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Thursday's Big Question series was intended mostly as a post-draft gathering point than an attempt to break new ground, but many of you were left with further questions about the Green Bay Packers' open safety position after reading the post. Lance of Beloit, Wis., writes:

Are Charlie Peprah and Jerron McMillian the only to viable options to replace Nick Collins? I have read reports that Charles Woodson may be moved to safety. Casey Hayward would be moved into Woodson's starting role. This was talked about on the Packers' website. I see this being an option also replace Collins and prolong Woodson career like Rod Woodson and Ronnie Lott.

Yes, Packers.com guru Vic Ketchman wrote: "[C]onsensus opinion is that a move from cornerback could do for Woodson’s career what it did for Ronnie Lott and Rod Woodson, which is to have lengthened its greatness." And defensive coordinator Dom Capers didn't exactly reject the idea last week after the Packers not only drafted McMillian, but also cornerback Casey Hayward.

"Charles is a bright guy," Capers said. "It's not like it would be a radical move because of the way we've used him in the last three years, basically. We feel he can play any one of those positions. That's one of the things he brings to the table is the flexibility that he gives you that he can."

Capers uses one of the more creative schemes in the game, and in some of his more elaborate formations, it's difficult to tell who is playing what position. Technically, Woodson has lined up as a cornerback, a slot nickel man and as a linebacker at various times over the past three years. The only way to tell if Woodson is a full-time safety is if he lines up there in the rare occasions when the Packers use their standard 3-4 base formation.

We've hit this topic often both in the blog and our weekly SportsNation chats. My take remains the same. Cornerback is a more important position and more difficult position than safety. Moving Woodson to safety only makes sense if the Packers have a strong option to replace him at cornerback.

Is that the case? Last year at this time, we might have thought Sam Shields was ready for that role. Shields took a step back last season. Could Hayward be that player? That might be a lot to ask a rookie. In February, at least, coach Mike McCarthy strongly implied that Woodson primarily will be a cornerback in 2012.

McCarthy could change his mind, of course, but at this point I wonder if he's more willing to take a chance with an unproven player at safety than he is at cornerback.

We can say with some confidence that the Green Bay Packers' coaching staff is getting a thorough once-over from the NFL this season.

Cornerbacks coach Joe Whitt is reportedly a candidate for the Oakland Raiders' defensive coordinator job, bringing the total to at least five Packers assistants who have been sought after for at least seven different jobs in the past three weeks. New Raiders coach Dennis Allen had been pursuing Greg Manusky for the job, but as my AFC West colleague Bill Williamson points out, Manusky is expected to join the Indianapolis Colts instead.

Whitt, 33, is one of two defensive assistants who survived the Packers' staff overhaul after the 2008 season. Packers coach Mike McCarthy promoted him from quality control coach to his current role, where he has received credit for his work with young cornerbacks Tramon Williams and Sam Shields.

His presumed connection to the Raiders is general manager Reggie McKenzie, a longtime Packers executive.

Despite the attention, the only Packers assistant to depart thus far is offensive coordinator Joe Philbin, who is now the Miami Dolphins' head coach.

Previewing some of the big decisions facing NFC North teams early in the 2012 offseason:

Ever since the Green Bay Packers temporarily shifted him to safety in 2008, the question has followed cornerback Charles Woodson: When would the move become permanent? After all, you don't often see players in their mid-30s locking down one of the most difficult positions in the NFL.

Subsequently, Woodson has received the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award (2009) and three consecutive All-Pro honors. At the end of his 14th season, at the age of 35, Woodson was arguably the best cornerback on the Packers' roster. It's more difficult to find a cornerback than a safety, but would moving Woodson help make the Packers' defense better overall next season?

The Packers will at least consider that question as they await word on the status of Pro Bowl safety Nick Collins, who is two months away from finding out if doctors will clear him to play or recommend retirement because of a serious neck injury suffered in September. If Collins returns, he could team with strong safety Morgan Burnett in 2012. If not, Woodson might be the Packers' best option if they want to improve their tackling at the position.

