What We Learned Against the Panthers

After a 1-2 start to the regular season, the Packers have finally hit their stride, trouncing a good Panthers team at home in Week 7. Aaron Rodgers was near unstoppable as the seven-year starter hit each of his primary targets for scores and improved his QB rating to 117.3 (second best in the NFL).

Part of the reason behind Aaron Rodgers’s MVP-quality day was outstanding protection up front. Rodgers played three quarters of football largely untouched, thanks to pro bowl-caliber play from the entire offensive line. The front five also created big holes for Eddie Lacy, who has enjoyed few big performances since the season’s start but has now upped his yards per carry to 4.0 on the season. Further, play calling from Mike McCarthy was balanced and hard to predict, which produced long drives on offense and good rest for the defense.

Despite an electric first half on offense, Green Bay’s win on Sunday may have been even sweeter on the defensive side of the ball. The front seven continued to improve in an area where they’ve struggling mightily since the Super Bowl season: rushing the quarterback. Even without defensive end Datone Jones – who has been impressive of late – the Green Bay pass rush applied constant pressure on Cam Newton while tallying three sacks.

Though the Carolina offensive line is nothing to rave about, the coaching staff must feel good about the development of both Jones and fellow first round draft pick Nick Perry. With a healthy Clay Matthews and Mike Daniels, the pass defense may even be able to avoid a repeat of Drew Brees’ 2008 shredding in their visit to New Orleans this coming week.

The Packers’ tenth straight October comes ahead of a very important road game versus the Saints. At 2-4 and coming off of a bad loss in Detroit, expect the Saints to play hard in front of their home crowd in prime time. Just as they did on Sunday, the Packers will need to play disciplined, mistake-free football in order to come out with a fifth-straight victory ahead of their bye week.