How good is too good?

That question has to be on the minds of some in Green Bay when you look ahead to the Packers schedule. The next patsies being led to slaughter are the hapless Minnesota Vikings, searching for some kind of identity after finally giving up on the failed Donovan McNabb experiment.

The Packers, meanwhile, are coming off a lackluster win over the St. Louis Rams in where it had appeared everyone had been lulled into a giddy our-team-is-the-best-in-the-NFL haze.

After halftime the Green Bay offense went flat as the defense played a dangerous game of bend but don't break. In fact, St. Louis finished with 424 yards of total offense, 25 more yards that the Packers did. Then again, they also only put up 3 points.

Suffice it to say, Green Bay cannot afford to always play as lifeless as they did one week ago. Last week's victory was a classic case of talent winning out. It wasn't that the Packers effort was better than the Rams; it is that their players are.

As for the Vikings, their nightmare 2011 season continued last week in the 39-10 thrashing they endured at the hands of the Chicago Bears. And while they still have Adrian Peterson (6th in the NFL in rushing yards, 1st in touchdowns), the Christian Ponder era has begun at quarterback after McNabb started the first six games of the season.

"One of the reasons the change is made is because, where we are right now, our margin for error, when it comes to wins and losses, has shrunk, according to Vikings coach Leslie Frazier. "In my mind, this change had to be made to give us the best chance to win on Sunday. If we can get that done, it gives us an opportunity to continue to pursue our goals."

After Minnesota, the Packers go on their bye week, and should do so undefeated. Upon their return, they have to get ready to travel to San Diego for what could be their toughest challenge of the season.

The Rankings:

Total offense: Green Bay: 4; Minnesota: 23

Passing offense: Green Bay 3; Minnesota 31

Rushing offense: Green Bay 24; Minnesota 3

Total defense: Green Bay 23; Minnesota 15

Passing defense: Green Bay 31; Minnesota 24

Rushing defense: Green Bay 4; Minnesota 5

Three key matchups:

Minnesota QB Christian Ponder vs. the Green Bay defensive secondary: Ponder is making his first NFL start against a team that has struggled mightily in stopping the pass. In fact, even at 6-0, the Packers are 31st in the NFL in passing defense, surrendering 300.8 yards through the air per game. Ponder's ascension to the starting role came faster than Frazier would have wanted, but desperate times call for desperate measures.

Green Bay LT Marshall Newhouse vs. Minnesota DE Jared Allen: In an otherwise disastrous year in the Twin Cities, the lone bright spot has been the stellar play of Allen. Through just six games, Allen is already credited with 9.5 sacks and 23 tackles. Newhouse could have his hands full after missing practice this week with what coach Mike McCarthy called a "personal issue" back home.

Minnesota TE Visanthe Shiancoe vs. Green Bay SS Charlie Peprah: One tendency that young quarterbacks have is the desire to not make mistakes downfield. Expect Ponder to use Shiancoe quite a bit early as he gets his NFL bearings. If the combination proves to be effective, it could be a long day for Peprah. Peprah has 26 tackles on the season, but Capers and McCarthy wouldn't mind that pace receding as he defends more passes and doesn't have to make tackles.

Other games to watch:

(3-3) Houston Texans at (3-2) Tennessee Titans: It looks like a two-team race in the AFC South, with this contest perhaps going a long way into determining who will play in the postseason and who won't. Matt Schaub has owned Tennessee in his career, throwing for 10 touchdowns against just one interception vs. the Titans in his last four games against the Titans. Compounding the problem for Tennessee has been their anemic rushing attack. After holding out for a $53 million contract extension, Chris Johnson has only 3.0 yards per carry average (second to last among qualifying rushers in the NFL) and only one touchdown. Prediction: Houston 31, Tennessee 13

(3-3) Atlanta Falcons at (5-1) Detroit Lions: The Lions are coming off of their first loss of the year last week, even though more was said about the Jim Schwartz-Jim Harbaugh melee after the final gun. The Falcons are trying to win back-to-back games for the first time all season, while the Lions will try to find a running game in the absence of Jahvid Best, who is out with a concussion. Jerome Harrison could give Detroit an emotional lift from the hospital after having a brain tumor removed on Friday. Prediction: Atlanta 28, Detroit 24

(3-3) Chicago Bears vs. (4-2) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Bears and Bucs hop the pond to play at London's Wembley Stadium on Sunday. This is actually a bit of a homecoming for Freeman, who saw action in his first NFL game at Wembley two years ago in the Buccaneers loss to the Patriots. Tampa Bay beat New Orleans last week 26-20, while the Bears clobbered the Vikings 39-10. This could be a one of the most even matchups in the NFL this week, with both teams making January football their stated goal. Prediction: Chicago 23, Tampa Bay 17

(1-4) Denver Broncos at (0-5) Miami Dolphins: Let me be blunt. This is a dog game. However, there is the car-wreck-on-the-side-of-the-road phenomenon in play here. Miami media outlets are reporting that Dolphins coach Tony Sparano could get fired with a loss on Sunday. Meanwhile, the 2008 NCAA Champion Florida Gators will be honored at halftime. Never mind that this celebration takes place on the home field of one of their chief rivals, the Miami Hurricanes, but the Gators quarterback in 2008? Newly installed Broncos starter Tim Tebow. Prediction: Denver 18, Miami 9

For what it's worth: It has been almost 50 years since the Packers began a season 7-0. In 1962, Vince Lombardi led Green Bay to a 10-0 record before they fell at Detroit in Week 11.

Final Prediction: Packers 41, Vikings 10