Rocky Mountain High

Can't Catch a Break

Ted Thompson must have pissed off the big man (and I don't mean Bill Belichick) because every time one of Thompson's famous "next man ups" steps forward he get hurt.

James Starks comes up lame

After Eddie Lacy forgot how to run James Starks stepped into the breach two weeks ago and gained 112 yards against the Chargers. He comes back from the bye week off and suddenly he has a hip injury. He is listed as questionable.

Damarious Randall makes the play of the year to save the Chargers game and he suddenly comes up with an ankle injury and is listed as questionable.

Ty Montgomery begins to take his place as the No. 2 receiver and he sprains an ankle against the Chargers and is probably out for a couple more weeks.

Nate Palmer has taken over for the injured Sam Barrington, but now he comes up with a chest injury (not a good injury for a tackler) and is listed as probable.

Davante Adams steps up to become the No. 1 outside threat after the loss of Jordy Nelson and he gets an ankle injury and has been out for most of the last four games. He is listed as probable.

Nick Perry finally takes his place as a solid starter credited with the turnaround in the pass rush and he gets hurt against the Rams and missed the Chargers game, which if you've noticed, the defense got smoked with him on the sidelines. He is listed as questionable with a shoulder and hand injury.

B. J. Raji comes back from a torn muscle that wiped out his 2014 season and has been one of the best, if not the best, player this year. And then, surprise, surprise, he hurts his groin on the Frozen Tundra against the Rams and missed the Chargers game. Like I said the defense got smoked. He is listed as questionable.

Morgan Burnett came off one of his best seasons, but came up with a calf injury and has played in only one game. He is listed as probable.

Sam Barrington became a starter last year and was widely praised for his work at inside linebacker, but injured his foot in the season opener and was lost for the season.

Amnesia

Eddie Lacy back to running downhill

Everyone had an opinion on why Eddie Lacy has been so bad recently. Coach Mike McCarthy thinks it is because of his ankle injury. Some of the fans think he is took fat (which has been an issue with the people since he had an unflattering picture taken his rookie year). I think he was uninspired and was just going through the motions.

We now find out from the man himself it is because of technique because he forgot how to run. While studying film he found out he was running too upright and not leaning forward. He was basically benched against the Chargers playing only 20 snaps and running the ball 4 times for 3 yards.

I was wondering why it took Lacy studying film to find this out instead of running backs coach Sam Gash bringing this to his attention. That is his job.

Wait your turn

Jared Abbrederis waiting for a chance to shine

With Montgomery most likely out for the game against the Broncos Milwaukee's Best (I know its actually Madison's Best) Jared Abbrederis is the next man up for kickoff duties, but it seems Micah Hyde will assume the duties. Hyde only returned four kickoffs last year and is averaging 24 yards a return. I think why not give Abbrederius a chance.

Old Man Standing

Peyton Manning down, but may not be out

Finally the pundits are already digging the grave for Peyton Manning. I would suggest they wait a week. History has shown us that no matter what the condition a quarterback is in Dom Capers is just what the doctor ordered. Somehow the Packer defense doesn't take advantage of quarterback woes and in most cases revives their career.

I hope this isn't the case, but I have absolutely no faith in Capers, so I predict, at the very least, he won't have a terrible game. Let's hope the game doesn't come down to a last minute drive like it did against the Chargers. Manning won't get tricked into throwing into coverage when it counts like Phillip Rivers did by Randall. And remember the Packers may be missing Randall this week. It will be Casey Hayward instead. I prefer Randall.

D-----FENCE

Aaron Rodgers and Olivia Munn R-E-L-A-X-I-N-G

The Broncos have the best defense in the league. The Packer offense and Aaron Rodgers have been ordinary for three weeks. The Packers have had a week off and the insatiable Olivia Munn has been draining Rodgers' vital fluids unabated for a week. He should be lean and mean and mad as hell Brady is the talk of the town instead of him. I see a resurgence by Rodgers.

I also see a resurgence by Lacy and Adams, so I think the high-powered Packer offense should return to form and make it a game decided by the Packer defense against Manning.

I also see a resurgence by Burnett. I would hope Raji and Perry are ready to play this week. I also hope Clay Matthews is ready to add a couple sacks to his resume. I hope this is the one week for Julius Peppers and not another disappearing act. If all those things happen I see the defense being able to handle Manning.

Prediction

So if all those chicken come home to roost at Mile High Stadium on Football Night in America the Packers will show they are still a force to be reckoned with. I predict a 27-21 win.