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1st |
2nd |
3rd |
4th |
Final |
| Raiders |
0 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
| Packers |
0 |
14 |
17 |
7 |
38 |
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PACKERS CLINCH NFC NORTH WITH 11-2 RECORD, WIN OVER RAIDERS
-With today's win, the Packers earn their 18th division title in franchise history and a spot in the playoffs. The Packers will appear in the postseason for the 23rd time in team history.
-The Packers clinched the division with three games remaining on the schedule. It marks the earliest the club has clinched the division since 2002, when the Packers established a franchise record by clinching the NFC North with four games remaining. The previous franchise best came in 1967, when the Packers beat the eventual second-place Bears Nov. 26 to capture the Central division crown with three games remaining.
-The Packers avoided their first losing streak in over one year, having last lost back-to-back games in Weeks 12-13 in 2006 (Nov. 27 - Dec. 3). They have won 15 of their last 17 games.
-Green Bay has won eight of the last nine games at Lambeau Field.
-The Packers continued their dominance over the AFC West with a sweep of the conference this season. They have won six straight against the division and nine of their last 11, dating back to a 1996 victory over Denver.
OTHER POSTGAME NOTES:
-Ryan Grant tallied his fourth 100-yard game of the season. He rushed for a career-high 156 yards on 29 carries.
-Will Blackmon returned a punt 57 yards for his first NFL touchdown. He later recorded his second career touchdown on a fumble recovery in the end zone during the third quarter. The Packers last recorded two special teams touchdowns on Nov. 27, 1986, at Detroit. It was the first time the same Packers player recorded two special teams touchdowns since Travis Williams accomplished the feat at Pittsburgh on Nov. 2, 1969.
-Brett Favre now holds a career home record of 41-5 including playoffs when the game-time temperature is 34º or below. Today's temperature was 18º.
-Al Harris made his second interception of the season in the second quarter.
-Favre's 80-yard touchdown pass to Greg Jennings was his sixth touchdown pass of 40 yards or more on the season. Jennings has been on the receiving end of five of the long scoring plays.
-Favre's 266 yards today puts him at 61,178 carrer yards, 183 yards away from Dan Marino's 61,361 NFL record.
-Atari Bigby's third quarter interception was his second of the season.
-Favre's two touchdown passes today extended his single stadium record to 207.
-Today's paid attendance was 70,828.
**
HEAD COACH MIKE McCARTHY:
(on Ryan Grant's play and the running game)
"It was really our primary focus going into this game. I can't say enough about Ryan Grant. I think he's really coming into his own. You can see the comfort level that he has in this scheme. He's doing a great job when he gets to the second level of breaking tackles, so we're very, very pleased with him."
(on winning the division title)
"It's the first step in reaching our goal. We still have some business left to finish here in the next three games, but it's definitely the first check off our list. I'm proud of the fact that this is our first division championship and we've come a long ways. But we still have a long ways to go."
(on Will Blackmon's special teams play)
"Will Blackmon's clearly one of the better athletes on our football team and it's personally it's really gratifying just to see him out there (with) what he's gone through just to overcome the injuries that he's been battling the last year and a half and to have the opportunity he had today and take full advantage of it. He's an explosive young man. He's going to be a very good defensive back as he goes through his development process and he's definitely a weapon on special teams as he proved today."
(on the play of Justin Harrell)
"I felt that he played very well in the run defense. I know a number of times that he was collapsing the gaps, staying square and doing the things that he was supposed to be doing. Without seeing the film I'd say he had a pretty good outing."
QUARTERBACK BRETT FAVRE:
(on how his elbow held up)
"It's OK. It's going to be a little sore tomorrow and it wasn't completely 100 percent. My elbow and my shoulder were a little sore, but all-in-all it's fine."
(on making playoffs for first time in 3 years)
"I don't know if too many people gave us a shot to be at this position, and it says a lot about this team. I'm feeling good about my decision to come back, obviously. It sure makes it look like the right decision. ... It's been a lot of fun."
(on bouncing back from the loss to Dallas)
"I think what happened last week (in Dallas) and the way we responded today shows a lot of character, but I sort of felt like we would respond the way we would today, but you never know."
