Why Green Bay Packers Aren't Perfect, But Are Still NFL's Best Team

The Green Bay Packers' quest for a perfect season ended with a thud Sunday in Week 15's most shocking outcome, as Aaron Rodgers and the prolific Packers offense were held in check by the Kansas City Chiefs, opening the door for a 19-14 Chiefs victory that left Cheeseheads around the globe shaking their heads in disbelief.

The loss was unfortunate, and after rolling through most opponents like a boulder through tissue paper, the fact that it was the lowly Chiefs that knocked the Packers from the ranks of the unbeaten makes the game's outcome all the more puzzling, but it's beyond early to be pressing any sort of panic button where the Pack is concerned.

Rodgers is the presumptive favorite to be named NFL MVP this season, and while the seventh-year veteran had his worst game of the season today, completing less than half his passes and throwing only one touchdown pass, he remains arguably the game's best signal-caller and still has a wide array of offensive weaponry at his disposal even with wide receiver Greg Jennings on the shelf with an injured knee.

If there's a real area for concern in Packerland in probably lies with the defense, which ranks 31st in the NFL in total yards allowed, but the Packers are a respectable 11th in scoring defense, have intercepted more passes than any team in the NFL and are led by of football's best defensive minds in defensive coordinator Dom Capers.

So, while today's outcome is disappointing for the Packers and their fans, who whether they wanted to admit or not were eyeing the perfection prize they can take solace in knowing that even as the 1972 Miami Dolphins pop the champagne bottles the Green Bay Packers remain the Super Bowl favorite and are the team to beat in the National Football League in 2011.