Todd Helton is scheduled to be inducted into the Colorado

GREEN BAY, Wis. - Playing a road game against a division rival raises the intensity for linebacker Clay Matthews.Theyre fun games to play, and I think more so just talking from the fan aspect of it a€” the fans hate you, Matthews said Friday. Thats something to thrive on when you play on the road.After missing Green Bays two games against the Chicago Bears last season, the Packers defensive standout anticipates playing Sunday when the NFLs oldest rivals meet for the first time this season.Matthews, who has a groin injury, is probable for the game against the Bears.Provided theres no setbacks, I expect myself to be out there on Sunday, Matthews said.Matthews has practiced on a limited basis this week after suffering the injury in the second half of the Packers 19-7 loss at Detroit last Sunday. Matthews didnt finish the game.The Packers didnt practice Friday. But coach Mike McCarthy had encouraging news after the teams medical staff evaluated Matthews on Friday morning.So far, so good, McCarthy said. The medical review, the report today was good on Clay. We still have 48 hours (before the game), so were confident that hell be ready to go. But hes still working through it.Matthews reported to be feeling good and noted how his recovery from his first groin injury improved throughout the week.Yesterday was a big step in the right direction from Wednesday, Matthews said of his involvement in practice those two days, and today Im sure would have been.McCarthy implemented a new schedule this season with the Packers off the field on Friday before a Sunday game, but having a light practice on Saturday.I think its good for me, Matthews said. And then tomorrow well fly around, break a sweat and feel good going into Sunday. I dont anticipate there being any problems.Having Matthews ready for Sunday should be a plus for Green Bay, which is looking to avoid starting the season 1-3 for the first time since 2006, when it finished 8-8 in McCarthys first year at the helm.Matthews has hurt the Bears as a pass rusher in his career. He has eight sacks in nine games against Chicago since his rookie season in 2009, including the Packers NFC championship victory at Soldier Field in the 2010 season.In the rivals two games in 2012, Matthews had 5 1/2 sacks against Bears quarterback Jay Cutler as Green Bay swept the season series.A broken thumb kept Matthews from playing both games against the Bears the second half of last season.Matthews said he was at home watching Green Bay end the regular season with a dramatic 33-28 comeback win at Chicago on a final-minute, fourth down touchdown pass by Aaron Rodgers. The Packers clinched a third straight NFC North title and took a playoff spot from the Bears.Itll be good to get out there again, kind of put my foot back into that whole Packers-Bears rivalry and just make an impact, really, Matthews said.And Matthews expects to be able to play without limitations Sunday against a versatile Bears offence he ranks as Chicagos best in his six years as a pro.I think weve talked about this with my injuries in the past that I wouldnt be out there if I wasnt full go with the caveat that well be smart, Matthews said. Well monitor the reps, especially going into a Thursday night game (against Minnesota) the following week.But well see how it goes, well see how it plays out, well see what theyre coming out with in their personnel, their scheme and where were at in the game.NOTES: Also probable for the Packers are RT Bryan Bulaga (knee), CB Davon House (knee) and LB Nick Perry (wrist). WR Jarrett Boykin and LB Brad Jones (quadriceps) are questionable. Boykin, who already was recovering from a knee injury this week, suffered a groin injury in practice Thursday.