Packers Daily Links: 49ers Deny Packers Home-Field Advantage
The Packers can still lock up home-field advantage by beating either Chicago or Detroit at Lambeau Field to close out the regular season.
The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 20-3 on Monday Night Football. "The win prevented the Green Bay Packers from clinching the No. 1 playoff seed," according to the Associated Press. "Green Bay can still lock it up by beating either Chicago or Detroit at Lambeau Field to close out the regular season. Any San Francisco loss also seals it for the Packers." The health of Aaron Rodgers is imperative in Sunday's game against Chicago, especially in light of the injuries to the offensive line, but the Packers must still play to win. Coming into last week's Chiefs game, I think a lot of fans assumed the Bears game would be meaningless. Not so much anymore.
More on the playoff chase and the big picture comes from ESPNMilwaukee.com, JSOnline and Packer Report.
Rookie tackle Derek Sherrod broke both the tibia and the fibula in his right leg, according to Rob Demovsky of the Green Bay Press-Gazette. "Sherrod underwent emergency surgery in Kansas City, Mo., on Sunday after the game and remained hospitalized there," writes Demovsky. "The source said Sherrod was expected to be released on Thursday or Friday." The article goes on to say it will be months before Sherrod can return to action. The question now is, will be able to return in time for the start of the 2012 season?
With both Derek Sherrod and Bryan Bulaga injured, albeit to different extents, the offensive line is in shambles. Sherrod figures to go on injured reserve, and the Packers will sign an offensive lineman to provide depth. "Regardless of who they sign, it won’t be someone who can start Sunday against the Bears, so they will have to go with T.J. Lang at right tackle," writes Rob Demovsky. "Lang, the regular starter at left guard, hadn’t taken any reps at right tackle this season before he was forced to move when Sherrod’s right leg snapped midway through the fourth quarter." The offensive line will likely be the same one that ended the Chiefs game: Marshall Newhouse, Evan Dietrich-Smith, Scott Wells, Josh Sitton and T.J. Lang from left to right.
More on the offensive line comes from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Packers official website, twice, and Packer Report (subscription required).
More on the injury to Bryan Bulaga comes from Packer Report, Fox Sports Wisconsin, AllGreenBayPackers.com, Associated Press, ESPNMilwaukee.com and Fox Sports.
History says the Packers will likely bounce back from the loss to Chiefs, writes Tom Silverstein of the Journal Sentinel.
Wide receiver Donald Driver and cornerback Jarrett Bush commented on the Packers' recent loss.
Analysis on the loss of Greg Jennings comes from Eric Baranczyk and Cliff Christl of the Press-Gazette.
Quotes from the Packers coordinators appear at JSOnline.
Thoughts from Mike McCarthy on the pulse of the team come from the Press-Gazette.
Mike McCarthy wishes he'd challenged the touchdown by Chiefs tight end Leonard Pope.
Scofflaws are using counterfeit bills to buy Packers tickets on game days.
A member of the undefeated 1972 Dolphins team comments on the Packers loss.
Bob McGinn of the Journal Sentinel rates the Packers in their loss to the Chiefs.
Despite the loss, the Packers are still heavy Super Bowl favorites.
Video: Donald Driver is making Christmas a little more merry in Green Bay, from Fox 11...
Brian Carriveau is a writer for Cheesehead TV. To contact Brian, email [email protected].
Comments (22)
December 20, 2011 at 09:51 am
"Regardless of who they sign, it won’t be someone who can start Sunday against the Bears, so they will have to go with T.J. Lang at right tackle," writes Rob Demovsky.
Why not Chris Campbell? He was on the PS all of last year and looked good this camp til he had a knee injury that required surgery. He was recently signed to the PS.
December 20, 2011 at 10:23 am
I'm actually glad the 49ers won last night. I'd rather the Saints have to go through a nasty road game at SF in round 2 before one of them comes to Lambeau all beat up.
Meanwhile, we'll dispatch either the NFC least winner or the Failclowns at home in the divisional round relatively easily.
December 20, 2011 at 11:39 am
beware the eagles.
