TODAY: Green Bay makes its first trip to South Florida since a heartbreaking 28-20 loss to the 'Fins, Oct. 29, 2000...The last time the teams met, in 2002 at Lambeau Field, the Packers also were coming off their bye week...The Packers have won in four of the last five years coming off bye weeks; their only loss in the stretch was at Minnesota, Oct. 23, 2005, when Daunte Culpepper helped the Vikings erase a 17-0 halftime deficit and win, 23-20...Eight current Packers hail from Florida, including former South Florida prep standouts Marquand Manuel (who distributed at least 50 tickets), Vernand Morency, Abdul Hodge and Colin Cole...The Packers renew acquaintances with former NFC North foe Joey Harrington, against whom the Packers are 5-2 all-time (2002-05)...Green Bay bids for its first-ever road victory against the Dolphins. The Packers' only win in the city was Super Bowl II, Vince Lombardi's final game as the Packers' head coach, a 33-14 win over the Oakland Raiders at the Orange Bowl...Likely inspired by his sudden-death loss at Green Bay in the 1965 playoffs, when he coached the Baltimore Colts, Don Shula guided the Dolphins to wins in each of Miami's first eight meetings with the Packers, from 1971-94. The Packers have since won two of the last three matchups, in 1997 and 2002, but Green Bay's 2-9 (.182) all-time record vs. Miami represents its worst against any single opponent, percentage points shy of the Packers' mark against Kansas City (1-6-1, .188), and the N.Y. Jets (2-7, .222)...The well-rested Packers kick off a stretch in which they play three of four games away from Lambeau Field. Miami, meanwhile, plays three of its next four at home starting today.
YOUTH VS. EXPERIENCE: One of the more intriguing matchups in today's contest features the Packers' young and talented offensive line against Miami's seasoned and highly decorated defensive front.
-The Dolphins' starting front seven averages 31.0 years of age and 9.4 years of NFL experience. Take out 22-year-old, second-year LB Channing Crowder and the Miami averages go up to 32.5 and 10.7. The seven-man group has 12 combined Pro Bowl selections.
-In contrast, Green Bay's five starters across the offensive line - including rookie guards Daryn Colledge and Jason Spitz - average 26.2 years of age and 3.8 years of NFL experience.
HARRINGTON VS. GREEN BAY: The Packers' seven all-time games against former NFC?North neighbor Joey Harrington:
09/22/02 at Ford Field, (W-37-31) (35 Att., 15 Cmp., 182 Yds., 2 TDs, 4 Int)
11/10/02 at Lambeau Field, (W-40-14) (44 Att., 20 Cmp., 236 Yds., 2 TDs, 2 Int)
09/14/03 at Lambeau Field, (W-31-6) (55 Att., 26 Cmp., 241ds., 0 TDs, 3 Int.)
11/27/03 at Ford Field, (L-14-22) (32 Att., 21 Cmp., 183 Yds., 0 TDs, 1 Int.)
10/17/04 at Ford Field, (W-38-10) (23 Att., 12 Cmp., 101 Yds., 1 TD, 1 Int.)
12/12/04 at Lambeau Field, (W-16-13) (22 Att., 5 Cmp., 47 Yds., 0 TD, 0 Int.)
09/11/05 at Ford Field, (L-3-17) (28 Att., 15 Cmp., 167 Yds., 2 TDs, 0 Int.)
TOTAL OFFENSE: Ahman Green stands just 111 yards from claiming the Packers' franchise record for total offense, held by Hall of Famer James Lofton. The team's most total yards from scrimmage:
9,901 *James Lofton (245 rush, 9,656 rec.)
9,791 Ahman Green (7,318 rush, 2,473 rec.)
9,712 *Jim Taylor (8,207 rush, 1,505 rec.)
8,275 *Don Hutson (284 rush, 7,991 rec.)
8,206 Sterling Sharpe (72 rush, 8,134 rec.)
*-Pro Football Hall of Fame
POOL REPORTERS: As appointed by the Professional Football Writers of America, Alex Marvez of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel is the primary Dolphin Stadium pool reporter.
NEXT WEEK: Green Bay returns to Lambeau Field to host the Arizona Cardinals and another former Vikings adversary, Dennis Green; kickoff is at 12 noon CST on FOX...Meanwhile, the Dolphins take their bye weekend; Miami returns to action Nov. 5 at Chicago (1 p.m. EST, CBS).
WHAT TO LOOK FOR TODAY & IN COMING WEEKS -
60 ROB DAVIS:
-Will extend his streak to 141 consecutive games played and surpass the seventh-longest stretch in franchise history, established by Fred Carr from 1968-77. Davis' current streak (140) began in 1997.
80 DONALD DRIVER:
-Has 27 career TD receptions from Brett Favre. On the team's all-time combination list, the duo needs one more to match No. 8 Bart Starr-Boyd Dowler (28), two to tie No. 7 Arnie Herber-Don Hutson (29), and five to reach No. 5 (tie) Lynn Dickey-James Lofton and Favre-Robert Brooks?(both 32).
-Has a reception in 69 consecutive games, the franchise's second-longest streak behind Sharpe's 103 (1988-94).
-Needs 23 receiving yards for 5,000 career.
-Needs one TD reception to reach 30 career. In team history, only 10 players have reached the milestone. Bubba Franks enters with 29.
4 BRETT FAVRE:
-Has won four of his last five, and eight of his last 10 games following bye weekends.
-Is expected to start his 227th consecutive game (247 including playoffs), extending the NFL's record among quarterbacks.
-By throwing for four TDs in two games, would match Marino's NFL career mark, 21. Favre has 19 games of at least four TD passes.
88 BUBBA FRANKS:
-Needs one TD reception to reach 30 career. In team history, only 10 previous players have reached the milestone. Donald Driver enters with 29.
30 AHMAN GREEN: On Green Bay's all-time rushing list...
-Needs two rushing touchdowns to tie No. 2 Paul Hornung (50). Green enters with 48.
-Needs 41 receiving yards to surpass No. 1 Gerry Ellis (2,514) on the team's all-time offensive backs list. Green enters with 2,473. William Henderson enters with 2,360.
-Needs one overall touchdown to surpass No. 4 Paul Hornung (62) and five to surpass No. 3 Sterling Sharpe (66). Green enters with 62 in a Packers uniform.
-Needs eight points to surpass No. 10 Clarke Hinkle (379), nine to surpass No. 9 Ted Fritsch (380) and 25 to surpass No. 8 Sterling Sharpe (396). Green enters with 372.
-Needs 111 yards from scrimmage to surpass No. 1 James Lofton (9,901). Green enters with 9,791.
Green also:
-Needs one rushing touchdown for 50 career.
-Needs one 100-yard rushing game for 30 in a Packers uniform.
-Needs 209 yards from scrimmage for 10,000 in a Packers uniform. Green enters with 9,791 (7,318 rushing, 2,473 receiving).
31 AL HARRIS:
u Needs to return one interception for a touchdown to tie No. 5 Charley Brock, Doug Hart and Ken Ellis (all with three) on Green Bay's all-time career list. With a second TD on an interception, would match No. 4 Johnny (Blood) McNally, who returned four. Harris enters with two.
