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GREEN & GOLD EXPRESS

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2015

Packers Notebook
By Green & Gold Express Staff

MVPs, defenses in showdown

With seven MVP awards between them,

Peyton Manning and Aaron Rodgers are
the obvious headliners for Sunday nights
showdown between the Denver Broncos and
Green Bay Packers.
The defenses, however, will take center
stage in this marquee matchup between 6-0
teams.
The Packers lead the NFL in points allowed per game. The Broncos are tied for
second but would be No. 1 if not for Manning
having three of his interceptions returned
for touchdowns. Denver ranks first in total
defense, pass defense and sack percentage
and is second in third-down percentage and
takeaways.
Other than on the scoreboard, the Packers defense isnt as statistically dominant,
though it ranks in the top 10 in sack percentage (third), yards per pass play (fifth), interception percentage (seventh), red-zone defense (ninth) and total defense (ninth).
Well take that. Were willing to take on
the challenge, Packers cornerback Casey
Hayward said. Everybody says theyre one
of the best defenses in the league. Their
numbers show they are one of those defenses, but were No. 1 in scoring defense right
now. So, hopefully, we can keep that going.

We know it could be a low-scoring game.

With Rodgers being the reigning MVP
and Manning enduring a dismal start to the
season, the Packers are a three-point favorite. The Broncos defense, however, will
have a major say in who emerges victorious.
Denvers run defense has created a bunch of
third-and-longs, which plays into the Broncos strengths a dominant pass rush and a
ballhawking secondary. Dating to 2001, their
six-game totals of 26 sacks and a combined 43
sacks and takeaways are the second-most in
the NFL.
Given that dominance, the Broncos like
their chances regardless of whos at
quarterback.
Have they played any DBs like us? They
havent played anybody like us yet, cornerback Chris Harris said.

Oldies but goodies

Leading those defenses are two longtime

assistant coaches. Green Bay defensive coordinator Dom Capers, 65, is in his 30th year
in the NFL, which includes nine years as a
head coach and 14 as a coordinator. Denver defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, 68,
is in his 38th year in the NFL and 24th as a
coordinator.
Theyre always very well-coached, Manning said. (Capers) gives you a lot of different looks. Feel like he always uses the players

that he has to try to maximize their abilities.

He does a great job of moving Clay Matthews
around. Hes got great cover corners that allows them to play a lot of man coverage and
gives you multiple looks. Hes been doing it for
a long time and been coaching at a high level
for a good, long time.

Adams returns

Barring a setback, Packers receiver Davante Adams will play for the first time since
aggravating an ankle injury during the opening series of the Week 3 game against Kansas
City.
The hope is hes the tonic to cure a passing game that has put up fairly run-of-themill numbers the last three games. Rodgers
completed 73.6 percent of his passes the first
three games but 62.6 percent the last three.
It could be. It depends on his physical status, Rodgers said. His ability is there. Hes
got a lot of believers in the locker room and
upstairs in what he can do. Its just a matter of
him being comfortable.

Meat of the schedules

For both teams, theres a bit of wait-andsee on their early-season success. Green Bay
hasnt faced a team with a winning record,
with its six opponents having a combined
record of 14-26. Denver at least has beaten a
team with a winning record Minnesota is

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4-2 but their six foes are a combined 13-27.

The challenge gets much tougher, starting
Sunday night. In its next four games, Green
Bay has games at Denver (6-0), Carolina (60) and Minnesota. Denvers next five games
include matchups vs. first-place teams Green
Bay (6-0), Indianapolis (3-4) and New England
(6-0).

Historic meetings

This marks just the fourth time a pair of

teams at least 6-0 have squared off. In 1921,
the Akron Pros and the Buffalo All-Americans
battled to a 0-0 tie. In 1973, the Vikings beat
the Los Angeles Rams 10-9. In 2007, the Patriots beat the Manning-led Colts in Indianapolis
24-20.
A lot of energy in the building so far this
week, and I think its more about our opportunity to get to 7-0, Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. We definitely have great respect
for the Denver Broncos as an organization
and the environment were getting ready to
go play in up there. Its going to be a big-time
environment. They look very good on film and
thats what were focused on.
Of the five teams that are 6-0 this season,
Denver has the worst scoring differential at
plus-37. Its won just one game by more than
seven points, though four of its wins came
away from home compared to just two for
Green Bay.