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Packers vs Broncos: Previews & Predictions
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<blockquote data-quote="TOPHAT" data-source="post: 179854" data-attributes="member: 781"><p><strong>SPORTS NETWORK PREVIEW</strong></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/858/story/284593.html" target="_blank">http://www.miamiherald.com/858/story/284593.html</a></p><p></p><p><strong>NFL Preview - Green Bay (5-1) at Denver (3-3)</strong></p><p></p><p>While baseball will likely be on the minds of most of the citizens of Denver this Monday night, the city's beloved Broncos will welcome Brett Favre and the resurgent Green Bay Packers to Invesco Field at Mile High for an interconference showdown. But just when it appeared the Broncos' season was spiraling towards disaster, the club regrouped after its bye week and responded with a gritty 31-28 victory over a Pittsburgh team that entered the Rocky Mountains with a gaudy 4-1 record. Denver blew a 14-point fourth-quarter lead against the Steelers, but Jason Elam's 49-yard field goal as time expired prevented a potential devastating collapse. The Broncos will be attempting to knock off another one-loss squad on its home turf this week. With a rejuvenated Favre leading the way, Green Bay has sped out to a 5-1 record and a first-place standing in the NFC North. It's the Packers best start to a campaign since 2002, a year in which the team ripped off eight victories over its first nine games en route to a 12-4 regular- season mark and a division title.</p><p></p><p>Green Bay is coming off its bye week and was last in action on October 14, when the Pack pulled out a 17-14 decision over Washington at Lambeau Field. The defense provided the winning points late in the third quarter, with cornerback Charles Woodson returning a fumble by Redskins receiver Santana Moss 57 yards for the go-ahead score. While Monday's matchup between two of the NFL's more recognizable teams offers plenty of intrigue, it will certainly take second billing in Denver as long as the World Series between the upstart Rockies and star-studded Boston Red Sox does not end up in a sweep. Game 5 of the Fall Classic is scheduled to take place at nearby Coors Field at Monday night, which would move kickoff of the Packers-Broncos tilt up one half-hour to 8 p.m. (et).</p><p></p><p><strong>WHEN THE PACKERS HAVE THE BALL</strong></p><p></p><p>Green Bay comes in with a respectable No. 11 ranking in total offense (339.3 ypg) but has had trouble establishing balance on that side of the ball. The Packers own the NFL second-rated passing offense so far, having averaged over 273 yards per game through the air, but are dead last in the league in rushing yards (65.7 ypg). Favre (1715 passing yards, 9 TD, 6 INT) is enjoying a renaissance season under center after back-to-back subpar years, although the three-time league MVP has cooled off after a blazing start. The legendary quarterback has thrown four interceptions and tossed only one touchdown pass over the past two games. Favre's got a talented corps of receivers to work with, headlined by 2006 Pro Bowl honoree Donald Driver (36 receptions, 2 TD). Rookie James Jones (23 receptions, 1 TD) tops all NFC newcomers in catches and receiving yards (293), while second-year standout Greg Jennings (14 receptions) has hauled in three touchdown passes in four games since returning from a hamstring injury.</p><p></p><p>The Packers haven't run the ball often this year, mainly because the team is still searching for a dependable go-to back. Rookie DeShawn Wynn (202 rushing yards, 4 TD) has been the best of a mediocre bunch that includes third-down specialist Vernand Morency (56 rushing yards, 15 receptions) and youngsters Brandon Jackson (97 rushing yards, 1 TD, 11 receptions) and Ryan Grant (27 rushing yards, 5 receptions). Wynn missed some practice time this week with a neck strain but should be okay for Sunday, while center Scott Wells is expected to return after missing the Washington game with a orbital bone fracture.</p><p></p><p>Green Bay's ailing run game could get a boost against a Denver defense that is yielding a league-worst 176.2 rushing yards per week. The Broncos did take steps towards correcting the problem during the bye, moving rookie tackle Marcus Thomas (7 tackles, 1 INT) into a starting role opposite the massive Sam Adams (5 tackles), and the unit did hold Pittsburgh's powerful ground attack to a respectable 119-yard total last week. Middle linebacker D.J. Williams (51 tackles, 1 sack), the team's leading tackler, had nine stops and an interception in the win, while active strong safety Nick Ferguson (44 tackles) recorded eight tackles.</p><p></p><p>The Broncos have been far more effective defending the pass, having let up the second-fewest yards (164.7) in the league in that aspect. Denver's accomplished secondary suffered against the Steelers, however, with lockdown cornerback Champ Bailey (33 tackles, 1 INT) out of the lineup with a quadriceps injury. Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger racked up 290 yards and threw for four scores against the shorthanded backfield, but the Broncos did sack the star quarterback four times. Two of those came from playmaking end Elvis Dumervil (16 tackles, 6 sacks, 1 INT) and one forced a fumble that rookie lineman Tim Crowder returned for a touchdown. Bailey is expected to be back on the field for Sunday's test.</p><p></p><p><strong>WHEN THE BRONCOS HAVE THE BALL</strong></p><p></p><p>Denver has annually fielded one of the NFL's top rushing teams under Shanahan's direction, with offseason signee Travis Henry (549 rushing yards, 1 TD) thriving in his first year running behind the offense's famed zone- blocking system. However, the veteran back is dealing with bruised ribs that kept him out of the fourth quarter of the Pittsburgh game and could be a game- time decision on Sunday. If Henry isn't able to go, promising rookie Selvin Young (139 rushing yards, 10 receptions) would receive the bulk of the backfield work. For the year the Broncos rank ninth overall in rushing offense (130.7 ypg). Losing Henry could also put a greater burden on young quarterback Jay Cutler (1406 passing yards, 7 TD, 8 INT), who's endured an up-and-down sophomore season thus far but was at his best last Sunday. The 2006 first-round pick completed 22-of-29 throws for 248 yards and a career-best three touchdowns against the Steelers, while deftly engineering the two-minute offense on Denver's game-winning drive. The Broncos will be without top wide receiver and ex-Packer Javon Walker (19 receptions) for a fourth straight game due to a knee injury, but second-year pro Brandon Marshall (33 receptions, 2 TD) and savvy vet Brandon Stokley (17 receptions, 2 TD) have stepped up their play in his absence. Cutler also has a good rapport with tight end Tony Scheffler (7 receptions, 1 TD), who had a personal-best five catches for 50 yards and a score last week.</p><p></p><p>The Packers counter Denver's fifth-rated offense (358.3 ypg) with a defense that has certainly held its own this year. Green Bay is giving up a respectable 100.2 rushing yards per game (11th overall) and has allowed just one opposing running back (Minnesota's Adrian Peterson) to eclipse the century mark. Nick Barnett (56 tackles, 2 INT, 1.5 sacks) is having an excellent season at middle linebacker and leads a stout front seven that also includes emerging star A.J. Hawk (42 tackles) on the weakside. The defense could be without one of its run stoppers on Sunday, however, as starting right end Cullen Jenkins (21 tackles, 1 sacks) is questionable due to a sore knee. Green Bay has allowed over 220 yards per game through the air (22nd overall), but enemy quarterbacks have completed passes at only a 57 percent clip against the Packers' defense. The secondary boasts a pair of proven cornerbacks in Woodson (32 tackles, 1 INT) and Al Harris (14 tackles, 4 PD), as well as two excellent pass rushers in ends Aaron Kampman (29 tackles, 5 sacks) and Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (13 tackles, 4.5 sacks).</p><p></p><p><strong>FANTASY FOCUS</strong></p><p></p><p>Owners of Favre and Green Bay's top receivers, namely Driver and Jennings, shouldn't be scared off by Denver's lofty ranking in pass defense, especially since it looks like neither Bailey or counterpart Dre' Bly (19 tackles, 2 INT, 6 PD) will come into the game at full strength. The Broncos have allowed 11 passing touchdowns in six games, including four to Roethlisberger last week. Wynn is the closest thing the Packers have to a feature running back and makes a decent flex option for this week's games. Those who have Henry or Young will need to closely monitor the former's health status during the week. If Henry is unable to practice by Friday, there's at least a 50/50 chance he won't be suiting up on Monday. Young would make a solid second back if he winds up getting the start. It's always hard to predict what kind of numbers the erratic Cutler will put up, but Marshall has emerged as an every-week starter at wide receiver with Walker on the shelf. Anyone looking for a possible sleeper at tight end should pay attention to Scheffler, who's becoming more involved in the Denver offense and has the speed to stretch a defense.</p><p></p><p><strong>OVERALL ANALYSIS</strong></p><p></p><p>Denver may have saved its season with last week's hard-fought win over a good Pittsburgh team that didn't play its best game, but it remains to be seen whether the Broncos have really solved the problems that plagued them through the early part of this season. Denver won in part by forcing three turnovers against the Steelers, and might need a similar showing to take down a Green Bay squad that's had an extra week to prepare, is pretty sound defensively and has quietly won nine of 10 games dating back to last season. The Packers should be able to generate more of a running game against a relatively soft Denver defense, and if Favre can get back to the mistake-free form he showed in September, Green Bay will be tough to slow down.