Packers: 8-0

The Packers are 8-0 and the only undefeated team in the NFL.

You'd never know it based on all the criticism being heaped on the team, to be specific, the defense.

I understand the concerns, but I just would like to enjoy the reality.

The season is half over and the Packers haven't lost a game.

From the Green Bay Press-Gazette:

Common sense says this will catch up to them. Then again, there’s a half-season’s worth of evidence to suggest maybe the Green Bay Packers can win a Super Bowl by scoring enough points to overcome their defensive shortcomings.

They did it again Sunday against the San Diego Chargers, though they also needed safety Charlie Peprah’s late interception to avoid squandering a 21-point lead in the fourth quarter of their 45-38 win at Qualcomm Stadium.

The Packers’ offense did what it’s done all season, with the NFL’s best quarterback putting up points seemingly almost at will.

Their defense also did what it’s done all season, that is, yield yards by the bushel but make enough turnover plays — this time, three huge interceptions — to avert defeat.

“We’re not going to turn a blind eye to the negatives that went on today,” Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. “We're 8-0. That’s the facts. We’re 5-0 on the road. That’s huge. We’re excited about that. The defense gave up too many big plays.”

Yes, the Packers did win and at 8-0 are the league’s lone unbeaten team.

However, at the halfway point of the schedule they're only one game ahead of the surprising 7-1 San Francisco 49ers in the race for the best record and home-field playoff advantage in the NFC. They’re also only two games ahead of the 6-2 Detroit Lions for first place in the NFC North Division.

Until Sunday, the Packers had kept teams out of the end zone enough to put up a respectable rating in the most important category, scoring defense, where they ranked a solid No. 9 in the NFL.

But in San Diego, the same defense that in the first quarter scored two touchdowns in barely more than a minute on interception returns of 40 yards by Peprah and 43 yards by Tramon Williams nearly blew a three-touchdown lead in the fourth quarter.

This time, coordinator Dom Capers’ defense gave up not just big yards — a whopping 460 yards total — but blew coverages downfield and in the end zone that allowed three Chargers touchdowns in the last 17 minutes.

Aaron Rodgers and the offense are incredible.

The defense, on the other hand, can be incredibly frightening. It's stressful and frustrating to watch.

But even with its obvious problems, the defense gets the job done. It manages to do just enough.

The reigning Super Bowl champion Packers are winning.

“Some of us will do our jobs well and some will not, but we will all be judged on one thing: the result.”

--Vince Lombardi