Coach Mike McCarthy termed the discussion "very premature" during a news conference Wednesday but did not rule it out. "We're not making any position changes today," he said.

Collins' replacement, Charlie Peprah, didn't play well in Sunday's divisional playoff game to the New York Giants, missing a tackle on Hakeem Nicks' 66-yard touchdown catch and, like Woodson, failing to break up a Hail Mary pass to Nicks at the end of the first half. The sure-tackling Woodson would presumably be an upgrade over Peprah, but as we've discussed many times, the move doesn't make sense unless the Packers have a credible cornerback to take his place.

A few months ago, it would have been reasonable to think Tramon Williams and Sam Shields could hold down the two primary cornerback positions moving forward. The Packers also invested a 2011 fourth-round draft pick in cornerback Davon House, a potential nickelback with a year of development. But while they each intercepted four passes, neither Williams nor Shields played as well in 2011 as they did in 2010. House, meanwhile, was deactivated for 14 of 16 games.

That makes the Woodson issue complicated. If you're going to have a hole on defense, it makes more sense for it to be at safety than cornerback. But would the Packers be better off with a foursome of Williams, Shields, Woodson and Burnett than Woodson, Williams, Burnett and Peprah?

I think you could make that argument. But in the end, Woodson's status probably will be contingent on a number of outside factors: Collins' health, whether the Packers can find instant reinforcements at safety or cornerback in the draft and whether Williams or Shields can use the offseason to restore themselves to 2010 levels.

As promised, I have a quick follow-up to a question from Tuesday's SportsNation chat. Brendan Q of Ireland asked if the Green Bay Packers have set an NFL record by having 19 different players score a touchdown this season. Before I got a chance to research it, Lori Nickel of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel posted the answer in a story Wednesday morning.

The record, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, is 21. It's been done several times, most recently in 2007 by the New England Patriots.

The Packers still have three games to tie or break the record, but the "problem" is that most of their skill players on offense already have at least one touchdown. All five wide receivers, three of their tight ends, their top two running backs and even their top two quarterbacks have all scored. The remaining candidates on offense are tight end D.J. Williams, who has one catch in 10 games this season, and rookie running back Brandon Saine.

Defensively, the Packers already have touchdowns from both starting cornerbacks and both starting outside linebackers. Safety Charlie Peprah and defensive lineman B.J. Raji (via offense) have also scored. Among those left: cornerback Sam Shields, cornerback/safety Jarrett Bush and safety Morgan Burnett.

Thanks again to everyone for taking part in the chat.

We're Black and Blue All Over:

The Green Bay Packers returned from their bye week Monday to a dose of reality: A rare full-padded practice.

Under the new collective bargaining agreement (CBA), NFL teams can have more than one full-pads practice in a given week only once during the season. Coach Mike McCarthy chose this one.

Mike Spofford of Packers.com wrote that Monday "harkened back a bit to an August training-camp practice" and added: "Offensive linemen and tight ends were banging head-on against pass-rushers. Receivers were getting jammed one-on-one by defensive backs at the line of scrimmage. Running backs were trying to run interference against blitzing linebackers."

A padded practice doesn't necessarily mean full contact, but it at least allows for some physical drills. The Packers are preparing for Sunday's game at the San Diego Chargers, who are probably spent after a 23-20 overtime loss at the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday night.

Continuing around the NFC North:

