The Green Bay Packers have been without the services of Eddie Lacy and Aaron Rodgers for the past 4 weeks. The offense has struggled to find an identity in the meantime. This week Rodgers will return to face the Oakland Raiders. The medical staff has given Rodgers final medical clearance and Rodgers insisted on not wearing any additional padding to protect his healing torn abdominal muscle. This announcement has the team excited as they begin a second half attack on a second straight NFC North Title.

Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, and Rookie TJ Powers have seen their production dip since Rodgers went out. The Packers even tried to maintain their success by trading for Ryan Mallett. However the offense continued to struggle. One of the bright spots has been the play of HB James Starks who stepped in for Eddie Lacy. Lasy is out for the season and Starks has slide into the starting role by averaging 4 yards a carry and scoring 3 TD in the last two weeks.

The new found running game, a healthy Aaron Rodgers, and a top 5 Defense has Packer Nation excited heading into the second half of the season. Despite the injuries, Green Bay remains optimistic that a second straight NFC North title is obtainable. However they are not discounting an extremely tight race with the Lions, upstart Vikings, or the Bears. The Packers lost last week to Chicago and a win then could have put the Packers in control of their own destiny.