Power Rankings: Experts still wary of the Packers

Your weekly spin around the web, taking a look at where experts have the Packers in their weekly power rankings.

After their overtime victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, the Packers jump two spots in the USA TODAY NFL Power Rankings, coming in at No. 5.

Their opponent Thursday night, the Chicago Bears, jumps seven spots after their own overtime victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Bears come in at No. 23.

Here’s what USA TODAY has to say about the Packers:

When draftniks claim arm strength isn't that important for quarterbacks, watch Aaron Rodgers' 3-yard bullet to Jordy Nelson that tied Sunday's game.

And here’s what they have to say about the Bears:

Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen are quickly making a loud argument that they could be the preeminent running back tandem in the league.

Elsewhere, the Packers actually fell three spots in Elliot Harrison’s power rankings for NFL Media:

From Harrison:

You can't stop Geronimo Allison. The Bengals learned as much on Sunday, when a national CBS audience was introduced to his legend. Tony Romo was quite enthusiastic about Allison's catch-and-run in OT. OK, so maybe the win didn't go the way the Packers drew it up on Sunday. They were one of a handful of presumably solid teams that survived near upsets (or fell) in Week 3. Green Bay is obviously hurt by its starting offensive line not being intact. However, that means Mike McCarthy can expect improvement over the back half of the season. On that note: Rookie cornerback Kevin King is a player to circle. Another note: Aaron Rodgers is still otherworldly, pick-six included.

Frank Schwab over at Yahoo! Sports has the Packers coming in at No. 3.

From Schwab:

The Packers are facing a short week and it’s possible they could be without tackles Bryan Bulaga and David Bakhtiari, receiver Randall Cobb, defensive lineman Mike Daniels and pass rusher Nick Perry. Most of the time you’d expect the Packers to roll over the Bears at home, but all of their injuries make it a much tougher task.

Over at ESPN, the Packers jump up six spots to land at No. 4.

From their website:

Aaron Rodgers: 52.7 Total QBR. Rodgers has one touchdown and three interceptions in the first half of games this season, compared to five touchdowns and no picks in the second half. The Packers are 2-1, but Rodgers will have to get off to better starts, especially with upcoming road games against the Cowboys and Vikings.

Over at Bleacher Report, Chris Simms drops the Packers two spots, despite the win over the Bengals, to No. 12.

From Simms:

This wasn't a pretty win for the Packers. The team was banged up, and that has to be taken into account, but this is a club that could easily be 0-3. In fact, I'd be willing to bet the Packers would be 0-3 with any quarterback other than Aaron Rodgers under center.

Still, this is a battle-tested group with a lot of fight. It got down early against the Bengals and managed to fight back. Green Bay didn't panic, the defense made a few stops, and Rodgers made magic as usual.

Dom Capers does do some creative things to confuse opposing quarterbacks, and he deserves credit for that. However, Green Bay needs to get more out of its defense and running game to take some of the pressure off Rodgers.

It cannot be just him every week.