Tricky travel schedule: Green Bay Packers gear up for Oakland Raiders

OAKLAND, California -- The Green Bay Packers are on a two-game winning streak as they gear up to face the Oakland Raiders on the road on Sunday, December 20th.

The game is set for 3:05 p.m. and you can watch it ONLY ON FOX6! We also have a pre-game special beginning at 2:30 p.m.

Make your pre-game prognostication by voting in our poll just below:



The Oakland Raiders are 6-7 on the season. The Green Bay Packers improved to 9-4 with a win vs. the Dallas Cowboys at Lambeau Field last Sunday, December 13th -- and the Packers sit atop the NFC North Division.

Packers fans will see a familiar face on Sunday as the team takes on the Raiders.

Oakland Raiders Charles Woodson



For seven seasons, from 2006-2012, Charles Woodson was a defensive standout for the Packers. He was the 2009 NFL Defensive Player of the Year. And on Sunday, he'll be wearing the other team's jersey.

"Just the way he prepares himself -- he could play until he's probably 50, because he understands the game so well. He diagnoses stuff so fast. Even if he's 50 years old, he's going to be around the ball, making plays because he understands the game so well," Packers WR James Jones said.

"When I think about some of my favorite teammates that I've been able to have here, obviously Charles would be in the top two or three. Just his presence around here -- obviously his talent was incredible. But his presence, his leadership -- especially the run we had in the Super Bowl. He was such an important part of that," Packers QB Aaron Rodgers said.

At 39 years of age, Charles Woodson's still getting it done for the Oakland Raiders.

He has five interceptions this season.

Oakland Raiders linebacker Khalil Mack



Something else to watch for this week -- Oakland Raiders linebacker Khalil Mack, who destroyed Denver all by himself last Sunday. He'll be coming after Aaron Rodgers when the teams meet in Oakland Sunday.

The Packers know they need to center their offensive game plan around Mack. He had five sacks and a forced fumble last week vs. the Broncos. He has had nine sacks in the last three games, and he's leading the NFL with 16 sacks.

"I think he has everything, to be honest with you. I think he's got a little bit of everything. He's a strong guy. If you watch how he got most of his sacks against Denver -- I mean, he's a strong dude," Packers OT Brian Bulaga said.

"Extremely athletic. Great motor. Just a very good, instinctive football player," Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy said.

"When you feel like you can't be blocked, obviously I think that kind of carries over. Now you can be blocked, but you feel invincible kind of thing. So maybe that's part of it. That definitely could be it -- but I think our tackles will be able to do what they've been doing all year, and they've been playing pretty well," Packers Center JT Tretter said.

Mack has made a big impact in the NFL since he arrived from the University of Buffalo. He didn't play for the current coach there -- former UW-Whitewater boss Lance Leipold.

And this Sunday -- comparison time at quarterback.

Oakland Raiders QB Derek Carr, Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers



Aaron Rodgers has never played an NFL game in Oakland, and he's going back to northern California to take on Derek Carr.

Who's had the higher completion percentage this season? Who's thrown for more passing yards?

Derek Carr.

Each of the guys has 28 TD passes.

Carr is impressive, however, in just his second season.

"He's definitely a mature quarterback. He's very confident. He's very comfortable in the pocket. He doesn't make too many mistakes," Packers Safety HaHa Clinton-Dix said.

"To start in this league, you got to be playing at a high level. Credit to him doing a great job with his group of receivers. Looking forward to the challenge," Packers CB Quinten Rollins said.

"Once he's in the pocket and he's very comfortable, he can make any throw. We have to get him out of rhythm and make him uncomfortable that day," Clinton-Dix said.

"Good young player. Can make all the throws. He gets the ball out quick. For a young player, he doesn't take sacks," Coach McCarthy said.

Several years separate the two, but Carr and Rodgers an interesting study going forward.

They also share H. Cole -- Rodgers long-time now former marketing associate.

The Packers leave this Friday, December 18th to take on Oakland on Sunday. Then they come all the way back, celebrate Christmas, and then it's time to fly out to Arizona.

"Coach has his reasons behind it. I think it's a good thing that we get out there early, get acclimated, get relaxed. We'll get out there on Friday, so we can definitely sleep in and don't have to worry about traveling on a Saturday. I think that's definitely a good thing," Clinton-Dix said.

"I think the time of year is a factor. I think what's happened before you go out there is a factor. What's coming after you is a factor," Coach McCarthy said.

"It's what you have to deal with when you're a professional. We all have to deal with that. We've got to get our Christmas shopping in and do our job as well," Aaron Rodgers said.

"I just had Christmas this week with my family, so Christmas is behind me. I'm looking forward to this game this week," Clinton-Dix said.

This will be Green Bay's third-ever trip out to Oakland. The other two times were in 1972 and 2003.

You'll recall, the 2003 game was after Brett Favre's father passed away.

Since 1990, the Packers are 10 and two in the state of California against the Niners, the Raiders, the Chargers, and the L.A. Rams.

CLICK HERE for much more on this week's matchup via Packers.com.