Skip navigation
Site powered by
Latest news:
msnbc.com: Top msnbc.com headlines: Singing superstar Whitney Houston dies at 48

Packers on a high heading into Favre rematch

Since losing to Vikings, Green Bay’s won twice by an average of 26 points

Image: Rodger Getty Images
Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers looks for a receiver during the Packers' loss to the Vikings earlier this season. The two teams play again this Sunday.

GREEN BAY, Wis. - Coming off back-to-back victories over two of the NFL’s worst teams, the Green Bay Packers are carrying more confidence into Sunday’s rematch with Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings.

They are missing a couple of targets in their passing game, though.

The Packers dominated in Sunday’s 31-3 victory at Cleveland, one week after their 26-0 dismissal of Detroit. Now they’re ready to take another shot at Favre and the Vikings, who beat the Packers by a touchdown earlier this month. And this game will be at Lambeau Field.

“Our confidence is high, and it well should be,” Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. “We’re growing as a football team. We’re coming forward with the targets we’re trying to hit. From a preparation standpoint, it’s looking the way you want it to look.”

The Packers did sustain two significant injuries in Sunday’s game, likely forcing them to make a quick roster move.

McCarthy said Brett Swain, a fifth-string receiver and special teams standout, will have season-ending knee surgery after an injury Sunday. Wideout Jordy Nelson will miss at least two more weeks with a knee sprain, leaving the Packers with only three healthy wideouts as of Monday: Greg Jennings, Donald Driver and James Jones.

McCarthy said the team will look to add a receiver this week, potentially bringing up Jake Allen from the practice squad.

Beyond that, tight end Jermichael Finley sprained his left knee at Cleveland, and McCarthy said he is a “long shot” for Sunday’s game. Finley has emerged as a significant target in the Packers’ passing game and will be missed against the Vikings.

Fan ranker
New York Giants v Chicago Bears
Who’s on NFL’s ‘hot seat’?
The Bears are out of the playoff chase. What does that mean for Lovie Smith? How hot is his seat? Here’s your chance to rank all the NFL coaches.

NBCSports.com

But McCarthy pointed to tight end Spencer Havner, a converted linebacker, as an example of a player making the most of his chance to play in the wake of injuries. Havner caught a 45-yard touchdown pass from Aaron Rodgers on Sunday.

“We feel like we’re building each week, getting better, growing,” McCarthy said. “Guys are stepping up with their opportunities. I think Spencer Havner is an excellent example of that yesterday. We feel very, very good about ourselves as a football team.”

Another example could be found in the play of rookie T.J. Lang, who started at left tackle in place of injured veteran Chad Clifton and performed fairly well. Despite being down two starters — Scott Wells filled in at center after an injury to Jason Spitz — the Packers’ line didn’t allow a sack of Aaron Rodgers after giving up a league-worst 25 sacks through their first five games.

Clifton and Spitz could return this week, but the Packers are preparing as if Lang and Wells will start. That means Lang could match up with dominant Vikings pass rusher Jared Allen.

In all, Packers players felt good about their consecutive wins — even if the degree of difficulty wasn’t particularly high in either game.

“Football’s a game of confidence,” linebacker Aaron Kampman said. “Obviously we can draw some confidence from this. Now, in the same breath, you realize that statistically speaking, both of these offenses were not at the top in the NFL.

Slideshow
Image: Snee, 8, son of New York Giants player Chris Snee and head coach Coughlin's grandson plays in the confetti after the New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots in the NFL Super Bowl XLVI football game in Indianapolis
  The Week in Sports Pictures
The Giants on top of the football world, getting ready for the London Olympics and more.

more photos

“It’s good to have two big wins. We haven’t done that back to back. Dominant performances on the defensive side of the ball. Obviously it’s going to help us going into a very large game, large stage again at Lambeau Field.”

Cornerback Charles Woodson said the Packers did what they were supposed to against two weak opponents, but they’ll need to be better against the Vikings.

“We know what we’re capable of doing, but it’s another thing to go out and do it,” Woodson said. “Against teams like Detroit and Cleveland, teams that are struggling, you have to go out and win how you’re supposed to win. I think it says a lot about the team. But again, we’re playing a much better opponent this week. We can’t rest on the last two weeks.”

© 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

advertisement
More news
Image: Gerald Sensabaugh, Terence Newman, Mike Jenkins, DeSean Jackson
AP
Offseason needs for NFC teams

Silva: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for NFC teams.

Image: Wild Card Playoffs - Pittsburgh Steelers v Denver Broncos
Getty Images
Wesseling: Offseason priorities for AFC teams

Wesseling: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for AFC teams.

Slide show
Kansas City Chiefs v Minnesota Vikings
Fabulous Favre
Top moments from quarterback’s record-breaking career.