(on the play of Jennings, especially in 1-on-1 coverage)
"Each week he's doing that. He's showing you things like that, whether it be short, long. A good player finds a way to make plays and that's what he's doing."
CORNERBACK WILL BLACKMON:
(on having two special teams touchdowns)
"We're just going out there and making plays. We needed a spark somewhere so special teams contributed, defense had turnovers and the offense, Ryan Grant ran the ball well and Brett (Favre) threw the ball well."
(on opting to return the punt instead of signal a fair catch)
"I had a similar situation like that in college where I saw the ball short and I knew that I could get a return on them. And I just let it drop in college. This year, I said, "Aw hell I'm just going to run, if I get hit, then so be it." And I caught it, had a clear path and took it (to the end zone)."
(on if feels extra sweet to contribute in a such a huge way after being out with an injury nearly all season)
"Yeah, it's awesome. You know, since I've been injured, it's easy for someone to get down, but Ted (Thompson) said they're going to keep me on the active roster and not put me on I.R. because he has faith. My teammates kept me positive all the time and the training room kept my treatment going and Rock (Gullickson) in the weight room, and this is the end result."
(on if he knew the fumble recovery for a touchdown was good even though the play was reviewed)
"They had to review it, I'm jumping into the end zone (with) the fans. And the wall's pretty high I realized."
RUNNING BACK RYAN GRANT:
(on not being a secret in the league any longer)
"I guess not, but I'm just happy for the team, happy for the organization. Today was a great win for us, able to clinch the division and keep going for what we're trying to accomplish."
(on if anything has changed since the team struggled to run the ball early in the year)
"Being consistent I think. We're playing fundamentally sound, the guys are hungry, the guys want it. We're playing good football and executing. We have a great game plan every week. We feel like if we execute and play our game, good things will happen. Today, the line did a hell of a job, the fullbacks, everybody up front did a hell of a job and made it easy."
(on being on pace to gain 1,000 yards rushing)
"If we're lucky enough for that to happen, it's just a tribute to the guys up front really, to be honest with you. They've been doing a hell of a job and like I said, we're executing. Hopefully we can take a little pressure off the passing game. We've been able to do a great job all season throwing the ball, Brett's still playing wonderful. You know I'm just really trying to stay consistent and keep my goals on the same page."
(on if he thought it was even conceivable to be on pace for 1,000 yards at the beginning of the season)
"It wasn't something I was really worried about. I want to win. Number one is winning. Like I said, if that happens, that's definitely something special, but number one is we want to win games. We want to do whatever it takes to win games. And we feel like if we perform from a (backfield's) standpoint, we'll win."
CENTER SCOTT WELLS:
(on if the offensive line focuses more than usual on keeping the defense away from Brett Favre when he's playing after an injury)
"It is. It always is a focus, but especially after you have a game where he had to leave because of hits. It is emphasized to keep him clean, keep everybody off of him."
(on his assessment of the running game's performance in the cold weather)
"Today, we had a good day running. Ryan Grant did an excellent job again. Vernand Morency stepped in there and relieved him at times. He had some excellent runs as well. So again, we're building some more consistency in that category, the running game and just continuing to improve."
(on how important it is to build confidence through the running game)
"Oh I think we're a pretty confident team anyways. I think the running game helps us be more two dimensional, definitely. I think we're a much better offense now than we were at the beginning of the season, because of the running game evolving. But again, it's important in these games as it gets cold that you're able to pound the rock, you're able to eat up the time, keep our defense fresh and really control the momentum of the game. When you're able to run the ball, you're able to do that."
(on winning the division championship)
"It feels good. It feels good to be able to do it at home. My rookie year was the last time we had one and it was on the road at Minnesota. It feels good to wrap the division up early and to be able to focus on placement in the postseason now that we know we're in."
WIDE RECIVER GREG JENNINGS:
(on if he sold the deep ball to the cornerback to able himself to get to it)
"Yeah, it was one of those balls where it was kind of under thrown. I just tried to stack the defender and slow up so the ball could come over the top still. I don't know if he actually thought the ball was coming a little sooner and he jumped. He jumped a little too soon. I actually knew where the ball was going, I thought he knew where the ball was going too, but I just jumped up and got it and he was falling down. Everything else was (easy)."
