Oct. 22, 2014 By Zuhayr Tahir
Well, we are seven games into the 2014 NFL season, and it is pretty much obvious now. The Carolina Panthers’ defense is nowhere near what it was last season.
The Green Bay Packers cruised to an easy 38-17 victory against the Panthers on Oct. 22, and did so with one of their most efficient days on offense all season.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers continues to build onto an MVP caliber season and is playing some of the best football in his career. He added three more touchdowns, bringing his season total to 18 and is spreading the ball amongst his receivers who are repaying him with touchdowns.
In his career, Rodgers has posted a quarterback rating of 105.8, which is the highest in NFL history. His ability to avoid mistakes and make big plays is rivaled by few, and qualities that only the greatest ever have.
Receivers Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb both had big days, improving on what is turning out to be huge seasons for both players.
Nelson leads the NFL in receiving yards and proves he is worth every penny he was paid in the offseason, while Cobb is leading all wide receivers with eight touchdown catches and is playing for his first big contract.
There isn’t much else to go over concerning this game though. I could go ahead and praise the defense for providing constant pressure on Cam Newton or mention how well the secondary played without cornerback Sam Shields, but instead, I’m more interested in previewing next week’s game against the New Orleans Saints.
The Packers (5-2) will be traveling to the Saints (2-4) to play in one of the most hostile environments in the NFL.
It feels like the schedule makers had it out for the Packers by making them travel to Seattle and New Orleans in the same season, but this match up seems a lot less frighting than what it looked like in the beginning of the season.
The Saints, who were a preseason Super Bowl favorite, have struggled mightily to meet expectations. Their only two wins on the season have come from the Minnesota Vikings and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which are far from high quality teams.
The Saints defense has also looked terrible after six games. They gave up a 13-point lead in the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, which is just one of many defensive failures that they have experienced this season.
They have been giving up points in bunches, and it looks like the Packers offense could have another huge day running and passing the ball.
The Saints offense is also not what it used to be, and that has to give a lot of confidence to the Packers defense.
They have been getting better every week and if they can put pressure on Saints quarterback Drew Brees, it is only a matter of time before this team is 6-2 heading into a well deserved bye week.
As for the rest of the division, it seems to be a two team race between the Packers and Lions (5-2).
The Chicago Bears (3-4) and Vikings (2-5) are not playing what could be considered good football, due to the inconsistency of Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, and the Vikings honestly just not having a quarterback. It is only a matter of time before both teams are far in the rear view mirror.
If both the Packers and Lions can stay healthy and continue to win, it will set up a huge game at Lambeau Field in the final week of the season where the NFC North title could be up for grabs.
