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(AP) -- Though two records stand exactly the same, and equally unblemished, one just doesn't have the same feel as the other.

 

While the Green Bay Packers remain a favorite in the NFC, questions swirl around the Denver Broncos despite an identical record on the opposite side of the league.

 

Which team is a true contender might become more clear Sunday night when the conference powers come off bye weeks to meet in Denver.

 

This is just the fourth time in NFL history that two undefeated and untied teams have met this deep into a season, the last happening in 2007 when New England (8-0) beat Peyton Manning and Indianapolis (7-0). Minnesota and St. Louis met with 6-0 records in 1973 with the Vikings winning, and the Akron Pros (7-0) and Buffalo All-Americans (6-0) played to a scoreless tie in 1921.

 

It just doesn't feel like a dominant season for Denver (6-0), which posted a 26-23 overtime victory at Cleveland on Oct. 18 that was fueled again by a defense that ranks toward the top of the league in most major categories.

 

That unit has scored a touchdown in four of six games while racking up 18 takeaways and 26 sacks by a dozen players.

 

"You've got two good defenses and two great quarterbacks," defensive end Antonio Smith said. "Our job is to stop their quarterback. Their job is going to be to stop ours. It will be a battle of the defenses when you bring it back to the beginning."

 

Denver is one point behind Green Bay for fewest allowed, but 20 of its 102 have come on a trio of pick-6s by Manning.

 

That's where the concern has crept in.

 

Manning has slumped with two touchdown passes and seven interceptions in the last three games. He hasn't thrown for 300 yards and his passer rating hasn't floated above 70 during that stretch.

 

"Hey, I want to play better every single week and I promise like all my teammates we're out here working hard, we're trying to get better and we want to do our part," Manning said. "We know we need to play better, especially starting this week against Green Bay. Our defense has their hands full. Green Bay's going to make some plays offensively. We've got to do our part to score some points."

 

A rushing offense that ranks 30th at 85.0 yards per game hasn't helped. C.J. Anderson has been largely ineffective, and Ronnie Hillman seems to have taken over the No. 1 job after running for 111 yards against the Browns. The bye week should help the Broncos' banged-up offensive line return to form.

 

But with a grueling November ahead - including games against Indianapolis and New England - it remains to be seen if the Broncos can keep their pace. Denver's first six opponents hold a combined record of 13-27.

 

"We'll worry about Aaron Rodgers and then when Andrew Luck comes up, worry about him," linebacker Brandon Marshall said. "If you can just focus on one game at a time, when you look up at the end you'll be right where you want to be."

 

The Packers (6-0), who have won three straight against the Broncos, held off San Diego 27-20 on Oct. 18 and might feel a bit more comfortable where they are. It's not due to how well they've played, but instead because of what they might get back this week.

 

Wide receiver Davante Adams (ankle), nose tackle B.J. Raji (groin), safety Morgan Burnett (calf) and outside linebacker Nick Perry (shoulder/hand) returned to practice this week after missing the win over the Chargers.

 

"You definitely have to be very optimistic, knowing that we feel we haven't played up to our full potential as a team yet, but we're sitting here at 6-0," right guard T.J. Lang said. "Obviously a lot of momentum on our side, a lot of confidence, and getting a couple key guys back for us this week is going to be huge."

 

A player that might not suit up is James Starks, who has led Green Bay's ground game while Eddie Lacy has been hampered by an ankle injury. Starks was injured while rushing for 112 yards and a touchdown against San Diego, and his status is uncertain.

 

The good news is what coach Mike McCarthy says about how Lacy looks in practice. Lacy has started slow, totaling 260 yards on 67 carries, though he hasn't missed a game. He rushed for three yards on four carries against the Chargers.

 

"Well, he looks good, just watching him work out and watching his work Monday," McCarthy said before Wednesday's practice. "Particularly in the individual stuff, that's where you try to really stress each position, so I don't think the injury is affecting him anymore."

 

 

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Julius Peppers is gonna catch a couple of interceptions, but our defense will keep Aaron Rodgers relatively contained (QB Rating of 100 instead of 140) and we'll blow it right at the end with INT number 3.

 

:Broncos: 14

:Packers: 17

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This is the first exceptional offense we've played, so I won't be surprised if the Pack puts some points up. I don't think we can hold them to under 17 or 20 which is all the points we'll be able to put up including a defensive score.

 

:Packers: 31

:Broncos: 20

 

Our only hope is that it is a home game, and the outside shot that the Packers team which played the Chargers shows up.