December 20, 2011 at 12:27 pm
Agreed. If the Eagles find a groove, they have the potential to be scary. Fortunately, I think it's just about a week or two late for them. The Cowboys or Giants will keep them from getting in.
December 20, 2011 at 11:06 am
Why not sign Gurley from the PS
December 20, 2011 at 11:07 am
And whats up with Clifton
December 20, 2011 at 11:52 am
Man am I glad we didn't IR Clifton.
December 20, 2011 at 12:29 pm
I'm not entirely sure I care that much about the Packers securing the number 1 seed anyway. I'm not sure if I'd rather play San Francisco at home or at their place. In the end, it may not matter.
Brian Carriveau
December 20, 2011 at 12:52 pm
You're not sure you'd like to see the Packers play the NFC championship at Lambeau? I don't understand that one and won't be persuaded.
December 20, 2011 at 01:51 pm
I say "I'm not entirely sure I care" because I'm just that, not entirely sure. Obviously, playing the NFC championship game at home helps in the simple fact that it's a home game, but it's not without it's downsides too. I do believe the weather/wind will slow down the Packers. The 49ers aren't exactly an offensive juggernaut either, but I guess that's my point. I would predict a slow, low-scoring game with the weather slowing down the Packers. Considering what I've seen from this defense, I'm not sure I like the prospect of relying on them that much.
Moreover, it would only impact the Packers if they played San Fran. The NFC championship could be played against anyone else and it WILL be a home game.
If the potential number 1 seed was New Orleans, the answer would be clear to me - get that #1 seed locked up. For now, I hope the Packers strategically rest their players to get healthy. No, I'm not saying play all backups all the time, but give guys an extra week if they need it and maybe consider pulling key starters at various points during the next couple weeks.
BAM! Persuaded.....Also, don't you owe me 20 bucks?
December 20, 2011 at 03:32 pm
Refs.
December 20, 2011 at 01:16 pm
Alex Smith can barely throw a vertical ball with consistant accuracy when the conditions are near perfect, he's going to be a liability in bad conditions.
As much as people think the Packers would thrive in a artificial conditions (i.e. - dome) they fail to appreciate the advantage a unique (power/precision)arm like Rodgers provides in cold weather/in-climate conditions. It's a huge advantage. Hell, Brees doesn't have the arm-strength in rough conditions to throw outside the hashes with any consistency.
December 20, 2011 at 03:32 pm
Exactly.
December 20, 2011 at 03:44 pm
QB rating differential is more profound at home, in questionable weather, than it is on the road in ideal conditions.
Bigger advantage to be at home then on the road.
December 20, 2011 at 07:03 pm
That's why you still need to run the ball.
Unless you've got Rodgers.
December 20, 2011 at 02:41 pm
Agree. The Packers do well in warmer conditions and have had success in SF. Not sure if the last two games are worth risking further injury. The Bears and Lions always play tough. Haney looked sharp against the Pack in last year's championship, so don't underestimate. GB should play this like a tuneup for the playoffs. Use the backups. Rest the injured.
December 20, 2011 at 02:58 pm
Just looked at Rodgers career splits in December, at home, and his Yards per attempt and yards per game are among his highest in colder months/locations while opposing QB numbers are at their worst. I'm seeing the opposite.
December 20, 2011 at 03:49 pm
Well sure, you can support your argument with facts, but what about conjecture and hearsay? I think I've made my point.
PackerAaron
December 20, 2011 at 04:07 pm
Oh man that made me laugh. Thanks, really needed that.
December 20, 2011 at 04:43 pm
Hanie in 1 quarter of football when the other team hadn't prepared for him at all or Hanie starting for 4 or 5 games and looking like a fringe CFL QB.
Hmmm, yeah, I think I'll continue to believe Hanie is garbage.
December 21, 2011 at 12:40 am
Dude, San Fran in January can get pretty shitty. Cold, windy, muddy... SLOW! Sure it may not be freezing, but it's not like it would be ideal conditions for our offense to thrive. I'll take freezing, over slow and muddy all day every day.
December 20, 2011 at 08:32 pm
I think this one deserves to be in the daily links: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyKMwZLbEzY&feature=player_embedded#!