Green Bay Packers

Preview: Packers to host surprisingly red-hot Allen, Bills

Published Sep. 28, 2018 1:13 p.m. ET

GREEN BAY, Wis. — This two-week trip through the NFC North was supposed to be one of the toughest stretches of the Buffalo Bills' schedule.

At Minnesota. At Green Bay. After two double-digit losses to open the season, the Bills seemed destined to have a miserable time in the Midwest.

The outlook has changed after a stunning 27-6 win over the Vikings.

It's off to Lambeau Field now for resurgent Buffalo (1-2) to face the still out-of-sorts Packers (1-1-1) on Sunday.

"The Minnesota film is a big difference," Packers receiver Davante Adams said. "You see, the urgency kind of went up. They were more physical."

One road win as a heavy underdog might be passed off as a fluke. A second victory in another tough road environment might make a lasting impression.

"On the scoreboard, I understand what people see," Bills coach Sean McDermott said. "The biggest thing for us is that we A) move forward, and B) that we embrace that growth mindset of getting better every rep, every day."

This weekend might be an ideal time to try to beat Green Bay. Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has played relatively well, especially given he is playing through a left knee injury. But the Packers have been prone to stretches of inconsistency on both sides of the ball. So far, they have rallied from a 20-point deficit to beat the Bears; lost a big lead in the fourth quarter in a tie with Minnesota; and trailed by 18 at the half of last week's 31-17 loss to Washington.

"I'm not making any excuses, but you kind of go through some growing pains each and every year," coach Mike McCarthy said. "But this is a great group as far as their attitude and energy, we just have to stay after it."

Some other notes and things to watch:

BRACING FOR IT

Playing with a brace on his left knee, Rodgers doesn't have his usual mobility outside the pocket, though he was able to move around a little more last week. One problem last week: uncharacteristic drops by receivers, including two by Randall Cobb.

Rodgers was held out of practice at midweek the previous two weeks so he could focus on rehabbing his injury, while returning for the team's' light workouts on Saturdays.

Rodgers missed practice Wednesday again, but the quarterback was cleared to practice on Thursday, which is the team's most intensive day of on-field preparation. Rodgers still does his usual extensive work with receivers in the film room, too.

"I'm one who always loves being out there because you're not just competing but you're working on things with the guys and working on the game plan," Rodgers said. "That's the trade-off - not being out there for practice but the trade-off is I can actually get out there and play on Sunday."

ROOKIE ARM

The Buffalo offense remains a work in progress with rookie first-round pick QB Josh Allen preparing to make his third career start and second on the road. He took over two series into the second half in a 47-3 season-opening loss at Baltimore after Nathan Peterman threw two interceptions and oversaw an offense that managed one first down through 10 possessions.

The Bills traded up five spots to select Allen out of Wyoming, despite questions about his accuracy. Otherwise, he's a strong-armed and mobile player who showed off his abilities against Minnesota. He scored twice rushing and added another passing in the first half.

ON THE LINE

The Bills' defense rebounded in a big way against Minnesota, led by end Jerry Hughes. He wreaked havoc in the Minnesota backfield with a sack, two quarterback hits and a forced fumble. The Bills' four sacks against Minnesota were the most since getting six in a Week 2 loss last season at Carolina.

The Packers are dealing with injuries on the right side of the line. Tackle Bryan Bulaga was limited at midweek with a back injury that knocked him out of last week's loss, though the veteran appeared to be in good shape to play against Buffalo. Guard Justin McCray missed practice at midweek with a shoulder injury.

SEEKING HYDE

Micah Hyde returns to Lambeau for the first time since leaving the Packers as a free agent in 2016. He has gone from a jack-of-all-trades in the Green Bay secondary into a solid player at safety for the Bills.

"We know Micah Hyde. He's going to be everywhere. His instinctiveness and awareness (are) as high as it comes," McCarthy said.

CLAY'S DAY

Keep an eye on Packers linebacker Clay Matthews, who has drawn roughing-the-passer flags in each of the first three games. The calls, especially over the last two weeks, have raised questions among players on both sides of the ball around the league: Just what constitutes a legal hit on a quarterback?

"Yeah, I'm with Clay, man. This is frustrating," Hyde said. "That's not even me, but I know what type of player, what type of person Clay is, and that's just bogus."

PACKERS-BILLS CAPSULE

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS

OPENING LINE - Packers by 12½

RECORD VS. SPREAD - Buffalo 1-2, Green Bay 1-2

SERIES RECORD - Bills lead 8-4

LAST MEETING - Bills beat Packers 21-13, Dec. 14, 2014

LAST WEEK - Bills beat Vikings 27-6; Packers lost to Redskins 31-17

AP PRO32 RANKING - Bills No. 28, Packers No. 13

BILLS OFFENSE - OVERALL (31), RUSH (19), PASS (30).

BILLS DEFENSE - OVERALL (11), RUSH (5), PASS (18).

PACKERS OFFENSE - OVERALL (18), RUSH (24), PASS (14).

PACKERS DEFENSE - OVERALL (23), RUSH (27), PASS (21).

STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES - First meeting for teams at Lambeau Field since 2010. Bills lost three previous road meetings in series, last winning 34-24 in 1991. ... Buffalo has won five straight against NFC North, last losing to Minnesota in December 2010. ... Rookie QB Josh Allen's 168 yards passing in first half last week against Vikings were most for Buffalo in opening half of game since Tyrod Taylor had 236 yards in 30-22 loss at Kansas City on Nov. 29, 2015. ... Allen became third rookie QB in Super Bowl era to rush for at least two TDs and throw TD pass in first half of game. ... Bills managed season-best 128 yards rushing against Vikings despite missing starting RB LeSean McCoy (rib). ... Charles Clay one of four active TEs with 500 or more yards receiving in each of past five seasons. ... Buffalo's four sacks against Minnesota were most since getting six in Week 2 loss last season at Carolina. ... S Micah Hyde was drafted by Packers in fifth round of 2013. Hyde had eight interceptions in 63 games with Green Bay. ... Packers QB Aaron Rodgers reached 5,000 career attempts last week. His 319 TD passes and 78 INTs set NFL record for most touchdowns and fewest picks at time of 5,000th attempt. ... Still battling knee issues, Rodgers' 103.8 passer rating in September is second in NFL among active QBs. ... WR Davante Adams looking for sixth straight game with TD dating to last season. ... WR Randall Cobb coming off game with two drops and fumble against Redskins. ... LB Clay Matthews called for roughing-the-passer penalty in each of first three games, two of them highly controversial. ... Matthews has five sacks in two career meetings with Bills. ... DL Kenny Clark had career-high nine tackles last week. ... Fantasy tip: RB Aaron Jones had 42 yards on six carries in season debut last week. Jones averaged 5.53 yards per carry as rookie last year, second among RBs with 75-plus attempts behind New Orleans' Alvin Kamara. Jones' big-play potential and slashing ability could help him emerge as top option in Packers' crowded backfield.