GREEN BAY, Wis. -- ??? With so much potentially at stake for the Green Bay Packers in the final month of the season, Clay Matthews is testing his tolerance for pain.(Im) a little sore, Matthews said Monday, as he made a brief appearance in the locker room.Another encouraging performance by Green Bays defense in a 21-13 win over the Houston Texans on Sunday at snowy Lambeau Field included some gritty efforts by a few guys who played hurt.While Matthews is playing through a painful shoulder injury, fellow linebackers Nick Perry and Jake Ryan returned to the game after early setbacks sent them to the training room.Perry played the second half with a big club on his left hand after he left the field following the first series. Ryan resumed playing late in the first half after he reinjured his ankle and limped back to the locker room to have it re-taped.I respect those guys so much for that because thats a lot of physical toughness to do that, safety Morgan Burnett said.Its also a lot of mental toughness to actually go in knowing that youre going to feel that pain, but when they say all hands on deck, those guys are an example of that.Despite the adversity, the defense has solidified during a two-game winning streak, which has Green Bay back to .500 with a 6-6 record and on a quest to catch the NFC North-leading Detroit Lions (8-4).The Packers have allowed only 13 points each of the past two games after they gave up a whopping 153 points during the preceding four-game losing streak.With where were at, every game is a must win, Matthews said.And after missing time earlier in the season with a hamstring injury, Matthews doesnt feel compelled to sit anymore, no matter that his separated left shoulder left him to play with what he said was just one arm Sunday.Its tough, but you just try to weather the storm, Matthews said. Obviously, you want to be out there for your brothers and teammates, have some sense of accountability.Though Matthews had limited playing time and was noticeably absent from the stats sheet, his ability to play less than a week after he suffered the injury gave the defense a boost.The Packers were without rookie Blake Martinez (knee) for a second straight game, so they moved Matthews inside to start alongside Ryan, who had missed most of the previous three games.Matthews had been playing mostly at his natural spot of outside linebacker this season until Martinez was hurt.Were lucky to have a guy like Clay who, when someones down, he can get back to the middle and do his job, Ryan said.As the Packers look to get healthier with their defense, Matthews expects to be switching between outside and inside linebacker going down the stretch.Im fine with that, said Matthews, who started exclusively inside last season. We do a good job playing to my strengths as far as bringing some pressure, allowing me to get some one-on-one matchups and be a little more decisive as opposed to just sitting there and reading like a true inside backer.There obviously comes a time for that, but it is easy when we have a lead, playing inside linebacker is a lot more fun.And the Packers know the importance of having Matthews on the field as they get ready to host the NFC West-leading Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.Hopefully, he can get some strength (in the shoulder) and work through it, and hopefully hes further ahead than where he was yesterday because, obviously, he was playing through a very tough situation, coach Mike McCarthy said.Game notes McCarthy didnt have an update Monday on the health of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who played the game Sunday in the snowy conditions after he injured his hamstring in Green Bays previous game. 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"We just dont know what the results from Torino will be," Budgett said. Royals Jerseys 2020 . "It was nerve-wracking, but we pulled through," said Collaros, who threw four touchdown passes to lead the Toronto Argonauts (8-4) to a 33-27 win over the Calgary Stampeders (9-3) in front of 28,781 fans at McMahon Stadium.All that Andy Murray needs to try and do is not let Novak Djokovic widen the gap at the Paris Masters in order to achieve his ultimate goal of becoming world No 1, says Barry Cowan. Murray continued his march towards the top spot by winning the Erste Bank Open in Vienna on Sunday. Super Murray wins in Vienna Andy Murray beats Jo-Wilfried Tsonga to win Erste Bank Open in Vienna The 29-year-old Scot swept past Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-3 7-6 (8-6) with an immaculate display in the final to earn his seventh title of the year. The Olympic and Wimbledon champion can take over the world No 1 ranking from Djokovic if he wins next weeks Paris Masters and the Serb fails to reach the final. Highlights of Andy Murray v Jo-Wilfried Tsonga from the Vienna Open final Djokovic has been handed a tough route to the title in Paris, where he will start in the second round against Spains Nicolas Almagro or in-form Gilles Muller of Luxembourg.The top ranking could come to a head when he faces a blockbuster semi-final clash against US Open champion Stan Wawrinka.Murrays route is also a tough one and includes a potential opening second round match against Fernando Verdasco before facing Roberto Bautista Agut, Tomas Berdych and then a mouth-watering semi-final date against Milos Raonic or Kei Nishikori. Djokovic is fresh, but Djokovic has not won big matches of late and so long as Andy can have a chance mathematically and its in his control going into London - I think hell do it. Barry Cowan on Andy Murrays chances of becoming World No 1 And Sky Sports tennis expert Cowan feels Murray can do it if the mathematics work in his favour.Realistically, this is going to be very tough for Andy next week going into Paris, Cowan said. The hardest will be the first couple of rounds in Paris, and if he can get through those and the closer to the weekend he gets then I think he will be feeling better in himself and then he starts to see the finishing line.Djokovic is fresh, but Djokovic has not won big matches of late and so long as Andy can have a chance mathematically and its in his control going into London - I think hell do it. Live ATP Masters Tennis October 31, 2016, 10:00am Live on Get Sky Sports Get a Sky Sports pass Cowan also pointed to Murrays impressive big match temperament, where he has been forced to slug it out in order to win matches and was impressed with his ability during vital times against Tsonga.Murray was immense today, Cowan added. He was coming into the final in so much confidence, playing his best tennis in every big match. Murray and Djokovics rivalry at the top of the rankings will continue in Paris Andy was so clear in how he wantedd to play and I think thats why hes been able to play such great, great tennis when it really matters.ddddddddddddWhat was impressive from Andy was the way he was able to stem the Tsonga attack in the tie-break. But crucially in the tie-break Murray found the first serve again.Murray won an impressive 74 per cent of his second serve points in Sundays final and Cowan feels that is the most improved aspect of his game this year.Andys developed pace and variation - the ability to change it up. He used to always be consistent where he hit the serve - it was always in the same spot. Sometimes you need to vary it, go big to the backhand side, forehand, hit it with a little bit more spin, sometimes you have to go into the body. Hes started to do that a lot more and that comes from confidence. Watch NOW TV Watch Sky Sports for just ￡6.99. No contract The rankings as they standDjokovic: 12,900 pointsMurray: 10,985French capital gains The Paris Masters is being shown live on Sky Sports The regular tour comes to an end with the final Masters event in Paris, starting on Monday, with Djokovic defending his title and 1,000 ranking points.He beat Murray in last years final, with the Scot earning 600 points.If Murray were to enjoy another impressive week in the French capital and lift the trophy next Sunday, he would gain an additional extra 400 points.Should Djokovic only reach the semi-finals, he would drop 640 points.How the points tot up if Murray wins in Paris and Djokovic reaches the semi-final:Djokovic: 12,260Murray: 11,385 Djokovic mentally ready for Paris Novak Djokovic insists he is mentally prepared for Paris Masters Djokovics big points drop Djokovic has won the season-ending ATP World Tour Finals four years in a row On Monday, November 7, Djokovic will lose the 1,300 points he amassed for winning the ATP World Tour Finals last November in London, ahead of the start of that tournament on the following Sunday.And that could be the trigger point for Murray to overtake him. Murray v Djokovic: The race is on Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic: Their previous meetings Murray, who has consistently struggled at the World Tour Finals, won only one match there last year so drops just 200 points.How it would stand after last seasons World Tour Finals points are taken off - if Murray wins in Paris and Djokovic reaches the semi-finals:Murray: 11,185Djokovic: 10,960Check our game-by-game updates from all of Andy Murrays matches at the ATP Paris Masters on skysports.com/tennis, our app for mobile devices and iPad and our Twitter account @skysportstennis, live on Sky Sports. Also See: Super Murray wins in Vienna How Murray beat Tsonga... Murray v Djokovic: The race is on Murrays magnificent year ' ' '