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I don't like all this positive mojo.

Packers will come out hot, then slow down really fast and never catch back up.

 

Broncos 24

Packers 17

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Ty Montgomery (ankle) is inactive for Week 8 against the Broncos.

Montgomery was downgraded to doubtful on Saturday after not practicing all week. Davante Adams (ankle) is active and will start in three-wide sets.
The rest of the Packers inactives are QB Brett Hundley, TE Kennard Backman, CB LaDarius Gunter, OG Lane Taylor, LB Andy Mulumba, and OG Josh Walker.

 

 

 

 

Emmanuel Sanders (shoulder) is active for Week 8 against the Packers.

Sanders practiced all week and will play through his Week 6 shoulder sprain.
The Broncos inactives are LT Ty Sambrailo, WR Jordan Norwood, QB Trevor Siemian, OL Shelley Smith, LB Shane Ray, DB Lorenzo Doss, and DL Darius Kilgo.

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Vikings gonna win the division! :panic:

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Offense and defense in concert! What a concept! Manning had some shaky throws, but that defense was giving us everything today.

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Good man coverage makes Aaron shake in his boots. That, on top of a good pass rush is like.. Whelp. GG bros. Offensive coaching staff needs to get their heads out of their asses.

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This is the kind of game you lose with John Fox as your head coach. Elway is looking like a genius for shaking things up. I can't remember the last time we really stepped up in all facets and dominated a big game.

 

77 Passing yards allowed.

Demaryius Targaryen 8/168

 

lol dutch :smug:

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Horrible showing by offense and defense. Rodgers and everybody on the offense was horrible along with the playcalling. But with Rodgers under center, you know something eventually has to start clicking again and the offense will get going. A lot of hate has been thrown at Lacy cause he does seem bigger and slower but I thought he ran well for the most part, other than those stupid ass sweeps/tosses we try when they never work. Rodgers was so hesitant to throw the ball and switched off his first reads very quickly. I have no reasoning why he has absolutely no trust in his WRs.

 

Whats most concerning though is the defense, Denver's o-line is riddled by injuries and Manning has been under pressure all season. We hardly even pressured or hit him at all. After 44 games of recording at least a sack each game, couldn't get to Manning. Hillman and Anderson ran well but both benefited from gaping holes at times. Hopefully Shields and Rollins' injuries aren't bad as we will need them.

 

Also as far as I'm concerned, some other stupid team can make Hayward a wealthy man. He can only play well in slot but will probably be looking for starting corner money.

 

Rodgers' post-game interview wasn't even good. :sigh:

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Biggest issue is that the offensive scheme needs to evolve. The Broncos weakness defensively has been the middle of the field... So our plan was to attack outside the numbers and down the sidelines... Genius. We don't employ nearly enough slant and crossing routes. The Packers do desperately want the big plays that they are stubbornly sticking to a lot of long developing route trees and they are really handicapping themselves in the process. Hit the quick slants, move the ball, and you will get your chance at the big over the top plays. At the end of Favre's run here and at the beginning of Aaron's, the offense was all slants, crosses, and go routes. Need more of that these days.

 

Teams are learning that (good) heavy man coverage makes Aaron hesitant because he is so risk-adverse. Doesn't mean you will beat him, but it gives you a lot better chance than any other strategy applied against our offense since he started here.

Edited by Favre4Ever

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This is why you miss Jordy Nelson.

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Wrong. That's what everyone is pretending is the issue. Would Jordy make it easier ? Sure. But not having Jordy doesn't make the Packers coaching staff unable to adapt. Not having Nelson doesn't limit the packers from calling quick hitting slant and crossing routes. Not having Nelson isn't an excuse for being out schemed and out coached. This goes beyond Jordy Nelson.... Putting it all on that injury excuses Aaron from his inability and willingness to put the ball where he needs to. Aaron's great, not doubt, but he's not above critique. The Broncos play great man coverage, they have maybe the best trio of corners in the league.... But there were still opportunities. Aaron failed to pull the trigger. He is so risk adverse that he doesn't want to hit guys unless they are wide open. Sometimes you have to throw guys open or just let your WRs make plays. Aaron missed guys that were open, he missed throws to wide open Randall Cobb.....

 

Like I said, I'm not saying he sucks or anything.... But Aaron is just as responsible for our offensive failings as anyone. He and this coaching staff need to completely change their approach and how they scheme for defenses.

 

I will not allow this to become , "we suck because Jordy isn't here". That's not a valid excuse.

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