Packers Record Against Winning Teams Proves They Can Handle NFL’s Top Competition

The NFL is entering its 12th week of the season, and it's officially time to determine which teams are contenders and which are pretenders. In order to make a deep run in the playoffs, a team must show they are capable of beating strong opponents throughout the regular season.

Luckily for us, Mike Sando of The Athletic provided a chart showing how every team has fared against opponents who currently have a winning record, through the first 11 weeks of the season. Only one team has a perfect tally, and that's the Green Bay Packers, who are 4-0 against teams who are above .500.

The Packers have been one of the stronger teams in the NFC this season, currently sitting at 8-2 on the year. Green Bay defeated four tough opponents in the Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings, Kansas City Chiefs, and Oakland Raiders, all of whom are in playoff contention.

This isn't the same Packers team from recent years. Green Bay's front office spent big coin to improve their defense. From signing Za'Darius Smith and Preston Smith in free agency, to selecting edge rusher Rashan Gary and safety Darnell Savage with their two first-round picks, the Packers finally have a strong defensive squad.

With a defense that limits opponents to 20.6 points per game (14th in NFL), the pressure placed on the shoulders of quarterback Aaron Rodgers has lessened. And with a stacked wide receiver corps and a dynamic running back duo of Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams, Rodgers doesn't have to do it all in order to bail out Green Bay like he's done in the past. Matt LaFleur has transformed the offense, and it's paid dividends.

More importantly, the Packers step up when the opponent gets tougher, which bodes well for them when they make the playoffs. Oh, and they're healthy following their bye week.

Green Bay will look to improve to 5-0 against top teams in the league, as they take on the 9-1 San Francisco 49ers on Sunday Night Football in Week 12.