So far, Smith's perfect in Green Bay

Lovie Smith has never lost a game as a head coach at Green Bay's Lambeau Field, winning on all four trips since taking over as the Bears' boss in 2004.

Smith first win with the Bears was at Lambeau, 21-10 on Sept. 19, 2004. In '05, the Bears swept the Packers, winning 19-7 at home and then 24-17 on the road. The Super Bowl team opened the '06 regular season with a 26-0 victory in Green Bay, and Smith enjoyed another sweep last year, winning 27-20 there and 35-7 here.

"We play the same type of ball up there," Smith said. "It's not like we change up our philosophies. We've been able to execute up there and find a way to win, and hopefully we'll be able to this time. They're a good football team. We have a pack right now in the NFC North. This is a tight competition going on."

The Bears and Vikings are tied for first in the NFC North at 5-4, and the Packers are a game back at 4-5.

Coaches' decision: Wide receiver Brandon Lloyd said he was ready to return Sunday after missing four games with a sprained knee, but coach Lovie Smith decided not to play him.

"He was close this past week," Smith said. "He probably could have (played). I made the decision as much as anything not to (play him). (Safety) Danieal Manning dressed; I wouldn't say that he was a hundred percent, but he was close also. Hopefully we'll have them all ready this week."

Manning, who missed two weeks with a hamstring injury played only on special teams, while Corey Graham played the nickel spot that Manning had been occupying.

Coaches' decision II: Coach Lovie Smith is eager to get Kyle Orton back behind center, but he won't rush him back from the sprained ankle that kept him out last week.

"I can't wait until we get to the day where Kyle tells me he is ready to go and we can let him go," Smith said. "We won't let a player go unless the medical staff has cleared him, and he feels good about playing. That's normally how I determine it."

Orton said Sunday night he has a "great chance" of being ready for the Packers.

By the numbers: Official team stats credited linebacker Lance Briggs with a team-best 13 tackles Sunday, in addition to a tackle for loss. Kevin Payne was second with 11 tackles, allowing Briggs to edge past him into the team lead with 78 tackles for the season, 1 more than the second-year safety.