Oakland Raiders hope to stop Green Bay Packers' run at history

As the Raiders continue on coach Hue Jackson's quest to "relentlessly chase perfection" they never will be closer than on Sunday.
Perfection will be staring them in the face at Lambeau Field as the Green Bay Packers (12-0) find themselves four wins away from becoming the third team in NFL's modern era to run the table on the regular season.
The Raiders (7-5) hope to rebound after a dismal performance in a 34-14 loss to Miami, keep pace with the Denver Broncos in the AFC West and shock the football world in the process.
The Packers have won 16 of their past 17 games at home, the past 10 in a row.
Quarterback Carson Palmer plans on enjoying the whole Lambeau experience, right down to the forecast of temperatures in the upper 30s.
"It's my favorite place to play," Palmer said. "I've only been there two or three times, but it just reeks with history. It's fun when it's cold. I'd rather it be a little chillier than warmer."
The Raiders' hopes of winning rest with the ability to keep pace with quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the NFL's most precise passing game through a ball-control offense and coming up with turnovers and key stops on defense.
Oakland should move the ball, given Green Bay's No. 31 ranking on defense. Where the Packers excel is in creating turnovers, with 23 interceptions and four fumble recoveries, and making big plays at crucial times.
Less than a year ago, the Packers, with back
to back losses to Detroit and New England in Weeks 14 and 15, were 8-6 and needed wins over the New York Giants and the Chicago Bears to sneak into the playoffs as the No. 6 seed.
Their winning streak, including the playoffs and a 31-25 victory over Pittsburgh in Super Bowl XLV, is at 18 games.
Rather than look at the Packers' streak as daunting, Jackson draws strength from it.
"We need to go on a run here, just like that team did a year ago," Jackson said. "That team was kind of where we are right now -- they went on a run, they stayed on that run. They've done a tremendous job. Why not the Raiders? Why can't we do that? Why can't that happen for us?"
It's difficult to envision any scenario with the Raiders winning that doesn't include a dominant performance from the defensive line, putting pressure on Rodgers and disrupting the Packers' impeccable timing.
Given that Rodgers can carve up a blitz, the front four will have to do most of the damage. According to STATS, LLC, Rodgers is 64 of 93 for 1,162 yards, 10 touchdowns and one interception against the blitz.
"Hopefully the front four can get pressure and we can hold up on the back end, make the plays when they come to us," Raiders free safety Michael Huff said.
There is no sense in zeroing in on one receiver, because Rodgers doesn't play favorites, relying on accuracy and execution to a fleet of receivers that includes Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, Donald Driver, James Jones and tight end Jermichael Finley.
x"They really just have a basic offense," Raiders strong safety Tyvon Branch said. "They just line up and think that their guys are better than yours and that Aaron Rodgers is going to put the ball on the money. And he does it consistently. That's their game plan. My guy is better than yours."
Packers coach Mike McCarthy wanted no part of a discussion about joining the New England Patriots (16-0 in 2007) and the Miami Dolphins (14-0 in 1972) as teams that completed a regular season without a loss.
"We're talking about the Oakland Raiders, full focus on a very good team that's fighting for the playoffs," McCarthy said. "We have goals in front of us before we can entertain 16-0. I hope we're in a position to talk about that, but right now, we aren't."
Palmer believes things will get tougher for Green Bay before they get easier.
"The longer they stay undefeated the bigger that bull's-eye gets on their back, because everyone wants to be the one that knocks them off," Palmer said. "I expect the games to get closer and closer, because teams are going to give them everything they've got. We're going to give them everything we've got. We're going to go in there and expect to win."

 

 

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