Vin+ 3,121 Posted December 20, 2013 http://hosted.stats.com/fb/preview.asp?g=20131222009&home=9&vis=23 (AP) -- Back-to-back come-from-behind victories have the Green Bay Packers in control of their postseason chances. Whether they'll have Aaron Rodgers back to help continue that push remains unclear. Despite a stellar performance from quarterback Matt Flynn last week, the Packers are hoping to have Rodgers under center as they try to keep pace in the NFC North on Sunday in a matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Rodgers has missed six straight games with a fractured left collarbone. Coach Mike McCarthy said Thursday his quarterback looked good and thought he was ready to play, though that doesn't constitute clearance. Rodgers made several references to his playing status being an "organizational decision." He's played well against Pittsburgh (6-8), throwing for 687 yards and six touchdowns without an interception in two career meetings. In the most recent, he was 24 of 39 for 304 yards with three scores to earn MVP honors in a 31-25 victory in Super Bowl XLV. "Everyone hopes that Aaron's back," Flynn said. "I don't anticipate being the guy going forward. I would anticipate Aaron getting healthy." Since averaging 15.5 points while going winless in four games after losing Rodgers, the Packers (7-6-1) have found an offensive rhythm with Flynn in their last two. He's gone 50 of 71 for 557 yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions while rallying Green Bay to back-to-back victories. The Packers trailed visiting Atlanta by 11 at halftime before pulling out a 22-21 win Dec. 8, then stormed back from a 26-3 halftime deficit to stun Dallas 37-36 win last week. Flynn led the team to five straight touchdown drives to open the second half as Green Bay matched the greatest comeback victory in its 93-year history. "We're about getting ready for the Pittsburgh Steelers, but it's an excellent team victory," McCarthy said. "Can't say enough about our football team, can't say how proud I am of each and every player just to stay the course, and that's exactly what they did." The Packers can claim their third straight NFC North title by beating Pittsburgh and division-leading Chicago at Soldier Field. The Steelers also remain alive for a postseason berth following a 30-20 win over AFC North-leading Cincinnati on Sunday, though they'll need a lot to go their way over the final two weeks. Pittsburgh has to win out against the Packers and Browns, and have Miami, New York, San Diego and Baltimore finish with 8-8 records for the tiebreakers to work in its favor. "I have said for a bunch of weeks now that there is going to be no quit from me or from anybody," said Ben Roethlisberger, who completed his first 13 passes and ended up 20 of 25 for 191 yards with a touchdown and an interception last week while setting a team record for completions in a season with 340. Since committing 15 turnovers - 10 interceptions - over his first nine games, Roethlisberger has two giveaways in his last five contests. He's thrown 12 touchdowns and one pick over that span. In his only regular-season meeting with Green Bay, Roethlisberger threw for a team-record 503 yards and three scores - including one on the final play - in a 37-36 victory over the visiting Packers on Dec. 20, 2009. Antonio Brown has been Roethlisberger's top target this season, reaching career highs with 95 catches for 1,307 yards and eight touchdowns. He scored for the fifth time in as many games in last week's win. Green Bay's Eddie Lacy will try to find some holes in a Pittsburgh defense that's allowed fewer than 75 yards rushing in three of the last four games. The Steelers, however, will be without linebacker LaMarr Woodley for the rest of the season because of a strained right calf. Defensive end Brett Keisel, who has missed four of the last five games with plantar fasciitis in his left foot, might be back to help contain Lacy, the Packers' first 1,000-yard rusher since Ryan Grant in 2009. The rookie ran for 141 yards on 21 carries last week while adding his seventh touchdown in nine games. The Packers have won two of three meetings in Green Bay. This is the teams' first matchup since 2005. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted December 20, 2013 Steelers are playing really well right now... Not gonna be easy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vin+ 3,121 Posted December 20, 2013 Matt Flynn has to start sucking again at some point, right? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RazorStar 4,025 Posted December 20, 2013 Should be good to watch, the Steelers are a supreme longshot at this point, but they can still make the playoffs in the AFC. However Miami or the Jets are probably gonna blow the Stoolers chances. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted December 20, 2013 Matt Flynn has to start sucking again at some point, right? Yes, he does. There is only so many times you can go back to the Matt Flynn well, and expect to get a bucket full of water. He's been good the last couple of weeks and given us hope for the playoffs... Now it's only fair that he sucks complete ass and officially eliminates us from contention. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thanatos 2,847 Posted December 20, 2013 Should be good to watch, the Steelers are a supreme longshot at this point, but they can still make the playoffs in the AFC. However Miami or the Jets are probably gonna blow the Stoolers chances. The Jets are eliminated. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigBen07 285 Posted December 20, 2013 The Steelers loss to Miami pretty much killed their chances at this point. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted December 21, 2013 Something the Packers have struggled with over the years, IMO... Is heart. Guys like Charles Woodson and Donald Driver have been the heart of the team.. Driving the passion and will to win. Most of this season, that fight and heart just hasn't really been there. If I don't see every single guy out there giving 1000%, I will come unglued. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vin+ 3,121 Posted December 22, 2013 Aaron Rodgers (collarbone) is inactive for Week 16 versus Pittsburgh. Rodgers didn't improve much, if at all, this week. Matt Flynn will make another start, this time in the snow. Also inactive for the Packers are LB Nate Palmer, OL Lane Taylor, OL J.C. Tretter, and DL Jerel Worthy. Jarvis Jones (illness) is inactive for Week 16 at Green Bay. Jones was expected to replace Lamarr Woodley (calf, I.R.) in the starting lineup. It'll now be Chris Carter and Jason Worilds at outside 'backer. Also inactive for the Steelers are QB Landry Jones, WR Derek Moye, DB Isaiah Green, OLB Jamaal Westerman, OL David Snow, and DL Hebron Fangupo. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted December 23, 2013 The Packers have the lowest football IQ of any team in the league... Matt Flynn has the awareness of a road-killed skunk. In Madden, his AWR is in the negatives, and he frequently hikes the ball and runs backwards with it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thanatos 2,847 Posted December 23, 2013 That was some of the worst clock management I've ever seen. Could have easily gotten two snaps off with :10 left. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