• Tight end Jermichael Finley said that he hopes to sign a long-term contract with the Packers but won't be upset if they place the franchise tag on him next season. Rob Demovsky of the Green Bay Press-Gazette has more.
• The Packers promoted running back Brandon Saine from the practice squad to replace the injured Alex Green, notes Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
• Packers defensive back Sam Shields has been cleared to practice after recovering from a concussion, writes Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com.
• Bob Wojnowski of the Detroit News: "Go ahead and say it, even if it's premature, even if it sounds kind of funny and almost never gets said around here. The Lions are a playoff team. Yep, they are. Or should be. Or will be."
• Lions receiver Nate Burleson, via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press: "We're not champions, we're not in the playoffs, but we've proven that we can contend with some of the best in the league. Now we have to go out there and have the same type of focus the second half of the season."
• Birkett speaks to Lions receiver Titus Young about jumping into the Denver Broncos' stands after scoring his first NFL touchdown.
• Mark Potash of the Chicago Sun-Times hands out first-half grades to the Chicago Bears.
• Michael C. Wright of ESPNChicago.com looks at the possibility of placing the franchise tag on Bears running back Matt Forte.
• The Bears seem to be following the same script in 2011 that they followed in 2010, writes Dan Pompei of the Chicago Tribune.
• Tom Pelissero of 1500ESPN.com reviews the tape of the Minnesota Vikings' 24-21 victory over the Carolina Panthers.
• Dan Wiederer of the Star Tribune reviews the first victory of rookie quarterback Christian Ponder's career.
• The Vikings are trying to decide if veteran cornerback Cedric Griffin, who has two surgically repaired knees, should continue as a starter, notes Judd Zulgad of 1500ESPN.com.

We're Black and Blue All Over:

You can blame injury-induced personnel changes or opponents abandoning the run game. But through seven weeks of the season, as Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writes, the Green Bay Packers have yet to patch the leak in their pass defense.

We've been discussing the issue since the start of the season, and the Packers remain at the bottom of the NFL rankings in terms of yardage allowed. They are giving up an average of 288.9 passing yards per game, the second-worst in the league. But their NFL-high 13 interceptions have helped them limit the points opponents have scored after accumulating that yardage. The most important statistic is points allowed, and the Packers' defense ranks No. 10 with an average of 20.1 points per game.

Defensive coordinator Dom Capers suggested looming improvement on the yardage issue as the health of the Packers' secondary rises.

"The first half of the season here," Capers said, "we've gone through our share of mixing and matching from one week to the next. So hopefully we can get everybody healthy and working together and get off to a good start once we get back [from the bye] and go to San Diego."

That list includes nickelback Sam Shields, who has been cleared to return from a concussion. Cornerback Tramon Williams continues to work through a shoulder injury, and safety Morgan Burnett is playing with a club protecting his broken hand.

Continuing around the NFC North:

• Kareem Copeland of the Green Bay Press-Gazette wonders if the Packers will re-sign running back Dimitri Nance following the loss of rookie Alex Green (knee).
• Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com: "With nine regular-season games remaining, starting with a road game against the San Diego Chargers Nov. 6 after the bye week, the Packers know that their perfect record doesn't mean that they’re playing perfect football. [Coach Mike] McCarthy said the team has graded out as playing 'above average' so far this season."
• Tom Pelissero of 1500ESPN.com reviews the tape of the Minnesota Vikings' loss to the Packers.
• Minneapolis political leaders are suggesting three potential sites for a new Vikings stadium, writes Kevin Duchschere of the Star Tribune. The Vikings prefer the site in suburban Arden Hills.
• Vikings right guard Anthony Herrera could miss two weeks because of a torn PCL ligament in his knee, notes Jeremy Fowler of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
• John Niyo of the Detroit News on Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh: "Talk is cheap. But reputations are invaluable."
• Justin Rogers of Mlive.com reviews some of the key plays from the Lions' loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
• Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press examines the pregame trash talking between the Lions and Falcons.
• Neil Hayes of the Chicago Sun-Times takes a look at what the Chicago Bears must do to make the playoffs.
• The Bears put consistent pressure on Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman, writes Dan Pompei of the Chicago Tribune.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Greetings from the Metrodome, where I've been keeping an eye on the two early games in the NFC North while also watching Minnesota Vikings rookie quarterback Christian Ponder start his pregame warm-ups about an hour ahead of most other players.

The Vikings have one surprise on their list of inactive players: Receiver Bernard Berrian won't play for the second time in three games. Berrian didn’t appear on the injury report this week; his previous deactivation was for disciplinary reasons, according to coach Leslie Frazier.

