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There are a lot of ways to measure the competence of a defense, and the National Football League's army of statisticians has got them covered.
Yards per rush. Opponent passer rating. Red-zone defense. Quarterback hits. Third-down conversion percentage. Takeaways.
Really, though, only one statistic directly affects the outcome of games: points allowed. It's first-grade math. The fewer points a defense gives up, the better the chance its team will win.
Scoring defense is an area in which the Green Bay Packers have excelled and it has been instrumental in their four-game winning steak and 7-3 record, tied for second-best in the NFC.
When it comes to giving up points, the Packers and Chicago Bears are the stingiest teams in the NFL. Each has allowed 146 points in 10 games (14.6 average); the Pittsburgh Steelers rank third at 165 (16.5).
But Green Bay leads the league with only 14 touchdowns allowed, two fewer than the Steelers. And the defense wasn't responsible for Devin Hester's 62-yard punt return for a touchdown Sept. 27.
Thirteen touchdowns in 10 games? But wait, it gets better. The Packers have allowed only four defensive touchdowns in five road games.
"If they can't get in the end zone, they can't win," said safety Nick Collins. "That's our motto."
What's remarkable is that the Packers have accomplished this with a non-drafted rookie starting at outside linebacker (Frank Zombo), a non-drafted rookie playing nickel cornerback (Sam Shields), a midseason waiver acquisition playing extensively at defensive end (Howard Green) and career backups starting at inside linebacker (Desmond Bishop) and strong safety (Charlie Peprah).
It's a testament to defensive coordinator Dom Capers and his assistants that the Packers have overcome injuries to key players and have continued to improve each week.
The coaches have a knack for putting players in positions to succeed in terms of scheme, covering up individual weaknesses with team strengths.
"We've got a group of guys that are doing a good job of communicating," Capers said. "They're getting a feel for each other. They're playing well together. That's what it takes to play good team defense.
"I think there's a confidence level to where guys know they can count on the guy next to them to take care of his job, his gap responsibility, and consequently guys play faster."
The Packers have been off-the-charts good the last three games, shutting out the New York Jets on the road, 9-0; stifling Dallas, 45-7, at home, and on Sunday limiting Minnesota to a field goal in a 31-3 victory at the Metrodome.
The three-game averages: 3.3 points, 83.6 rushing yards, 204.6 passing yards and 288.3 total yards.
Maybe it's time people started talking about the Packers' defense as one of the best in the NFL.
Green Bay ranks 12th in total defense (323.4) but is tied for third in sacks (29), tied for second in interceptions (15) and is No. 2 in opponents' quarterback rating (66.5).
The Packers held Minnesota's Adrian Peterson to 72 yards (25 of them on one carry), harassed Brett Favre into an inconsistent 17-for-38, 208-yard day and came up with two huge second-quarter turnovers.
"I think our formula right now, with the offense not turning the ball over, the special teams giving us better field position on both sides of the ball and then our ability to take the ball away, that all fits together," Capers said. "Over the years, that's normally a winning formula."
Coach Mike McCarthy said the defense's performance against Minnesota graded out as its finest of the year.
"Our defense is in excellent rhythm as far as the communication, tackling, playing with the fundamentals, getting in and out of the personnel groups, the ability to play an approximate 40-60 pressure-coverage ratio," McCarthy said. "It gives you the ability to play fast.
"We're in Year 2 (of the 3-4 alignment under Capers). There's an excellent understanding. I'm very happy with the progress we've made and with where we are on defense."
The Packers also have made big improvements in their red-zone defense, which has been another area of emphasis. Capers said the defense was playing more zone coverage and avoiding unfavorable man-on-man matchups.
There is no denying the Packers' success, but they have not yet faced a red-hot quarterback this season. In 2009, a seemingly stout Green Bay defense was exposed down the stretch by Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger, who completed 29 for 46 for 503 yards and three touchdowns.
Then, in a 51-45 overtime playoff loss to Arizona, Kurt Warner completed 29 of 33 for 379 yards and five touchdowns.
With that in mind, the Packers' defense faces a big test Sunday in Atlanta. The Falcons are an NFC-best 8-2 and their quarterback, Matt Ryan, has been impressive.
Ryan has completed 238 of 377 passes (63.1%) for 2,518 yards, with 18 touchdowns and five interceptions. His numbers are similar to those of the Packers' Aaron Rodgers, who has completed 214 of 334 (64.1%) for 2,601 yards, with 19 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
It's unrealistic to expect the Packers to pitch a shutout. But that's their goal.
"We've constantly tried to sell that our No. 1 goal is to keep people out of the end zone because it gives you the best chance of winning," Capers said. "It's interesting to see people start to take pride in those things."
STINGY ALLOWANCE
NFL leaders in fewest points allowed:
Green Bay Packers 146
Chicago Bears 146
Pittsburgh Steelers 165
New Orleans Saints 170
New York Jets 177
Baltimore Ravens 178
Atlanta Falcons 192
St. Louis Rams 198
Tennessee Titans 198
Cleveland Browns 206
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 206