There it is for all the world to see. You can doubt it, dismiss it, make fun of it, or just plain ignore it, but it's still there. Take a look at this week's total defense rankings in the NFL. Ladies and gentlemen, your Green Bay Packers have a top ten defense.
8th ranked to be exact. 9th against the pass, 11th versus the run. Hard to believe, considering the defense in general, and coordinator Mike Pettine in particular, have been lightning rods for criticism this season. And understandably so. Game after game the defense has failed to close out the opposition, playing soft and yielding points and keeping the other side in the game.