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When the Green Bay Packers take the field on Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts, there should be a renewed focus on one of their greatest strengths over the past several years.
You see, the Packers have been one of the very best franchises over the past decade in the turnover battle. Aaron Rodgers is famously turnover-averse (sometimes to the point that he actually gets criticism for it), while Dom Capers' defenses have traditionally been opportunistic and take the ball away from opponents at a high frequency. This season, however, the Packers are averaging more than one turnover per game on offense and they are minus-two overall in turnover differential, something that must change if this team hopes to truly become a Super Bowl contender by the end of the season.
This week's matchup could help with that, however. The Indianapolis Colts have turned the ball over eight times this year, and they have had trouble protecting quarterback Andrew Luck. In addition, Indy's defense has been hit hard by injuries, which should help Aaron Rodgers protect the football while putting up some good numbers.
Those topics are the focus of today's Cheese Curds, as we start to shift our focus forward to the upcoming game.
WYMM: On the scramble drill, read-option, and punt return | Packers.com
The read option on the two-point conversion worked to perfection, as Vic Beasley was unblocked but didn't even look at Aaron Rodgers until the Packers' QB had already crossed the goal line.
Can Green Bay Packers count on Ha Ha Clinton-Dix for more turnovers? - ESPN
The run defense has slipped all the way to second place in the NFL, and the team ranks 7th overall in yards allowed. Ha Ha and LaDarius Gunter are a couple of players who can help the defense improve on the area that they need help in, however - turnovers.
Packers' next opponent: Scouting the Colts | Packersnews.com
The Colts' secondary is as battered as the Packers (or possibly even more so), meaning that Rodgers and his receivers should have a great opportunity to put up some big numbers on Sunday afternoon.
NFL power rankings, Week 9: Nobody knows if the Packers and Seahawks are good anymore - SBNation.com
The extremes are pretty absurd. ESPN has the Packers ranked 5th in the NFL (too high, in my book) but SB Nation has them all the way down at 15th (way too low, if you ask me). Where would you put them after 7 games?
Lowest-graded players in NFL Week 8 | PFF
Blake Martinez had a rough game on Sunday, landing him on this not-so-illustrious list for week 8.
WR Percy Harvin coming out of retirement to sign with Bills - SBNation.com
Harvin retired last year due to injury and concussion issues, but he's back after getting a call from Buffalo before their game against the Seahawks.