There's no denying the devastating offensive power on display last night by the Green Bay Packers. In last night's 42-34 win over the New Orleans Saints, the Packers looked completely in control every time Aaron Rodgers was under center and it looked startlingly like late-season form going back to last year's Super Bowl winning year. In other words, any other team that wants to be considered a contender is going to have to step up its game.
If a team ultimately rises and falls with its quarterback, then it's clear that Rodgers was at the top of his game last night. He completed 27 of 35 passes for 312 yards and 3 touchdowns. The Packers scored touchdowns on their first three possessions, and the team has more playmakers at the wideout position than any other team in the NFL.
That's the most frustrating part for teams watching last night's NFL opening game, since the rich just got richer with their latest addition -- second round choice Randall Cobb. The former Kentucky wide receiver was highly regarded but slipped almost through two complete rounds, and the Packers enjoyed the spoils last night with a 108-yard kick return for touchdown and a 32-yard touchdown catch at the end of the first quarter. For a team that already boasts Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, Jordy Nelson, James Jones and tight end Jermichael Finley, the depth is either a thing of beauty or envy.
The Packers certainly have their areas to work on. Every NFL team does. They could use a reliable runner in a perfect world. They certainly couldn't stop Drew Brees last night on that one-minute drill in the fourth quarter. Anytime you give up 34 points, the defense can't feel great about their effort. But last year's team had numerous injuries to overcome and several unproven players with an equal number of holes. The Packers can simply outscore anyone who plays them and have enough impact players in house to come up with the right defensive stop at the right time.
If anything, you can expect the Packers to only continue to improve as the season goes on. They're a very young team still learning the ropes, and that's a scary proposition for the rest of the NFC or the NFL for that matter. Head coach Mike McCarthy has an incredibly potent team in his hands, and there's no reason to doubt Green Bay's ability to repeat not only this year but for years to come.