WOLF RIVER MEDIA 5FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2015GREEN & GOLD EXPRESS

NEW CAR SHOWROOM939 E. GREEN BAY STREETACROSS FROM THE FAIRGROUNDS

USED CAR SHOWROOM600 E. GREEN BAY STREET

ACROSS FROM FAMILY VIDEO

715-526-3020 / 800-274-2926www.shawanoauto.com

www.SHAWANOAUTO.com

See OurEntire

InventoryOnline

715-526-3020 / 800-274-2926

MVPs, defenses in showdownWith seven MVP awards between them,

Peyton Manning and Aaron Rodgers are the obvious headliners for Sunday night’s showdown between the Denver Broncos and Green Bay Packers.

The defenses, however, will take center stage in this marquee matchup between 6-0 teams.

The Packers lead the NFL in points al-lowed per game. The Broncos are tied for second but would be No. 1 if not for Manning having three of his interceptions returned for touchdowns. Denver ranks first in total defense, pass defense and sack percentage and is second in third-down percentage and takeaways.

Other than on the scoreboard, the Pack-ers’ defense isn’t as statistically dominant, though it ranks in the top 10 in sack percent-age (third), yards per pass play (fifth), inter-ception percentage (seventh), red-zone de-fense (ninth) and total defense (ninth).

“We’ll take that. We’re willing to take on the challenge,” Packers cornerback Casey Hayward said. “Everybody says they’re one of the best defenses in the league. Their numbers show they are one of those defens-es, but we’re No. 1 in scoring defense right now. So, hopefully, we can keep that going.

We know it could be a low-scoring game.”With Rodgers being the reigning MVP

and Manning enduring a dismal start to the season, the Packers are a three-point fa-vorite. The Broncos’ defense, however, will have a major say in who emerges victorious. Denver’s run defense has created a bunch of third-and-longs, which plays into the Bron-cos’ strengths — a dominant pass rush and a ballhawking secondary. Dating to 2001, their six-game totals of 26 sacks and a combined 43 sacks and takeaways are the second-most in the NFL.

Given that dominance, the Broncos like their chances — regardless of who’s at quarterback.

“Have they played any DBs like us? They haven’t played anybody like us yet,” corner-back Chris Harris said.

Oldies but goodiesLeading those defenses are two longtime

assistant coaches. Green Bay defensive co-ordinator Dom Capers, 65, is in his 30th year in the NFL, which includes nine years as a head coach and 14 as a coordinator. Den-ver defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, 68, is in his 38th year in the NFL and 24th as a coordinator.

“They’re always very well-coached,” Man-ning said. “(Capers) gives you a lot of differ-ent looks. Feel like he always uses the players

that he has to try to maximize their abilities. He does a great job of moving Clay Matthews around. He’s got great cover corners that al-lows them to play a lot of man coverage and gives you multiple looks. He’s been doing it for a long time and been coaching at a high level for a good, long time.”

Adams returnsBarring a setback, Packers receiver Da-

vante Adams will play for the first time since aggravating an ankle injury during the open-ing series of the Week 3 game against Kansas City.

The hope is he’s the tonic to cure a pass-ing game that has put up fairly run-of-the-mill numbers the last three games. Rodgers completed 73.6 percent of his passes the first three games but 62.6 percent the last three.

“It could be. It depends on his physical sta-tus,” Rodgers said. “His ability is there. He’s got a lot of believers in the locker room and upstairs in what he can do. It’s just a matter of him being comfortable.”

Meat of the schedulesFor both teams, there’s a bit of wait-and-

see on their early-season success. Green Bay hasn’t faced a team with a winning record, with its six opponents having a combined record of 14-26. Denver at least has beaten a team with a winning record — Minnesota is

4-2 — but their six foes are a combined 13-27.The challenge gets much tougher, starting

Sunday night. In its next four games, Green Bay has games at Denver (6-0), Carolina (6-0) and Minnesota. Denver’s next five games include matchups vs. first-place teams Green Bay (6-0), Indianapolis (3-4) and New England (6-0).

Historic meetingsThis marks just the fourth time a pair of

teams at least 6-0 have squared off. In 1921, the Akron Pros and the Buffalo All-Americans battled to a 0-0 tie. In 1973, the Vikings beat the Los Angeles Rams 10-9. In 2007, the Patri-ots beat the Manning-led Colts in Indianapolis 24-20.

“A lot of energy in the building so far this week, and I think it’s more about our oppor-tunity to get to 7-0,” Packers coach Mike Mc-Carthy said. “We definitely have great respect for the Denver Broncos as an organization and the environment we’re getting ready to go play in up there. It’s going to be a big-time environment. They look very good on film and that’s what we’re focused on.”

Of the five teams that are 6-0 this season, Denver has the worst scoring differential at plus-37. It’s won just one game by more than seven points, though four of its wins came away from home compared to just two for Green Bay.

Packers NotebookBy Green & Gold Express Staff