TONIGHT: Fifty-three years after the Packers first appeared on national television, the franchise makes its debut on an eighth network - the NFL Network...Green Bay is playing a prime-time game in December at Lambeau Field for the fourth time in the last five seasons...The Packers play a late-season, prime-time home game vs. Minnesota for the fourth time in the past seven years (also 2000, 2002, 2005).
JACKSON IS NO. 201: Minnesota's Tavaris Jackson tonight will make his first NFL start and become the 201st other quarterback to start an NFL game since Brett Favre launched his current streak, Sept. 27, 1992 (Elias Sports Bureau). Cleveland's Derek Anderson, two weeks ago on NFL Network at Pittsburgh, became No. 200.
Entering the week, each team's number of starting quarterbacks during the 15-season stretch, which reaches 236 regular-season games tonight:
Arizona/Phoenix - 17
Atlanta - 13
Baltimore - 14
Buffalo - 9
Carolina - 8
Chicago - 20
Cincinnati - 12
Cleveland - 16
Dallas - 15
Denver - 13
Detroit - 15
Green Bay - 1
Houston Texans - 3
Indianapolis - 9
Jacksonville - 9
Kansas City - 8
Miami - 14
Minnesota - 11
New England - 7
New Orleans - 16
NY Giants - 9
NY Jets - 14
Oak/LA Raiders - 14
Philadelphia - 13
Pittsburgh - 9
StL/LA Rams - 14
San Diego - 13
San Francisco - 10
Seattle - 12
Tampa Bay - 11
Ten/Hou Titans/Oilers - 12
Washington - 17
PACKERS VS. ROOKIE SIGNAL-CALLERS: Green Bay hasn't faced a lot of rookie starters in recent memory, but the Packers have won five of their last six against rookie quarterbacks.
Instances since 1999:
Oct. 29, 2006 vs. Arizona - Matt Leinart (W, 31-14)
Dec. 4, 2005 at Chicago - Kyle Orton (L, 19-7)
Nov. 10, 2002 vs. Detroit - Joey Harrington (W, 40-14)
Oct. 20, 2002 vs. Washington - Patrick Ramsey (W, 30-9)
Sept. 22, 2002 at Detroit - Joey Harrington (W, 37-31)
Sept. 30, 2001 at Carolina - Chris Weinke (W, 28-7)
Dec. 26, 1999 at Tampa Bay - Shaun King (L, 29-10)
Nov. 7, 1999 vs. Chicago - Cade McNown (L, 14-13)
OLDEST RUSHING RECORDS: Ahman Green, who up to this point has averaged 78.8 yards per game, needs to average 79.5 over the final two contests to erase Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Taylor from the Packers' record book. Taylor (8,207) played his final Packers game in 1966, making his record 43 years old. Green (8,049) needs 159 yards to break Taylor's mark.
The NFL's oldest franchise rushing marks:
Joe Perry - San Francisco 49ers - 7,344; 1950-60, 63
Jim Brown - Cleveland Browns - 12,312; 1957-65
Jim Taylor - Green Bay Packers - 8,207; 1958-66
Larry Csonka - Miami Dolphins - 6,737; 1968-74, 79
Sam Cunningham - New England Patriots - 5,453; 1973-82
Franco Harris - Pittsburgh Steelers - 11,950; 1972-83
Wilbert Montgomery - Philadelphia Eagles - 6,538; 1977-84
John Riggins - Washington Redskins - 7,472; 1976-85
Ottis Anderson - Arizona Cardinals - 7,999; 1979-86
Walter Payton - Chicago Bears - 16,726; 1975-87
Eric Dickerson - St. Louis Rams - 7,245; 1983-87
PRIME-TIME COLD: Tonight marks the latest in a regular season the NFL has ever scheduled a prime-time game in Wisconsin. Previously, the latest was Dec. 11, 2005, a Sunday night on ESPN in which Green Bay won an overtime field goal.
Latest scheduled prime-time games, regular season:
Dec. 21, 2006 vs Minnesota at Lambeau Field
Dec. 11, 2005 vs Detroit at Lambeau Field (GB, 16-13 OT) 14 degrees
Dec. 8, 2002 vs Minnesota at Lambeau Field (GB, 26-22) 11 degrees
Nov. 6, 2000 vs Minnesota at Lambeau Field (GB, 26-20 OT) 50 degrees
Nov. 9, 1970 vs Baltimore Colts at County Stadium (Bal, 13-10) 52 degrees
20 TOUCHDOWNS: Brett Favre, who extended two more NFL records Dec. 10 at San Francisco in reaching 3,000 yards for a 15th overall/consecutive year, reached another all-time mark Dec. 17 vs. Detroit in breaking Dan Marino's career completions record. He also is approaching another individual accomplishment.
