Marquee Matchup

Visiting Broncos should expect playoff atmosphere at Lambeau

Denver Broncos (10-5) at Green Bay Packers (9-6) Sunday, 4:15 p.m. EST Lambeau Field (72,000)

The Denver Broncos clinched a playoff birth with a dominating performance over the Indianapolis Colts last Sunday in Indy. The 35-17 victory was surprising considering they were playing the high-powered Colts without RB Clinton Portis. The Broncos will hit the road for their first-round game regardless of what happens this weekend, so expect them to rest their injured players.

The Green Bay Packers won a very emotional game 41- 7 over the Oakland Raiders on Monday night to move back into a first-place tie with the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Central. The Packers can make the playoffs either by winning the division or via the wild card, but they need to win their game and then get help for either spot. It will be a playoff atmosphere in Lambeau Field.

Green Bay offense vs. Denver defense

Ahman Green Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

The entire offense played inspired football for their heavy-hearted leader and quarterback, but it was Brett Favre who came up with one of the most dramatic and impressive performances by an athlete, considering the situation. The night after his father tragically passed away, Favre responded with an unbelievable first-half performance that sealed a much-needed Green Bay victory. Favre threw for 311 yards and four touchdowns and had a perfect QB rating of 158.3. For the game, he was 22 of 30 for 399 yards and four touchdowns.

The Packers have relied on RB Ahman Green to carry the load for most of the season. But Favre has quietly posted an NFL-leading 31 TD passes. Over the past four games, their balance on offense has been great and the running game will continue to set up the passing game. Green has had an outstanding season, rushing for 1,665 yards with 13 TDs. Green is one of the most explosive backs in the league and has gotten solid blocking up front.

The offensive line, led by Pro Bowl G Marco Rivera, not only has been very good at opening up holes for Green, but they also have protected Favre extremely well, allowing only 17 sacks the entire season. On Monday night, Favre was untouched, and it allowed him to take his shots down the field. It also gave him time to go through his reads, as evidenced by his completing passes to 12 different receivers. Their top three wide outs -- Donald Driver, Robert Ferguson and Javon Walker -- all made big plays against Oakland. Along with the wide receivers, the Packers have two very good receiving tight ends in Wesley Walls and Bubba Franks.

The Broncos' defense stepped up big on the road against the explosive offense of the Colts. Denver held Indianapolis to 183 total yards, including a mere 47 yards rushing. The Broncos' defense also benefited from the team's significant advantage in time of possession (44:58-15:02) and plays (71-37).

Defensive coordinator Larry Coyer has dealt with key injuries to his linebacking core but continues to play an aggressive style of defense. Despite the injuries, the Broncos are still ranked in the top 10 in both run and pass defense. His aggressiveness paid off against the Colts. Coyer used a number of exotic blitzes and had a solid pass rush that registered two sacks and kept Manning under constant pressure throughout the game.

They will need to get pressure on Favre this week, especially with the injuries in the secondary. DE Bert Berry leads the team with 12 sacks and has been hot with five sacks in the past three games. Berry is joined by Trevor Pryce (8 sacks) and Reggie Heyward (7.5 sacks) in attacking one of the best pass-blocking offensive lines in the league.

It will be interesting to see if Coyer remains aggressive with the losses of S Nick Ferguson and CB Kelly Herndon. Ferguson is out for the year, while Herndon will probably return for the playoffs. The secondary was not deep to begin with and has now lost two starters against an offense that will go to three-wide receiver sets and has dangerous tight ends. The Broncos will struggle in the nickel and may not want to blitz and leave their secondary in tough one-on-one situations. Denver also will be in trouble if it cannot stop the run and is forced to bring up a safety, which also will leave its secondary exposed.

Denver offense vs. Green Bay defense

Jake Plummer Brian Bahr/Getty Images

With their best player on the sideline in street clothes, the Broncos' offense came up with a big team effort in the dominating win over the Colts. RB Quentin Griffin and Mike Anderson stepped up with clutch performances. Even without Portis, the second-ranked rushing offense pounded the Colts' defense. Griffin ran for 136 yards and Anderson added another 56 yards as Denver racked up 227 rushing yards.

Quarterback Jake Plummer played another solid game, completing 14 of 17 attempts for 238 yards with one touchdown and one interception while rushing for two touchdowns. Plummer rebounded after throwing an early interception that was returned for a score and is now 9-2 as the Broncos' starter this season.

The Denver offense will be without Portis again this week against the Packers, and because they're already in the playoffs, Portis has a chance to rest up for the postseason. The Broncos will rely on Griffin and Anderson to come up with solid performances again in Green Bay. To run the ball, the offensive line must get movement on the Packers' big defensive tackles. It will be a little tougher this week, with guard Dan Neil sitting out with an ankle injury.

Regardless of who is running the football, success on the ground sets up the Broncos' play-action game, which is one of the best in football. The play-action also will take advantage of the Packers' aggressiveness on defense.

