The Oakland Raiders, playing the first of three straight contests vs. NFC Central competition, make its first regular-season trek to Lambeau Field since 1993 looking to get back on track in this interconference series with the Green Bay Packers.

While the Raiders own a 5-3 overall advantage in this rare rivalry (one of those losses a 33-14 setback in Super Bowl II at the Orange Bowl in Miami), the Packers have prevailed in the last two encounters, including a 28-0 whitewash of the Raiders in 1993 in the most recent regular-season battle between the teams, as well as the Raiders' last meaningful visit to Green Bay. Despite that loss, Raiders are 3-1 lifetime at Lambeau Field.

Numbers: The Raiders totaled 35 takeaways in 16 games in 1998, this after forcing just 22 turnovers in 16 games in '97. The Raiders committed 29 turnovers in their last eight games (2-6) in '98 -- 2 or more turnovers in each of those contests -- after committing just 14 turnovers in their first 8 contests (6-2). The Raiders allowed three or more sacks in 12 of 16 contests in '98. Raiders' WR Tim Brown has scored at least one touchdown in five straight games dating back to '98. Since 1995 (74 games, including playoffs), Packers' QB Brett Favre is 55-19, throwing for 135 touchdowns and just 42 interceptions in his 55 wins compared to 28 scores and 31 interceptions in 19 losses. Favre has thrown for 18,773 yards in those 74 games. In his last 17 games (including playoffs) dating back to '97, Packers' RB Dorsey Levens has carried 352 times for 1,409 yards and 9 touchdowns, plus caught 70 passes for 511 yards and 3 touchdowns. The Packers have limited the opposition to fewer than 100 yards rushing in 3 straight games and six of their last seven contests dating back to '98. Including playoffs, Packers' WR Antonio Freeman has scored at least one touchdown in four straight games dating back to '98.

Things To Look For: It could be an interesting season for the Silver and Black, especially if the Raiders' defense performs as it did last season and Oakland's offensive line shows any kind of improvement. On the other side, the Pack begins the Ray Rhodes Era looking to recapture Super Bowl glory, something easier said than done with the Vikings and Buccaneers to deal with. A Raiders' upset is not out of the question.

Etc.: The Raiders have lost three straight games on opening day dating back to 1996, while the Packers have won three straight games on opening day dating back to 1996. Raiders' head coach Jon Gruden was an offensive assistant with the Packers from 1992-94, while Packers' head coach Ray Rhodes was Green Bay's defensive coordinator from 1992-93. The Raiders are 22-14 vs. NFC teams in the 1990s (3-1 in '98). The Packers have won three straight games dating back to '98. Since 1992 (including playoffs), the Packers are 47-5 at Lambeau Field (including 5-0 in playoffs). Including playoffs, the Packers have won 44 of their last 46 at Lambeau Field. Since 1992, the Packers are 20-8 vs. AFC teams (21-9, including Super Bowls XXXI and XXXII). Packers' QB Brett Favre (213) needs one touchdown pass to tie John Brodie (214) for 16th place on the NFL's all-time touchdown pass list.