The Packers righted the ship last week. The season has been “saved” for the moment and they appear to be on a positive trajectory. They can and should continue on that trajectory today, against a pretty good Raiders team.

The Raiders will be without starting S Nate Allen, although they’ve got the venerable Charles Woodson at the other S position. Still, their secondary is their weak link. I think they can be exploited through the air, including over the middle, with Cobb and Richard Rodgers.

Left Tackle David Bakhtiari isn’t elite even when healthy, and he will have his hands full against Khalil Mack today. Look for Aaron to be getting the ball out quickly.

The Packers will be without their best CB, Sam Shields, but they have two solid rookies behind him to cover the dangerous Micheal Crabtree and Amari Cooper. Look for the young guys to have a big game today.

This Packers team still isn’t all the way back, so they’ll need to play with a lead and churn out Time of Possession. Keep Carr, Cooper and Crabtree off the field. They’ll run the ball to Lacy and Starks, but I look at the passing game to be the key to victory.

The Packers can clinch a playoff berth with a victory today, but what I want to see is a solid performance. I want them to show us that they are on their way to being ready for the playoffs, whether they win or lose. But if they do show that, then they are very likely to win.