(on if those were the easiest yards after the catch he's ever had)
"Yeah, you like them when they're like that, you love 'em when they're like that. You don't have to run too hard."
(on taking it to the Raiders on the ground early)
"Yeah, that was the game plan. We knew it was a cold game. Obviously you want to come out running the ball, establishing the run early. And with the way Ryan (Grant) runs, if you get him the ball and give him some opportunities, he's going to make some guys pay. He gets everybody going when he runs that hard. It was great that we got the ball running."
DEFENSIVE END AARON KAMPMAN:
(on if it feels good having the division wrapped up this early in the season)
"Yeah, it's a great win for our organization. Just to do it at home here, in front of our fans and be back on top in the NFC North. It's been a couple of years since we've been in this position and it feels great. Now we've got three more games here to really finish out the season strong and gain momentum heading into the playoffs."
(on controlling the line of scrimmage)
"I felt like we really executed the game plan. We talked a lot about constricting their running lanes and making sure they didn't have a lot of seams in there. The defensive ends and defensive tackles really tried to do that and for the most part I felt like we were real effective."
(on if the division championship feels better after two years of missing the playoffs)
"It does, it does. We had what? Three or four in a row there for a while and not to say that they weren't special, but the fact that what we've been through with this team, the way the season's gone, all the fun that we're having, to clinch it here at home this early is a great testament to our team and what's going on in this place."
(on all parts contributing to the win)
"It was a great team win. And everyone really contributed. It was a lot of fun today again and what a better way to do it than here at Lambeau in front of our fans."
**
OAKLAND RAIDERS:
HEAD COACH LANE KIFFIN:
(on the loss)
"It was a very disappointing loss today, our first loss where we really got beat in every area. It was a tough one to handle. Credit Green Bay - they are a great team."
(on not competing in the second half)
"We definitely got a little momentum with the touchdown right before half, but it was all down hill from there. Towards the end of the game we got really conservative."
(on if the cold weather impacted the game)
"I don't think it was a factor. I don't think the cold didn't tackle today, I don't think the cold threw incompletions today and I don't think the cold had nine penalties - we did. When you are coming in and playing a great team you can't turn the ball over, you have to stop the run and you have to run the ball. If you don't do any of those I don't care what the temperature is."
QUARTERBACK JOSH MCCOWN:
(on playing sick)
"I woke up this morning and my stomach was hurting. The way that it came on so quick I thought it was food poisoning. I tried to battle through it as much as I could."
(on the penalties)
"To me that was the biggest turning point in the game. We got backed up and had drives stall. When that stuff starts happening that is what kills us because you get off schedule."
(on Green Bay's defense)
"They are a good football team. They are a playoff team. They are up there with the better defenses that we have faced. We just weren't able to get things going. I think we could have moved the ball better and I think we showed it at times."
CORNERBACK NNAMDI ASOMUGHA:
(on if Green Bay is the best team they have faced this year)
"I would say so. Initially coming in and seeing them on film I knew they were good, but I didn't think that in all three phases they would be as good against us as they were."
**
SCORING SUMMARY & GAME NOTES:
Fourth quarter
GB 38, OAK 7
GB: Donald Lee, 46 pass from Favre, 4:00
7 plays, 67 yards, TOP 4:21
Key plays: Vernand Morency carried the ball on six straight plays before the first pass of the drive, and Lee got free over the middle for the big play.
Third quarter
GB 31, OAK 7
GB: Blackmon, fumble recovery in end zone, 4:50
Key plays: Jason Hunter knocked the ball loose from Oakland punt returner Tim Dwight, and the ball was kicked by Green Bay's John Kuhn and chased by several players. Blackmon fell on it in the end zone, and though Dwight originally was ruled down-by-contact, the Packers challenged the call and it was overturned, giving Green Bay the touchdown.
GB 24, OAK 7
GB: Greg Jennings, 80 pass from Brett Favre, 9:11
1 plays, 80 yards, TOP :13
Key plays: Jennings went deep along the right sideline, outjumped Oakland defender Stanford Routt for the ball near the Raiders' 40-yard line and waltzed untouched into the end zone. Crosby had to make a 40-yard extra point due to a facemask penalty on Donald Lee on the first PAT try.
