Facing Orton, Packers Expect Sunday's Game to be Close

Kyle Orton has given the Packers some trouble over the past few years, so it's that surprising they're expecting him to give them all he has Sunday.

"I've always thought he's been very productive," team Head Coach Mike McCarthy recently told ESPN.com's Rob Demovsky. "We've obviously played against him in Chicago, Denver, Kansas City. Played very well against us in Kansas City down there in 2011. He has complete understanding of the offense. He can make all the throws. He can still sling it. I think he does a very good job with their offense." 

Orton's led his overall-unamazing Bills to a 7-6 record this season, so it's only reasonable to expect him to keep things close this weekend. How close is expected by many to be the only mystery, though, as the Packers have won each of their last five by a total of 88 points (a 17.6 per game average). 

Peppers Defends Defensive Struggles After Win Over Falcons: We Got the Win

The Packers' defense gave up 465 total yards in Monday night's win, but Julius Peppers seems to only care about just that: it was a win.

“That’s the most important thing, getting the win. There were obviously a lot of things we could have done better, but at the end of the day, you play to win,” Peppers told ESPN Wisconsin's Jason Wilde after the victory. “It’s good. We won. That’s what we wanted to do – get the win. So it’s on to next weekend."

Next weekend the Packers visit the Bills, so it's not like this isn't still something to be concerned about.

Lacy probable to play tomorrow

According to Bleacher Report, Packers RB Eddie Lacy, who hurt his ankle in last week's win over the Falcons, is currently listed as probable to compete in the team's game tomorrow in Dallas. In my opinion, this news is absolutely huge for the Pack, especially since it was just announced yesterday that Rodgers won't play. 

So, now what? Now, the Pack will need a huge game from Lacy if they're gonna win. That's unlikely to happen, but it could. Because I still have some hope left in this team. I probably shouldn't, but since they're not mathematically eliminated from the playoffs yet, I will. 

More good news: Rodgers practiced in pads yesterday

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers practiced in pads yesterday and took about half of the team's 11-on-11 reps, Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports. Obviously, this is another step in the right direction for Rodgers, but it still doesn't guarantee that he'll play this weekend. 

In another piece of news, it has also been confirmed that Rodgers will be medically evaluated today, with a medical pass likely meaning he will start this Sunday in Dallas. So yea, if you think he doesn't have any chance of playing this week, you might wanna think again. Because right now, hope appears to be very much alive for #12.