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GREEN BAY, Wis. -- There are plenty of concerns surrounding the Green Bay Packers offense headed into Sundays NFC matchup against the Dallas Cowboys.The Packers rushing attack has been productive, but their backfield has some uncertainty with starter Eddie Lacy and backup James Starks hobbled by injuries.The passing game, usually the teams strength, has sputtered along as quarterback Aaron Rodgers is off to the worst start of his career.Largely because of the passing games struggles, Green Bay enters Week 6 ranked 12th in scoring and 25th in yards.The numbers arent pretty, but coach Mike McCarthy remains confident the offense will improve.Its usually one or two or three plays that can define your overall performance -- or the perception of the performance, McCarthy said on Wednesday.So, were in tune with that. We understand it. This is a process. This is a long year. Weve done some good things throughout our football team, but were well aware of not only why were doing things, but how were doing things and what we need to do to get better.That starts with getting the Rodgers-led passing game back in gear.Rodgers ranks seventh in NFL history in completion rate, but is ranked last this season with a rate of 56.3 percent. Nobody, however, is pushing the panic button.This is the game of football. Hes not going to roll it out there every day and be perfect and be Superman, quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt said on Thursday.I think the standards have been set and he set them. Hes played some fantastic football and he will play fantastic football moving forward. Just right now, were in a little bit of a lull.Rodgers didnt seem worried, either, joking on Wednesday that maybe he shouldnt throw it away as much and take more sacks to boost his completion rate.You know what, Ive got to be more accurate, and I will, Rodgers said. Weve got to make the most of the opportunities on 50-50 balls and the balls we should catch and complete.Getting Rodgers and the passing game on track could be critical against the Cowboys because of the uncertainty in the backfield.Lacy had limited participation for a second consecutive day because of an ankle injury that he got in the third quarter against the New York Giants.Lacy, who ranks fifth in the NFL in yards per carry, said he did only individual drills until the medical staff shut him down for the rest of Thursdays practice in hopes of getting him ready for Sunday.Thats what were shooting for, Lacy said. Hopefully, Im able to get out there and play.Added running backs coach Ben Sirmans: You never know until we get to the game, but I think hes going to be fine.Not only is Starks dealing with a knee injury, but hes not with the team. McCarthy said Starks will be out of town until Saturday as he deals with a death in the family. Could Starks even help on Sunday?Well answer those questions once we get to that point, McCarthy said.The only other running back on the team is Don Jackson, an undrafted rookie whos on the practice squad.Game notes The Packers released No. 3 quarterback Joe Callahan, an undrafted rookie from Division III Wesley. A corresponding roster move was not made, but the Packers could use it to bolster their depth at running back or activate defensive tackle Mike Pennel or cornerback Demetri Goodson, who are practicing after serving four-game suspensions. To play on Sunday, they must be activated by 4 p.m. Saturday.---Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL NFL Jerseys From China . Duchene scored two goals and had an assist, helping the Colorado Avalanche beat the Carolina Hurricanes 4-2 on Friday night to match the best 10-game start in team history. Where To Buy Cheap Jerseys . 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KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The bend-but-dont-break defense of the Kansas City Chiefs has so far done an exceptional job of making coach Andy Reid rip out whatever red-tinted fuzz is left of his hair.You see, the Chiefs are masters of giving up yards when it doesnt matter.Theyll give up passes under their coverage, long runs between the tackles, quick crossing routes as opponents drive downfield.When they get close to the end zone? Its a whole different story.The Chiefs have become one of the best teams in the NFL when it comes to red zone defense, a big reason why theyre off to a 2-1 start .Not only do they usually hold opponents to field goals rather than touchdowns, they also have forced a slew of turnovers.We do a good job with that. I dont know why, Reid said. You always talk about the 12th man there, the end zone. Our guys know how to space it out. We worked hard on it at training camp.There was reason for the emphasis. The Chiefs gave up a touchdown on three of every five trips opponents made inside their 20-yard line last season, putting them in the bottom third of the league.Through three games this season? Just three touchdowns on 13 trips.The Chiefs red-zone touchdown rate of 23.1 percent is best in the NFL, just ahead of the New York Giants -- a crucial mark considering only New Orleans and Oakland have allowed more red-zone scoring opportunities.Thats not just bend-but-dont-break. Thats Gumby doing yoga.Reid may not know exactly why Kansas City has become so adept at defending the end zone, but he is willing to hazard a guess. And for a guy who made his bones in the NFL on inventive schemes, studying trends and dissecting film, it only makes sense that he offered an Xs and Os solution.So much of that is just eliminating the seams in there, he said, because theyll just try to pull you apart. You only need a small area to deliver on. Teams will try to pull you apart and test your discipline. Everything is going a little faster down there. Your weaknesses are going to be exploited; your strengths are going to show up.So ffar, the Chiefs biggest weakness is getting pressure on the quarterback, a problem that could be alleviated later this season if star pass rusher Justin Houston returns from knee surgery.ddddddddddddOtherwise, there are a whole bunch of strengths.The defensive front of Dontari Poe, Jaye Howard, Allen Bailey and Chris Jones has been able to plug up the run near the goal line, forcing teams to the air.And when they put it up, one of the most opportunistic secondary groups in the NFL has had a penchant for picking off passes.Three of the six interceptions thrown by the Jets Ryan Fitzpatrick last week were in the end zone.It was all about executing the game plan to a `T, said cornerback Marcus Peters, who had two picks and one of those in the end zone . We dotted our Is and crossed our Ts. We let our pass rush get there, we played underneath, we let our safeties play over the top and we made plays.As a result, the Chiefs have not allowed a touchdown in more than seven quarters.Building on that impressive streak should be a challenge Sunday night, when the Chiefs visit Pittsburgh and a prolific offense led by Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown and recently returned LeVeon Bell.The Steelers are fifth in the NFL in percentage of touchdowns scored in the red zone.Our guys, Ill tell you right now, are staying disciplined, Reid said. This will be a good challenge for them because they are good in the red zone. You have to know how to space the field, particularly in the pass game, and then you have to trust it.Game notes CB Marcus Peters, the AFC defensive player of the week, missed practice for the second straight day. He has the flu. ... CB Phillip Gaines was held out of practice because of a knee injury. He was limited in Wednesdays workout. ... OL Jah Reid (knee) and RB Charcandrick West (ankle) also did not practice.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: http://twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '