Three keys for the season:
1. Establish a productive running game. After letting franchise back Ahman Green bolt for Houston in free agency, the Packers are counting on a nondescript group to revive a ground attack that ranked 23rd in the league last year. Coach Mike McCarthy doesn't want Brett Favre throwing the football 60 percent of the time again, but that might be the case if Jackson and Morency, once he returns, can't run for daylight.
2. The defense takes the outcome of games into its own hands. Given the possible shortcomings on offense, a loaded defensive unit will have to be more opportunistic after it made strides toward the end of last season. The team won its last four games thanks in big part to 13 takeaways.
3. Restore home-field advantage. Playing at Lambeau Field has been a recipe for disaster for Green Bay of late. It has won only six of its last 18 games at once-venerable Lambeau Field. What's more, it has lost four straight home openers.