Hot Packers prepare for cold one against Bears
react-empty: 2
The Associated Press•December 17, 2016
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers offered a clear message to his coach as questions swirled about a calf injury that forced him to miss practice this week.
"Game-plan-wise, his comments were, 'Don't hold anything back,'" Packers head coach Mike McCarthy said.
Not exactly what the Chicago Bears wanted to hear.
Rodgers and the Packers (7-6) will go for their fourth win in a row on Sunday afternoon when they visit the Chicago Bears (3-10) at Soldier Field. Frigid temperatures are forecast along Lake Michigan with highs expected to be at or near 0 degrees Fahrenheit at kickoff.
McCarthy had his team practice outside this week to brace for the deep freeze. McCarthy knows a setback could be devastating to his team's playoff hopes as it aims to reach the postseason for the eighth consecutive year.
"We're fortunate we can practice in (the cold)," said McCarthy, whose club trails Detroit by two games in the NFC North with three games to play. "The biggest thing is the football and the fundamentals."
The same principles hold true for Chicago. The Bears already have secured their third straight season with double-digit losses, but they look forward to the chance to play spoiler against their rivals to the north.
Already, the Bears have knocked off division rivals Detroit and Minnesota at Soldier Field this season. Chicago is 3-3 overall on its home turf as it goes for a home sweep against the NFC North.
Green Bay is 2-4 on the road but has played much better on both sides of the ball in recent weeks. During their current three-game winning streak, the Packers have outscored opponents 86-36.
Rodgers has not practiced all week, and was officially listed as questionable on Friday, although he is still expected to play Sunday.
If Rodgers is limited in any way, the Bears could have a better chance. He exited last week's blowout win against the Seattle Seahawks because of a calf injury. He also has dealt with a bad hamstring this season.
That said, Rodgers leads the NFL with 32 touchdown passes and has thrown for multiple touchdowns in eight consecutive games.
Rodgers torched the Bears for 39 completions (a franchise record), 326 passing yards and three touchdowns on Oct. 20 as the Packers cruised to a 26-10 win. Wide receiver Davante Adams hauled in 13 passes for 132 yards and two touchdowns as Rodgers' preferred target.
To avoid a sequel, Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said his players would have to be ready.
"He's a complete quarterback," Fangio said. "He's got a big arm. He's very accurate. He anticipates things well. He's got a quick release. And then, on top of all the passing talent he has, the scrambling and the improvising just makes it really a complete package."
When the Bears have the ball, they will turn to inexperienced but improving signal-caller Matt Barkley. The former USC standout will make his fourth consecutive start in place of injured teammates Jay Cutler and Brian Hoyer. In his past three games, Barkley has passed for four touchdowns and two interceptions.
Barkley has been burned by dropped passes in recent weeks, but this time around he will have a Pro Bowl playmaker in his ranks. Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery is set to return after serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances.
Jeffery has 40 catches for 630 yards and one touchdown in nine games this season.
"It was pretty tough watching, knowing that there was nothing you can do," Jeffery told reporters this week when asked about his suspension. "I feel like if I was playing, some of those games, we would have had a different outcome. We probably would have won."
Bears running back Jordan Howard needs 31 rushing yards to reach 1,000 as a rookie. Meanwhile, in the opposite huddle, Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson needs 87 yards through the air for his fourth career season with 1,000 receiving yards.
react-empty: 2
The Associated Press•December 17, 2016
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers offered a clear message to his coach as questions swirled about a calf injury that forced him to miss practice this week.
"Game-plan-wise, his comments were, 'Don't hold anything back,'" Packers head coach Mike McCarthy said.
Not exactly what the Chicago Bears wanted to hear.
Rodgers and the Packers (7-6) will go for their fourth win in a row on Sunday afternoon when they visit the Chicago Bears (3-10) at Soldier Field. Frigid temperatures are forecast along Lake Michigan with highs expected to be at or near 0 degrees Fahrenheit at kickoff.
McCarthy had his team practice outside this week to brace for the deep freeze. McCarthy knows a setback could be devastating to his team's playoff hopes as it aims to reach the postseason for the eighth consecutive year.
"We're fortunate we can practice in (the cold)," said McCarthy, whose club trails Detroit by two games in the NFC North with three games to play. "The biggest thing is the football and the fundamentals."
The same principles hold true for Chicago. The Bears already have secured their third straight season with double-digit losses, but they look forward to the chance to play spoiler against their rivals to the north.
Already, the Bears have knocked off division rivals Detroit and Minnesota at Soldier Field this season. Chicago is 3-3 overall on its home turf as it goes for a home sweep against the NFC North.