-Favre needs three touchdown passes to reach 20 for a 13th straight season and extend his league record.
Most consecutive seasons with 20-plus TD passes, NFL history:
12 - Brett Favre - 1994-2005
10 - Dan Marino - 1983-1992
9 - Peyton Manning - 1998-2006
6 - Len Dawson - 1962-1967
5 - Tom Brady - 2002-2006
GREEN PROTECTING BALL WELL: Including 29 touches Dec. 17 vs. Detroit, Ahman Green has not fumbled since Sept. 24 at Detroit. Since that last fumble, the running back has 189 offensive touches (167 carries, 21 receptions, one fumble recovery).
LAMBEAU WORKS OVERTIME: For the first time in its 50 NFL seasons, Lambeau Field is hosting two games in five days. Never before have the Packers had as few as three days rest between Lambeau Field games. Following this game, the team will replace the surface with DD GrassMaster.
ON THURSDAY NIGHT: The Packers tonight bid for their first-ever prime-time win on a Thursday. They're 0-3 all-time, with losses vs. Chicago in 1991 (TNT), at Minnesota in 1994 (TNT) and at Detroit in 1998 (ESPN).
IN HOME FINALES: In their last regular-season game at home, however, the team has won 13 of its last 14. The stretch parallels Favre's time in Green Bay. The quarterback is 13-1 in regular-season home finales, losing only in 2004 - to Jacksonville.
IN COMMAND OF THE SCOREBOARD: Over their current two-game winning streak, the Packers have held the lead for 98 minutes, 46 seconds. They've trailed for just six minutes, 40 seconds.
BALANCE ON OFFENSE: Green Bay over its current two-game winning streak has had 139 offensive snaps, 66 carries and 73 passing plays.
uIn their Dec. 10 win at San Francisco, the Packers called 34 running plays and 35 passes.
SHORT FIELD: The Packers over the past two games have enjoyed their best field position in years.
-Green Bay's average start Dec. 10 at San Francisco was its own 35-yard line, the Packers' best field position since Nov. 13, 2005, when they averaged the 37-yard line in a win at Atlanta.
-One week later, Dec. 17 vs. Detroit, Green Bay's average start was the 39-yard line. The last time their field position was that good was Dec. 7, 2003, when they averaged the 40-yard line in a 34-21 Lambeau Field win over Chicago.
SUPER BOWL XXXI IS 'AMERICA'S GAME' FRIDAY: America's Game is the show football fans have been waiting for: 40 one-hour documentaries produced by NFL Films.
-America's Game is not a Super Bowl recap, but a 40-part special that unveils team stories that have never before been seen or heard.
-The Top 20 air in order from No. 20 to No. 1, with the No. 1-ranked Super Bowl being revealed the week of Super Bowl XLI.
-This week, America's Game turns its attention to the Green Bay Packers' Super Bowl XXXI victory over the New England Patriots in New Orleans.
-Interviews with coaches, players from both the winning and losing teams, video highlights, and narration by some of today's biggest stars will highlight this incredible production from NFL Films.
uAmerica's Game airs tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. CST on NFL Network.
HONORARY CAPTAIN: Former Packers defensive tackle Santana Dotson, a member of the Super Bowl XXXI championship team, will serve as honorary captain for today's game. As part of the organization's season-long celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Super Bowl win, GM Ted Thompson has invited members of the 1996 team to serve as honorary captains for each of the Packers' home games.
PREGAME INFORMATION: Former American Idol contestant Will Makar will perform our national anthem.
POOL REPORTERS: As appointed by the Professional Football Writers of America, Cliff Christl of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and Mike Vandermause (alternate) of the Green Bay Press-Gazette are the Lambeau Field pool reporters.
NEXT WEEK: Green Bay plays its second of two bookend contests against the Bears, who blanked the Packers 26-0 on opening weekend, Sept. 10, here at Lambeau Field; kickoff on Sunday, Dec. 31, is tentatively scheduled for 12 p.m. CST at Soldier Field (FOX)...Credential applications for the Bears game Sunday are due by halftime of tongiht's contest...The Vikings, meanwhile on Dec. 31, close their regular season at home against the St. Louis Rams (12 p.m., FOX).
{sportsad300}WHAT TO LOOK FOR TONIGHT & NEXT WEEK
80 DONALD DRIVER:
-Needs two touchdowns to match his single-season career high, nine (2002, 2004). Driver enters with seven.
