Matt LaFleur is making sure Packers don’t relax despite winning streak
The Green Bay Packers have won four straight games, but coach Matt LaFleur is making sure his team stays focused.
After the thrilling 28-21 victory over the Chicago Bears on Dec. 7 and a four-game winning streak, the Green Bay Packers (9-3-1) have vaulted into the No. 2 position in the NFC playoff picture, just one win behind the Los Angeles Rams.
But they’re also in the midst of a four-game stretch against teams fighting for postseason position.
On Sunday, Dec. 14, the Packers travel to Denver to face the Broncos, owners of the best record in the AFC (11-2) after defeating the Las Vegas Raiders last week.
Like the Packers, the Broncos are battling for the top seed in their conference with the New England Patriots, who are also 11-2. Denver has won 10 straight games, its longest winning streak since it won the Super Bowl with Peyton Manning in 2012.
However, oddsmakers are apparently more impressed with the Packers. They opened as 2.5-point favorites on the road. Part of the reason might be that eight of the Broncos’ 10 victories in their streak have come by one score or less and six have been by three points or less.
The Packers and Broncos have two of the better defenses in the NFL, with the Packers allowing 285 yards a game and 24 touchdowns and the Broncos allowing 296 yards a game and 20 touchdowns.
Here’s more about the upcoming game:
What time is Packers vs Broncos on Sunday?
Kickoff is at 3:25 p.m. CT.
What channel is Packers vs Broncos on Sunday?
CBS (Channel 58 in Milwaukee and Channel 5 in Green Bay)
Jim Nantz (play-by-play), Tony Romo (analysis), and Tracy Wolfson (sideline reporter) will call the game from Empower Field at Mile High in Denver.
How can I stream Packers vs Broncos on Sunday?
The game can be streamed on the CBS Sports app and the Paramount+ app. Also, Fubo has a free trial for new subscribers.
Packers vs Broncos odds
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Dec. 9
Point spread: Packers by 2.5O/U: 43.5Moneyline: Packers -135, Broncos +115
ESPN is giving the Packers a 52.9% chance to win the game.
Packers injury update
Wide receiver Jayden Reed and linebacker Quay Walker returned to action against the Bears. Reed finished with four catches for 31 yards.
Wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks, who’s battling an ankle injury, is day-to-day, according to coach Matt LaFleur.
Wicks should have a chance to test his ankle this week before the team decides whether he can play in Denver.
“We’ll see how he progresses,” LaFleur said, “but certainly we need him out there. He’s a guy who, you can see it early in the routes that he was running, there was one in particular – it might’ve been the first play of the game – where (Bears cornerback) Jaylon Johnson is pressed on him, and his ability to get a guy to move off the spot is pretty impressive.”
Broncos injury update
Tight end Nate Adkins (knee), defensive lineman D.J. Jones (ankle) missed the Broncos’ game against the Raiders.
Packers-Broncos last meeting
On Oct. 22, 2023 in Denver, the Packers led, 17-16, in the fourth quarter after a touchdown pass from Jordan Love to Jayden Reed, but Will Lutz kicked his fourth field goal of the game with 3:50 left and Love threw an interception on the next series as the Packers lost, 19-17.
NFC North standingsWho do the Chicago Bears play next?
The Bears host the Cleveland Browns at noon on Sunday, Dec. 14.
Chicago Bears’ remaining scheduleDec. 14: Cleveland, noonDec. 20: Green Bay, 7:20 p.m.Dec. 28: at San Francisco, 7:20 p.m.Jan. 3-4: Detroit, date and time TBDWho do the Detroit Lions play next?
The Lions are on the road against the Los Angeles Rams at 3:25 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 14.
Detroit Lions’ remaining scheduleDec. 14: at Los Angeles Rams, 3:25 p.m.Dec. 21: Pittsburgh, 3:25 p.m.Dec. 25: at Minnesota, 3:30 p.m.Jan. 3-4: at Chicago, date and time TBDPackers 2025 scheduleSept. 7: vs. Detroit Lions, W, 27-13Sept. 11: vs. Washington Commanders, W, 27-18Sept. 21: at Cleveland Browns, L, 13-10Sept. 28: at Dallas Cowboys, T, 40-40Oct. 5: ByeOct. 12: Cincinnati Bengals, W, 27-18Oct. 19: at Arizona Cardinals, W, 27-23Oct. 26: at Pittsburgh Steelers, W, 35-25Nov. 2: vs. Carolina Panthers, L, 16-13Nov. 10: vs. Philadelphia Eagles, L, 10-7Nov. 16: at New York Giants, W, 27-20Nov. 23: vs. Minnesota Vikings, W 23-6Nov. 27: at Detroit Lions, W, 31-24Dec. 7: Chicago Bears, W, 28-21Dec. 14: at Denver Broncos, 3:25 p.m.Dec. 20: at Chicago Bears, 7:20 p.m.Dec. 28: vs. Baltimore Ravens, TBDJan. 3-4: at Minnesota Vikings, TBDWhen do the NFL playoffs start?
The NFL playoffs start with the wild-card round Jan. 10-12.
The No. 2 seeds will play the No. 7 seeds, the No. 3 seeds will play the No. 6 seeds and the No. 4 seeds will play the No. 5 seeds.
Games are scheduled for 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Jan. 10; noon, 3:30 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. Jan. 11; and 7:15 p.m. Jan. 12. All times are Central.
The divisional playoffs are Jan. 17-18 and the conference championship games are Jan. 25.
When is the Super Bowl?
Super Bowl 60 is at 5:30 p.m. CT Feb. 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.