Two division leaders to face off at Lambeau Field Sunday as the Packers take on the Patriots
GREEN BAY (WITI) -- The Green Bay Packers are back at home this Sunday, November 30th to battle the New England Patriots in a game that will feature two division leaders -- and the only two teams in the NFL to finish with a winning record each of the last five seasons.
The Packers are coming off a 24-21 win over the Vikings last Sunday, November 23rd. The Packers and Vikings played outdoors for the first time since 1981!
Heading into this Sunday's game, the Packers are 8-3 on the season, and the Patriots are 9-2. Green Bay leads the NFC following their victory over the Vikings, and the Patriots lead the AFC.
Kickoff is set for 3:25 p.m. Sunday at Lambeau Field!
Sunday's game should be a battle of two very good teams. The Packers and Patriots are the only teams in the league to make the playoffs each of the last five seasons (2009-13). Additionally, both the Packers and the Patriots each have at least eight wins this season.
The Packers and the Patriots have each played high-scoring games this season, and both are undefeated in games where they score 30 or more points. Through 11 games this season, the Packers have won five games by 20 or more points and the Patriots have won six to lead the league. Green Bay has won an NFL-leading three games by 30 or more points, while the Patriots haven't won any by that amount this season.
The Patriots rank first in the NFL in points per game this season, and Green Bay is in second place -- with .3 points separating the teams. The Patriots and Packers are number one and number two for total points scored this season. They are separated by three points.
The Packers and Patriots are two of four teams to score at least 50 points in a game this season -- the Packers accomplishing that feat twice, and the Patriots once.
The Packers lead the NFL this season in touchdowns -- with 44, and the Patriots are third, with 40.
Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers and Patriots QB Tom Brady will meet Sunday for the first time as starters.
The Green Bay Packers and New England Patriots last met at Lambeau Field in the regular season on November 19th, 2006. The Patriots won, 35-0. They first met in 1973 in New England -- with the Patriots visiting Lambeau Field for the first time in 1979.
The Packers and Patriots last met at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on December 19th, 2010. The Patriots won 31-27. With QB Aaron Rodgers sidelined due to injury, QB Matt Flynn made his first career start and threw for 251 yards on 24 of 37 passing with three touchdowns and one interception. Green Bay took a 17-7 lead in the second and then New England OL Dan Connolly returned a squib kick 71 yards to the 4-yard line, setting up the first of two touchdowns that gave New England a 21-17 advantage. In a back-and-forth game, the Packers took a six-point lead after Flynn found FB John Kuhn for a 6-yard touchdown late in the third quarter and a K Mason Crosby field goal early in the fourth quarter. The Patriots responded with a Shayne Graham field goal and touchdown pass from QB Tom Brady to win 31-27.
Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy will face off this Sunday against Bill Belichick -- in his 15th year as the Patriots' head coach. Belichick is the only head coach in NFL history to win three Super Bowls in a four-year span.
Something to look for this week -- this could be another high-scoring game. The Packers have recorded three home games with 40-plus points this season.
Green Bay has scored more than 30 points in each of the first five home games (31, 42, 38, 55, 53). Dating back to 1921, it is the first time the Packers have registered at least 30 points in each of their first five home games.Under Head Coach Mike McCarthy, Green Bay has scored 30-plus points at home 33 times, winning 31 of those contests. The Packers’ 33 home games with at least 30 points are the third most in the league since 2006.
Aaron Rodgers is looking to throw one more three-touchdown/zero-interception game to tie...Patriots QB Tom Brady for the most in the NFL in a single season.
Another interesting note: The Packers are looking to start 6-0 at home for the 10th time in franchise history.
In each of the times prior to this season that Green Bay started 5-0 at home, they went on to finish the season undefeated at home.
Next week the Packers will play the Atlanta Falcons at Lambeau Field in front of a national audience on Monday Night Football.
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The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Northeast Region is reminding motorists heading to Lambeau Field on Sunday, November 30th for the Green Bay Packer/New England Patriots game that US 41 and adjacent roadways from Oneida Street north to Suamico in Brown County are under construction.
The US 41/WIS 172 interchange could experience significant backups on both north and south US 41 and east and west WIS 172. Closures, orange barrels, narrow lanes WILL affect game day travel. Due to construction, Ashland Avenue through De Pere and Ashwaubenon will also experience increased traffic congestion as additional motorists use this as an alternate route. Additionally, fans leaving the game following its conclusion could encounter increased recreational traffic heading south after a weekend in the northern part of the state.
