“ Green Bay looks super-bowl bound,” ESPN reports. The Green Bay Packers are stealing on the praise and glory in the NFL recently. They’re currently the only team in the National Football League that has attained a perfect record of 9-0. They’re the team to beat. And of course, no one has succeeded in beating them. But, why? Sports analysts and fans seem to think because of their offense mostly, but their defense is as good as anyone’s, and defense wins championships. Right now, it seems as if the Packers have everything that a winning NFL team needs: A great fan base, a hard-hitting defense, and an outstanding offense. But the main reason why the Packers are so successful is because of their stellar quarterback, Aaron Rodgers.

            Rodgers has been nothing less than perfect this year. Sports channels such as ESPN and sports radio have called Aaron Rodgers “the best player in the NFL” and “the best quarterback in a long time”. Rodgers has been ranked among some of the most prestigious quarterbacks in the NFL such as Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, and Drew Brees. Why is he so perfect? Just look at the numbers. Rodgers’ quarterback rating is 125.7, which is phenomenal. He’s already thrown for 2,619 yards and 24 touchdowns, just in the first half of the regular season; that’s a new record for a quarterback. Rodgers is also known for his mobility, which is hard to find in a quarterback. He’s rushed for 127 yards and has two rushing touchdowns, which is unheard of for a quarterback. Not only is he mobile, Rodgers is also widely known for his deadly accuracy. That’s not the only reason why he’s praised as the best in the game. He’s only thrown three interceptions, while most quarterbacks are averaging seven to ten interceptions for the first half of the regular season.

 One reason why the Packers are so good is because they don’t turn the ball over a lot. Now don’t credit Rodgers with all of the success; you can’t be a good quarterback without good receivers. The Packers’ top receiver Greg Jennings has caught 48 passes and six touchdowns in the first half of the season. Jennings is also averaging 15.1 yards per catch.

 What would be a great NFL team without a top 5-ranked defense? Two of their linebackers, Desmond Bishop and Clay Matthews, combine for 99 total tackles, seven sacks, and a forced fumble. Charles Woodson, a pro bowl corner for the Packers, has five interceptions. These are above average numbers, but the reason why their defense is so successful is because they play like a team and they execute the plays extremely well.

            One of the biggest questions is Green Bay’s perfect record. The last and only team to ever have a perfect regular season and a perfect post-season were the 1972 Miami Dolphins. The only team that has ever come close to that record was the 2008 New England Patriots who did have a perfect regular season, but then lost to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII. Does anyone think that Green Bay can achieve this amazing feat? Are they as good as the 1972 Dolphins?

“The players are just really good and their defense is solid. Their coach is really pulling it all together. I think they’re going to win it all,” senior David Morgan said. So not only do the Packer’s fan base and sports experts think that Green Bay will win it all, so do avid football watchers.

            The question is, do the Packers have it all? Everyone seems to think so. But the biggest question of them all is their success. Can the Packers maintain their superior success? Only time will tell.