620WTMJ Packers Radio Network analyst Larry McCarren knows a thing or two about playing in "The Black Hole," the nickname of the home of the Oakland Raiders.
He recognizes two parts of the Oakland Raiders defense which the Packers must account for on Sunday if they wish to emerge with a victory and a clinched playoff spot.
One is a familiar face: safety Charles Woodson, a former Packers cornerback who earned NFL Defensive Player of the Year while in Green Bay.
"He's got an instinct for taking the calculated risk...he has enough faith in his instincts and judgment, he'll jump on stuff," McCarren explained.
"He's very strong around the ball. He's got incredibly strong forearms and hands...he ranks in the top three in the NFL, in his 18th year at the age of 39...in both interceptions and fumble recoveries."
The other guy McCarren says the Packers must pay attention to is pass rusher Khalil Mack.
"Special player," said McCarren. "He's a load, as they say. He'll play both sides of the line of scrimmage...Bryan Bulaga will see the most of him (on the Packers' right side). More of a power guy than a shake-and-bake, but he's got the quickness to shake and back."
This is the first of two straight road games in the Pacific time zone (Dec. 27 at Arizona being the other). The Packers could have considered staying on the west coast and not flying twice in between, but Christmas comes next Friday.
"It's part of being a professional. That's what you do. The scheduele comes out...you deal with it," explained McCarren.
"It becomes as big a deal as you allow it to be. It's a situation where 'Yeah, it's not ideal, heading west with Christmas sandwiched in between...but that's what you deal with as a professional."
