The unbeaten: Green Bay Packers

The old man

Any discussion of Green Bay must begin with Brett Favre. This season, as the 17-year veteran chases Dan Marino’s career passing records, he appears to be on the same page with Coach Mike McCarthy’s up-tempo attack. That means forcing fewer throws and taking more of what the defense allows. So far, this approach has translated into six touchdowns against two interceptions, much improvement for a quarterback who had an 18-18 ratio last season.

Diversity in receiving

Donald Driver ranks among the league’s top receivers, lighting up San Diego for 126 yards and a touchdown Sunday. But with Favre spreading the ball around -- already, four receivers have at least 11 catches -- Driver is getting valuable help from rookie James Jones and veteran Greg Jennings, who in his first game of the season raced 57 yards with a slant pass to defeat the Chargers. Tight end Donald Lee figures into the mix too.

Pack mentality

The Packers’ defense has picked up where it left off in 2006, when it improved late in the season. Green Bay is eighth in the league in scoring defense, giving up an average of less than 17 points, and with a solid front seven led by linebackers A.J. Hawk and Nick Barnett, the Packers have been particularly effective against the run, holding opponents to 90 yards a game.

Outlook

Veteran running back Ahman Green left for Houston in the off-season and it seems the ground game left with him. McCarthy all but gave up on running against San Diego, calling for pass plays about 80% of the time, including a failed fourth-and-goal throw from an empty backfield. Favre has carried the offense so far, but that doesn’t bode well for tougher, colder games down the schedule. The Packers still must prove they belong among the NFC’s top teams.

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david.wharton@latimes.com