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Peprah was burned for a TD on the Giants' first offensive series.

The Green Bay Packers (15-1, NFC No. 1) host the New York Giants (10-7, NFC No. 4) Sunday in the NFC’s Divisional Round of the 2012 playoffs.

The basics 

When: 3:30 CST, Sunday, January 15, 2012.

Where: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI.

TV: FOX; Joe Buck and Troy Aikman on the call, Pam Oliver on the sidelines.

Radio: 620 AM WTMJ (Milwaukee); Packers Radio Network; NFL Sunday Drive; Westwood One.

Series: Packers lead, 31-23-2 (Giants won last playoff meeting, 23-20 (OT) on Jan. 20, 2008 in NFC Championship Game).

Five things to watch

1. Rookie factor

Not since Desmond Howard have the Packers had a special teams weapon that could routinely flip field position. They have one now in rookie Randall Cobb, and you better believe that teams are treating him as such. As the season wore on, more and more teams hedged their bets and kicked away from Cobb.

At the very least, Cobb can ensure the Packers aren’t playing offense from the shadow of their own goal posts Sunday. And if the Giants give him enough chances, Cobb can break that one big play that can turn the game.  Read more... (952 words + 1 image, estimated 3:48 mins reading time)

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Packers QB Matt Flynn has a perfect stage in Week 17 for his looming free agent status.

The Green Bay Packers (14-1) and Detroit Lions (10-5) face off in Week 17 of the NFL season Sunday.

The basics 

When: 12:00 CST, Sunday, January 1, 2012.

Where: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI.

TV: FOX; Thom Brennaman and Brian Billick with the call, Laura Okmin on the sidelines.

Radio: 620 AM WTMJ (Milwaukee); Packers Radio Network; NFL Sunday Drive.

Series: Packers lead, 92-65-7 (Packers won last regular season game, 27-17, on Nov. 24, 2011 at Ford Field.)

Five things to watch

1. Money to be made

Packers coach Mike McCarthy said Friday that he wants all three quarterbacks to play on Sunday, but the middle man in the group has a golden opportunity to bump up his price tag this summer. Matt Flynn, the Packers backup quarterback and a free agent after the season, will likely see the majority of the snaps against the Lions. Another solid performance on the big stage may propel a quarterback-needy team to give Flynn the opportunity to start for their franchise—and the money that goes with it—next season.

2. Who needs receivers?  Read more... (796 words + 1 image, estimated 3:11 mins reading time)

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McCarthy wants to see all three quarterbacks play on Sunday.

Despite giving a few signs earlier in the week that his team might go full throttle after 15-1, Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy confirmed Friday that the Packers will play it safe with a good chunk of his starters, including quarterback Aaron Rodgers, against the Detroit Lions.

Several key players dealing with lingering dings will be held out on Sunday.

Receiver/returner Randall Cobb (groin), running back James Starks (ankle) and receiver Greg Jennings (knee) were all ruled out for Sunday, and tackle Bryan Bulaga (knee) is doubtful.

Both Charles Woodson and Clay Matthews are questionable. The duo are both healthy, but each could be a scratch on Sunday to save them from any additional wear-and-tear. McCarthy said that both will be evaluated tomorrow morning regarding their playing status for Sunday.

On the issue of how much quarterback Aaron Rodgers will play, however, McCarthy was mostly mute. He said the decision to start Rodgers was still under review as of today. However, McCarthy did proclaim a want to play all three quarterbacks on Sunday, which gives credence to the idea that Rodgers won’t see much of the field. Matt Flynn should see extensive action, and Graham Harrell could get some late snaps.  Read more... (464 words + 1 image, estimated 1:51 mins reading time)

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Packers WR/KR Randall Cobb (groin) was held out of Wednesday practice.

Receiver/returner Randall Cobb and tight end Jermichael Finley missed Wednesday’s practice with various ailments, Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy said this afternoon.

Cobb, who ranks in the top 10 in the NFL in kick and punt return average, picked up a groin injury and isn’t expected to practice until Friday at the earliest. McCarthy described him as “sore” today, but no other specifics were given.

