NFL Power Rankings: Are the Green Bay Packers Overrated?

At 7-0, the Green Bay Packers sit comfortably atop every major power ranking poll.  The talk of an undefeated season has begun and will only get louder if the Packers topple the struggling Chargers this week.  But are the Packers really as good as their record indicates?

There's no denying the greatness of the Packers offense.  Aaron Rodgers is the undisputed NFL MVP of the first half.  Greg Jennings and Jordy Nelson are having career years.  Green Bay has a plethora of offensive firepower, the likes of which we haven't seen since the 2007 New England Patriots.  The defense, however, is another story.

Although the Packers boast some unmistakable individual talent on the defensive side of the ball, there are glaring weaknesses as well. 

Green Bay is a humbling 31st in the league against the pass.  It would be one thing if the Pack faced Tom Brady every week, but they haven't.  Giving up 419 yards to Drew Brees is understandable. But allowing Sam Bradford to throw for 328 yards, when he failed to throw for even 200 yards the previous two weeks, is not acceptable.

The Packers aren't blowing opponents out either.  In Week 1, they were a yard away from going into overtime with the New Orleans Saints.  Last week, they beat the lowly Vikings by only a touchdown.  It's a decent possibility that the Packers can ride their high-powered offense all the way to another Super Bowl bid, but until the champs shore up their faulty defense, the undefeated talk should cease.  At least until around Thanksgiving.