The Packers coaches got back to work on Monday and are getting ready for the season's stretch run. "With the time off, we feel like we have a chance to regroup and take a run at these last final games," head coach Mike McCarthy told Chris Jenkins of the Associated Press among others at yesterday's press conference. "We really like where we are as a football team." In the Packers' very next game, they'll be playing an opponent in Baltimore that played in Sunday's last game of the day and will have significantly less rest time heading into this upcoming Monday's game.

While on the topic of the Ravens, it looks like at least one writer in Baltimore thinks the game against the Packers will be a measuring stick for the hometown team. "Contending teams try to get on a winning streak after Thanksgiving and going into the postseason," writes Mike Preston of the Baltimore Sun. "A win over Green Bay would show some consistency from a team that has been inconsistent all season and also prove that the Ravens can beat a quality quarterback." It also appears Aaron Rodgers is getting some love from outside the confines of Wisconsin.

Among yesterday's biggest news is that the Packers jumped up to the league's No. 1 defense, at least in terms of yards allowed. "The NFL’s No. 1-ranked defense has two rookie starters, a third in heavy rotation and two Pro Bowl-caliber veterans out for the season with injuries," writes Tom Pelissero of the Green Bay Press-Gazette. Those facts make the Packers' ascendance to the top of the league all the more impressive. And that's without a dominant pass rush.

Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel points out that even though the Packers have the NFL's No. 1 defense and No. 6 offense, the special teams would rank near the bottom. "The Packers' problems extend beyond a return or two that get away from them," writes Silverstein. "Penalties have been a huge problem on special teams. They had a pair of illegal blocks in the back and a hands-to-the-face penalty in the victory over Detroit on Thanksgiving Day." Not to mention a fumble that put the Lions in great field position in the red zone.

The offensive line has been performing better the past couple weeks. Could this offensive line combination that they currently have be the key? "Unless left tackle Chad Clifton sustains a setback with his injured hamstring, it appears the Green Bay Packers will start the same offensive line for a third consecutive week — and potentially keep the group together for all four quarters," writes Pelissero. Based upon McCarthy's comments yesterday, it appears Mark Tauscher will be able to play an entire game from here on out.

Aaron Nagler of CheeseheadTV questions Mike McCarthy's commitment to running the ball in domed stadiums. "To my eye, it seems that McCarthy’s commitment to running the ball in domed environments is less than 100 percent," writes Nagler. "When presented with a controlled environment, McCarthy, no matter how well the run is working, likes to sling it." My question would be, what would be the difference be between a dome and a warm weather environment aside from maybe some high humidity?

Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com has more information from yesterday's press conference. "McCarthy said rookie Brad Jones did enough to keep the starting job at left outside linebacker, but McCarthy 'really liked the mix we have there at the outside linebacker position, because that’s a big void there without Aaron Kampman,'" writes Wilde. "Thus, Brady Poppinga and Jeremy Thompson will also see action there." This probably won't be a problem ... until the Packers lose.

Total Packers takes an early look at the wild card race. "The Packers are currently battling the Philadelphia Eagles (7-4), New York Giants (6-5), and Atlanta Falcons (6-5) for two wild card spots," writes Monty from Total Packers. "The San Francisco 49ers (5-6) could also factor into the mix. The Packers (7-4) and Eagles are in the pole position at the moment, but the race is likely to be competitive down the stretch." One of the best teams of those mention, in my opinion, is the New York Giants and they seem to be headed in somewhat of a downward spiral.

Packers Hall of Famer LeRoy Butler gave some unexpected praise yesterday. "Johnny Jolly has probably been the steadiest lineman the last couple years," wrote Bulter for the Journal Sentinel.

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