GREEN BAY HOSTS CAROLINA IN WEEK 13 CONTEST
-Carolina comes to Lambeau Field for a November game for the second consecutive year as the Packers host the Panthers.
-One week after their most complete performance of the season against Chicago, the Packers were routed by the Saints, 51-29, last Monday night to fall one game behind in the division race. It was the team's third consecutive loss on the road, a first under Head Coach Mike McCarthy.
-Green Bay must rebound quickly - even with a short practice week - if it hopes to realize its postseason aspirations.
-The road doesn't get any easier with 8-3 Carolina, a familiar non-divisional foe. Today marks the 11th meeting in 13 years between the teams. Four of those games have been played in Green Bay, with the Packers holding a 3-1 advantage over the Panthers.
-The two clubs first met in the 1996 NFC Championship Game at Lambeau Field. Antonio Freeman's go-ahead TD catch gave the Packers their first lead of the day, as Green Bay earned its first Super Bowl berth in 29 years.
-Carolina enters the game tied for the NFC South lead with Tampa Bay. A 45-28 loss at Atlanta last Sunday snapped a four-game winning streak.
-All three of Carolina's losses this season have come on the road, where it is 2-3 so far this year. The Panthers are one of three NFL clubs (N.Y. Giants, Tampa Bay) still undefeated at home.
275 AND COUNTING...
-Today marks the 275th consecutive sellout (259 regular season, 16 playoffs) at Lambeau Field, the league's longest-tenured stadium.
-One of professional sports' most revered stadiums, Lambeau Field is hosting its 52nd season of football. A redevelopment completed in 2003 turned it into a year-round destination for Packers fans.
-The stadium is on pace for a single-season home attendance record this year, as well.
THE PLAYOFF PICTURE FOR THE PACKERS
-If Green Bay is to make a return trip to the playoffs this winter, it will almost certainly have to win the NFC North division for its berth.
-Ten NFC clubs have better records than the Packers, meaning the club would need to win perhaps all of its five remaining games in order to be in line for a wild card berth.
-Within the NFC North, the Packers are one game behind the Bears and Vikings. A loss to Carolina would drop them two games behind the division leader, as Chicago and Minnesota square off Sunday night at the Metrodome.
-Chicago, Green Bay and Minnesota have two games within the division on the schedule.
-Three of the Packers' five remaining games will come at Lambeau Field. Two of the five opponents (Carolina and Chicago) are above .500.
McCARTHY GOES AGAINST FORMER PUPIL
-Head Coach Mike McCarthy is well-respected around the league for his ability to develop quarterbacks, and that reputation is based upon the maturation and ascension of young quarterbacks that have played for him.
-Jake Delhomme is often one of the first quarterbacks mentioned when talking about McCarthy's days as an NFL assistant. The pair spent three seasons (2000-02) together in New Orleans during McCarthy's tenure as offensive coordinator.
-Delhomme signed as a free agent with Carolina in 2003 and led the team to Super Bowl XXXVIII in his first year as an NFL starter.
-He did not play against the Packers last season - veteran Vinny Testaverde got the start - after his season was ended by an elbow injury in September.
-In two career starts against the Packers, Delhomme is 1-1. Today's game will mark his first career action at Lambeau Field.
ON A SHORT WEEK
-Green Bay faces a pivotal game against Carolina on the heels of a short practice week with the Monday night contest.
-That may not seem as bad as one might think. The Packers have won their last four contests coming off a short week: at Detroit this season, at Kansas City and Detroit in 2007 and home against Minnesota in 2006.
GAME NOTES
-In addition to performing a flyover prior to kickoff, members of the Navy Parachute Team will entertain fans with a field landing at halftime.
-Country recording artist Katrina Elam will perform the national anthem.
-Prior to the game, Packers WR Donald Driver will receiver the President's Volunteer Service Award as part of NFL PLAY 60, the league's youth health and fitness campaign.
WEARING THE STRIPES
-Today's officiating crew includes referee Gene Steratore (114), umpire Jeff Rice (44), head linesman Tom Stabile (24), line judge Jeff Seeman (45), field judge Greg Gautreaux (80), side judge Barry Anderson (20) and back judge Tony Steratore (112).
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WHAT TO WATCH FOR
36 NICK COLLINS
-First NFL safety to have three interception return TDs since Kansas City's Lloyd Burruss in 1986.
-Needs one INT TD to match the NFL record.
-Tied with Herb Adderley (1965) for team single-season record with three interception returns for touchdowns.
-Third in team history with 230 interception return yards, trailing only Darren Sharper (233 in 2002) and Bobby Dillion (244 in 1956).
2 MASON CROSBY
-Needs nine points for a second consecutive 100-plus point season.
-Has hit 31-of-34 field goals from 39 yards and in.
-Has hit 13-of-18 field goals from 40-49 yards.
-Has hit 6-of-10 field goals from 50-plus yards.
80 DONALD DRIVER
-Needs one reception for his seventh season of 50-plus receptions, joining Lofton and Sharpe (both seven) on top of the team's all-time list.
-Has a reception in 106 consecutive games, besting the franchise's previous long streak of Sharpe's 103 (1988-94).
25 RYAN GRANT
-When he carries the ball 19-or-more times, the Packers are 9-1.
-Needs 163 rushing yards for his first career 1,000-yard season.
85 GREG JENNINGS
-Ranks fourth in the NFL in receiving yards (966), first in 20-plus yard catches (17) and tied for first in 40-plus yard catches (six).
-Has caught a pass in 38 consecutive games.
-Needs 34 receiving yards to notch his first 1,000-yard season.
74 AARON KAMPMAN
-His 35 sacks since 2006 ranks second among all NFL players (DeMarcus Ware, Dallas).