Injury update: LB Nick Barnett returned to the game following halftime.
GB 17, OAK 7
OAK: Mason Crosby, 44 field goal, 10:46
8 plays, 56 yards, TOP 4:14
Key plays: Jennings had a key 20-yard catch-and-run to convert third-and-18 with the Packers backed up to their own 10. Koren Robinson followed with a 37-yard catch-and-run, but the drive stalled when Grant was stuffed by Warren Sapp for a 2-yard loss on third-and-1.
Second quarter
Injury update: LB Nick Barnett left the game after being poked in the eye. His status will be updated following halftime.
GB 14, OAK 7
OAK: Jerry Porter, 25 pass from Josh McCown, :26
4 plays, 67 yards, TOP :42
Key plays: After a delay of game to start the drive, McCown completed four consecutive passes of 22 yards to Tim Dwight, 5 yards to LaMont Jordan, 20 yards to Porter, and then 25 to Porter for the touchdown as the receiver outmuscled Al Harris for the ball in the end zone.
GB 14, OAK 0
GB: Will Blackmon, 57 punt return, 5:44
Key plays: Two Oakland penalties backed the Raiders up to their own 5-yard line, and they ended up punting from their own 16. Blackmon fielded the low punt on the run and took off up the right sideline for the score.
GB 7, OAK 0
GB: Ryan Grant, 6 run, 8:51
11 plays, 47 yards, TOP 6:01
Key plays: Donald Driver had receptions of 11 and 7 yards to convert third downs, and Grant's 4-yard run on third-and-1 made it first-and-goal. The TD run came on second down. Grant has 13 carries for 66 yards so far in the game.
**
The Raiders won the coin toss and elected to receive.
Weather at kickoff: partly sunny, 18 degrees.
**
The following Packers are inactive for today's game:
12 QB Aaron Rodgers (third QB)
19 WR Shaun Bodiford
32 RB Brandon Jackson
59 LB Tracy White
78 G Allen Barbre
88 TE Bubba Franks
95 DT Daniel Muir
97 DT Johnny Jolly
Starting Lineup Changes:
On offense, Jason Spitz (72) starts at LG for an active Daryn Colledge (73). Junius Coston (62) starts at RG for Spitz.
**
The following Raiders are inactive for today's game:
2 QB JaMarcus Russell (third QB)
8 QB Daunte Culpepper
33 RB Dominic Rhodes
35 CB John Bowie
40 S Jarrod Cooper
64 C Jake Grove
75 T Mario Henderson
95 DT Josh Shaw
Starting Lineup Changes:
None.
**
PACKERS-RAIDERS PRESS BOX NOTES:
-Green Bay welcomes Oakland to Lambeau Field this weekend for the first time since 1999.
-Prior to that 1999 meeting, the Raiders' last trip to Wisconsin was in 1993, when LeRoy Butler spontaneously invented the 'Lambeau Leap'.
-The Packers come into the matchup winners of 14 of their last 16 games and stand in second place in the NFC by virtue of their 10-2 record.
-Green Bay looks to avoid consecutive losses for the first time in over one calendar year. The Packers last lost back-to-back games in Weeks 12-13 last year (Nov. 27 - Dec. 3).
-The Packers hope to continue their dominance over the AFC West. They have won five straight against the division and eight of their last 10, dating back to a 1996 victory over Denver.
-The first meeting between the two clubs came on the biggest of stages at Super Bowl II in Miami in January 1968. That day, the Packers won their second consecutive Super Bowl title in Vince Lombardi's final game as head coach for Green Bay.
-Lane Kiffin is believed to be the youngest coach ever to take an NFL team into Lambeau Field. Previously, the youngest coach in the modern era was the Los Angeles Rams' Harland Svare, who first brought his team to Lambeau Field at age 32 years, 10 months on Oct. 6, 1963 - incidentally a 42-10 win over Vince Lombardi. Kiffin enters the game Sunday at age 32 years, 7 months.
