Plenty of credit should go around for the tremendous 7-1 record of the Green Bay Packers.

There’s been the return to greatness by Brett Favre; the Packers have a receiving core of Donald Driver, Greg Jennings and James Jones that is entering the NFL’s elite; Donald Lee and Bubba Franks have made the tight end position relevant again; middle linebacker Nick Barnett is having a career year; cornerbacks Al Harris and Charles Woodson are getting recognized as the top duo in the league.

Another group that deserves a lot of accolades is the defensive line. Anchored by defensive end Aaron Kampman, the front four have done a nice job of putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

Kampman has nine sacks, including three against Denver that helped him earn NFC Defensive player of the month for October. Combined with Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila’s 6.5 sacks, the duo has 15.5, the largest total of any teammates in the league.

Gbaja-Biamila, who earlier this season became Green Bay’s all-time sack leader after passing the great Reggie White, has rediscovered the success he’d had years ago.

When the Packers were 4-8 last year, coach Mike McCarthy’s staff agreed to replace “KGB” in the starting lineup with Cullen Jenkins. Jenkins has played well and has allowed KGB to stay fresh.

On the inside, three-technique tackle Ryan Pickett has held up well against the run. Corey Williams and Johnny Jolly have alternated in the starting lineup and each brings his own talents to the table.

Williams is a more versatile player who’ll line up on the outside. He’s a better pass rusher of the two. Jolly is better against the run, but is serviceable against the pass. His five batted balls lead the team.

A solid line is an essential for a contending team. If you can put consistent pressure with just four rushing, it can be very difficult to throw against. Furthermore, that same group must hold their gaps to allow the linebackers to stay off the blocks.

McCarthy is counting on this group to make plays. If they can, the Packers defense will take the pressure off of Favre.

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