As expected the Vikings will be without four other key players: cornerback Antoine Winfield (neck), cornerback Chris Cook (arrest), center John Sullivan (concussion) and safety Jamarca Sanford (concussion). Asher Allen will start at cornerback alongside Cedric Griffin.

The Packers had no surprises among their list of inactives. It includes cornerback Sam Shields (concussion). Defensive end Ryan Pickett (concussion) is active, as expected. So is linebacker/fan favorite Vic So'oto.

Getting inside the NFC North Friday injury report:

Chicago Bears: All players are probable for Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers except for offensive lineman Gabe Carimi (knee) and defensive lineman Matt Toeaina (knee). Still, receiver Earl Bennett (chest) seems unlikely to play. Safety Major Wright (hip) might give way to veteran Chris Harris in the starting lineup.

Detroit Lions: The Lions officially ruled out running back Jahvid Best (concussion) for Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons, to no one's surprise. The good news: Linebacker Justin Durant and tight end Tony Scheffler, both of who whom have been dealing with concussions, are listed as probable. Durant has missed the past three games.

Green Bay Packers: Defensive tackle Ryan Pickett was added to the injury list Friday because of a concussion and is questionable for Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings. Packers coach Mike McCarthy indicated that Pickett should be cleared for the game, which would be a quick recovery. Cornerback Sam Shields is doubtful because of a concussion and isn't expected to play.

Minnesota Vikings: It looks like the Vikings will be missing two of their four starting defensive backs for Sunday's game. Cornerback Antoine Winfield (neck) and safety Jamarca Sanford (concussion) are both listed as doubtful. So is center John Sullivan (concussion). Chris Cook would continue starting for Winfield. Tyrell Johnson would start for Sanford and Joe Berger for Sullivan.

A few NFC North practice and injury notes:

Chicago Bears: Receiver Devin Hester (chest) fully participated in Thursday's practice. So did receiver Earl Bennett (chest), but unlike Hester, it appears Bennett might not play Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Detroit Lions: The team has not commented on ESPN's report that running back Jerome Harrison was diagnosed with a brain tumor earlier this week. Harrison was listed on the injury report with an "illness." Harrison, running back Jahvid Best (concussion) and receiver Rashied Davis (foot) did not practice. Linebacker Justin Durant and tight end Tony Scheffler, both of whom have been dealing with concussions, practiced on a limited basis.

Green Bay Packers: Linebacker Clay Matthews (quadriceps) and right guard Josh Sitton (knee) were limited participants Thursday. Cornerback Sam Shields (concussion) did not practice.

Minnesota Vikings: Center John Sullivan (concussion ) and safety Jamarca Sanford (concussion) both sat out practice and are going to have a hard time playing Sunday against the Packers. Cornerback Antoine Winfield (neck) had limited participation for the second consecutive day, but his status remains uncertain. Right tackle Phil Loadholt (knee) returned to practice.

Checking in on Wednesday's practice report:

Chicago Bears: Wide receiver Earl Bennett (chest) fully participated in practice and could return to the lineup Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Receiver/kick returner Devin Hester (chest) didn't practice Wednesday, but indications are that he will be available Sunday. Offensive lineman Gabe Carimi (knee) and tight end Kellen Davis (elbow) both sat out practice.

Detroit Lions: Running back Jahvid Best (concussion) didn't practice and might not be ready for Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons. Two other players with concussions, linebacker Justin Durant and tight end Tony Scheffler, didn't practice. Safety Amari Spievey missed practice for a non-injury reason. Cornerback Chris Houston is dealing with a back injury of unknown severity.

Green Bay Packers: Linebacker Frank Zombo (knee) won't play Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings. Sam Shields (concussion) and Josh Sitton (knee) didn't practice Wednesday, but Sitton is expected to be ready for Sunday's game. Linebacker Clay Matthews (quadriceps) didn't practice. Cornerback Charles Woodson (foot) was limited.

Minnesota Vikings: Two starting offensive linemen, center John Sullivan (concussion) and right tackle Phil Loadholt (knee) didn't practice Wednesday. Coach Leslie Frazier said Loadholt's status is questionable for Sunday's game against the Packers. He would be replaced by Pat Brown, while Sullivan might have to give way to backup Joe Berger. Receiver Percy Harvin (ribs) and safety Jamarca Sanford (concussion) also sat out practice. Cornerback Antoine Winfield (neck) had limited participation in practice for the first time in three weeks.

We're Black and Blue All Over:

Tuesday is the NFL trade deadline. Traditionally it is nothing like the frenzies in other sports, given the relative difficulty of joining a new team at midseason in football. But there are some interesting NFC North angles to consider regardless. Among them:

Would the Detroit Lions consider trading for a running back? Starter Jahvid Best is dealing with his second concussion of the past three months, and his immediate status is uncertain.

Would anyone make a huge offer for Chicago Bears tailback Matt Forte, who is having a career year but is unsigned after this season? It's highly unlikely that the Bears would trade Forte, but you wonder what another team might be willing to part with.

Will the Bears ship out safety Chris Harris, who has asked for a trade?

Is there any connection between the trade deadline and the Minnesota Vikings' decision to delay a decision on the status of starting quarterback Donovan McNabb? Is it possible they will shop McNabb to a quarterback-needy team, possibly the Oakland Raiders, if they decide to make a change to rookie Christian Ponder?

Based on history, at least, Tuesday will pass without a trade in the NFC North. But it's worth keeping an eye on regardless.

Continuing around the division:

• At least two teams have had internal discussions about a trade for Forte, according to Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune.
• Harris told Sean Jensen of the Chicago Sun-Times that he feels "disrespected."
• Melissa Isaacson of ESPNChicago.com writes that the Bears should part ways with offensive coordinator Mike Martz in the offseason.
• The NFL did not fine Lions coach Jim Schwartz or San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh for their roles in Sunday's postgame fracas. According to the league, "there was no fighting and thus no basis for a fine." I also think the league doesn't feel compelled to offer deterrence for other NFL coaches. Sunday was a once-in-a-generation event.
• Drew Sharp of the Detroit Free Press: "Neither deserved a suspension, but if graciousness and sportsmanship still count for anything, Goodell should've made an example of these two by lightening their wallets."
• Schwartz on Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford's performance Sunday, via Carlos Monarrez of the Free Press: "It's not one of Matt's better games, for sure."
• Schwartz said that Best didn't begin complaining of concussion symptoms until long after the game. But Chris McCosky of the Detroit News notes that Best wasn't on the field for the team's final few drives.
• The Green Bay Packers weren't happy when cornerback Sam Shields tried to run back an interception in the end zone Sunday, notes Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com. Shields suffered a concussion on the play.
• Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel takes a look a the Packers' imperfections.
• The Packers are still hoping to get defensive end Mike Neal back after midseason, writes Rob Demovsky of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.
• Tom Pelissero of 1500ESPN.com looks at the tape of the Vikings' loss to the Bears, noting that receiver Percy Harvin played on only 44 percent of the team's snaps.
• The Vikings should find out what Ponder can do against the NFL's best team, writes Bob Sansevere of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
• Chip Scoggins of the Star Tribune: "Starting Ponder from Day 1 might have been a tough sell. Not anymore."

We're Black and Blue All Over:

Thanks to the miracle of modern travel, I was able to hustle back to NFC North blog headquarters Sunday night while keeping an eye on the Chicago Bears' impressive prime-time victory over the Minnesota Vikings. Thanks to ESPNChicago.com for covering me on the late-night Rapid Reaction.

Week 6 left us in a state that makes me feel privileged to cover the NFC North. We have:

1. The Green Bay Packers, who at 6-0 are the last undefeated team in the NFL.
2. The Detroit Lions, whose coach certainly made it interesting for us after their first loss of the season.
3. The aforementioned Bears, who put together a complete game in advance of their trip to London next weekend.
4. The Vikings, who could be on the brink of a quarterback change to rookie Christian Ponder. The Vikings also have a big week on their stadium front, with meetings scheduled with Gov. Mark Dayton and league officials starting Monday in an effort to create an agreement that could lead to a fall special session.

