Who will deliver epic performances in this week's matchups?
Air & Ground matchup of Week 15
Green Bay Packers at Oakland Raiders (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, FOX) -- The Raiders host the Packers in a game with major playoff implications in both conferences. The Raiders are in must-win mode, given a loss would be devastating to any postseason hopes. The Packers hold a narrow lead in the NFC North in their quest for a fifth consecutive division crown.
The quarterback duel holds intrigue. The Packers' Aaron Rodgers is one of the league's established elite passers. The Raiders' Derek Carr has improved tremendously in his second season and has shown signs that some day he could be among the NFL's best. Carr and Rodgers have posted similar statistical lines this season. Carr and Rodgers have thrown the same number of touchdown passes this season (28), and are only separated by one point in passer rating (Rodgers is at 97.5, while Carr is at 96.5).
Packers running back Eddie Lacy is coming off his best game of the season. In last week's 28-7 win over the Dallas Cowboys, Lacy rushed for a season-high 124 yards. That gave Lacy 100-yard rushing games in three of the last four contests.
Rodgers and Lacy likely will be on the constant lookout for Raiders linebacker Khalil Mack. The emerging defensive force had a five-sack performance in the Raiders' win over the Denver Broncos in Week 14. Mack will be aiming to do something rare for a player coming off such a performance. Of the 14 previous players to record a five-plus sack game, only one (Aldon Smith) followed it up with a multi-sack performance in the next game. Eight of those previous 14 players had no sacks in the next game.
One reunion
Packers receiver James Jones -- who spent one season in Oakland after seven seasons in Green Bay -- will square off against Raiders cornerback Charles Woodson -- who is in his third season back in Oakland following a seven-season stay in Green Bay. In Woodson's seven seasons in Green Bay, he led the team in interceptions, forced fumbles and passes defensed. In Jones' one season in Oakland, he led the team in receptions.
Great Moments in Air & Ground History
Packers 33, Raiders 14 (Super Bowl II) -- Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Bart Starr threw for 202 yards and a touchdown in helping lead the Packers to victory in the second Super Bowl. As was the case in Super Bowl I, Starr was named the game MVP in Super Bowl II. This triumph capped the amazing run for the Packers under legendary coach Vince Lombardi. In a seven-year span, the Packers won five NFL championships -- including the first two Super Bowls. This epic run of success rates the 1960 Packers among the NFL's all-time greatest dynasties.
Packers 41, Raiders 7 (Week 16, 2003 season) -- In addition to Packers-Raiders being a Super Bowl rematch -- one of three in Week 15 (Bills at Redskins and Bengals at 49ers are the others) -- this matchup also features one of the most memorable individual performances in league history. A day after his father lost his life, Brett Favre threw for 399 yards and four touchdowns in a Monday Night Football win in Oakland.
Follow Jim Reineking on Twitter @jimreineking.
