GREEN BAY, Wis. -- A few thoughts on the Green Bay Packers' 38-17 win against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday at Lambeau Field.
What it means: There aren't many stress-free games in the NFL, but the Packers have experienced two of them in the past three weeks. Two weeks after blowing out the Minnesota Vikings 42-10, the Packers had another game where the only major decision to make in the second half was when to take out quarterback Aaron Rodgers and other key starters. It was a welcome respite after last week's last-second victory over the Dolphins. The Packers played about as complete a game as is possible in the NFL. After winning their fourth in a row and now at 5-2, there will be much discussion this week about whether the Packers are perhaps the top team in the NFC.
Stock watch: Rookie safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix had seen his playing time increase the last several games, and on Sunday he finally moved into a starting spot ahead of Micah Hyde. And the first-round pick turned in another solid performance. He has brought a physical presence to the Packers' defense. Hyde still played on defense, playing in the nickel and dime packages. Clinton-Dix finished with a team-high nine tackles (including eight solo stops).
Hot dog with ketchup: After his 3-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter, Packers receiver Randall Cobb did the requisite Lambeau Leap. And he came out of the stands with a little something extra on his jersey. A fan holding a hot dog near where Cobb jumped into the crowd spilled ketchup all over Cobb's shoulder.
Game ball: You could probably give a game ball to quarterback Aaron Rodgers in most victories, and his 255-yard, three-touchdown, no-interception day would certainly qualify. It was his sixth straight game without an interception, tying Bart Starr's team record set in 1964, and his fourth straight game with at least three touchdowns. But Cobb has been a touchdown machine this season. He caught his eighth one of the season on Sunday but also had explosive plays of 33 and 47 yards on the way to a six-catch, 121-yard performance.
What's next: The Packers finish the first half of the season at the New Orleans Saints in a Sunday night game and then have their bye.
