Vin+ 3,121 Posted December 28, 2013 http://hosted.stats.com/fb/preview.asp?g=20131229003&home=3&vis=9 (AP) -- The day after Christmas provided the Green Bay Packers with a huge present. The Packers found out Aaron Rodgers will be back for Sunday's road matchup with the Chicago Bears that will decide the NFC North. Rodgers missed his seventh straight game last Sunday as Green Bay (7-7-1) fell 38-31 at home to Pittsburgh. That put the Packers on the brink of elimination, but Chicago (8-7) failed miserably in its first attempt to clinch the division with a 54-11 loss at Philadelphia later that night. It means that Sunday's winner will capture the North. Green Bay is in search of a third straight division title and have Rodgers back under center after recovering from the broken collarbone he suffered in the first meeting with Chicago, a 27-20 home loss Nov. 4. "We're talking about the best player in football. I feel good about it," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said of Rodgers' return. Rodgers has 15 touchdowns to four interceptions and 2,218 yards passing. His replacements have eight TDs to 10 picks and 2,002 yards. He also might be getting one of his top offensive weapons back for the first time since Oct. 13. Receiver Randall Cobb had what McCarthy called a "very good day" of practice Thursday and could return after missing 10 games with a fracture right fibula. One player who won't be available for Green Bay is linebacker Clay Matthews, who is out after aggravating a right thumb injury. He looked to be in extreme pain on the sideline Sunday after getting injured on a sack. Linebacker Mike Neal will replace the Packers' top defensive playmaker. "I'm not Clay Matthews, I've said that before," Neal said. "I'm not trying to fill Clay's shoes, I'm trying to fill Mike Neal's shoes." Matthews' absence is good news for Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, who missed the first meeting with a groin injury. Cutler owns a 1-8 career record against the Packers, including a 21-14 home defeat in the NFC title game three seasons ago when he was forced to leave early with a knee injury. Cutler's Bears enter off their worst performance. Chicago fell behind 21-0 in the first quarter and finished with a season-low 257 yards in a game that was never competitive. First-year coach Marc Trestman told the team immediately after the mismatch to forget about the blowout loss and says the Bears need to have "good amnesia." "I've got to be the voice of reason," Trestman said. "I've got to see the big picture. Every coach handles themselves differently in these situations, and there's no right way to do it for coaches because they all handle them differently. This is the way we've done it, trying to maintain some practicality works in this case." What works versus Chicago is running against a defense allowing a league-worst 161.5 yards per game on the ground - 25.6 yards more than the next-closest team. The Eagles gained 289 rushing yards for the second-highest total by a team all season. Chicago is yielding 5.4 yards per carry - the NFL's worst mark since the 1961 Minnesota Vikings were at that figure. Rodgers' injury has transformed the Packers into a better rushing team than it has been recently. Green Bay ranks seventh with 131.7 run yards per game, with rookie Eddie Lacy also seventh while averaging 79.4. Lacy is averaging 96.7 yards over the last three games on 56 total carries with four touchdowns. He hurt his ankle against the Steelers, but McCarthy seemed optimistic about his chances of facing the Bears. "I feel Eddie is in good place," McCarthy said. "I expect him to play." If Lacy can't play, James Starks will start. Chicago is hoping Lance Briggs will be better in his second game back in the lineup. Briggs returned last Sunday and saw action in 57 plays after missing seven games because of a fractured shoulder, getting credited with just one tackle. "Lance is going to get better the more he plays," embattled defensive coordinator Mel Tucker said. The Packers will be tasked with slowing down a high-powered Chicago passing attack in which Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery have combined for 180 receptions, 2,562 yards and 18 touchdown catches. The Bears ended a six-game slide in the series last month and seek to sweep the Packers for the first time since 2007. This marks the first season since the NFL realigned into eight divisions in 2002 that the North champion will not win at least 10 games. Chicago wins the division if this contest ends in a tie. Rodgers gonna throw a TD, 3 INTs, and lose a fumble Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vin+ 3,121 Posted December 29, 2013 Earl Bennett (personal) is inactive for Week 17 against the Packers. It's a loss for the Bears, as Bennett had been a bigger part of the offense over the past six weeks. Also inactive for the NFC North championship game are QB Jordan Palmer, OT Joe Long, G/T James Brown, OT Jonathan Scott, WR Chris Williams and DE Cornelius Washington. Randall Cobb (leg) is active for Week 17 against the Bears. As are Eddie Lacy (ankle) and Aaron Rodgers (collarbone). Cobb will almost certainly be on a snap count, but figures to be unleashed in the playoffs if the Pack can win today's NFC North championship game. Inactive for the Packers are WR Chris Harper, CB Jumal Rolle, LB Clay Matthews, LB Brad Jones, OG Lane Taylor, G/C JC Tretter and DE C.J. Wilson. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SteVo+ 3,702 Posted December 30, 2013 What a wild football game. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Packers Dynasty 2010 116 Posted December 30, 2013 Crazy game but was truly exciting to watch. Some big errors kept the Bears around but that last TD throw was beautiful. The defense still has it's problems though. Couldn't stop Forte at all. On to hosting San Fran next week! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FartWaffles 1,857 Posted December 30, 2013 Looks like the Bears secondary forgot to daable check on Randall Cobb! 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted December 30, 2013 Looks like the Bears secondary forgot to daable check on Randall Cobb! Crazy thing is... The play before, James Jones ran the same exact route... Was left uncovered, but Aaron didn't see him and threw incomplete to Jordy. My heart sank, and it really looked similar to the Packers loss to Arizona many years ago... Aaron had a wide open receiver for a (likely) touchdown... Doesn't see him and then goes on to get strip sacked as the Cardinals scoop the ball up and score for the victory. Luckily... The Bears must not have seen the previous play either, because they did the same thing. Phew. Sick irony is that Aaron never throws INTs in the red zone (4 in his career)... Conte got the 4th earlier in the game, then chokes in the final seconds to give up the victory. Have to love the NFL. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Turry 755 Posted December 30, 2013 Crazy game but was truly exciting to watch. Some big errors kept the Bears around but that last TD throw was beautiful. The defense still has it's problems though. Couldn't stop Forte at all. On to hosting San Fran next week! Some big errors also cost the bears the football game and kept you guys around. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Packers Dynasty 2010 116 Posted December 30, 2013 (edited) Crazy game but was truly exciting to watch. Some big errors kept the Bears around but that last TD throw was beautiful. The defense still has it's problems though. Couldn't stop Forte at all. On to hosting San Fran next week! Some big errors also cost the bears the football game and kept you guys around. You cannot deny that GB dominated the 1st half and could have easily had a huge lead if not for 2 ints inside the 30yd line. The majority of GB's 1st half plays were inside Chicago territory. Edited December 30, 2013 by Packers Dynasty 2010 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted December 30, 2013 Ya.. Packers took 3 trips inside the BEars 30 and had 3 points. So unacceptable. Do that against the Niners and we are cooked. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RazorStar 4,025 Posted December 30, 2013 Well Colin Kaepernick only plays well against the Packers, so you're screwed anyway. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ATL_Predator+ 1,196 Posted December 30, 2013 Defense had plenty of opportunities to get stops on that final Packers drive. No excuse. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted December 31, 2013 Well Colin Kaepernick only plays well against the Packers, so you're screwed anyway. No truer NFL stat. Our offense usually gets beaten up by the Niners but they know how to put up points against them. I am just worried about our horrid defense. So many times in a game guys don't hold their lanes, contain, or are caught out of position. It happens WAYYYYY too much. Especially when defending the run.. Guys will over pursue, leave their gap, and the other guy breaks off a huge gain. Frank Gore lickin' his chops. And if Q rapes us like he did the first time around, I may die. If they are going to win, so be it.. but make them fight for the victory, at least. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Turry 755 Posted December 31, 2013 Crazy game but was truly exciting to watch. Some big errors kept the Bears around but that last TD throw was beautiful. The defense still has it's problems though. Couldn't stop Forte at all. On to hosting San Fran next week! Some big errors also cost the bears the football game and kept you guys around. You cannot deny that GB dominated the 1st half and could have easily had a huge lead if not for 2 ints inside the 30yd line. The majority of GB's 1st half plays were inside Chicago territory. I don't see how green bay giving the ball away 2 times in the red zone is a nod against the bears. I see it as the bears defense made plays in the red zone. We are up by 8 in the fourth and conte drops an INT that hit his arms and body before its tipped. Or how about that Peppers sack fumble that Boykins picks up and runs after standing there for five seconds and scored. We also scored on our first three Possessions so don't act like Green Bay should of blown us the fuck out. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted December 31, 2013 The Packers controlled the clock, tempo, and pace of the game the entire time, practically.You were playing on our time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Packers Dynasty 2010 116 Posted December 31, 2013 They aren't nods against Chicago, just mistakes that GB usually doesn't make. Rodgers has only thrown 4 picks in the redzone, so it was rather unusual for him to throw one there. Then a ball that bounced off of Jordy's hand right into Jennings' lap. Chicago didn't score on their first 3 possessions...they went 3 and out on the 1st drive. TD on second, then another 3 and out. GB controlled the clock and was in Chicago territory for the majority of the 1st half. The score could have been a lot higher. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted January 1, 2014 They aren't nods against Chicago, just mistakes that GB usually doesn't make. Rodgers has only thrown 4 picks in the redzone, so it was rather unusual for him to throw one there. Then a ball that bounced off of Jordy's hand right into Jennings' lap. Chicago didn't score on their first 3 possessions...they went 3 and out on the 1st drive. TD on second, then another 3 and out. GB controlled the clock and was in Chicago territory for the majority of the 1st half. The score could have been a lot higher. Ya, Rodgers has thrown 3 picks in the redzone prior to the game... And he's only had like 8 multi-pick games until Sunday. The Bears literally did almost the impossible and still couldn't win. It just wasn't in the cards. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted January 1, 2014 Other tidbits on the game that Aaron talked about during his radio show today...- John Kuhn made the saving chip block on Julius Peppers on that TD to Cobb and wasn't even supposed to be there. He had to swing across the formation and pick up the free blitzing Peppers -- in which he did completely on his own. - Jordy Nelson has a serious case of the flu and has for most of the week. After his 10 catch, 160+ yard performance, he was throwing up constantly on the team bus. After the bus ride, Aaron got volunteered to drive with Jordy as he (Aaron) was the designated carpool guy for the week. - Randall Cobb's route was an adjustment made by Cobb. He was supposed to run to the first down sticks, stop and come back to Rodgers... The exact route that Bears safety Conte was sitting on. Randall noticed that Conte was sitting on the route and that there was no safety roaming the middle of the field.. So instead of slowing down and finishing his route, Cobb ran by Conte and threw his hand up to signal to Rodgers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PackIsBack 124 Posted January 1, 2014 This was a very intense game. I literally started screaming on the game-winning touchdown to Cobb. It was a tense game just like it should have been and it kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. Huge props to Nelson for playing through the flu and having a great game. And most of all, I'm glad the Packers are playoff bound! Hopefully the game is a successful one next weekend against the 49ers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