We'll get to all of it, eventually. But first, let's catch up on local coverage of Sunday's action:

• Bears quarterback Jay Cutler on the team's reconfigured offense Sunday night, via Dan Pompei of the Chicago Tribune: "We stuck to what we can do out there."
• The Bears scaled back Cutler's drops and added more people, most notably tight ends, to their pass protection. Michael C. Wright of ESPNChicago.com explains.
• It's important to take into account the Vikings' "poorly played, poorly coached and lackluster effort," writes Melissa Isaacson of ESPNChicago.com. Added Isaacson: "The Bears are what they appear to be after six games -- a .500 team no matter how they spin it."
• Devin Hester had two touchdowns Sunday night, including a 98-yard kickoff return, but left with a chest injury, notes Mark Potash of the Chicago Sun-Times.
• Vikings defensive end Brian Robison on the loss, via Tom Pelissero of 1500ESPN.com: "It's humiliating. That's the only word I can think of right now. It's simply humiliating."
• Chip Scoggins of the Star Tribune: "It's amazing that an offense featuring Adrian Peterson, Percy Harvin and Visanthe Shiancoe can look so alarmingly inept and predictable. But it did for a variety of reasons. So here's the question: What exactly is this team's identity on offense, other than hope and pray Peterson can save the day? They don't have a Plan B when a team stuffs the run the way the Bears did Sunday night."
• Tom Powers of the St. Paul Pioneer Press thinks the Vikings should have a fire sale.
• For the record, Vikings coach Leslie Frazier was noncommittal about the status of his quarterback position after Ponder relieved starter Donovan McNabb in the fourth quarter. Frazier, via Jeremy Fowler of the Pioneer Press: "We've got to sit down and talk about a lot of things."
• The Packers' defense had three sacks Sunday and limited the St. Louis Rams to three points but wasn't satisfied with its effort, writes Kareem Copeland of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.
• Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk after television cameras caught him making an obscene gesture to the Packers' sideline, via Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com: "I'm stupid. I don't even realize sometimes when I'm out there that anyone's out there; the TVs or anything I know it got caught on TV. … It's kind of been a running joke with some of my teammates. There was no anger or malice or anything. It was a joke and I kind of got caught up in the emotions of the game. I definitely apologize if any kids or anyone else saw it. I have a daughter myself so I wouldn't want her doing that. I got excited and got caught up in the game and it was just a bad joke. I definitely won't do it again."
• Packers nickelback Sam Shields suffered a concussion after trying to run out an interception from the end zone Sunday, notes Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
• The Packers have now won 12 consecutive games, including playoffs, and tied the franchise record. Bob McGinn of the Journal Sentinel has more.
• The Lions' postgame fracas was less important than its late defensive failure Sunday, writes Mitch Albom of the Detroit Free Press.
• John Niyo of the Detroit News on the episode: "But there's really no explaining the reaction of the coaches after this one, and I'm guessing the NFL commissioner's office will agree upon further review. Clearly, this was not the proper way to 'complete the process' of the traditional postgame meet-and-greet."
• Drew Sharp of the Detroit Free Press: "But it's unacceptable when coaches make fools of themselves, as [Jim] Harbaugh and [Jim] Schwartz did."
• Lions running back Jahvid Best suffered a concussion late in Sunday's game, notes Chris McCosky of the Detroit News.
• Philip Zaroo of Mlive.com: "Jim Schwartz's outburst at the end of the game was overboard, even if Jim Harbaugh antagonized him."

A few thoughts on the Green Bay Packers' 24-3 victory against the St. Louis Rams:

What it means: The Packers are 6-0 for the first time since 1965. They did most of their offensive damage in the second quarter and cruised through a scoreless second half. Despite giving up 424 yards to the Rams' previously anemic offense, nothing that happened Sunday changed my mind about the Packers' status as the NFL's top team.

