If only statistics told the whole story, and I’m not getting detailed enough here to make a serious analysis, but here a few stats that seem kind of weird as we approach the midpoint of the season.
The Minnesota Vikings are 6-0 and the media darlings most likely to make it to the Super Bowl. The Packers on the other hand are generally perceived as not playing up to expectations and could be considered a disappointment after five games because of their two losses. The Chicago Bears might also be disappointed in their 3-2 record. If you had to guess records based on stats alone you might think different.
Currently the Packers’ offense ranks 10th in the NFL, the Vikings are 13th and the Bears are 19th. Defensively the Packers are 8th, the Bears 13th and Vikings are 18th. Who is leading the division? The NFL has so many statistics and you can analyze them in so many ways that in this case the phrase “statistics don’t lie” can be thrown out. At least when at looking at won-loss records, as that is the only stat that counts.
When I look at these stats which show the Packers as the best offense and best defense in the NFC North Division I like to think it is a positive considering the way the season has played out. I mean it is not like the Packers are playing horrible football.
If the Packers continue to remain in the top ten on defense all season it will mean they are continuing to get better as the opposition gets stronger which will in turn lead to good things. Despite the problems on offense right now I think with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback the Packers will move the ball all season and will again rank in the top ten like they did last year when coming in sixth. Going into the season all we asked for really was a better defense, the problems on the offensive line came out of the blue for the most part but I think they can be fixed as the season progresses. It could be blind optimism but I’ve seen it before when an individual unit, be it the offensive line or defensive line or secondary, come together and even turn into a position of strength as the season wore on. It happened in Green Bay two years ago when Ryan Grant exploded for 900-some yards over the last seven games when the Packers couldn’t run a lick the first nine games.
I like to see the Packers ranked high in the stats and winning is the most important, but remember, if you are last in offense and defense you aren’t going to be winning many games. Moving the ball and stopping the opponent does help a little. My question to you is does the fact that the Vikings are not exactly statistical superstars against pretty much the same schedule the Packers have played give you any hope the Packers can catch the Vikings? It does me. At least a little bit. I think the Packers’ defense can get better, I think the Vikings are who they are. The Bears are the big unknown on both sides of the ball, but I get the feeling the Lovie Smith era in Chicago might be winding down. If you are going to have Jay Cutler at quarterback you can’t be a running offense. But that is another story.
It’s between the Packers and Vikings if you ask me.