GREEN BAY – Heading in to Sunday afternoon, many presumed the matchup between the Green Bay Packers and the Philadelphia Eagles would have a playoff feel, with the Packers getting a true challenge at home for the first time this season.

Neither proved to be the case, as Aaron Rodgers picked apart another opponent and the defense continued to roll at Lambeau Field in a 53-20 victory.

"It's great to see now, especially because we talk about separating and really playing our best football in the November and December months," Packers linebacker Clay Matthews said. "Coming off the bye week we've strung together two very impressive victories so we've got to keep this thing going and keep it rolling."

Philadelphia came in at 7-2, leading the NFC East, and feeling good after 45-21 blowout victory of Carolina on Monday night. Backup quarterback Mark Sanchez had looked good over the last week and a half since filling in for an injured Nick Foles, and the Eagles defense was getting pressure and creating turnovers.

Green Bay, despite being 6-3, began the game on the outside looking in regarding the NFC playoff picture. And, for as good as they looked last week in a rout of the Chicago Bears – it was a victory over a bad team. The Packers entered Sunday’s game having lost seven of their last eight against teams with winning records, dating back to the 2012 division playoff game in San Francisco.

The stage was set for a "defining" game of sorts, and the Packers did just that - alternately tearing apart the Philadelphia offensive line and defensive backfield right from the opening possession.

Rodgers found Jordy Nelson from 60 yards out (again), and Nelson topped over 100 yards receiving in the first half alone. Eddie Lacy bulled over linebackers (knocking one out) and Rodgers dispersed passes to six different receivers in a dominating first half in which the Packers went into the break leading 30-6.

"I think '12' is really playing out of his mind, in a good way," said Packers tight end Andrew Quarless said with a smile.

"He’s hot right now and making a lot of plays, putting us all in good situations to make those plays," Nelson added.

You could say the Packers are "starting fast" but what they are doing seems to be well beyond that now – they’re beginning games as if they’re Usain Bolt given a 5-meter head start in the 100:

#Packers scores at halftime in their past 4 home games: 30-6 (Eagles) 42-0 (Bears) 28-3 (Panthers) 28-0 (Vikings) -------- 128-9

— Paul Imig (@Paulimig) November 16, 2014

"We're just out there executing right now," Nelson said. "I think we're being extremely aggressive, coming out throwing the ball the last couple games and again, just making plays when they come. you can't design it up to get 60 or 70-yard plays off a base route. If they play a different coverage it's a whole different situation, so just capitalizing on the situation and making the plays that are there."

And they’re doing it in different ways too, from four-wide receiver sets to multiple tight end formations and the no-huddle, run at various speeds.

"We get the ball and if we're able to score right out the gate, then it helps us out and gets the defense pumped because we went out there first and was able to score," Lacy said. "It just keeps the offense rolling."

Defense rides the wave

With the offense getting out to such big leads early, it has allowed defensive coordinator Dom Capers to let his athletes within his front seven run wild – even if the opponent has a Pro Bowl-caliber running back like the Eagles’ LeSean McCoy (or the Chicago Bears’ Matt Forte last week).

With such quick, big, lead, Packers defenders Matthews, Nick Perry, Mike Neal, Julius Peppers and Casey Hayward were able to just react – and make big plays against the Eagles.

"For sure you take more chances, be more aggressive," Peppers said. "You take more chances out there. You rush. It lets Dom get more aggressive in his play calling and that's the game. That's how it is. The good teams, the offense and the defense, they work hand in hand."

In the decisive first half, Matthews came unblocked for a huge sack on Sanchez and forced two other hurries. Mike Neal also had a sack, as did defensive lineman Letroy Guion. Then, to start the third quarter, the Packers forced a McCoy fumble which Perry recovered.

When all was said and done, the Packers had two interceptions, two fumble recoveries, four quarterback hurries, three sacks and two touchdowns.

"We're developing playmakers, we already have a couple, and the more the merrier," Peppers said. "We're going to need everybody to make plays we move forward into this touch stretch of games."

No stopping Nelson

It says something about the year a wide receiver is having when there is a collective groan – more out of lack of comprehension than disappointment – when Jordy Nelson couldn’t quite hang on to a back-of-the-end zone pass from Rodgers early in the first quarter.

Nelson set up that game-opening Mason Crosby field goal with yet another 60-yard completion, when he got behind Eagles corner Bradley Fletcher down the sidelines for a 64-yard catch.

As for how he continues to get open on that "same" route, Nelson smiled.

"It's a completely different route again," Nelson said. "That was just a 'go' ball."

Two Packers’ possessions – and scores – later, Rodgers found Nelson from 27-yards out with a tear drop toss over Nelson’s shoulder as he beat Fletcher again to put the Packers up 24-3. In the first half alone, Nelson caught four balls for 109 yards and a score. Though he finished with those numbers, he passed Billy Howton for ninth place in Packers history for career receiving yards.

"Whenever you get into Packer history it's an honor to be a part of it," Nelson said. "We've got a team that's playing extremely well right now, at all facets of the game, so I don't think you expect (records) but when guys do what they are capable of doing and are in a situation to make a play and make the most of it, it should happen."

Notes

• With his 52-yard interception return for a touchdown in the third quarter, Julius Peppers became the first player in NFL history to record 100 sacks and four interception return touchdowns in his career. He also is the first linebacker with two returns for scores off interceptions in Packers history.
  
  "It's about helping the team; you gotta score," Peppers said. "You don't want to get tackled and end up getting three points on the drive, so you're just trying to get into the end zone. (And) the (Lambeau) leap was a little better. A little better this time. A little redemption."
  
  
• Rodgers broke Tom Brady's NFL record for most consecutive passes without an interception at home on the first drive of the game.
  
  
• Matthews' sack of Sanchez gave him 54 1/2 in his career, moving him into fourth place on the all-time list in Packers history.
  
  
• Crosby had the worst day of all Packers, missing a field goal and two extra points.
  
  
• The Packers scored 50 points in back-to-back games for the first time in franchise history. It's a total that left one of the most vocal Packers nearly speechless.
  
  "That’s just ...," said defensive end Mike Daniels, searching for the right words. "That’s very amazing."

This about sums it up

Here is the "more competitive game" that @NFLonFOX has in mind… pic.twitter.com/NsUdLB2TJj — Drew Olson (@DrewOlsonMKE) November 16, 2014