RodgersWatch: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers had a perfect passer rating at halftime after throwing three touchdown passes in the second quarter, including a 93-yarder to receiver Jordy Nelson against some bumbling Rams coverage. But if you were hoping to see Rodgers pile up some record-breaking numbers thereafter, I'm sorry to report it didn't happen. Rodgers managed just 49 yards after halftime, but with a three-score lead, he didn't need to do much.

Offensive numbers: The Packers gave up 321 passing yards to Rams quarterback Sam Bradford. Running back Steven Jackson had 96 yards. If you heard those numbers before the game, you would have thought the Rams would have been in the game. But a Sam Shields interception in the end zone ended one drive, and the Packers' defense made the plays when it counted.

What's next: The Packers will travel to their home away from home at the Metrodome to take on the Minnesota Vikings. Packers fans, many of them local, annually buy up thousands of tickets for that game.

A few thoughts on the Green Bay Packers' victory, a 49-23 win over the Denver Broncos. Ho-hum:

What it means: The Packers remained undefeated with a thorough spanking of the Broncos, who are still winless in the state of Wisconsin all-time.

RodgersWatch: Was this the best game in Aaron Rodgers' career? Statistically, at least, it would be hard to argue. He became the first player in NFL history to throw for 400-plus passing yards and four touchdowns while also rushing for two scores in the same game. That’s a mouthful, but it’s another way of saying Rodgers accounted for an unprecedented variety of touchdowns and production Sunday.

RodgersWatchII: With Ryan Grant sidelined by a bruised kidney, we wondered who would be the alternative to starter James Starks. Answer: Rodgers. He officially had nine rushes in the game, but according to ESPN Stats & Information, eight of them were scrambles off a dropback. Rodgers’ previous career high on unplanned scrambles was seven. He had scrambled only five times in the Packers’ first three games combined.

Play-action redux: In a development that might interest only me and John McTigue of ESPN Stats & Information, the Packers scored another play-action touchdown off their relatively rarely-used two-back set. Rodgers’ 50-yard touchdown pass to Jordy Nelson came with Starks and John Kuhn in the backfield.

Injury report: Packers receiver Donald Driver shook off a first-half left knee injury to get in on the fun in the second half, catching a fourth-quarter touchdown pass.

Tackling: If you’re looking for something to complain about, you can question a pass defense that netted one sack, although it had three interceptions, and demonstrated some shaky tackling. Cornerback Sam Shields' attempt on Eric Decker's 5-yard scoring reception was weak.

What’s next: The Packers will return to the scene of their impressive 2010 playoff victory against the Atlanta Falcons. The game will be in prime time Sunday night at the Georgia Dome.

Through two games this season, opponents have smoked the Green Bay Packers' defense at a record pace. No one around the team seems concerned about it. Should they be?

I suppose there are any number of reasonable answers to that question. But as we stand here on Sept. 20, it seems the Packers would do themselves more harm by overreacting to allowing a pair of 400-yard passing games in as many weeks. Over time, most NFL teams would accept big yardage totals as long as it's balanced by the kind of red zone defense the Packers have played so far this season.

There is a measure of risk involved with expecting a defense to tighten routinely on key plays, but coach Mike McCarthy said that what he calls "adversity play" is "the strength of our team right now. That’s why we’re 2-0. We’ve stepped up two weeks in a row when it’s counted, but we definitely have a lot of work to do."

Yes, Carolina Panthers rookie Cam Newton lit up the Packers for 432 yards last Sunday at Bank of America Stadium. That performance came a week after Drew Brees logged 419 yards for the New Orleans Saints. Even in a pass-happy league, as the chart shows, the Packers defense ranks near the bottom of the NFL in yardage, points allowed and third-down conversion rate.

Yet the Packers have managed to win on both occasions thanks literally to a handful of important plays. They’ve allowed only three touchdowns on 11 opponent trips to the red zone, a touchdown percentage of 27.3 that ranks third in the NFL. They also rank near the top of the league in takeaways (five) and sacks (seven).

