With an easy 46-16 win over the Oakland Raiders, only three games stand between the Green Bay Packers and a perfect regular season. Aaron Rodgers was his brilliant self while amassing 4,000 yards and becoming only the fourth player in NFL history to throw two or more touchdowns in thirteen consecutive games.
In addition to having a lot of success through the air, the Packers actually excelled on the ground against a 28th ranked Raiders run defense. Ryan Grant ran to the tune of 85 yards on ten carries and scored two touchdowns, an effort which conjures up memories of his breakout 2009 season.
Seeing a functional running game in Green Bay makes the Packers’ offense unstoppable (now hold team record for points in a season with 466). With the feature back James Starks inactive for the game, it was all up to Grant to take advantage of a struggling Raiders defense. It didn’t take him long as he broke it 47 yards for a touchdown with his first carry in the first quarter. For a team who entered the game averaging 96.5 yards per game, Sunday’s performance was a step in the right direction (138 total rushing yards).
Rodgers is without a doubt the NFL’s Most Valuable Player. At one point in the game, he threw his fourth straight in-completion for the first time this season, are you kidding me? In fact, Rodgers came out before the end of the third quarter after completing 17 of his 30 passes 281 yards and two touchdowns. Rodgers has 39 touchdowns on the season, tying himself with the great Brett Favre for the franchise single-season touchdown record.
We could go on and on about the offense because they are just that good (did I mention that 18 different players have scored a touchdown this season?), but lets not be disrespectful to a defensive unit who was nothing less than spectacular versus the Raiders. Every time Oakland gained any kind of momentum, the Packers forced a turnover and gave the offense great field position. They even scored on a Erik Walden five yard fumble return in the third quarter.
The Packers grabbed four interceptions in Sunday’s game including another from Charles Woodson who now has seven on the season. No team in the NFL has more picks than the Packers.
With three more opponents remaining (@ Chiefs, vs. Bears and vs. Lions), the Packers have to like their chances at becoming the first team since the 2007 New England Patriots to finish a regular season with a perfect 16-0 record. It won’t be easy, but are you really willing to bet against this Packers team?
What did you think of the Packers blowout win over the Raiders? Did the running game and defense make encouraging improvements? Will they go 16-0? Let me know by commenting below!
Nick Grays is a senior writer at the Sports Bank where he covers the Wisconsin Badgers, Green Bay Packers, and Milwaukee Brewers. He also enjoys to share Fantasy Advice from time-to-time. Follow him on Twitter by clicking here or visit his blog Nick Knows Best.