After the Packers disappointing come-from-ahead defeat against Minnesota dropped their record to 1-5, I began to search for silver linings in what was likely to be a playoff-less season in Green Bay. Based on the team's performance over the last three weeks, I'm starting to think I've found one.

It's not Samkon Gado, a fairy tale story and the obvious choice. While Gado's big game cemented the Packers victory Sunday, the ball literally bounced his way on two fumbles that could just as easily have left him as the goat. And even though Gado has impressive size and speed, it's doubtful that he'll be the team's starting halfback in 2006.

Since there are basically no other candidates, I'm pinning my hopes to the Green Bay defense. While Jim Bates' unit is a long way from challenging the Bears as the best defense in the division, it's one heck of a lot closer to respectability than it has been for several years.

Green Bay has few defensive playmakers, so the group must be judged relative to its talent. Taking this general lack of star talent into account, Bates has done a very good job. Prior to Sunday's caging of Michael Vick -- a man that has made Green Bay look foolish on several occasions -- the Packers ranked ninth in the league in total defense, a stat based on average yards allowed per game. Including the Atlanta game, the Packers surrender an even 300 ypg. Points-wise, they slip down to a tie for 17th but are still allowing just 20.4 per contest.

Both numbers represent large improvements over 2004 (346.3 ypg, 23.8 ppg) and are competitive with the numbers from 2003 (318.8, 19.2) and 2002 (311.6, 20.5). And recently, the Packers have held Cincinnati (317 yards, 21 points), Pittsburgh (213, 13 offensive points) and Atlanta (325, 25) largely in check.

Bates' defense is more consistent and reliable than past units for a couple reasons. First, Bates has done more with much younger personnel, including guys like Ahmad Carroll, Nick Collins, Roy Manning and Marviel Underwood. While these players are still mistake-prone and inexperienced, theoretically they should grow with the defense. Secondly, Bates' scheme is a lot more honest than former coordinator Ed Donatell's blitzing philosophy. The 2005 Packers don't rely on the blitz in lieu of a solid base scheme.

The latter point was underscored in the 2003 playoffs, when a blitz call led to Al Harris' game-winning touchdown interception against Seattle, but the base scheme failed to withstand a 4th-and-26 play by Philadelphia a week later which cost Green Bay the season. I'd be a lot more confident in the 2005 Packers ability to defend a vital 4th-and-26 today. Sure, there won't be any of those vital plays this year, but you see what I mean.

Why is the defense better? First, Bates relies on a good push from his front four; Sunday showed what happens when he gets it. Aaron Kampman, Grady Jackson, Cullen Jenkins and Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila are a respectable starting group, and the improved play of backups like Colin Cole and Kenny Peterson has keyed recent success. Combined with periodic blitzes from Nick Barnett and Al Harris, the front four confounded Vick and hampered his scrambling ability.

The linebacking unit has been beat up and generally sub par, but Barnett is finally showing flashes of some of his inspired rookie-season play. He was continually around the ball at the Georgia Dome and made several hard hits on Atlanta ballcarriers. Harris, too, showed why he is probably the team's best overall defender, harassing Vick into an intentional grounding call, sacking him on a separate play and playing solid cover corner. While Bates lacks a true difference-maker on defense, Barnett and Harris are improving.

The Packers are also limiting big plays, another bugaboo in recent years. After Antwaan Randle El ran for 43 yards on a reverse on the opening play against Pittsburgh, the Packers allowed just 170 yards for the rest of the game. Vick, who rushed for nearly 140 yards in his last two outings against the Packers, had a long run of just 7 on Sunday.

Of course, there are still issues. First and foremost, there is cornerback Ahmad Carroll. I've been a consistent defender of No. 28, primarily because he quickly assumed referee and Packers fan whipping-boy status in 2004 (rightfully so, for the most part). But the penalties, including a 43-yard pass interference call that led to a quick TD Sunday, continue, diminishing my contrarian support. In fairness, Carroll also makes a big play every now and then, such as his forced fumble in the fourth quarter Sunday.

Another problem: safeties Mark Roman and Collins are the opposite of ballhawks. Darren Sharper had lost a step by 2004, but his 92-yard TD return and two additional picks vs. the Giants Sunday serve as a reminder of what the Packers are missing from their deep men. Roman makes a nice tackle or two each game, and Collins seems to avoid egregious mistakes, but good defenses need more from their starting safeties.

But I am not asking the '05 Packers to become the '85 Bears. I'm just looking for some consistency on third-down conversions, fewer big plays and a couple turnovers every now and then. As Bates and his system become more familiar, it seems like that's what we're starting to see in Green Bay.