Foremost, it’s the Green Bay Packers against the Broncos.
There is the No. 32-ranked rushing offense of the Packers vs. the No. 32-ranked rushing defense of the Broncos.
Television promoters may believe a sexier billing would be Brett Favre vs. Jay Cutler.
Perhaps, the most substantive matchup Monday night at Invesco Field at Mile High?
Jim Bates vs. Jim Bates.
Bates was the Packers’ defensive coordinator in 2005. When he left after that season, his top two assistants, Bob Sanders and Robert Nunn, stayed to carry out Bates’ defensive system.
Bates is now in charge of the Broncos’ defense. So far, the Packers are better at running Bates’ system than the Broncos.
“He’s a good defensive coordinator,” Packers cornerback Al Harris said.
“They had a little bit more advantage, even though it was a very young team, very inexperienced team, they had been through a similar system (before 2005),” Bates said. “It does take time.”
This week, Bates has joined the offensive coaches’ meetings to offer his insight into some of the Packers’ defensive player tendencies.
As for the Packers coaches, they noticed Bates made some not-so-subtle changes to his defense last Sunday against Pittsburgh.
“They played some different coverages that they haven’t played in our film study prior to the Steeler game,” Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. “It looked like they took their bye week and made some changes. We’re thankful we had a couple extra days to prepare because we do have a lot more volume to prepare for.”
Henry sits out. Broncos running back Travis Henry again missed practice Thursday because of sore ribs. He may participate in the team workout tonight at Invesco Field before he is more rigorously tested Saturday.
Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey was limited in practice Thursday as he continues to heal from his strained quad.
“I feel like I’m getting there,” Bailey said. “Trying to be there. It looks optimistic right now.”
Javon Walker is scheduled to rejoin the team Saturday after undergoing knee surgery last week in Houston. There is hope the Broncos’ receiver can be activated before the post-surgery estimate of six weeks.
Favre takes Elway’s record. Former Broncos quarterback John Elway lost perhaps his most cherished record this year when Favre became the NFL’s all-time winningest quarterback. Elway retired after the 1998 season with 148 wins. Favre has 152 wins in 16-plus seasons entering his Monday night game against the Broncos.
Yes, it bothered Elway some to see the distinction of “winningest quarterback” go.
“You’d like to have something to hang onto,” Elway said. “But having the second-most wins isn’t bad, either.”
Besides, Elway has another record Favre is not likely to touch: Super Bowl appearances. Elway has started in five Super Bowls, a record among quarterbacks. No other quarterback has played in more than four. Favre has two Super Bowl starts.
San Diego fires. Broncos dime cornerback Jeff Shoate was playing at San Diego State in 2003 when wildfires hit the area. The team had to evacuate.
A second wildfire catastrophe hit the San Diego region beginning late Saturday night. Roughly 15 fires, fanned by Santa Ana winds, have destroyed about 1,500 homes.
“We couldn’t practice because the air quality was so bad,” Shoate said. “And that wasn’t as bad as this one. There’s no way the Chargers are going to play in San Diego this Sunday. I can’t see it. There’s just no way people will be able to breathe.”
San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders was mulling whether to allow the Chargers to play Sunday against the Houston Texans at Qualcomm Stadium, where many evacuees were placed.
Shoate said his father-in-law and nephew had to evacuate their apartment but his other family members living in the northern suburb of Mira Mesa were OK.
Mike Klis: 303-954-1055 or mklis@denverpost.com
