BLUE 1,026 Posted November 28, 2014 By TAYLOR BECHTOLD STATS Writer (AP) -- Although they've faced little resistance during a supposedly daunting stretch, the New England Patriots could be heading into their toughest test yet at Lambeau Field. The top two scoring teams in the NFL meet Sunday when AFC-leading New England seeks its eighth straight win and the first-place Green Bay Packers look to remain unbeaten at home. The Patriots (9-2) have continued to roll in the midst of a challenging portion of schedule against four consecutive division leaders. They won the first three by an average of 23.0 points, defeating Detroit 34-9 at home Sunday to allow Green Bay to move past the Lions for the NFC Central lead. New England also beat Denver 43-21 on Nov. 2 and Indianapolis 42-20 on Nov. 16. "It's not realistic for us to expect to continue to blow teams out like that, or, I don't want to say blow out, but win by a large margin," coach Bill Belichick said. "I can't really put my finger on what it is. I think it's a culmination of things and preparation, I think, is at the forefront of that." The Patriots are scoring at an exceptional rate, averaging 39.5 points during their winning streak - 7.0 better than their league-leading average. Tom Brady has shined during the run with 315.3 passing yards per game, 22 touchdowns and just four interceptions, though all of those picks have come in the past four games. Rob Gronkowski has 27 receptions for 403 yards and five touchdowns in his last four contests, while fellow tight end Tim Wright caught two touchdown passes Sunday and has scored on six of his 23 receptions. "I would just say taking it one play at a time, not looking at the scoreboard, keeps the offense rolling," Wright said. "It all builds up at the end of the game when you look at the scoreboard at the points that we're beating teams by." The Patriots would certainly like to get off to a fast start against Green Bay (8-3), which has outscored opponents 66-0 in the first quarter and 128-9 in the first 30 minutes of their last four home games. "We're playing Green Bay in Green Bay," Belichick said. "That's where they've been very dominant, really, in terms of getting ahead and playing from ahead, first quarter. The numbers are staggering." The Packers have won their first five at Lambeau by an average of 26.8 points after scoring a combined 108 in one-sided victories over Chicago and Philadelphia. It wasn't easy on the road last week, however, as they held on to win 24-21 over Minnesota to jump past Detroit for first place. Aaron Rodgers has thrown for 656 yards in the last two home games and 18 touchdowns without an interception in 144 attempts in Green Bay on the season. Overall, he's thrown for 2,957 yards with 30 scores and three picks for a league-high passer rating of 119.3. Jordy Nelson leads the league with 123.2 receiving yards per game at home and has scored at least one touchdown in all five at Lambeau. Randall Cobb has 20 catches for 322 yards and two scores in his last three at home. "Teams are going to take away what we do best, and what we've done best is get the ball to Jordy and Randall," Rodgers said. "They've had big statistical seasons so (opponents) try to take them out of the game." The Patriots appear to match up well with Nelson and Cobb because of cornerbacks Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner, meaning Green Bay could need another big game from Eddie Lacy. The bruising back rushed for a season-best 125 yards and a touchdown on a season-high 25 carries against the Vikings while playing through a stomach illness. "He's a workhorse," said Rodgers, who faces a New England defense that has five interceptions in the last four games. "We need him in the winter months." A week after Jonas Gray ran for 201 yards and four touchdowns, recent New England signee LeGarrette Blount made the most of his opportunity with two scores Sunday after Gray missed practice two days before the game. The Packers are vulnerable against the run, ranking 30th with 136.7 yards allowed per game. Star linebacker Clay Matthews and offensive guard T.J. Lang are battling through injuries, but expected to play. Rodgers missed the most recent meeting with New England due to a concussion as Brady threw a pair of touchdown passes in a 31-27 home win Dec. 19, 2010. Brady threw for four scores in a 35-0 victory in his only game at Lambeau on Nov. 19, 2006. Source: Hosted.Stats.com Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted November 29, 2014 Honestly, I think this game is pretty worthless to us. We don't prove a ton by winning it... And other than staying a game ahead of the Lions I just don't know if it's going to help us in the long run. The est of the schedule is against NFC opponents that will more directly help us in seeding ... And honestly, we need to cool off and then re heat for a playoff push. Staying hot from Week 4 to the end of the season through a Super Bowl just isn't super likely in my opinion. I have no desire to be the top dog in November / December. I need more... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vin+ 3,121 Posted November 29, 2014 Nobody else seems to want to beat the Pats. Maybe the Packers will. If not, I'm probably going to have to wait 'til the playoffs for another Pats loss. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Piggly Wiggly 960 Posted November 30, 2014 30 :patriots: 24 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted November 30, 2014 Nobody else seems to want to beat the Pats. Maybe the Packers will. If not, I'm probably going to have to wait 'til the playoffs for another Pats loss. Oh, I always want to win...losing always sucks. But there would be a lot worse things to happen... Worst case scenario and what is probably gonna end up happening.. We magically end up beating New England and then we lose two of the next three against Atlanta, Buffalo, and Tampa... That would be so Green Bay esquee. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vin+ 3,121 Posted November 30, 2014 Davante Adams (heel) is active for Week 13 against the Patriots. Adams' Wednesday practice injury ended up being only a tweak. He will operate as the Packers' No. 3 receiver in what should be a high-scoring game. Inactive for the Packers are QB Scott Tolzien, CB Demetri Goodson, LB Carl Bradford, C Garth Gerhart, TE Justin Perillo, WR Jeff Janis and DT Luther Robinson. Source: Rob Demovsky on Twitter Brandon LaFell (shoulder) is active for Week 13 against the Packers. As is Shane Vereen (ankle). Both LaFell and Vereen should be fine for their normal roles in chilly Green Bay. Inactive for the Patriots are CB Malcolm Butler, RB James White, LS Danny Aiken, LB Chris White, OG Jordan Devey, OT Cameron Fleming and DE Chandler Jones. Rob Ninkovich will serve as the Pats' long snapper in Aiken's absence. Source: Mike Reiss on Twitter Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted November 30, 2014 We're dominating offensively with over 400 yards... Dominating time of possession... Defense is playing great for the most part... The fact we only lead by 9 is a testament to the Patriots and how good they are, and how much work we have left to do.That red zone D (of the Pats) is ridiculous. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted December 1, 2014 12 plays ( I think ) a total of 1 yard in the Red Zone. Packers game in with one of the most deadly and efficient RZ offenses in the league. While I stick by what I said about being OK with a loss against arguably the best team in the league... This will be an infuriating fashion in which to lose. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted December 1, 2014 That was a pretty great game, IMO... Still pissed the point gap was larger... Like I said earlier. We dominated time of possession, we dominated yardage, our defense didn't give up big plays... But we just couldn't put touchdowns on the board and that will haunt us if it conitnues to be a problem. Even considering how well, overall, I think we played... in the playoffs, that game is probably going down as a L. Good game Pats... I hope we see each other again soon. (Or maybe not, depending on the eventual potential result). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seanbrock 1,684 Posted December 1, 2014 If Green Bay ends up with HFA, they're going to the Super Bowl. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SteVo+ 3,702 Posted December 1, 2014 If Green Bay ends up with HFA, they're going to the Super Bowl. The way they're playing at home, it's really hard to disagree with this. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted December 1, 2014 Until Atlanta comes into Lambeau next week and we look awful... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
