Packers beat Raiders

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — The Green Bay Packers are going back to the playoffs.

And maybe they’re bringing a running game with them.

Green Bay didn’t need Brett Favre to throw the ball all over the field to clinch the NFC North on Sunday, relying on the rushing of Ryan Grant and a pair of special teams touchdowns from Will Blackmon in a 38-7 victory over the Oakland Raiders.

The Packers (11-2) assured an end to their two-year absence from the postseason with three games left.

“I don’t know if too many people gave us a shot to be at this position,” Favre said. “It says a lot about this team. I’m feeling good about my decision to come back, obviously.”

Grant’s hard running and sharp cutbacks came in handy on a day when Favre’s aching right elbow and left shoulder hindered the Packers’ passing game. Favre left last week’s loss at Dallas because of the injuries and was limited in practice this week, but still made his 250th straight start.

Grant, who was acquired in a trade with the New York Giants just before the season and took over as the starter last month, rushed for a career-high 156 yards and a touchdown. It was his fourth 100-yard rushing game of the season. Grant’s presence has boosted what had been one of the league’s worst rushing offenses.

“I can’t say enough about Ryan Grant,” Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. “I think he’s really coming into his own.”

Just at the right time — as the weather turns colder in Green Bay.

Raiders coach Lane Kiffin said the chilly 18-degree conditions didn’t affect his team. The Raiders (4-9) trailed only 14-7 at halftime despite struggling on offense, only to unravel in the second half.

“I don’t think the cold didn’t tackle today,” Kiffin said. “I don’t think the cold threw incompletions today. I don’t think the cold had nine penalties. We did.”

Raiders quarterback Josh McCown, starting in place of the injured Daunte Culpepper, was 7-of-15 for 110 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions before he was replaced by Andrew Walter early in the fourth quarter.

McCown woke up with a stomach virus and took intravenous fluids before the game.

“I battled as much as I could,” McCown said. “It is what it is. It’s unfortunate.”

Raiders running back Justin Fargas also left the game in the fourth quarter with a bruised rib. He had only 57 yards on 15 carries.

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