THE PLAYOFF PICTURE: WIN AND THEY'RE IN
-With a win Sunday over Oakland, Green Bay clinches not only a postseason berth but its 18th division title in franchise history.
-Clinching against the Raiders wouldn't be new for Brett Favre and the Packers. They did so in 1993 against the Raiders at Lambeau Field, ending an 11-year playoff drought.
-A loss Sunday doesn't mean the Packers can't clinch a spot - they'd just need some help. According to the NFL, the Packers clinch the NFC North with 1) Green Bay win or tie OR a 2) Detroit loss or tie.
-According to the league, Green Bay clinches a playoff berth with an Arizona loss or tie.
-If Green Bay were to wrap up the division with three games remaining, it would mark the earliest the club has clinched the division since 2002, when the Packers clinched the NFC North with four games remaining. The Dec. 1 victory over the Bears in '02 marked the earliest such occasion for the Packers since the NFL implemented division play in 1933.
-The previous franchise mark came in 1967, when the Packers beat the eventual second-place Bears Nov. 26 to capture the Central division crown with three games remaining.
FARGAS AND GRANT TURNING IT ON
-Today's game matches the two hottest running backs in the NFL.
-Ryan Grant assumed running back duties in the second quarter at Denver in Week 8 and responded with his first 100-yard performance. He has three so far on the season.
-Only one running back has totaled more yards since Week 8 than Grant. It just so happens to be Sunday's opponent, Oakland's Justin Fargas.
Justin Fargas, OAK -- 591
Ryan Grant, GB -- 561
Adrian Peterson, MIN -- 527
LaDainian Tomlinson, SD -- 522
Clinton Portis, WAS -- 514
WEARING THE STRIPES
Today's officiating crew includes referee Ed Hochuli (85), umpire Chad Brown (31), head linesman Mark Hittner (28), line judge Tom Symonette (100), field judge Tom Sifferman (118), side judge Don Carlson (39) and back judge Scott Helverson (93).
NEXT WEEK
The Packers travel to St. Louis to play the Rams while the Raiders return home to host the Indianapolis Colts.
**
WHAT TO WATCH FOR TODAY
4 BRETT FAVRE
-Has played in 251 straight games (271 including playoffs) and started 249 in a row (269 including playoffs), the NFL's record among quarterbacks and the second-longest recorded streak in NFL history. Only Jim Marshall (270, 1961-79) has been documented to have started more games in consecutive fashion.
-Needs 450 passing yards to break Marino's record of 61,361. Favre enters with 60,912.
-Threw his 200th TD pass at Lambeau Field in Week 10 to extend the league's single-stadium record. He enters with 205.
-Needs 471 passing yards at Lambeau Field to surpass John Elway (27,889 at Mile High Stadium) for the single-stadium record. Favre has 27,419.
-Has 40 career game-winning comebacks (fourth quarter deficit or tie), including four this season.
-Has 55 career 300-yard passing games, including seven already this season, tying his own record of seven 300-yard passing games established in 1995.
80 DONALD DRIVER
-Has a reception in 92 consecutive games, the franchise's second-longest streak behind Sterling Sharpe's 103 (1988-94).
-Needs 92 receiving yards to surpass No. 4 Boyd Dowler (6,918) on the Packers' all-time list. Driver (6,827) enters No. 5 in team history.
-Became one of four players in team annals to produce as many as six seasons with 50 receptions, joining James Lofton and Sterling Sharpe (both seven) and Antonio Freeman (six).
-Stands 92 Lambeau Field receiving yards from surpassing No. 2 James Lofton (3,330) and 239 from becoming the stadium's all-time leader ahead of Antonio Freeman (3,477). Driver enters with 3,239.
-Needs 102 receiving yards to tie a franchise record with 1,000 receiving yards in a fifth overall season. Only James Lofton and Sterling Sharpe have five 1,000-yard campaigns. Driver enters with 898.
-Needs 9 receptions to become the third player in team annals to reach 500, joining Sharpe (595) and Lofton (530). Driver enters with 491.
74 AARON KAMPMAN
-Needs 2 sacks to surpass No. 4 Ezra Johnson (411/2) on the franchise list. He enters with 40 career sacks.
