Perfect Packers? Charles Woodson Says 19-0 the Goal for Green Bay

It happens every time a team gets through the first half of a season without a loss. The notion of a perfect season starts to be discussed by people like me.

Almost without fail, the team in question dismisses the notion, talks about how it's only thinking about the next team on the schedule and that its goal is to win a championship, not go undefeated.

Ever since the Miami Dolphins made it through 17 games without a loss in the 1972 season and made the unthinkable possible, we just can't help ourselves—we have to bring it up.

Four years ago, when the New England Patriots made a serious run at perfection only to be undone by the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII, it had an entirely different vibe. Having just been penalized over the infamous Spygate affair, the Patriots were delivering a message to their detractors who questioned the legitimacy of their three Super Bowl titles by pretty much demolishing everything in their path that season.

The Green Bay Packers improved to 8-0 after beating the San Diego Chargers last Sunday and the talk about the elusive perfect season wasn't far behind.

But unlike so many of those who had been in the same position before him, Packers cornerback Charles Woodson didn't lean on cliches or dismiss the idea. Rather, he told Yahoo! Sports' Michael Silver that 19-0 was the goal.

Coach Mike McCarthy took a more cautious approach to the question, saying it's too soon to be talking about before the team had 10 wins without a defeat. Green Bay's next two games are at home, against the Minnesota Vikings on Monday night and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers the following Sunday. Win those and there you are, coach—10-0.

The biggest roadblock I see is the Thanksgiving Day trip to Detroit to take on the Lions. It's a game the Packers have had trouble winning even when the Lions were in the midst of their decade as a national punchline. Detroit beat the Pack on Thanksgiving Day in 2003 and gave Green Bay all it wanted in close losses in both 2003 and 2007.

Running the table in the NFL is incredibly difficult, as evidenced by the fact that in the history of the league, only one team has been able to pull it off. And in fairness, the 1972 Dolphins weren't exactly tested through the regular season. Miami played only two teams, the Kansas City Chiefs and the Giants, that finished the season with winning records. The only three meetings Miami had with playoff teams in 1972 were, well, in the playoffs.

Green Bay's finishing schedule is a bit more daunting, with games remaining against the Oakland Raiders, Chicago Bears and two still remaining with the Lions.

Another factor is the temptation to take the foot off the gas pedal once everything is clinched. The Indianapolis Colts in 2009 had a chance to run the table, winning their first 14 games. But with home-field advantage secured, the Colts went through the motions, resting players and preparing for the playoffs. They lost their last two games of the regular season through complete indifference.

One reason you have to like the Packers' chances is Aaron Rodgers. The Super Bowl MVP is playing on an entirely different level than any other quarterback in the league. Rodgers has already thrown 24 touchdown passes and just three interceptions and he's completing an almost unfathomable 72.5 percent of his throws.

But the defense might be Green Bay's Achilles' heel. Only the Colts and Patriots are surrendering more than the 399.6 yards per game the Packers are allowing and their pass defense is ranked 31st in a 32-team league.

Do I think the Packers have the ability to run the table? Sure. But in a league that likes by the rule of "any given Sunday," I just don't think it's very likely.