Aaron Rodgers

Packers (5-5) @Saints (5-5) TIME, TV: : 8:30, ESPN LINE: : Saints by 1 FANTASY FACTOR: : Packers QB Aaron Rodgers was 18-for-22 for 178 yards and one TD and added a rushing TD in his only Monday night start. ... The last time Packers WR Donald Driver faced the Saints, he caught eight passes for 153 yards. ... The Saints lead the NFL in total offense. THE BUZZ: : This is the Saints' first game in the Superdome since Oct. 12, thanks to a "home" game in London, a bye week and three road games.

THE TOP FIVE 1 Steelers How long can Ben Roethlisberger's shoulder hold up? 2 Cowboys Imagine the carnage if the Eagles had had a No. 1 receiver Monday. 3 Giants The weight of expectation is off Eli Manning, and it shows. 4 Patriots So much for the foolish notion they would capitulate to the Jets. 5 Packers Aaron Rodgers gets a shot at a signature victory tonight against Dallas. THE BOTTOM FIVE 28 Bengals When Carson Palmer goes bad, this team's in trouble. 29 Dolphins Routed by Arizona: the ultimate reality check.

Packers vs. Ravens Dan Pompei Chicago Tribune In the NFL, the team with the best quarterback usually has the best chance of going all the way. So that's why the Packers have to be the favorite in the NFC. Aaron Rodgers is on top of his game and clearly was the NFL's finest passer in 2011. The Packers also were the NFL's best team for the entire regular season, winning 15 games. They might not win 15 again, but they could win the ones that count this time. In the AFC, it could come down to the Patriots, who have the best quarterback in their conference in Tom Brady, and the Ravens.

The Ravens won't get their season-opening home game, like reigning Super Bowl champions have for the last decade. But they will play four prime-time games, including a Thanksgiving night showdown at home against the rival Pittsburgh Steelers, and a much-anticipated rematch with the Denver Broncos to kick off their Super Bowl XLVII title defense. The NFL released its regular-season schedule Thursday and it's highlighted by the Ravens' Sept. 5 matchup against the Broncos, a pairing that produced one of the league's most memorable games from the 2012-13 campaign.

Patriots vs. Packers Ken Murray Baltimore Sun In the AFC, Rex Ryan has painted a bull's-eye on his Jets. No question, his defense has credentials. But his passing game is vulnerable and his quarterback is shaky in the red zone. More likely, it will be the Patriots reasserting themselves. The Steelers are old, the Ravens have too many questions on offense and the Colts' Peyton Manning has a bad neck. The Chargers? When do they ever win a big game?

Kevin Cowherd Packers 21,: Ravens 17: It's "Monday Night Football." It's Lambeau Field. The Ravens' offense isn't well enough to win this one. Jamison Hensley Packers 27, : Ravens 17: This has been a season of extreme highs and lows for the Ravens. After an emotional high against Pittsburgh, there will be a letdown. Edward Lee Packers 31, : Ravens 20: The battle of marquee quarterbacks won't even be close as Aaron Rodgers enjoys a career day against the Ravens secondary.

The Broncos will give rookie quarterback Tim Tebow his first NFL start Sunday in Oakland, a team source told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Saturday. Tebow has taken nearly every snap this week in practice with starter Kyle Orton nursing bruised ribs. The Broncos' plan to start Tebow is based on his talents, the source said. Tebow has made only cameo appearances this season and thrown just one NFL pass. •Vikings quarterback Brett Favre and Packers QB Aaron Rodgers were officially ruled out of their respective games.

Terrell Suggs may miss part, or possibly all, of the 2012 NFLseason with a torn Achilles tendon, but the praise for his play in 2011 continues to roll in. The Ravens linebacker has been nominated for the ESPY for Best NFL Player. He joins Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, Saints quarterback Drew Brees, Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson and Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers on the ballot. The winner will be revealed July 11 during the 20th ESPYS. The Arizona State product had 14 sacks a season ago and was named AP Defensive Player of the Year for his efforts.

Jamison Hensley Super Bowl ¿ champion: Patriots AFC ¿ championship game: Patriots over Texans NFC ¿ championship game: Saints over Packers AFC division playoffs: Patriots over Chargers; Texans over Steelers NFC division playoffs: Packers over Eagles; Saints over Falcons AFC wild-card playoffs: Texans over Ravens; Chargers over Jets NFC wild-card playoffs: Falcons over...

NFL Network is winding down its annual unveiling of the NFL's top 100 players of 2012 -- as voted by the players themselves -- and three Ravens defenders have been ranked among the league's top 20 players by their peers. On Wednesday night, Ravens linebackers Terrell Suggs and Ray Lewis and safety Ed Reed joined quarterback Joe Flacco (No. 74), fullback Vonta Leach (No. 45) and running back Ray Rice (No. 22) on the Top 100 list. Lewis, who came in at No. 4 on the 2011 list, ranked 20th this year, which is not too shabby for his age -- 36. Reed, who was No. 5 last year, was No. 16, three spots ahead of Steelers safety Troy Polamalu.