That’s why McCarthy seemed comfortable with the situation, and that’s why you heard linebacker Clay Matthews say: "I don’t think we’re concerned." Cornerback Charles Woodson told reporters that the Packers "definitely have a lot of things to clean up," but expressed full confidence that they would.

The Packers are now down two starters from their Super Bowl team, having lost defensive end Cullen Jenkins via free agency and safety Nick Collins to a neck injury. Jenkins’ expected replacement, Mike Neal, had knee surgery earlier this month and will miss a significant amount of the season. Cornerback Tramon Williams, meanwhile, is rehabilitating a shoulder injury that kept him out of the Panthers game.

But those developments, along with the on-field performance in Weeks 1 and 2, are causing only a mild reaction among the football people I trust. Matt Williams of Scouts Inc. cited mitigating factors in both cases.

"It’s been a little worrisome," Williamson said. "Tramon Williams being out was a huge part of it this past week, though. … I didn't worry too much against the Saints. Brees will do that to everyone. This past weekend opened my eyes a little, but I’m not yet officially concerned."

Williamson did question whether second-year cornerback Sam Shields, who excelled as a nickelback last season, would be ready to handle a larger role if Williams’ injury lingers. And he also brought up an important point: After Jenkins’ departure, do the Packers have enough pass-rushers to complement Matthews?

I’m sure the Packers are hoping that defensive lineman B.J. Raji will pick up much of Jenkins’ slack, and linebacker Erik Walden has proved an aggressive pass-rusher off the edge. Raji and Walden each have a sack this season, but obviously the sample size is small.

In reality, you can point to three series of plays that ensured the Packers’ 2-0 record:

1. [+] Enlarge
   AP Photo/Mike RoemerThe Packers stuffed Mark Ingram at the goal line to preserve their victory in Week 1.
   Stopping Saints running back Mark Ingram at the goal line on the final play of Week 1.
2. Limiting the Panthers to a field goal after they had first-and-10 at the 11-yard line on their second possession Sunday.
3. Again holding the Panthers to a field goal after facing first-and-goal at the 8-yard line in the fourth quarter.

Had the Saints or Panthers scored a touchdown on any of those possessions, the Packers could have at least faced an overtime situation. You don’t want to play with such a thin margin of error, but everything that has happened is "correctable" McCarthy said, and "are things we can adjust to."

An unofficial poll via Twitter this week suggested you are nervous but nowhere near panic. @Jacobklossner noted the Packers are "finding ways to win" but wondered: "How long does that last?" @Elvin1983 is "mildly alarmed with the secondary" and thinks the red zone defense has been called on "too often."

What exactly has happened? I don’t think it can be traced to one or two factors. But I do think the Panthers’ opening drive Sunday was a nice illustration of where the Packers have been vulnerable at least to this point.

In completing six of seven passes, Newton capitalized on two personnel advantages. First, the Panthers' abundance of tight ends forced Matthews to drop into coverage twice and sit on the line of scrimmage on a third play. Matthews hit Newton after one throw, but Newton smartly threw to the area Matthews vacated for an 18-yard play to tight end Jeremy Shockey. And on a screen pass to running back Jonathan Stewart, Matthews slipped at the snap. He got up in time to chase down Stewart from behind, but not before a 19-yard gain.

Second, the Panthers had a rare strength advantage against cornerback Charles Woodson. Veteran receiver Steve Smith escaped contact on two occasions to get open for passes of 15 and 12 yards. I guess it’s possible that Woodson’s coverage skills have slipped, but generally speaking, I don’t think there are many NFL receivers who are strong enough to escape Woodson the way Smith did.

That said, I think it’s worth tracking Williamson’s point about the Packers’ pass rush. Matthews obviously can’t do it all on his own. But given what we know about their defensive personnel and coaching staff, it’s reasonable to believe the Packers will level themselves out. You might consider that unjustified cover for a group in crisis, but I consider it a deserved benefit of the doubt.