McCarthy was even more in the dark about Finley, who apparently injured his knee in what McCarthy called a “last minute” deal. McCarthy said he doesn’t have any feel about where Finley is at right now, so it’s certainly a situation to monitor over the next couple of days. Finley injured his meniscus in Week 5 last season and didn’t see the field again.

UPDATE: Rob Demovsky of the Green Bay Press-Gazette reported after the press conference that Finley woke up with a sore knee on Monday, and it “didn’t feel right” when he came in today. It’s also not the same knee he injured last season. 

McCarthy’s news wasn’t all bad on the injury front, however.  Read more... (588 words + 1 image, estimated 2:21 mins reading time)

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Seven Green Bay Packers, including quarterback Aaron Rodgers and linebacker Clay Matthews, were selected to the 2012 Pro Bowl on Tuesday, the NFL announced.

The seven picked were Rodgers, Matthews, fullback John Kuhn, receiver Greg Jennings, center Scott Wells, defensive lineman B.J. Raji and cornerback Charles Woodson. Rodgers, Kuhn, Matthews and Woodson were selected as starters.

Mason Crosby, a 88.5% kicker in 2011, is a first alternate. David Akers, who set the NFL record for field goals in a season for the 49ers, was the NFC’s selection.

Receiver Jordy Nelson, linebacker Desmond Bishop, receiver/returner Randall Cobb, tight end Jermichael Finley, guard Josh Sitton and cornerback Tramon Williams were selected as second or third alternates.

The seven Packers selected to the Pro Bowl team are the most since 1967, when the Packers sent nine. The San Francisco 49ers and New England Patriots led the NFL in players selected with eight.

Kuhn, Wells and Raji were all selected for the first time in their respective careers. Rodgers (2009) and Jennings (2010) were selected for the second time, and Matthews is now 3-for-3 in Pro Bowls during his three-year NFL career. Woodson was picked for the eighth time, including each of the last four years.  Read more... (449 words + 1 image, estimated 1:48 mins reading time)

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Mike McCarthy wants LT Chad Clifton to play Sunday against the Detroit Lions.

Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy made no mistake about his team’s desire to be 15-1, and he might get to try out a few players in the process, including left tackle Chad Clifton, against the Detroit Lions in Week 17.

McCarthy said Monday that the Packers are preparing to “win the game” and that sweeping the NFC North is an important goal to accomplish.

“We have every intention of being 15-1 come Sunday afternoon,” McCarthy said.

No mention was made about how long his starters will play, but McCarthy did say that he wants Clifton, who’s been out since injuring his hamstring in Week 5, to practice this week and play in Sunday’s game. McCarthy acknowledged the importance of Clifton seeing live action before the playoffs begin, and this week represents the last of those opportunities.

The Packers will also look to get more playing time for both Vic So’oto and Jamari Lattimore at outside linebacker, a position that opposite of Clay Matthews has been nothing short of a disaster this season. McCarthy said that So’oto earned his opportunity to play on Sunday, and Frank Zombo’s healthy scratch was partly due to special teams.  Read more... (534 words + 1 image, estimated 2:08 mins reading time)

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Jermichael Finley was a catalyst for the Packers' opening touchdown drive. (Photo: Rick Wood, JSOnline)

Behind five touchdown passes from Aaron Rodgers, the Green Bay Packers wrapped up home field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs and won a franchise record 14th game in 2011 with a 35-21 victory over the Chicago Bears.

Five observations from the game:

1. Next man up

The Packers makeshift offensive line bounced back in a big way Sunday night. Facing one of the better defensive lines in football, Rodgers wasn’t sacked and rarely was hurried. The banner performance came from left tackle Marshall Newhouse, who all but took All-Pro defensive end Julius Peppers out of the game. This was a big time performance with just two players, Scott Wells at center and Josh Sitton at right guard, starting at the same position they did to begin the 2011 season.

2. Missing Pickett  Read more... (661 words + 1 image, estimated 2:39 mins reading time)

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