Somewhere, the most annoying former champs in sports, the 1972 Dolphins, are planning their annual toast to their own perfection, their status as the NFL's lone unbeaten champions secure for another year. The latest threat to Mercury Morris' only claim to relevance was derailed by a guy who was chased out of Denver with a 1–4 record. 

Three years ago, the Giants tested the undefeated Patriots and the unstoppable Tom Brady before falling 38–35, then went on to upset the P-men in the Super Bowl. Yesterday, the Giants tested the undefeated Packers and the unstoppable Aaron Rodgers before falling 38–35, but at the risk of an outbreak of Manning Face, I have to break it to Eli Manning that yesterday was more of a last gasp than a springboard for his team. 

There is a long, long way to go for the Green Bay Packers – probably longer than they even realize. That’s a lesson that was learned the hard way by so many previously unbeaten teams. Even the teams that look unbeatable, the way the Packers do right now, can be beaten when they least expect it.

Just ask the 2007 New England Patriots, who were once 2 ½ minutes away from finishing 19-0.

Rob Gronkowski, TE, Patriots
Tom Brady’s favorite target hauled in four catches for 96 yards and two memorable trips to the end zone — a 52-yard sprint down the sideline that put the 6'6", 265-pounder’s speed on display and a 19-yard dive over the goal line that flipped Gronkowski onto his neck before the second-year star staggered to his feet and spiked the ball. Gronkowski now has 20 TDs in his first 26 games, breaking Bears Hall of Famer Mike Ditka’s record (31) for fewest games by a tight end to score 20 TDs.

-by Braden Gall (follow him on twitter @AthlonBraden)

The Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers was the NFL’s first half MVP – and it wasn’t even close.

Halfway through the NFL season, nobody is surprised about who is sitting atop the NFL standings, but the Green Bay Packers may be the only thing not surprising about the NFL this season. Teams like the 49ers and Bengals are on top, the Patriots are fading, and the “Dream Team” Eagles are a mess.

And even without Peyton Manning, who would’ve guessed the Indianapolis Colts would be running away with the race for the first overall draft pick and the rights to Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck?

A quick preview of every game on the NFL schedule for Week 10, along with the consensus picks of Athlon Sports editors Mitchell Light, Rob Doster, Nathan Rush, Patrick Snow and Steven Lassan:

-by Braden Gall (follow him on twitter @AthlonBraden)

The Green Bay Packers will not go undefeated in 2011.

At halftime of the 2011 NFL season and the stretch run about to start, Athlon Sports takes a look at the award-worthy performers of this year’s first half: