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A quick hop over the Western border is why this game becomes so important. With the Minnesota Vikings and the Chicago Bears battling it out for first place, a loss by the Packers will put them 2 game behind the division leader. At 5-6 and 3 games back in the wildcard chase, the only real hope is for a division win.

Carolina is one of the strongest teams in the NFC, however they can also play streaky as evidenced by their loss to the Falcons last weekend. The Packers will try and force the Panthers to beat them in the air by trying to stop the feet of DeAngelo Williams and returning rookie Jonathan Stewart.

Taking away the running game of the Panthers will be key to allowing the Packers to get pressure on Jake Delhomme who can become increasingly erratic at times and if that happens, the leagues top scoring defense could pad their stats.

If there is good news for the Packers it’s that they have a 3-1 inter-division record and having already split with the 2-2 division record Minnesota Vikings. A loss by the Vikings this week would drop them into a second place tie with the Pack, provided of course that the team wins. That would set up a December 22, showdown with Chicago at Soldier Field. The Bears have a 3-1 record as well and for now, the Packers own that head to head match-up.

The Packers in essence, even at 5-6 almost control their own destiny. One loss by the Vikings and it becomes the Packers division to lose. One loss by the Packers, and they can almost start looking towards next year…almost.

My name is Scott Allen.  I am lead blogger for the Arizona Cardinals site, Raising Zona.  I am subbing this weekend for Daniel while he was called away on family business.  I hope you and your friends and family are finding many things to be thankful for on this holiday.  As a Cardinals fan, I have plenty to be thankful for this season.  As an outsider looking in, If I were a Packers fan, there are several things I think Packers fans should be thankful for.

Let’s start with Aaron Rodgers.  I know there are people on both sides of this fence.  There are those that yearn for the Brett Favre days and there are those that are ready to turn that corner and start anew – even with Favre’s Jets thriving at an 8-3 record and Green Bay in danger of missing the playoffs this season at 5-6.  Listen, I get the fact Brett is having a good season, he had a good season last year in Green Bay as well.  I know Rodgers has had his share of mistakes this season.  However, he knows the system, in my mind is in the top half of starters in this league, and doesn’t fold under pressure.  It’s a lot to ask someone who for all intent and purpose, is in his rookie season.  Sitting on the bench the past couple of years gave him perspective but not experience.  Be thankful for Aaron Rodgers.  He will eventually take you places – the same places Favre did.

You’re in the NFC North.  Hey at 5-6, you still have a shot to win the division.  You’re only a game back of Minnesota and Chicago and you split with Minnesota, are 1-0 so far against the Bears with one left to play, and the remaining schedule is very favorable.  The Packers still have Carolina, which looks to be the toughest game remaining, however it is at home.  Then they have Houston at home, Jacksonville on the road, at Chicago, and finish at home against Detroit.  I like that proposition.  The Pack could easily go 4-1 in that stretch and finish 9-7, which might win this division.  Be thankful for the NFC North.

For the fans.  Green Bay has some of the best fans in the NFL.  Good or bad, the Packers are loved and that is rare in sports.  I live in a city that for the most part is fair weather when it comes to its teams, well at least when it comes to the Cardinals.  I am not one of those people and that’s why I do what I do.  I bleed Cardinal red and love the game of football.  I’m native Phoenician and have been on the Cardinals side since 1988 when they came to town.  You have a rich history with the Packers and sellout all your games (something that has finally happened over the past three seasons in Arizona).  Be thankful you back the Pack.

I hope you and your families have a lot more to be thankful on this holiday.  However you have the Pack and that is a lot to be thankful for right there.  Once again, Happy Thanksgiving and enjoy your holiday!  Look at it this way, it could be worse – you could be in Detroit!  Ughghh….

Go Pack!

Scott Allen

AZScott

Panthers :

• DNP: S Deke Cooper (shoulder), RB DeShaun Foster (toe), DT Damione Lewis (shoulder), WR Steve Smith (shin).
• LIMITED: CB Ken Lucas (hip).

Packers :

• OUT: CB Will Blackmon (foot), S Nick Collins (knee), TE Bubba Franks (knee).
• DNP: T Chad Clifton (knee), DE Cullen Jenkins (knee), WR Koren Robinson (knee), T Mark Tauscher (ankle), LB Tracy White (ankle).
• LIMITED: G Daryn Colledge (back), DT Justin Harrell (ankle), CB Al Harris (back), CB Charles Woodson (hip).
• FULL: RB Korey Hall (neck), DE Jason Hunter (shoulder), TE Donald Lee (rib), T Tony Moll (neck), LB Brady Poppinga (shoulder), S Aaron Rouse (shoulder).

The Fan-Sided Blogs network has launched a Baltimore Ravens blog — The Ebony Bird. Jarret Carter, of Scott Van Pelt Style fame, is the lead blogger over there. We expect big things from J.C. on The E.B., so go check it out.

Last week, Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson set an NFL record with 296 rushing yards against one of the AFC’s best defenses in the San Diego Chargers. Today, Peterson had just forty-five yards on eleven carries. The Packers’ defense surrounded Peterson each time he touched the ball. If the defense can maintain that same level of energy than the Packers might have an edge over the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys come January.

What was most impressive about Green Bay’s victory was the play of running back Ryan Grant. The first year player finished with 119 yards rushing and a touchdown while averaging nearly five yards a carry. Minnesota’s rush defense isn’t too bad as it has not allowed a single player to rush over 100 yards against them in a single game this year. Last week, reigning MVP LaDanian Tomlinson failed to even reach fifty rushing yards against the Vikings. So, Grant’s performance was certainly impressive.

-While the Browns did end up losing by a field goal to the Steelers, they are certainly headed in the right direction. In week one, the Browns lost to Pittsburgh by twenty-seven points at home. This time around, they held a lead for most of the contest and even had a chance to tie the game on a 52 yard field. It is amazing how much this team has improved, as they still remain in the AFC playoff hunt. Yes, the Cleveland Browns remain in contention for the playoffs. Earlier this year, head coach Romeo Cromell was on the hot seat, but so far, he has done an excellent job in the development of the young players, Derek Anderson, Braylon Edwards, and Kellon Winslow Jr, and preparing this team each and every week.

-Where have the Rams been all year? This has been a tough year for Rams fans as they were winless prior to today’s showdown against the New Orleans Saints. Their offense exploded against the Saints with Marc Bulger having a big day through the air. Bulger had two touchdown passes on 302 passing yards, while hitting seven wide receivers for completions. This kind of performance makes you wonder where they have been all season long.

-The Buffalo Bills are a nice story but they are really just average. For most of the game today, they trailed the winless Miami Dolphins before scoring eleven points in the final quarter to escape Dolphins Stadium with a victory. The win improved their record to 5-4 but one must point out that they really haven’t beaten any legitimate playoff teams. They are a nice story but look for the Bills to come back to earth next week against New England.

It was a big night for the Pittsburgh Steelers last night as they crushed the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football. Today is just as big for them as the FAN-Sided Blogs network welcomes Nice Pick Cowher. Check it out for the latest stories about the Steelers.

GREEN BAY PACKERS at KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

Packers: OUT: CB Will Blackmon (foot), TE Bubba Franks (knee), DT Justin Harrell (ankle). QUESTIONABLE: G Junius Coston (ankle), DT Ryan Pickett (knee), CB Frank Walker (knee). PROBABLE: T Chad Clifton (knee), S Nick Collins (knee), RB Korey Hall (neck), CB Al Harris (back), WR Ruvell Martin (back), WR Koren Robinson (knee), C Scott Wells (illness), CB Charles Woodson (foot).

Chiefs: QUESTIONABLE: LB Keyaron Fox (hamstring), WR Eddie Kennison (hamstring).

1. Javon Walker and Rod Smith are unavailable, Brandon Stokley is banged up and Brandon Marshall just got a DUI. That being said, what kind of shape is the Broncos’ passing game in?

Obviously, the Broncos passing game is hurting right now. Hopefully, our defense will continue to step things up, and get some quick three and outs to give our offense as many chances as they can get to move the ball down the field. I think we will also need to rely on the strengths of our running game to control the clock in order to win against the Packers this week.

2. The Broncos defensive line finally performed well last week against the Steelers. Will this become a trend for the young group, or was it a mirage?

I hope this becomes a trend for our defense. Going into the season, we were ranked as one of the top defensive teams in the NFL because of the leadership abilities of John Lynch and Ian Gold, and of course the athleticism of Champ Bailey and Dre’ Bly. The run defense has been a bit disappointing thus far, but Mike Shanahan has been around long enough to know how to fix the problem. It was very reassuring to see the defense turn things around last weekend.

3. Which cornerback duo is better and why: Champ Bailey and Dre’ Bly or Al Harris and Charles Woodsen?

That’s a tough call, but I’m going with Bailey and Bly because combined they have more interceptions (3) than Harris and Woodsen (1). They also have more solo tackles credited towards them. There’s no doubt that Harris and Woodson are extremely talented, and their team does have an outstanding record, but from the standpoint of pure talent, I’m going with the Bailey/Bly duo.

4. Which team wins on Monday and why?

I predict a Denver win on Monday night simply because the Broncos are coming off of an exciting win from last week where they gained a great deal of confidence. There’s no doubt that home field advantage helps too!

• An Early Broncos vs. Packers Preview – Acme Packing Company

Texans (+6.5) over Jaguars
While Matt Schaub and the offense are certainly improving, its the defense that has been carrying the Texans.

Titans (+3) over Bucs
The Bucs didn’t look good running the ball last week against the Colts and Tennessee’s front four is pretty darn good. Vince Young and company should take care of this one.

Chargers (-9.5) over Raiders
After last week dominating win over Denver, it appears as if the Chargers are back on track. Look for LaDanian Tomlinson to have a big day running the football.

Cardinals (-4) over Panthers
Kurt Warner has looked really good this season and the Panthers are now starting the 43 year old Vinny Testeverde, who was just signed on Monday. Good luck Vinny!

Ravens (-9.5) over Rams
With Steven Jackson and Marc Bulger still injured its hard to imagine the Rams even passing the fifty yard line in this one.

Vikings (+5) over Bears
The Bears got lucky last weekend and Minnesota’s defense is good enough to shorten the field for their offense.

Bengals (-3) over Chiefs
After their Monday Night loss to New England, the Bengals have had time to sort things out. I think Carson Palmer and the offense have a big day throwing the ball.

Dolphins (+4.5) over Browns
I wonder if anybody really even cares about this one outside of Cleveland and Miami. For my fantasy team’s sake, I hope Ronnie Brown has a big day.

Jets (+3) over Eagles
Look for the Mangenius to get a win against the overrated and struggling Philadelphia Eagles.

Saints (+6.5) over Seahawks
Both teams are struggling coming into this contest but at least the Saints were reasonably close last week, as they lost by a field goal. Drew Brees and company are too good to lose again.

Patriots (-5.5) over Cowboys
If last week was any indication, the Cowboys might be a little bit overrated while the Patriots are definitely not.

Giants (-3.5) over Falcons
The Falcons have way too many quarterback issues to win this one.

Last Week: 0-0
Season: 0-0

During a Wednesday news conference, Brett Favre confirmed that he indeed spoke to Robinson by phone on Tuesday.

“I’m not the commissioner but I think there needs to be some positive(s),” Favre is quoted as saying. “There haven’t been a whole lot of positives as far as suspensions and things of that nature and it would be nice. I’m a little bit biased obviously, but I think he’s done everything he’s been asked to do. And it’s time to set a good example that you can resurrect not only your career but your life.”

Favre said that Robinson is looking forward to meeting with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell this week, but such a meeting might not even be necessary.

Even if Robinson is reinstated it won’t be for this Sunday’s game against Washington, but it is realistic to expect Robinson to be in uniform against the Denver Broncos two weeks from this Sunday.

Packers Lose, Still 4-1 - Lombardi Ave - Lombardi Ave - A Green Bay Packers Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more.

Some tube of Brett Favre‘s first passes. – Epic Carnival

• With Favre’s career winding down, we need a new gunslinger. – Bleacher Report

•  Peter King gushes over Favre, compares his numbers to his MVP days (1995-97) and mentions the Ragnar hug. – SI.com/Monday Morning QB

• Did Brett suck up to Dan Marino? – The Money Shot

• Geez, the media has to start taking it easier on No. 4. – The Sports Hernia