The Broncos also will need their wide receivers to play a big game. WR Ashley Lelie has struggled all season, but he played his best game of the year against the Colts, catching five passes for 115 yards. Lelie is the Broncos lone deep threat but has not lived up to his potential. Veteran WR Rod Smith continues to perform and leads the Broncos with 74 receptions and is averaging 11.4 yards per catch. TE Shannon Sharpe continues to defy age and has produced 62 receptions and eight touchdowns.

The Green Bay defense held the Raiders to 298 total yards and forced three turnovers in the blowout victory on Monday night, but will face a much better offensive unit in the Broncos. Even without Portis in the lineup, the Packers will focus on stopping the Broncos' ground game.

The Packers' run defense has benefited by the improved depth along the defensive line. Defensive tackles Gilbert Brown, Grady Jackson and Larry Smith give the Packers size in the middle of their defense. This allows rookie MLB Nick Barnett to use his speed and range. Defensive ends Aaron Kampman and Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila will need to be disciplined against the mobile Plummer and keep him in the pocket and stay at home against the bootleg. Gbaja-Biamila is the Packers' main pass rusher with 10 sacks. No one else on the Packers has more than 2.5 sacks.

Corners Al Harris and Mike McKenzie are big cornerbacks that play an aggressive and physical style and have the ability to match up against the Broncos. McKenzie did not play against the Raiders and is questionable for Sunday's game, but Mike Hawthorne made his first start in his place and had an interception. The Packers' ability to cover Smith and Lelie will allow Green Bay to commit safety Darren Sharper around the line of scrimmage to help shut down the running game. How successful the Broncos' running game is without Portis will dictate how the Packers approach stopping the Denver offense.

Broncos' kicker Jason Elam has had another solid season. Elam is third in the AFC with 117 points, including 26 of 30 on field goals. Punter Micah Knorr is averaging 43.3 yards per punt and is very good at directional kicking. Deltha O'Neal (9.3 avg. and one TD) handles the Broncos' punt-return duties. Against Indianapolis, Denver blocked its first punt since Oct. 20, 2002.

Packers punter Josh Bidwell ranks sixth in both average (41.8 yards per punt) and net average (35.2). Kicker Ryan Longwell is 22 of 24 on field goals. Antonio Chapman, who is averaging 7.8 yards on punt returns and 22.3 yards on kickoffs, handles the Packers' returns. Keep an eye on Najeh Davenport, who is averaging 30.2 yards on 13 kickoff returns.

Denver's RB Quentin Griffin vs. MLB Nick Barnett. Griffin's career-best effort last week against the Colts was huge, but can the rookie follow that with another great effort? Barnett is a rookie but has played like a veteran and leads the Packers in tackles. His speed and athletic ability will allow him to run with Griffin.

Packers wide receivers vs. Denver's secondary. Injuries have hit the Broncos' secondary, leaving them short-handed against the well-balanced passing attack of Green Bay. Without two starters (Herndon and Ferguson), the Broncos will have difficulty matching up against the trio of Walker, Driver and Ferguson.

Denver DE Bert Berry vs. LT Chad Clifton. Berry has been the Broncos' best pass rusher with 12 sacks. Clifton is part of an offensive line that has allowed only 17 sacks on the season.

The offenses for both clubs are similar when it comes to success on third downs. The Packers are converting 40.7 percent of their third-down attempts. The Broncos are at a 40 percent conversion rate.

The Broncos have the advantage on defense. Denver's defense is allowing an AFC-low 15 first downs per game and limiting opponents to an NFL-low 28.4 percent. Green Bay's defense is allowing opponents to convert 38 percent of third-down opportunities.

Packers head coach Mike Sherman has quietly done a great job in Green Bay. Sherman made Packers history this season, becoming the first coach to win 40 games in his first four seasons as head coach.

Mike Shanahan must get credit for rallying the troops. After sitting at 6-5 and all signs pointing toward the Broncos missing the playoffs again, his Broncos have won four straight while dealing with injuries to key players.

The Broncos took care of business last week and clinched a playoff spot with their resounding win over the Colts. But don't expect Mike Shanahan to allow his team to take this game lightly. Coaches value momentum going into the playoffs, as it's been said that it's not always the best team that wins, but the team that is playing the best come December and January.

The Packers have been just as hot, winning four of five. But the difference is the Packers are still playing for their playoff lives. The Broncos will be without Portis and two defensive starters. The Broncos will play hard, but the Packers are motivated by their leader, Brett Favre, and need the game more. So expect Green Bay to win a hard-fought game.

Written by Wayne Morris of Real Football"TM Throughout the season, the Real FootballTM staff will bring you an "insiders" analysis of key matchups in the league. The Real FootballTM staff includes coaches, players, scouts and other experts with real experience inside the NFL who give you access to a unique, exclusive look inside the game.