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During his two-month banishment for fumbling, Knowshon Moreno promised himself if he ever got another shot, he'd let neither the opportunity nor the football slip through his fingers again.

He's had 389 touches since that fateful fumble in Atlanta in Week 2 last year and he's gotten up with the football all 389 times.

It's a lesson his three young backups are learning themselves as they try to put fumbling issues aside so they can take the load off Moreno and help the Broncos (9-2).

Moreno's ball security was never more pronounced than last Sunday night at frigid New England, where the football looked like a frozen turkey in everyone's hands but his.

Moreno set career highs with 37 carries for 224 yards before leaving in a walking boot after bruising his right ankle.

Moreno, who ditched the boot and crutches by midweek, looked sharp and smooth at practice late in the week. He said he's ready to start in Sunday's showdown at Kansas City between 9-2 teams vying for first place in the AFC West.

Moreno is a leading contender for Comeback Player of the Year. He leads the AFC with a career-high nine TD runs and his 824 yards rushing are second in the conference to Jamaal Charles' 918.

Coach says Packers must win out

Speaking a day after the Packers were embarrassed 40-10 by the Detroit Lions, Green Bay coach, Mike McCarthy feels the Packers must win their remaining four games.

"I would think so, yes," McCarthy said.

Winless in its last five games (0-4-1), Green Bay is in danger of missing the postseason for the first time since 2008, when it had a five-game losing skid late and finished 6-10.

Around the league

Vikings • Adrian Peterson returned to practice and is probable for Sunday's game against Chicago. Peterson, second in the league with 997 yards rushing, has been limited for three weeks with a groin injury and was held out of practice Wednesday and Thursday.

Panthers • Defensive end Charles Johnson will miss his second straight game with a sprained knee, and running back DeAngelo Williams and is questionable with a thigh contusion. He has not practiced all week. —

Week 13 schedule

Thursday

Detroit 40, Green Bay 10

Dallas 31, Oakland 24

Baltimore 22, Pittsburgh 20

Sunday

Chicago at Minnesota, 11 a.m., Ch. 13

New England at Houston, 11 a.m.

Tennessee at Indianapolis, 11 a.m.

Jacksonville at Cleveland, 11 a.m.

Tampa Bay at Carolina, 11 a.m.

Arizona at Philadelphia, 11 a.m.

Miami at N.Y. Jets, 11 a.m.

St. Louis at San Francisco, 2 p.m.

Atlanta vs. Buffalo at Toronto,2 p.m.

Cincinnati at San Diego, 2:25 p.m.

Denver at Kansas City, 2:25 p.m.

N.Y. Giants at Washington,6:30 p.m., Ch. 5

Monday

New Orleans at Seattle, 6:40 p.m., ESPN