Many questions have we after three weeks of jarring hits and upright splits, but none is more pressing than this: Are the undefeated Green Bay Packers the real thing?
What is happening in Green Bay is very much for real. But so are feelings of infatuation after a few dates. The truth is it takes longer for something special to develop.
What they’ve shown so far has left many with butterflies and palpitations. And I don’t believe those feelings will be going away soon.
The Packers already have done what the Bears could not — slay the mighty San Diego Chargers. They held LaDainian Tomlinson to 2.8 yards per carry and Brett Favre threw for 369 yards, including a 57-yard TD pass to Greg Jennings with 2 minutes 3 seconds left in a 31-24 victory on Sunday.
The game was a measuring stick for the youngest team in the NFL, and it showed just how much the Packers have grown. They have beaten three teams that were in the playoffs a year ago.
“It’s hard to luck into three straight wins like this,” Favre said. “I think this team is pretty good or can be pretty good.”
The Packers are a team capable of stirring up dust all season long in the NFC North.
“They might not be a Super Bowl team, but they look like a contender,” one NFC general manager said. “They have a winning formula — good defense, avoid turnovers, convert third downs. The only thing missing is the run game. But they might be able to get around it like Andy Reid does, in a traditional West Coast way — by having Favre throw for a high completion percentage.”
One NFC pro personnel director sees the Packers as a team that will contend for a playoff spot and finish with a record in the 9-7 range.
On offense, the Packers’ philosophy is to rein in the 37-year-old Favre so he’s not throwing interceptions. They just want to move the chains, and they’ve done that very well.
“Favre has been very impressive, especially at converting third downs,” the GM said. “He’s making clutch throws.”
Favre, who has thrown more interceptions than anyone in NFL history except George Blanda, threw 45 passes against the Chargers without an interception.
Packers coach Mike McCarthy showed up in a hallway outside the locker room after his postgame news conference and a meeting with Favre to explain.
“He’s a very coachable guy,” said McCarthy, who wore the glow of victory as well as a little grease from a slice of pizza. “I’ve always found him to be. He prepares so much better now than the first time I was here (eight years ago as an assistant). He works at it. He understands. Players have to buy into what you’re doing, and he does.”
In Year 2 of McCarthy’s tenure, the Packers are starting to come together, though what we’ve seen so far this season does not accurately reflect the style of offense McCarthy likes to play.
On Sunday, they lined up in an empty backfield 15 to 20 times, in the estimation of offensive coordinator Joe Philbin. They have used the shotgun liberally. Through their first two games, they played three- or four- receiver sets on 68 snaps and two-receiver sets only 38 snaps, according to STATS. It has gotten so Packers fullback Korey Hall barely needs to shower after the game.
Consider this: On fourth-and-inches near the goal line in the fourth quarter with the Chargers leading 21-17, the Packers came out in an empty formation, and Favre threw an incompletion. The team also used an empty backfield on a third-and-1 in the second quarter. Favre ran for a first down.
The Packers have run the ball on only 37 percent of their snaps this season because they aren’t sure if they can run it. After losing Ahman Green in free agency, general manager Ted Thompson opted not to try to replace him with a veteran from another team. So far, that has meant the handoffs go mostly to second-round pick Brandon Jackson and seventh-round pick DeShawn Wynn, both of whom have been ordinary.
Running the ball is the only thing the Packers have shown to be incapable of doing. For the Packers to be an elite team, they will have to evolve offensively, and McCarthy thinks they are capable of changing.
“I’m not interested in throwing 40 or 50 times a game,” said McCarthy, who calls the plays. “That’s not the plan. If we feel we have to do that to win, we can. But that’s really not my personality. Part of it is me. I have to get more comfortable with those backs. We’re in Green Bay, Wisconsin. When November, December rolls around, I want to be pounding it. We’re going to be a good running team. I promise you that.”
Regardless of the running game, the Packers’ defense has shown to be stout enough to keep them in most games.
“They’re deep on the defensive line,” the pro personnel director said. “They have speed at linebacker with A.J. Hawk and Nick Barnett. And they have two good corners in Al Harris and Charles Woodson. They’re playing really good D.”
In their last seven games, the defense has given up only eight touchdowns and an average of 13.1 points per game.
Making Tomlinson look mortal might have been their most impressive feat.
“Our D-line gets so much penetration, they’re in the backfield making him bounce those runs outside,” Hawk said. “When he can’t get downhill and crease you, it makes our job as linebackers a lot easier. And we’ve got safeties and corners tackling too. We’ve got 11 guys going to the ball.”
If the defense has a weakness, it might be the nickel package. Third cornerback Jarrett Bush is an inviting target.
The Packers might not be able to work magic like they did Sunday for 16 weeks, but the bet here is they have a few more doves up their sleeves.
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dpompei@tribune.com