___Online: http://pro32.ap.org/poll and http://twitter.com/AP_NFL Red Nike Air Max Shop .C. -- Benn Ferrieros familiar with scoring important goals, just not in back-to-back games. Youth Air Max Sale . On paper, it looks a little like Andre the Giant taking on a midget wrestler. It has all the makings of a rout with the Americans adding an eighth win in nine outings of this biennial event. The Yanks have eight players in the top 15 in the world while the Internationals have just one. http://www.airmax2018sale.us/. "We were left with the overall impression that the team wasnt trending toward being able to compete for a Stanley Cup," Capitals owner Ted Leonsis said in a news conference at the clubs arena. "And that was just a clear signal and why it was time to make those changes. Air Max White Online . Chelsea took until the second half to trouble the leagues bottom team, but Schuerrle then ripped through the defence with ease at Craven Cottage to keep Jose Mourinhos side on track for the title. Cheap Air Max 95 . - Rookie Kyle Larson will start from the pole position Saturday night in the NASCAR race at Richmond International Raceway after a thunderstorm arrived just in time to wash out qualifying.SAN DIEGO - The Colorado Rockies got another unexpected outing from a starting pitcher who had been relegated to the bullpen. Franklin Morales followed a good start by Jorge De La Rosa with one of his own, helping the Rockies beat the San Diego Padres 3-1 Thursday. Colorado used Wilin Rosarios tiebreaking groundout in a three-run seventh to overcome Ian Kennedy, who pitched a one-hit shutout through the sixth. Morales (1-1) allowed one run and four hits in six innings with five strikeouts and a walk. Morales made his second career start against the Padres — and first since allowing one hit in six shutout innings at San Diego on Sept. 21, 2007. "That was crucial for him to get through the sixth," Colorado manager Walt Weiss said. "He stepped up. Its tough to go back and forth between the pen and starting." Injuries to Tyler Chatwood and Brett Anderson, have forced the Rockies to start Morales and De La Rosa, who both were sent to the bullpen earlier after ineffective starts. De La Rosa was the loser in Wednesday nights 4-2 defeat, but threw well; he allowed three runs — two earned — and seven hits in six innings. "I have a job to do," Morales said. "I dont worry about where I pitch. I just want to do whatever I can to help my team win." Morales allowed a solo homer to Xavier Nady leading off the fourth, a drive off the facing of the second deck in left field. That stood until the seventh. Corey Dickerson reached on a one-out double, Troy Tulowitzki walked and Justin Morneau lined a ball to right field. Chris Denorfia broke in, then retreated as the ball went his head for an RBI double. "Morneau hit that ball pretty hard and they got a couple guys on," Kennedy said. "I was trying to get a double play in that situation." Rosario grounded out to shortstop as Tulowitzki scored for a 2-1 lead, and Nolan Arenado followed wwith a run-scoring single.dddddddddddd "Kennedy was tough, pounding the ball down, hitting the corners," Morneau said. "But when he made mistakes, we took advantage, and we had some good at-bats in the seventh." LaTroy Hawkins pitched the ninth to remain perfect in four save chances, finishing just the fourth win for the Rockies in 11 road games this season. Kennedy retired his first 12 batters before walking Tulowitzki leading off the fifth. He didnt allow a hit until Arenados leadoff double in the sixth. "Its tough. I threw well for the first six innings," Kennedy said. "I felt like I was executing my pitches. I was getting ahead of guys and when I didnt start off with strike one I felt like I was getting back to even in the count and it was just nice to execute like that." NOTES: Nadys homer was his third of the season and San Diegos eighth, the lowest total in the NL. ... San Diegos Everth Cabrera extended his hitting streak to nine games with a second-inning double. ... Padres 3B Chase Headley was held out of the starting lineup for a second consecutive game with a strained right biceps. Headley had a pinch-single in the eighth. ... Rockies RF Michael Cuddyer left in the seventh with a right hamstring cramp. ... Longtime Rockies 1B Todd Helton is scheduled to be inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame Thursday night at Sports Authority Field in Denver. ... Padres 1B Yonder Alonso entered in the ninth inning and played third base for the third time in his big league career. ... Anderson had surgery on Thursday to have pins inserted into his fractured left index finger. The pins are expected to remain for six weeks. ... The Rockies open a three-game set at home Friday night against Philadelphia, which sends RHP Jonathan Pettibone (0-0) against RHP Tyler Chatwood (0-0). ... Giants RHP Matt Cain (0-2) opposes Padres RHP Tyson Ross (1-2) on Friday night. ' ' '