GREEN BAY, Wisconsin (Ticker) -- The Green Bay Packers begin the post-Mike Holmgren era today when they open against the Oakland Raiders.

The torch has been passed to Ray Rhodes, who comes aboard in Green Bay after enduring a nightmarish 3-13 season with the Philadelphia Eagles last year. But Rhodes is not unfamiliar with Green Bay, serving as the Packers' defensive coordinator in 1992-93.

Raiders coach Jon Gruden worked under Rhodes as an offensive coordinator in Philadelphia from 1995 to 1997 before taking the Oakland job.

"Jon is an excellent coach," said Rhodes, who just completed a 4-0 preseason. "His teams are always well prepared, so this will be a tough opener for us."

The Packers enter today with 30 wins in their last 31 home games, including nine straight wins over AFC teams.

Green Bay had its three-year run as NFC Central Division champion end last season, losing to the San Francisco 49ers in the wild card round. It marked the first time Green Bay did not advance beyond the opening round of the postseason since 1992, when it missed the playoffs in Holmgren's first season.

Though no longer a dominant team, the Packers still rate as a solid contender, but they need a more consistent season from three-time NFL MVP Brett Favre. Still one of the fiercest competitors in the game, Favre passed for 31 TDs and 4,212 yards, but also threw 23 interceptions.

Favre still has his top receiver, Antonio Freeman, who signed a seven-year, $42 million contract. Rhodes also is looking for a healthy year from running back Dorsey Levens, who missed nine games last season with a broken leg. As a result, the Packers dropped to 25th in the league in rushing.

The Raiders will likely try to match up cornerback Charles Woodson against Freeman. As a rookie last year, Woodson had five interceptions and was named as a Pro Bowl injury replacement.

In Gruden's first year, the Raiders started out 7-3 but then dropped five of their last six and plummeted to .500.

The Raiders released Jeff George and signed former Kansas City quarterback Rich Gannon, whom they feel is better equipped to run the West Coast offense. Oakland also signed former New York Giants running back Tyrone Wheatley to take some of the load off Napoleon Kaufman in the backfield.

Tackle Matt Stinchcomb, Oakland's first-round pick, is out with a shoulder injury. The Raiders allowed a league-high 67 sacks last year.

The teams have not met since the Packers posted a 23-20 victory in Green Bay in 1993.

OAKLAND Season schedule and results

GREEN BAY Season schedule and results

September 12 @Green Bay 1:00pm ET September 19 @Minnesota 1:00pm ET September 26 Chicago 4:15pm ET October 3 @Seattle 8:20pm ET October 10 Denver 4:15pm ET October 17 @Buffalo 1:00pm ET October 24 NY Jets 4:15pm ET October 31 Miami 4:05pm ET November 14 San Diego 4:05pm ET November 22 @Denver 9:00pm ET November 28 Kansas City 4:15pm ET December 5 Seattle 4:15pm ET December 9 @Tennessee 8:20pm ET December 19 Tampa Bay 4:05pm ET December 26 @San Diego 4:05pm ET January 2 @Kansas City 1:00pm ET

September 12 Oakland 1:00pm ET September 19 @Detroit 1:00pm ET September 26 Minnesota 4:15pm ET October 10 Tampa Bay 8:20pm ET October 17 @Denver 4:15pm ET October 24 @San Diego 4:05pm ET November 1 Seattle 9:00pm ET November 7 Chicago 1:00pm ET November 14 @Dallas 4:15pm ET November 21 Detroit 1:00pm ET November 29 @San Francisco 9:00pm ET December 5 @Chicago 1:00pm ET December 12 Carolina 1:00pm ET December 20 @Minnesota 9:00pm ET December 26 @Tampa Bay 4:15pm ET January 2 Arizona 1:00pm ET

Records source: STATS, Inc.

Copyright 1999 STATS, Inc. Commercial distribution without the express written consent of STATS is prohibited.