Craig: Pass defense isn't holding Pack back

When it comes to complaining, Packer Nation sounds like the supermodel who thinks her butt's too big.

But give the Cheeseheads a break. Pursuing perfection has its own set of challenges in a league where overanalyzing off days can outnumber actual game days 349-16.

Take, for example, this week's hot-button issue concerning the Packers' pass defense.

On Sunday, the Packers intercepted three more passes. Two of them were returned for touchdowns. A third clinched the game with 14 seconds left in a 45-38 win at San Diego.

Hooray in Titletown, right? Not exactly.

After handing Philip Rivers the first three-interception day of his career, even some of the Packers were in no mood to celebrate the league's only undefeated record (8-0). Cornerback Charles Woodson went so far as to call the defense a "liability," saying it "played a lot of bad football" while allowing Rivers to throw for 385 yards.

Yes, statistically, the Packers rank 31st against the pass (299.6 yards per game) and 30th in total defense (399.6). But if the Packers are playing "bad" defense, well, let's just say most teams would consider it good to be this bad.

Add it up, throw in league MVP frontrunner Aaron Rodgers and, well, it's a winning recipe that's relatively easy on the worry lines.

"It doesn't matter what the defense does," Packers tight end Jermichael Finley said. "That's a long story short."

Key statsYes, Rodgers and the No. 1 scoring offense can presumably outscore anybody, anywhere at any time, including the Vikings at Lambeau Field on Monday Night Football in five days. But it's not like the defense is being dragged along like a Kardashian not named Kim.

The Packers are fifth in the league in points scored off turnovers. Of their 275 points this season, 22 percent (60) have come after a takeaway. Since 2008, the Packers lead the league in points scored off turnovers (436). Also, as a heads up to Christian Ponder and the Purple, the Packers have scored points off turnovers in 18 of their past 21 games at Lambeau Field.

"That's kind of what their defense is; they bend but they don't break," said Ponder, the Vikings quarterback. "You have to capitalize on opportunities that are given, but obviously, my two [interceptions] I had [in a 33-27 loss on Oct. 23], you have to be careful with the ball."

Take that first Vikings game, for example. It's been widely accepted that Ponder played exceptionally well in that game, which was his NFL debut.

Why is that? Because of the fourth quarter, when Ponder led the Vikings to 10 points while converting five of seven third downs.

Completely lost, however, was a dominant third quarter by the Packers' pass defense. Ponder was 0-for-5 with two interceptions as Green Bay outscored the Vikings 20-0 to take a 33-17 lead.

Who dat?Packer Nation also needs to take a look at who's making some of these great defensive plays. Sunday's stars were cornerback Tramon Williams (interception, TD) and safety Charlie Peprah (two INTs, one TD).

These are two former nobodies who are among the 16 players that Packers General Manager Ted Thompson has signed off the street. In Peprah's case, he was signed off the street not once, but twice (2006, 2010).

By the way, that's two more interceptions in six games than the combined career total of the Vikings' top draft picks in 2008 (safety Tyrell Johnson) and 2010 (cornerback Chris Cook). Ouch.

So keep all this in mind, Packer Nation, as you examine the flaws in a spectacular team that's one win from having coach Mike McCarthy join Curly Lambeau (1928-29) and Vince Lombardi (1961-62) with a franchise-record 11th consecutive regular-season victory.