PRO FOOTBALL : DAILY REPORT : TODAY’S GAMES : Packers Chasing Playoff Berth

The Green Bay Packers (9-5) have a few things riding on today’s game at New Orleans against the Saints (6-8), including an assured playoff berth and possibly their first division championship since 1972.

It also could enhance quarterback Brett Favre, virtually playing at home in performing only 60 miles from his hometown of Kiln, Miss., in his drive for the most-valuable-player award.

“My mother bought 30 tickets as soon as the schedule was out,” Favre said. “They’ve bought another 30 since then, and three buses full are coming from Kiln.”

Favre has completed 315 of 508 passes for 3,804 yards, with 32 touchdowns and only 13 interceptions. He also has run for three touchdowns.

“Brett is having a great year,” Coach Mike Holmgren said. “He is the unquestioned leader of our football team.”

The Packers also could have Pro Bowl defensive end Reggie White back in the lineup. White, originally expected to sit out the rest of the season because of a torn hamstring, is listed as questionable.

The Packers could win the NFC Central and play host to the first-round wild-card game with a victory today and in next week’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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The Steelers (10-4), winners of seven consecutive games, will be trying to retain their hopes of gaining home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs today against the New England Patriots (6-8). Pittsburgh trails the Kansas City Chiefs (11-3) by one game.

Conversely, should the Steelers lose to the Patriots and to the Packers next week, the Buffalo Bills (9-5) could pass them for the No. 2 seeding, making them a road team throughout the postseason.

“That’s what you play this game for,” linebacker Levon Kirkland said. “Play two at home, win two and go to [the Super Bowl].”

And New England seems to be getting Pittsburgh at the wrong time, with Steeler quarterback Neil O’Donnell enjoying his best season (14 touchdown passes, six interceptions) and running back Erric Pegram coming off a 122-yard game in Oakland.

Ron Erhardt has altered the Steelers’ traditional run-first philosophy to design a flexible offense that goes with the hot hand.