Green Bay at San Francisco


Pack getting back to health


Playoff roster


Depth chart


Statistics


Playoff history

The two-time defending NFC champion Packers were never in danger of missing the playoffs, but there were times when they almost ran of players because of a season-long plague of injuries. At one time or another this season, they've been down to third- or fourth-string players at halfback, wide receiver, tight end and cornerback.

	Pro Bowl receiver Antonio Freeman led the Packers with 14 TD catches.

With a great December record, the Packers have always hit the playoffs running. This year, they're limping into the postseason, but at least they're there. Many think Green Bay is the only NFC team capable of beating the Vikings, but the Packers can't even think about that unless they suddenly find their health.

Wide receiver Robert Brooks, tight end Mark Chmura, cornerback Craig Newsome and defensive end Vonnie Holliday sat out down the stretch to be ready for the playoffs.

After two consecutive Super Bowl appearances, the Packers have a long road to Miami. To get there, they probably will have to play games at Minnesota and Atlanta after their opening-round trip to San Francisco. Those are the three NFC teams that finished with better records than the Pack.

Offense
Quarterback Brett Favre is still standing, which means the Packers can never be counted out. The rest of the offensive cast seems to be returning to health just in time for the playoffs. ... Favre's 21 interceptions are the most he's thrown since 1994. When he doesn't throw one, however, the Packers almost always win.

Halfback Dorsey Levens missed nine games with a broken leg and has increased his workload and effectiveness every game since returning in early December. A strong running game would take a lot of pressure off Favre. ... With 13 touchdown catches, Pro Bowl receiver Antonio Freeman has carried the offense. If the Packers are going to return to their usual offensive form, though, Brooks and Chmura will have to return intact.

Defense
The defense ranks in the top five in yards allowed, but is middle-of-the-pack in scoring. That's an indication of a season-long weakness against the long pass. ... The Packers have the NFC's worst turnover ratio at minus-11, partly because of Favre's interceptions and partly because of a lack of interceptions by Green Bay defenders.

The run defense has been overpowering at times, especially on first down. The problems have come later as opponents have converted an unusually high number of third-and-long situations. ... The secondary has been burned deep in nickel and dime situations. Cornerback Craig Newsome sat out most of December with a lacerated knee, but should return for the playoffs. His absence has exposed a lack of depth at cornerback and lack of speed at safety.

Special teams
Injuries have hurt the coverage units, but the specialists are excellent. ... Kicker Ryan Longwell is 28-for-31 on field goals, including 15-for-15 in the sand pit at Lambeau Field. ... Punter Sean Landeta lacks the leg strength of the departed Craig Hentrich, but he's much better putting punts inside the 20. ... Return specialist Roell Preston has three touchdowns but has tailed off the second half of the season.

Tom Oates, who covers the Packers for the Wisconsin State Journal, writes a weekly NFC column that appears every Thursday on ESPN.com.