss of the season. A relentless pass rush and good coverage in the secondary has always been the "blueprint" for beating an opponent with an elite passing game, and it probably always will. The Chiefs brought both of those to bear on Green Bay last week, but that doesn't necessarily mean everyone else is capable of creating the same dynamic against the Packers.
Finally, NFL.com reports that the Packers hold a different #1 ranking in the NFL… It’s a great read. America’s Team, Baby!
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