Broncos at Packers
THE STORY: The defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers are on a roll and it will take a special team to stop them. The Denver Broncos may not have the playmakers to put an end to the Packers’ nine-game winning streak Sunday in Green Bay, but desperate teams can be just as dangerous as talented ones. The Broncos were stopped on fourth-and-goal at the 1 in their 17-14 loss at Tennessee last week, a gamble which may prove to be the turning point in another losing season. The Packers, one of three undefeated teams, have no such problems after their 27-17 victory at Chicago.
TV: CBS, 4:15 p.m. ET. LINE: Packers -12.5, O/U 46
ABOUT THE PACKERS (3-0): Green Bay has allowed 74 points, but its offense has scored 99. Aaron Rodgers, who is 14-3 at home since the start of 2009, has thrown for 917 yards with eight touchdowns and an interception. Packers tight end Jermichael Finley has 15 catches for 206 yards, and had a career-high three touchdowns last week. Denver gave up a 58-yard pass to tight end Craig Stevens, which set up Tennessee’s game-winning 4-yard score to tight end Daniel Graham. James Starks (32 rushes, 147 yards, one touchdown) will carry the load as Ryan Grant (32-157-0) will not play because of a bruised kidney.
ABOUT THE BRONCOS (1-2): Denver might look back at its inability to pick up 1 yard and take a 21-10 lead in the fourth quarter as the turning point of 2011. Defensive end Elvis Dumervil (shoulder) said he will play after missing two games, while linebacker D.J. Williams (elbow) is expected to see his first action of the season. Cornerback Champ Bailey (hamstring) has missed two games and is questionable, as is running back Knowshon Moreno (hamstring). Quarterback Kyle Orton is 4-14 in his last 18 starts. Denver’s games have been decided by eight total points. The Broncos have lost seven straight on the road.
EXTRA POINTS:
1. Broncos linebacker Von Miller, the No. 2 overall pick in April’s draft, has a sack in each of his last two games and forced a fumble in Week 1.
2. The Packers are No. 1 against the run (55 yards per game) but 31st against the pass (359.3), largely because they have led from start to finish in two games and took the lead for good early in the second half of the other.
3. Denver’s Matt Prater has kicked off 13 times this season – all have resulted in touchbacks.