-Has 33 career TD receptions from Brett Favre. The duo needs one to break a tie on the franchise's all-time list with No. 4 Cecil Isbell-Don Hutson (33) and two to match No. 3 Lynn Dickey-Paul Coffman (35).
-Needs one 100-yard game to match No. 6 Billy Howton and Max McGee (17). Driver enters with 16 career 100-yard receiving games.
-Has a reception in 78 consecutive games, the franchise's second-longest streak behind Sterling Sharpe's 103 (1988-94).
4 BRETT FAVRE: On the NFL's all-time passing list...
-Is expected to play in his 238th straight game (256 including playoffs). He should start his 236th consecutive game (256 including playoffs), extending the NFL's record among quarterbacks.
-Needs seven TD passes to match Dan Marino's NFL record, 420. Favre enters with 413.
-Needs 26 completions to become the first in NFL history to reach 5,000.
-Needs two wins to match No. 2 John Elway (147-93-0, .613) and three to tie No. 1 Dan Marino (148-82-1, .643). Favre enters third on the all-time quarterback wins list (145-90-0, .617).
-Needs five touchdown passes at Lambeau Field for 200. Favre (195) already holds the single-stadium NFL record, having surpassed John Elway's Mile High Stadium mark (180) in 2005.
88 BUBBA FRANKS:
-Needs two TD receptions at Lambeau Field to tie No. 3 Robert Brooks (17) on the stadium's all-time list. Franks enters with 15 Lambeau Field TD receptions. Donald Driver has 12.
-Needs one TD reception to reach 30 career. In team history, only 11 previous players have reached the milestone, including Donald Driver this season.
94 KABEER GBAJA-BIAMILA:
-On Green Bay's all-time sacks list, needs five to match Reggie White's career record, 681/2. Gbaja-Biamila enters with 631/2.
-With five more sacks, would reach 10 in a fifth overall season and break a tie with White, who also recorded 10 four times, for the franchise record.
30 AHMAN GREEN: On Green Bay's all-time rushing list...
-Needs 42 rushing attempts to surpass No. 1 Jim Taylor (1,811). Green enters with 1,770.
-Should become one of only three players ever to lead the Packers in rushing for six overall seasons, joining Pro Hall of Famers Clarke Hinkle (seven) and Jim Taylor (seven). Green has led the team five seasons.
-Needs 159 rushing yards to surpass No. 1 Jim Taylor (8,207). Green enters with 8,049.
-Needs 54 rushing yards to reach 1,000 and surpass Jim Taylor's record of five overall 1,000-yard seasons. Green also has five.
-Needs seven receptions to surpass No. 6 Max McGee (345) on the team's all-time receiving list. Green enters with 339 in a Packers uniform, already most ever by a Packers back.
-By leading the team in rushing touchdowns for a sixth overall season, would tie No. 1 Clarke Hinkle (six).
31 AL HARRIS:
-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.
85 GREG JENNINGS:
-Can become the first Packers rookie with four TD receptions since Ed West (TE) had four in 1984. The last rookie wide receiver with at least four was James Lofton, who had six in 1978.
-With 44 catches, already has the most by a Packers rookie since Sharpe had 55, the team's rookie record, in 1988. Jennings needs three receptions to top No. 4 James Lofton (46 in 1978), five to surpass No. 3 Gerry Ellis (48 in 1980), 10 to top No. 2 Billy Howton (53 in 1952) and 12 to surpass Sharpe on the team's all-time rookie receiving list.
-With 630 receiving yards, already has the most by a Packers rookie since Sharpe had 791 in 1988. Jennings needs 162 to surpass No. 3 Sharpe, and 189 to surpass No. 2 Lofton (818 in 1978).
87 DAVID MARTIN:
-Needs seven catches, 27 yards and two touchdowns to surpass his respective 2005 career bests.
79 RYAN PICKETT:
-Has four passes defensed over his last four games and has eclipsed his 2003 single-season best, with St. Louis, six. Pickett now has seven on the year.
21 CHARLES WOODSON:
-With 21 passes defensed already this season, needs just one more to eclipse his career best, 21 during his 1998 rookie campaign. Most passes defensed in a single season since the club began tracking the category in 1982:
28 - Al Harris - 2004
27 - Doug Evans - 1995
23 - Darren Sharper - 2000
LeRoy Butler - 1993
22 - Darren Sharper - 2001
21 - Mike McKenzie - 2001
Tyrone Williams - 2000
Charles Woodson - 2006
20 - Mike McKenzie - 2003
