Page 20 - ARUBA TODAY 7 NOV 2015

20

SPORTSSaturday 7 November 2015

NFL Preview

Panthers-Packers matchup a big test for both NFL teams

BARRY WILNER Carolina Panthers’ Cam Newton (1) looks to pass against the Indianapolis Colts in the second half of an NFL football game in Char-
AP Pro Football Writer lotte, N.C., Monday, Nov. 2, 2015.
The unbeaten Carolina
Panthers host the one-loss Associated Press
Green Bay Packers in the
NFL’s best matchup this that currently has a win- team, Green Bay. with a big-play offense camp with running back
weekend, with the winner
getting the inside track for ning record until Atlanta on If the Broncos win, Man- sparked by rookie receiver Le’Veon Bell the latest to
the top rung in the NFC.
The Panthers are the lone Dec. 13. ning will break Brett Favre’s Amari Cooper. They man- head to injured reserve af-
unbeaten team in the NFC
at 7-0, followed closely by Also in the spotlight, Pey- record for regular-season handled the New York Jets’ ter tearing ligaments in his
the Packers. A win not only
gives the Panthers a two- ton Manning returns to In- wins by a quarterback supposedly superior de- right knee last week against
game lead over the rest of
the conference, but would dianapolis in sight of two (186). Manning also needs fense last week. Cincinnati.
also afford them the head-
to-head tiebreaker over big records, and the Oak- 284 yards passing to pass Quarterback Derek Carr The Week 9 action began
the Packers when it comes
to determining home-field land Raiders and Pittsburgh Favre (71,838) and become is taking care of the ball. on Thursday with Cincinna-
advantage throughout the
playoffs. Steelers renew their long- the NFL’s career leader. Running back Latavius Mur- ti’s 31-10 home victory over
You don’t have to tell that
to Aaron Rodgers, coming standing and often nasty The Colts are tied for the ray is ripping through holes, Cleveland.
off one of his worst games
as a professional, held to rivalry. AFC South lead with Hous- and ageless Charles Wood- Andy Dalton threw three
77 yards passing and no
touchdowns in a 29-10 loss Manning hasn’t been in In- ton but have a 3-5 win-loss son is picking off passes as if touchdown passes to Ty-
to the Denver Broncos last
Sunday at Lambeau Field. dianapolis for 3 1/2 seasons, record. Offensive coordi- it was still the late-90s. ler Eifert and played lead
“It has potential implica-
tions down the road,” Rod- in which time the Colts have nator Pep Hamilton was Oakland is 4-1 against Pitts- blocker on Mohamed
gers said.
“We both have goals big- been a playoff regular, as fired this week, and Andrew burgh since 2006 and 43- Sanu’s reverse to help the
ger than this game, but
this could go a long way have his Broncos. Denver Luck has thrown a league- 103 against the rest of the Bengals improve to 8-0 for
when the weather starts to
change.” clearly is on a path toward high 12 interceptions de- league. The Raiders expect the first time in franchise
As Carolina Pro Bowl tight
end Greg Olsen said, the another postseason berth, spite missing two games. a playoff-type atmosphere history. Coming off an
Panthers would much rath- using a powerful defense Once the nastiest of NFL ri- in Pittsburgh, and in some emotional 16-10 victory in
er play in temperate Char- more than Manning’s arm. valries, Raiders-Steelers gets ways it could be an elimi- Pittsburgh that gave them
lotte in the playoffs than in
frigid Green Bay. The Pan- But he comes off his best some of that spice back on nation game for the Steel- control of the AFC North,
thers have won six straight
games at home. performance of the season Sunday. For the first time ers in the AFC North. the Bengals dominated the
They are coming off a short
week, having won an over- in the Broncos’ romp past since 2002, the Raiders are Injuries have decimated Browns and Johnny Manziel
time game against the In-
dianapolis Colts on Mon- perhaps the NFC’s best relevant, above .500 and Pittsburgh since training in the second half.q
day. After this, the Panthers
don’t face an opponent