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Around the NFC North in week 17

In week 17, The NFL is getting what it always hopes for when they create the schedule each spring.  Each of this week’s NFC North matchups have playoff implications and there is another NFL record in jeopardy.

After the Detroit Lions’ Calvin Johnson broke Jerry Rice’s single-season receiving yardage record last week, Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson has the single-season rushing record in his sights.  Peterson needs just 208 yards to break Eric Dickerson’s record of 2,105 yards.

Peterson’s Vikings host the Green Bay Packers and that game has been flexed by the NFL to the 3pm CDT time slot.  It is setting up to be one of the better matchups around the league.  Green Bay can secure the second seed with a victory or both a San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks loss.  For the Vikings, it’s simple:  win and they’re in.

The Chicago Bears are still alive in the wild card race after beating the Arizona Cardinals.  Chicago travels to Detroit and must win to keep any hopes alive of securing the last wild card spot.  The Bears also are in the precarious position of having to cheer for their arch enemy Packers.  Should Bears win and the Packers beat the Vikings, the Bears would claim the sixth and final seed in the NFC.

Let’s look at the matchups and playoff scenarios a bit more closely.  Read more... (1548 words + 3 images, estimated 6:12 mins reading time)

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Around the NFC North in week 16

With just two games left in the 2012 regular season, there is a full slate in the NFC North this week.  Each game carries its own significance as far as the playoff race is concerned as at least one team in each matchup is fighting for better playoff seeding and some are fighting to just get in, period.

Let’s take a look at the implications in each matchup.

Atlanta Falcons (12-2) at Detroit Lions (4-10)

The only reason this game is listed first is because it is the lone Saturday game and takes place before all others.  Beyond that, it all comes down to a very complete Falcons team coming into Detroit to face arguably the most disappointing team in the NFL this season.

Last weekend, Detroit was manhandled by the Arizona Cardinals 38-10.  Arizona had previously lost their last nine straight games.  The Lions have succeeded in one thing this season:  finding many ways to lose a game.  While they won’t be appearing in the postseason this year, they will have plenty of time during the offseason to figure out why.

The biggest question in Detroit right now is who will still be with the team in 2013?  Head coach Jim Schwartz will surely be the topic of those conversations during the winter.  Read more... (1990 words + 3 images, estimated 7:58 mins reading time)

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Around the NFC North in week 15

It’s already the NFL’s week 15 and let’s cut to the chase in the NFC North.  This is a week that most Packers fans had circled on the schedule as soon as it came out.  Is there a more intense week in the Packers universe than “Bears week”?

The Green Bay Packers travel to Chicago to take on the Bears in this highly-anticipated game that will be the marquis matchup not just in the NFC North, but in the NFL.

The Packers can clinch their second straight North division title with a win.  The Bears would re-enter the divisional race as a strong contender should they emerge victorious.  The early line this week favors Green Bay by three.

The Minnesota Vikings will travel to St. Louis to take on the Rams.  This ends up being an interesting game because neither of these teams wants to go away quietly this year.

The week is rounded off by the Detroit Lions visiting the Arizona Cardinals in the “futility bowl”.  Nothing more than pride is on the line in that contest.

Let’s dive into the matchups and the storylines alike.

Green Bay Packers (9-4) at Chicago Bears (8-5)

Because of the major playoff implications, I’m leading off with this matchup and will go more in depth with this game.

This game has changed shape immensely in the past month.  What was being billed as possibly one of the biggest game on the NFL schedule this season has turned into somewhat of a last stand for the Bears.  Read more... (1908 words + 3 images, estimated 7:38 mins reading time)

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Packers QB Aaron Rodgers celebrates his 27 yard touchdown run, the longest of his career

It started out ugly but the Green Bay Packers pulled out yet another early victory and swept the season series against the Detroit Lions with a 27-20 victory at Lambeau Field.

It was a rather unusual win for the Packers.  They gained nearly as many yards on the ground as they did through the air and after 35 consecutive games, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers did not throw a touchdown pass at Lambeau Field.

The emergence of the running game was the story of this contest, as well as the Packers not panicking after spotting Detroit an early 14-0 lead.  They showed once again that no team handles adversity better than they do and that will serve them well going into the playoffs.  If the running game can continue to grow, then Rodgers will go from being deadly to unstoppable.   A solid Packers rushing attack is the last thing many opponents want to see.

Here are the good and not-so-good performances from the game against the Lions.

Note: Want to hear our “experts” expand on their selections as well as discuss the game and give you the “Packers Stock Report?” Check out the podcast to hear more reasons for their picks. Listen in using the player below or download the podcast from the Packers Talk Radio Network on Itunes.

Game Balls

WR Randall Cobb  Read more... (1032 words + 1 image, estimated 4:08 mins reading time)

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Packers Mike Daniels Fumble Recovery TD

Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions:

My unfitered game day running blog post of comments, observations and first impressions.

Inactive for Packers today: CB Charles Woodson, LB Clay Matthews, WR Jordy Nelson, DL CJ Wilson, DL Mike Neal, LB Terrell Manning, RB James Starks

Inactive for Lions today:  DT Corey Williams, S Louis Delmas, WR Lance Long, QB Kellen Moore, OT Corey Hilliard, OT Jason Fox, DE Ronnell Lewis

Game Notes:

The Packers have beaten Detroit  in 20 straight regular season games at Lambeau Field – an NFL record.

The Packers have won 10 straight divisional games – a franchise record.

Thanks to the Vikings win over the Bears today, the Packers have a chance to open a two-game lead (with tiebreaker) over Chicago with 3 games left in the season after tonight.

The Packers have only 4 DL active in this game – expect them to play most of the game in nickel or dime with only one or two DL.

Tonight’s weather at Lambeau: 33 degrees, wind 10mph from the east, 92% humidity, light snow through 9pm CT

It’s snowing at game time. I was at the Seattle playoff snow globe game. What a treat fans at the game are in for tonight.

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Mike McCarthy Pregame Show on 620 WTMJ:

Divisional games against same team so close together:  You definitely plan for 2 games before the season even starts, we just stuck to our 2-game plan. We’ll have some wrinkles for them and I’m sure they’ll have some for us.  Read more... (1143 words + 3 images, estimated 4:34 mins reading time)

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The Packers hope Grant can return to old form and help solidify the run game

It was announced by Jason Wilde at ESPNMilwaukee on Wednesday morning that running back Ryan Grant worked out for and then signed with the Green Bay Packers.  Terms have not been disclosed.

Grant was brought in after it was learned that James Starks suffered a knee injury in Sunday’s win over the Minnesota Vikings.  While the injury won’t require surgery, Grant’s signing means it’s very likely Starks’ season could be over.

Grant spent five seasons with the Packers from 2007 – 2011.  He was not re-signed in 2012.   Grant appeared in one game with the Washington Redskins earlier this season and had five carries for five yards.  He was courted by the Detroit Lions prior to the season and also had workouts with the New England Patriots earlier this summer and just recently, the New York Giants.

Grant will join the team later today and should be active for Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions.  Ironically, Sunday is also Grant’s 30th birthday.  Grant signaled the signing with the Packers this morning via his Twitter account when he tweeted “Its’ a GO” and “I’m signing”.

Jason Perone is an independent sports blogger writing about the Packers on "AllGreenBayPackers.com

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