Week 11: Carolina at Green Bay

Two teams heading in very different directions meet at storied Lambeau Field.

The Packers, with a two-game lead in the NFC North, may be in a fight past Christmas with Dallas for homefield advantage throughout the playoffs.

The Panthers, who have lost three in a row and have a coach on the hot seat, would love to get into the playoffs at all. They still have a chance because of the weakness of the NFC South – Tampa Bay (5-4) holds a one-game lead over Carolina and New Orleans.

But the Panthers have to start winning games fast. Lambeau is a difficult place to start, although Carolina routinely plays better on the road and is 4-1 on the road this season.

Facing off against legendary QB Brett Favre, however, seems to be harder than ever. And the Packers defense is no slouch, either. The Packers produced one of only three NFL shutouts this season last week in their 34-0 thrashing of Minnesota.

That was a rout of immense proportions. Green Bay held the ball for almost 41 minutes, Favre threw for 351 yards and the Packers totally controlled Minnesota rookie phenom Adrian Peterson before Peterson left with a knee injury in the third quarter.

Carolina, meanwhile, trudged to a 20-13 home loss against Atlanta – the Panthers haven’t won a home game in more than a calendar year. The Panthers are beset by offensive problems. They have played an NFL-high four QBs this year, they no longer seem to be able to get the ball to WR Steve Smith and their offensive line ranges from mediocre and dreadful. Their lone TD last week was a defensive score. QB Vinny Testaverde turned 44 Tuesday and his Achilles’ tendonitis is heeling about as slowly as you would imagine a 44-year-old man’s would. Backup QB David Carr has had two concussions in the past five weeks.

In other words, this would seem like an unlikely upset. Favre is as hot as he’s ever been, and the three-time NFL MVP finally has the team that at least has a shot at a second Super Bowl ring.

One other odd note: the game will feature two brothers at defensive tackle. The Panthers’ Kris Jenkins is a Pro Bowl DT and the only Carolina defensive lineman who has earned his money this season. Green Bay’s Cullen Jenkins, who is Kris’s younger brother, is less heralded DE but a valuable member of the Packers’ unit.

Green Bay by 14