Pass the stuffing, please. And, if it's not too much trouble... how about a scoop of NFC North Division title?

Based on Green Bay's performance in a 31-17 victory over Carolina Sunday afternoon at Lambeau Field, the Packers (9-1) look like a lock to secure the North title and a first-round bye in the playoffs.

They can effectively wrap things up with a victory over Detroit on Thanksgiving Day.

(Important disclaimer: A Meltdown in Motown isn't completely out of the question. Nothing levels the playing field in the NFL like teams playing on three days of rest. While much of the country watches in a tryptophan-induced haze Thursday, both teams could come out groggy. The Lions (6-4) are at home ... On second thought, forget it ... The Packers are going to win ... We started drinking the Kool-Aid last week ... We can stop talking in italics now.)

As a service to those bandwagon stragglers who need more convincing that the Packers success is not too good to be true, we offer reason No. 119 that this team is destined for big things:

The special teams are pretty special.

It's hard to be a good football team -- and impossible to be a great one -- if your special teams are mediocre.

Special teams are a reflection of a team's depth. If your starters aren't good, how can you expect the reserves to be above average? When the Packers were dominating the competition in the mid-1990s, Desmond Howard brought attention and panache to the return unit but it was guys like Keith McKenzie, Jeff Thomason, Mike Prior, Lamont Hollinquest and Bernardo Harris who did the dirty work.

Under the stewardship of coach / general manager Mike Sherman and into Mike McCarthy's rookie season, the Packers' special teams were anything but. The first of two fumble recoveries that set the tone for an opening-week victory against Philadelphia marked the Packers first takeaways on a punt return since Week 13 of the 2004 season. In 35 games prior, the Packers had forced only two takeaways on special teams.

Just as the Packers' kick teams weren't a threat to force turnovers, the return teams weren't a threat to find the end zone.

It's different now.

You saw it on Tramon Williams' 94-yard field goal / pooch punt return. In that moment, which opened the scoring, the Packers sniffed out the play and executed better than Carolina.

Williams sidestepped Panthers tackle Jordan Gross, then got key blocks from Johnny Jolly, who lambasted center Justin Hartwig, and Jarrett Bush, who accosted kicker/punter John Kasay en route to a touchdown and a Lambeau leap. (Unlike his more veteran teammates, Williams jumped headfirst into the crowd. That protected him from indecent touching).

The Packers were up, 21-3, when they received the kickoff opening the second half. Koren Robinson took the kick back 67 yards. Four plays later, the Packers scored on a perfect pass from Brett Favre to Donald Lee.

The Panthers scored a couple touchdowns late, but didn't derail the Packers' best start since 1962 and the third best in franchise history.

Although a pair of missteps by rookie kicker Mason Crosby may cause concern in some circles, the Packers special teams are a strength. If the units keep playing at a high level, there is reason to believe that their overall success will continue.