If Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis and the rest of his fifth-ranked defensive unit didn't know which quarterback they'll be facing when the Green Bay Packers come into town, they certainly know now.

On Tuesday night, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers officially received medical clearance to start on Sunday -- his first game back since breaking his clavicle in Minnesota two months ago. The Packers are sitting at 7-6 at the moment and hoping that Rodgers' return sparks a sense of rejuvenation for the team.

They need it.

Maybe not Rodgers, who will be meeting his former draft day companion in Davis for the seventh time in both of their lengthy careers.

"It's a really good defense," said Rodgers in his first interview with reports since November 2nd. "Obviously, Thomas [Davis] and Luke [Kuechly], long-time backers played at a high level. Thomas is still running at a high level the way he did when he was coming out of the '05 Draft."

Davis was selected just 10 spots ahead of Rodgers in the first round in 2005. The only difference between them -- aside from their positions -- is that Davis was able to come in and contribute right away. Rodgers, now 34 years old, sat for three seasons behind Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre before finally taking the reins in 2008.

The two last faced each other in 2015 in the middle of what was a three-game losing streak and an anomaly of a season for the Packers. The week 9 meeting took place at Bank of America Stadium as well, the same location as this Sunday's meeting. The Packers nearly overcame a 27-7 deficit until Rodgers threw an interception to Davis that sealed the Panthers' eighth win that season en route to a 15-1 record.

Things are a little different this time around for the two franchises, as both are fighting for their playoff lives.

The Panthers provide the first of what prove as three tough tests for the Packers to close out the 2017 campaign. After Carolina, they'll host the Minnesota Vikings before traveling into Detroit with the expectations of earning their 10th win by then. If the Packers lose any one of their final three games, they'll have less than a three percent chance of securing a playoff spot.

It's why this Rodgers versus Davis clash is much more significant than in season's past. Rodgers, who has been sidelined for seven, nearly eight weeks now, will more than likely have Davis' full attention and vice versa.

This Panthers defense is notorious for re-aggravating the collarbone injury former Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo dealt with in 2015. After originally hurting it in week 2, the Cowboys and Panthers met for Thanksgiving football, only Romo would have to leave the game in the third quarter due to complications with the same collarbone he injured earlier that season.

The Packers' offensive line will face their toughest, most important test in recent memory against a vicious defensive front that would love nothing more than to hinder Rodgers' ability to maneuver the pocket -- and potentially lay a hit or two on him. An injured Rodgers only hopes the Panthers' playoff chances as they currently cling to a No. 5 seed.

A large part of limiting Rodgers will fall on the shoulders of his former draftmate in Davis.

"[Aaron] Rodgers is a guy that is a potential league MVP whenever he's healthy and on the field," said Davis after the Panthers' win over the Vikings last Sunday. "As a defense, you want to play the best. Aaron Rodgers is a guy that we consider the best, and we know they're a much different team with him on the field.

"If he's not in there, we have to be prepared for whoever they have at quarterback. Those guys have really done a good job of keeping themselves in the playoff hunt to give them a chance for when Aaron comes back."

In four career games against the Panthers, Rodgers has completed 63.4 percent of hisp asses, thrown for over 1,200 yards and 12 touchdowns with just two interceptions. His 112.1 passer rating in those four games is his second-highest against teams in the NFC South, behind only the Atlanta Falcons (112.2).