</p><p></p><p><strong>Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Packers 27, Broncos 20</strong></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="TOPHAT, post: 179854, member: 781"] [b]SPORTS NETWORK PREVIEW[/b] [url]http://www.miamiherald.com/858/story/284593.html[/url] [b]NFL Preview - Green Bay (5-1) at Denver (3-3)[/b] While baseball will likely be on the minds of most of the citizens of Denver this Monday night, the city's beloved Broncos will welcome Brett Favre and the resurgent Green Bay Packers to Invesco Field at Mile High for an interconference showdown. But just when it appeared the Broncos' season was spiraling towards disaster, the club regrouped after its bye week and responded with a gritty 31-28 victory over a Pittsburgh team that entered the Rocky Mountains with a gaudy 4-1 record. Denver blew a 14-point fourth-quarter lead against the Steelers, but Jason Elam's 49-yard field goal as time expired prevented a potential devastating collapse. The Broncos will be attempting to knock off another one-loss squad on its home turf this week. With a rejuvenated Favre leading the way, Green Bay has sped out to a 5-1 record and a first-place standing in the NFC North. It's the Packers best start to a campaign since 2002, a year in which the team ripped off eight victories over its first nine games en route to a 12-4 regular- season mark and a division title. Green Bay is coming off its bye week and was last in action on October 14, when the Pack pulled out a 17-14 decision over Washington at Lambeau Field. The defense provided the winning points late in the third quarter, with cornerback Charles Woodson returning a fumble by Redskins receiver Santana Moss 57 yards for the go-ahead score. While Monday's matchup between two of the NFL's more recognizable teams offers plenty of intrigue, it will certainly take second billing in Denver as long as the World Series between the upstart Rockies and star-studded Boston Red Sox does not end up in a sweep. Game 5 of the Fall Classic is scheduled to take place at nearby Coors Field at Monday night, which would move kickoff of the Packers-Broncos tilt up one half-hour to 8 p.m. (et). [b]WHEN THE PACKERS HAVE THE BALL[/b] Green Bay comes in with a respectable No. 11 ranking in total offense (339.3 ypg) but has had trouble establishing balance on that side of the ball. The Packers own the NFL second-rated passing offense so far, having averaged over 273 yards per game through the air, but are dead last in the league in rushing yards (65.7 ypg). Favre (1715 passing yards, 9 TD, 6 INT) is enjoying a renaissance season under center after back-to-back subpar years, although the three-time league MVP has cooled off after a blazing start. The legendary quarterback has thrown four interceptions and tossed only one touchdown pass over the past two games. Favre's got a talented corps of receivers to work with, headlined by 2006 Pro Bowl honoree Donald Driver (36 receptions, 2 TD). Rookie James Jones (23 receptions, 1 TD) tops all NFC newcomers in catches and receiving yards (293), while second-year standout Greg Jennings (14 receptions) has hauled in three touchdown passes in four games since returning from a hamstring injury. The Packers haven't run the ball often this year, mainly because the team is still searching for a dependable go-to back. Rookie DeShawn Wynn (202 rushing yards, 4 TD) has been the best of a mediocre bunch that includes third-down specialist Vernand Morency (56 rushing yards, 15 receptions) and youngsters Brandon Jackson (97 rushing yards, 1 TD, 11 receptions) and Ryan Grant (27 rushing yards, 5 receptions). Wynn missed some practice time this week with a neck strain but should be okay for Sunday, while center Scott Wells is expected to return after missing the Washington game with a orbital bone fracture. Green Bay's ailing run game could get a boost against a Denver defense that is yielding a league-worst 176.2 rushing yards per week. The Broncos did take steps towards correcting the problem during the bye, moving rookie tackle Marcus Thomas (7 tackles, 1 INT) into a starting role opposite the massive Sam Adams (5 tackles), and the unit did hold Pittsburgh's powerful ground attack to a respectable 119-yard total last week. Middle linebacker D.J. Williams (51 tackles, 1 sack), the team's leading tackler, had nine stops and an interception in the win, while active strong safety Nick Ferguson (44 tackles) recorded eight tackles. The Broncos have been far more effective defending the pass, having let up the second-fewest yards (164.7) in the league in that aspect. Denver's accomplished secondary suffered against the Steelers, however, with lockdown cornerback Champ Bailey (33 tackles, 1 INT) out of the lineup with a quadriceps injury. Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger racked up 290 yards and threw for four scores against the shorthanded backfield, but the Broncos did sack the star quarterback four times. Two of those came from playmaking end Elvis Dumervil (16 tackles, 6 sacks, 1 INT) and one forced a fumble that rookie lineman Tim Crowder returned for a touchdown. Bailey is expected to be back on the field for Sunday's test. [b]WHEN THE BRONCOS HAVE THE BALL[/b] Denver has annually fielded one of the NFL's top rushing teams under Shanahan's direction, with offseason signee Travis Henry (549 rushing yards, 1 TD) thriving in his first year running behind the offense's famed zone- blocking system. However, the veteran back is dealing with bruised ribs that kept him out of the fourth quarter of the Pittsburgh game and could be a game- time decision on Sunday. If Henry isn't able to go, promising rookie Selvin Young (139 rushing yards, 10 receptions) would receive the bulk of the backfield work. For the year the Broncos rank ninth overall in rushing offense (130.7 ypg). Losing Henry could also put a greater burden on young quarterback Jay Cutler (1406 passing yards, 7 TD, 8 INT), who's endured an up-and-down sophomore season thus far but was at his best last Sunday. The 2006 first-round pick completed 22-of-29 throws for 248 yards and a career-best three touchdowns against the Steelers, while deftly engineering the two-minute offense on Denver's game-winning drive. The Broncos will be without top wide receiver and ex-Packer Javon Walker (19 receptions) for a fourth straight game due to a knee injury, but second-year pro Brandon Marshall (33 receptions, 2 TD) and savvy vet Brandon Stokley (17 receptions, 2 TD) have stepped up their play in his absence. Cutler also has a good rapport with tight end Tony Scheffler (7 receptions, 1 TD), who had a personal-best five catches for 50 yards and a score last week. The Packers counter Denver's fifth-rated offense (358.3 ypg) with a defense that has certainly held its own this year. Green Bay is giving up a respectable 100.2 rushing yards per game (11th overall) and has allowed just one opposing running back (Minnesota's Adrian Peterson) to eclipse the century mark. Nick Barnett (56 tackles, 2 INT, 1.5 sacks) is having an excellent season at middle linebacker and leads a stout front seven that also includes emerging star A.J. Hawk (42 tackles) on the weakside. The defense could be without one of its run stoppers on Sunday, however, as starting right end Cullen Jenkins (21 tackles, 1 sacks) is questionable due to a sore knee. Green Bay has allowed over 220 yards per game through the air (22nd overall), but enemy quarterbacks have completed passes at only a 57 percent clip against the Packers' defense. The secondary boasts a pair of proven cornerbacks in Woodson (32 tackles, 1 INT) and Al Harris (14 tackles, 4 PD), as well as two excellent pass rushers in ends Aaron Kampman (29 tackles, 5 sacks) and Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (13 tackles, 4.5 sacks). [b]FANTASY FOCUS[/b] Owners of Favre and Green Bay's top receivers, namely Driver and Jennings, shouldn't be scared off by Denver's lofty ranking in pass defense, especially since it looks like neither Bailey or counterpart Dre' Bly (19 tackles, 2 INT, 6 PD) will come into the game at full strength. The Broncos have allowed 11 passing touchdowns in six games, including four to Roethlisberger last week. Wynn is the closest thing the Packers have to a feature running back and makes a decent flex option for this week's games. Those who have Henry or Young will need to closely monitor the former's health status during the week. If Henry is unable to practice by Friday, there's at least a 50/50 chance he won't be suiting up on Monday. Young would make a solid second back if he winds up getting the start. It's always hard to predict what kind of numbers the erratic Cutler will put up, but Marshall has emerged as an every-week starter at wide receiver with Walker on the shelf. Anyone looking for a possible sleeper at tight end should pay attention to Scheffler, who's becoming more involved in the Denver offense and has the speed to stretch a defense. [b]OVERALL ANALYSIS[/b] Denver may have saved its season with last week's hard-fought win over a good Pittsburgh team that didn't play its best game, but it remains to be seen whether the Broncos have really solved the problems that plagued them through the early part of this season. Denver won in part by forcing three turnovers against the Steelers, and might need a similar showing to take down a Green Bay squad that's had an extra week to prepare, is pretty sound defensively and has quietly won nine of 10 games dating back to last season. The Packers should be able to generate more of a running game against a relatively soft Denver defense, and if Favre can get back to the mistake-free form he showed in September, Green Bay will be tough to slow down. [b]Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Packers 27, Broncos 20[/b] [/QUOTE]
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