WisDOT strongly recommends motorists allow themselves additional time to reach their destinations and check WisDOT’s 511 website (www.511wi.gov) or call 511. Additionally, motorists are advised to remain alert and plan on exercising patience as they drive through the Green Bay area.
Here is a list of the major roads in northeast Wisconsin most Packers fans will be traveling as they head for the game and the road conditions they should anticipate:
US 41 and WIS 172 Interchange
Motorists should expect heavy congestion and potential long delays at this interchange Sunday afternoon before the game and again following the game. Motorists should strongly consider avoiding this interchange area and utilize alternate routes if possible.
US 41
All construction on US 41 will cease on Packer game day, although barrier walls and orange barrels will be present in various locations.
I-43
Please note – if you are involved in a crash:
The WisDOT’s Division of State Patrol advises you to immediately call 911 if you are involved in a crash. If there are no injuries and the vehicles can be moved, report the other vehicle plate numbers as you may then be advised to move off the main portion of the roadway to a crash investigation site or to a ramp out of traffic. This will assist first responders in reaching you while helping to clear traffic delays during the critical travel times before and following the game.
Additionally, if your vehicle becomes disabled in the US 41 work zone between De Pere and Suamico, notify authorities immediately and WisDOT will send a Freeway Service Team vehicle to your location. Motorists can then contact their motor club or towing preference after WisDOT has relocated your vehicle to a more accessible and safe location.
Travelers should allow extra time and can check online for real-time traffic information, including travel times, lane closures and incidents, at Wisconsin 511 online (www.511wi.gov) or by calling 511 on a phone.
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Lambeau Field is ready for this weekend's big game.
The Packers’ annual Toys for Tots collection will take place prior to the game, offering fans the opportunity to donate new, unwrapped toys for distribution to needy children in the area through the U.S. Marine Corps. Cash donations will be accepted as well. U.S. Marines will be stationed throughout the parking lots to collect donations prior to gate openings, and continue collecting donations once entrance is permitted at 1:25 p.m.
Prior to Sunday’s game, the Packers will host the team championship of the annual NFL Punt, Pass and Kick competition at the Don Hutson Center. The participants, 20 boys and 20 girls ages 6 to 15, advanced through local, regional and sectional competitions across Wisconsin to reach the championship contest, and will display their passing talents on Lambeau Field as part of the pregame festivities. The competition’s winners will be introduced at that time.
Also on Sunday, 24 Wisconsin youth from schools that participated in the NFL’s Fuel Up to Play 60 program this year will be introduced from the field before the national anthem. Students from schools throughout Wisconsin (South Milwaukee High School in South Milwaukee, River Ridge School in Bloomington, Hudson Middle School in Hudson, Johnston Elementary in Appleton, Howe Elementary in Wisconsin Rapids, and Dousman Elementary in Dousman) were selected by the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, Fuel Up to Play 60’s sponsor, to attend the game.
The Play 60 group of children will be led onto the field by Play 60 Super Kids and students selected by the Wisconsin Dairy Council. The Super Kids were selected by the NFL through an online essay contest and received two game tickets, a Play 60 jersey and Play 60 sweatpants.
Two featured alumni are scheduled to make appearances throughout the weekend at various locations. Don Beebe and Craig Hentrich will be taking part in fan activities at the Packers Pro Shop, Tundra Tailgate Zone and Legends Club leading up to kickoff.
Singer John Vincent will perform the national anthem. The Pulaski High School marching band will perform at halftime.
In addition, the Packers and WPS Health Insurance will be recognizing U.S. Marine Corps Captain Brandon Mills through Operation Fan Mail on-field prior to the national anthem.
Packers calendars complements of game sponsor Kohl’s will be given out to fans as they enter the stadium.
Also taking place Sunday is the premier gameday tailgate party in the Tundra Tailgate Zone (TTZ) in the Lambeau Field parking lot. The Lambeau Field parking lot will open at 11:25 a.m., along with the Tundra Tailgate Zone. The Lambeau Field Atrium and guest services desk will open at 11 a.m. for ticketed guests only. Gates to the seating areas will open at 1:25 p.m. For a full list of gameday information, please visit packers.com/gameday/gameday-information.html.
CLICK HERE for much more on this week's Packers matchup via the Packers-Patriots Dope Sheet.