Statistics can engross one's attention in sports, and football is no different. There are countless ways to look at, interpret and process the numbers that are attached to every game, play and player.
So just for fun, here's a look at some statistical oddities from the 2006 Packers season. They're numbered zero through 16, one for every game, plus the bye week.
0: The Packers' turnover ratio for the 2006 season. Green Bay finished with 33 giveaways (15 fumbles, 18 interceptions) and 33 takeaways (10 fumbles, 23 interceptions). It took a plus-5 mark in the season finale against Chicago (6 takeaways, 1 giveaway) for the season ratio to even out.
1: The number of recoveries by the Packers on fumbles not charged to opposing quarterbacks. The only non-QB to fumble one to Green Bay was Philadelphia running back Correll Buckhalter, near the goal line on Oct. 2. The Packers' nine other fumble recoveries were on turnovers charged to Philadelphia's Donovan McNabb, New England's Tom Brady, New Orleans' Drew Brees (2), Seattle's Matt Hasselbeck, Detroit's Jon Kitna, Chicago's Rex Grossman, Minnesota's Brad Johnson and San Francisco's Alex Smith.
2: The number of replay challenges Head Coach Mike McCarthy was successful in getting overturned. McCarthy challenged only four plays all season, and the two successful ones were Donald Driver's 34-yard touchdown catch at Miami and the Packers' recovery of an onside kick against the New York Jets.
3: The number of players in the defensive front seven who started every game - left defensive end Aaron Kampman, right defensive tackle Ryan Pickett and weak-side linebacker A.J. Hawk. The quartet in the secondary of Charles Woodson, Al Harris, Marquand Manuel and Nick Collins also started every game for the defense.
4: The number of times the Packers scored on their opening drive of the game. Green Bay drove for touchdowns against New Orleans, at Seattle and at Chicago, and had an opening-drive field goal versus Minnesota at home. The 24 points were six shy of the 30 that Packers opponents scored on their opening drives (three TDs, three FGs).
5: The number of 100-yard rushing performances turned in by running back Ahman Green (vs. Chicago, at Miami, vs. Arizona, at Buffalo, vs. N.Y. Jets). That was his most in one season since 2003, when he had 10.
6: The number of games the Packers won the turnover battle. The Packers lost only one of those games, when they were plus-1 against New Orleans. Green Bay won three games when it lost the turnover battle - both wins over Detroit (minus-1 each) and over Minnesota at home (minus-2). Six was also the number of 100-yard receiving performances turned in by Packers. Driver had three (vs. New Orleans, at Minnesota, at San Francisco), rookie Greg Jennings two (at Detroit, vs. St. Louis), and Ruvell Martin one (at Chicago).
7: The number of games during which the lead never changed hands. The Packers never trailed in three games this season (at Detroit, vs. Arizona, at Chicago) and never led in four others (vs. Chicago, at Buffalo, vs. New England, vs. N.Y. Jets).
8: The fewest pass completions allowed by the defense in one game. This was accomplished twice, at Buffalo (J.P. Losman was 8-for-15) and at Chicago (Rex Grossman, Brian Griese and punter Brad Maynard were a combined 8-for-28).
{sportsad300}9: The number of pass receptions Driver had on three different occasions (at Buffalo, at San Francisco, vs. Minnesota) following his one double-digit effort of 10 catches at Miami.
10: The number of Sunday noon (CT) kickoffs for Green Bay in 2006. Fittingly, the 8-8 Packers went 5-5 in those games.
11: The Packers' season-high for third-down conversions on offense. It came at Chicago in the season finale, as the Packers were 11-for-20 on third downs.
12: The defense's season-high for third-down stops, one week prior. At Lambeau Field on Dec. 21, the Minnesota Vikings were just 2-for-14 on third downs.
13: The number of turnovers committed in the red zone during Packers games. Green Bay committed seven turnovers inside the opponents' 20-yard line, while the opponent committed six.
14: The number of games played in open-air stadiums. The Packers went 6-8 in those games and were 2-0 in domes, at Detroit's Ford Field and at Minnesota's Metrodome.
15: The number of pass attempts by Aaron Rodgers in 2006. Rodgers attempted three passes at Philadelphia and 12 against New England before being put on injured reserve with a broken foot. His six completions also elevated his career total for completions to 15.
16: The number of passing yards by the Packers not credited to a quarterback. Punter Jon Ryan completed a 16-yard pass to Noah Herron on a fake punt in the season opener vs. Chicago.