-Has started 70 consecutive games.
94 KABEER GBAJA-BIAMILA
-Needs 1/2 sack for his fifth season of 10-or-more sacks. Gbaja-Biamila stands tied with White (4) for the most seasons with 10-or-more sacks.
21 CHARLES WOODSON
-Needs one interception for 30 career.
31 AL HARRIS
-Has played in 166 straight games (156 regular season, 10 playoffs), a streak that began in Philadelphia in 1998. Since coming to Green Bay in 2003, has started all 79 games (76 regular season, 3 playoffs) as a Packer. |
 | Badger Mutual Family of the Game
Seventh-graders in the state of Wisconsin are eligible to enter an essay contest to see their family named the Badger Mutual Insurance Family of the Game. Winners will receive four game tickets, pre-game VIP on-field passes, recognition on the video board during the game and much more. To enter, Wisconsin seventh-graders should write an essay of 500 words or less that tells "Why Education Is Important to Me." Print out a registration form on packers.com. |
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 | Coldwell Banker "Take it to the House"
Two lucky couples will have a chance to win a house courtesy of Coldwell Banker during halftime at every home game. Visit one of Coldwell Banker's Open Houses to sign up!
"Take it to the House" TV Commercial - Real | Windows |
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 | Crunch Time Catch
The Crunch Time Catch presented by Copps and Pick 'n Save gives two contestants the chance to show their skills catching punts. Both contestants will attempt to catch a thirty yard punt. If they succeed they move on to a sixty yard punt for the chance to win an Ariens® snow thrower or lawnmower. |
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 | Kohl's Fan of the Game
Four randomly selected fans will be selected at every Packer home game to win Kohl's Gift Cards. |
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 | Kraft Best Seats in the House Sweepstakes
Watch the game from the "Best Seats in the House". Winners and a guest will watch the game from recliners in the stands. The area will also include a color TV and a fully catered picnic lunch. Entry forms available at participating retailers. |
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 | MasterCard Fan Photographer
All Associated Bank customers who make a signature-based transaction will automatically be entered into the sweepstakes. You and a guest will receive passes to be on the field for the Packers warm-up to take pictures that will be posted on Packers.com. |
|
 | Miller Lite End Zone
Watch for Miller promotions throughout the season for a chance to be part of this exciting section. |
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 | Nicolet Water Boy/Girl Sweepstakes
Win a chance to be the Official Water Boy/Girl of the Green Bay Packers. Children between the ages of 8 and 14 may enter by sending in an official entry form available at participating retailers. |
|
 | Novartis "Blood Pressure Success Zone"
Stop by the Novartis "Blood Pressure Success Zone" located in the Atrium to have your blood pressure screened. While you are there be sure to pick up information on how you can be eligible to win Packers home game tickets, Packers Pro Shop gift cards and a trip for 2 to the Packers away game in Jacksonville!
To learn more about the program, visit www.packers.bpsuccesszone.com |
|
 | Operation Fan Mail
The Green Bay Packers and Festival Foods this season are recognizing military families separated by active duty with a new program, 'Operation Fan Mail.' The families will be recognized on the field during home pregame activities.
To choose families, the Packers and Festival Foods are asking interested families, or friends of eligible families, to submit an essay, 500 words or less, on why a particular family should be saluted. Essays can be sent to: Operation Fan Mail, P.O. Box 10628, Green Bay, WI, 54307-0628, or by clicking here. |
|
 | Shopko Kickoff Kid promotion
Packer fans 12 and under can win the opportunity of a lifetime: Packers Honorary Kickoff Kid! One lucky fan will be selected for each 2006 home game to run onto the field after the Packers first kickoff to retrieve the tee. Each winner will receive the opportunity to be on the field during pre-game warm-ups, four (4) game tickets for the winner and his/her family, and a Packers Goodie Bag. Visit participating Shopko stores for your chance to win! |
|
 | Verizon Jr. Captain
For every home game one lucky Packers fan between the ages of 7 and 14 is selected to be the Verizon Jr. Captain of the game and join the team captains on the field during the coin toss. Sign up at participating Verizon Wireless locations. verizonwireless.com |
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