Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was honored on Thursday with the NFC's Offensive Player of the Month Award. "For the month, Rodgers was 72-of-106 for 977 yards, eight touchdowns and two interceptions," writes Monty McMahon of Total Packers. "He also ran for 111 yards." The award comes despite missing a game and a half with a concussion. Impressive.

Lori Nickel of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel found out that Mike McCarthy has largely earned the respect of his players. I particularly love the part on how hard he is on Rodgers. "While McCarthy praises his quarterback at the podium, he's always pushing him to be a leader," writes Nickel. "Once after Rodgers was named the NFC player of the week, McCarthy laughed because he hadn't even rewarded Rodgers with one of the coveted game balls, given to the players with the best individual performances." I'm always impressed by his research, whether it's into an opponent or the effects on what training will do to a body.

Brett Goode's recent contract extension has brought attention to how good he's been as a Packer. "The second-year pro long-snapped the ball 145 times – 71 punts, 46 extra points, 38 field goals – and had no bad snaps," writes Pete Dougherty of the Press-Gazette. Goode didn't let the money go to his head either. He signed the contract extension before the regular season finale against the Bears and went out and had the best game of his career–perfect on all snaps and two tackles on Devin Hester.

Edgar Bennett defended rookie running back James Starks's practice habits. "He has a tremendous work ethic," Bennett said. "The kid comes in early and leaves late. It's not a question of work ethic, so let's nip that in the bud. It's just more the detail of it. It's a process, just like anything else." Starks is a good bet to play this weekend once again with fellow backfield mate Korey Hall likely out of action.

Eagles wide receiver and return specialist DeSean Jackson has the respect of the Packers. “It seems like everybody else is moving slower than him,” linebacker Erik Walden is quoted as saying by Kareem Copeland of the Green Bay Press-Gazette. “It doesn’t matter if it’s 10 yards or 15, he eats up the corners’ and safeties’ cushion so fast, that allows him to make a lot of big plays.” And it will be just as important for the Packers to contain him in the return game as well. His punt return for a touchdown as time expired against the Giants is fresh in everyone's mind.

Aaron Rodgers tried to explain his mindset about playing in the playoffs to Jason Wilde of ESPNWisconsin. “To everyone else outside the building, it’s not another game. But to me, I don’t make it bigger than it is,” Rodgers explained. “That’s how I think I’m able to control the nerves and the internal pressure I put on myself. I prepare the same way, I practice the same way, I’m the same guy in the locker room, I’m the same guy on the practice field." I love the reference to Will Ferrell in the movie Semi-pro. "Everybody panic!" Classic.

Is pass rush the key to stopping Michael Vick?

The Packers' three-man pass rush is broken down by Chad Toporski of AllGreenBayPackers.com.

B.J. Raji gets some love from Adam Somers of Ol' Bag of Donuts.

With new overtime rules in place, Pete Dougherty looks at strategy.

The Packers are a better team, but the Eagles have Vick says Gregg Rosenthal of NBC Sports.

The defense is preparing for a diversified attack.

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