Green Bay is 2-4 on the road but has played much better on both sides of the ball in recent weeks. During their current three-game winning streak, the Packers have outscored opponents 86-36.
Rodgers has not practiced all week, and was officially listed as questionable on Friday, although he is still expected to play Sunday.
If Rodgers is limited in any way, the Bears could have a better chance. He exited last week's blowout win against the Seattle Seahawks because of a calf injury. He also has dealt with a bad hamstring this season.
That said, Rodgers leads the NFL with 32 touchdown passes and has thrown for multiple touchdowns in eight consecutive games.
Rodgers torched the Bears for 39 completions (a franchise record), 326 passing yards and three touchdowns on Oct. 20 as the Packers cruised to a 26-10 win. Wide receiver Davante Adams hauled in 13 passes for 132 yards and two touchdowns as Rodgers' preferred target.
To avoid a sequel, Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said his players would have to be ready.
"He's a complete quarterback," Fangio said. "He's got a big arm. He's very accurate. He anticipates things well. He's got a quick release. And then, on top of all the passing talent he has, the scrambling and the improvising just makes it really a complete package."
When the Bears have the ball, they will turn to inexperienced but improving signal-caller Matt Barkley. The former USC standout will make his fourth consecutive start in place of injured teammates Jay Cutler and Brian Hoyer. In his past three games, Barkley has passed for four touchdowns and two interceptions.
Barkley has been burned by dropped passes in recent weeks, but this time around he will have a Pro Bowl playmaker in his ranks. Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery is set to return after serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances.
Jeffery has 40 catches for 630 yards and one touchdown in nine games this season.
"It was pretty tough watching, knowing that there was nothing you can do," Jeffery told reporters this week when asked about his suspension. "I feel like if I was playing, some of those games, we would have had a different outcome. We probably would have won."
Bears running back Jordan Howard needs 31 rushing yards to reach 1,000 as a rookie. Meanwhile, in the opposite huddle, Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson needs 87 yards through the air for his fourth career season with 1,000 receiving yards.
Today at 5:19 am by Rocky
» utube 10/7/24 MM&C Iraq Dinar News-Iraqi Dinar-Liquidity-Sudani Report-Digital Phase-Supreme Court
Today at 5:16 am by Rocky
» utube 10/9/24 MM&C Iraq Dinar News-Optimization-Automation-Digital-Schedule Date-Secured Salaries
Today at 5:15 am by Rocky
» The first project in Iraq to produce wind energy
Today at 5:13 am by Rocky
» MP: No economic feasibility in Aqaba pipeline project
Today at 5:11 am by Rocky
» Abu Saeeda: The American veto prevented Iraq from obtaining the S-400, Khordad and Pavak systems
Today at 5:10 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Finance Committee confirms imminent release of Ministry of Health allocations
Today at 5:09 am by Rocky
» Federation of Iraqi Chambers of Commerce holds “fruitful” meeting with Kurdistan Regional Government
Today at 5:06 am by Rocky
» Planning conducts new economic survey, expects unemployment rate to decline
Today at 5:05 am by Rocky
» Iraq is the largest buyer of Iranian auto and motorcycle spare parts
Today at 5:03 am by Rocky
» Iraq's oil exports to South Korea exceed 65 million barrels in 8 months
Today at 5:02 am by Rocky
» Iraq offers Saudi Arabia investment opportunities in the agricultural sector
Today at 5:01 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: We will continue to implement service projects in Baghdad and the governorates
Today at 4:59 am by Rocky
» New agricultural projects in Diwaniyah
Today at 4:58 am by Rocky
» Transportation: Returning (3) disabled aircraft to service before the end of this year
Today at 4:57 am by Rocky
» Government Communication: Opening (175) schools
Today at 4:56 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary praise for government financial support for {Guests of Iraq}
Today at 4:53 am by Rocky
» Experts: Diversifying revenues is a guarantee of economic stability
Today at 4:52 am by Rocky
» Basra oil approaches $80 per barrel
Today at 4:51 am by Rocky
» New drop in the dollar exchange rate
Today at 4:50 am by Rocky
» Minister of Commerce directs taking measures to preserve food stocks
Today at 4:49 am by Rocky
» Commerce completes requests to lift injustice for its employees according to the amendment to the pe
Today at 4:47 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary union meeting to discuss the proposed law of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce
Today at 4:45 am by Rocky
» GCC countries officially sign contract to implement electricity interconnection project with Iraq
Today at 4:44 am by Rocky
» How prepared is Iraq for an expected "cyber strike"?
Today at 4:40 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani stresses to the US Ambassador the necessity of major countries’ intervention to stop the Z
Today at 4:39 am by Rocky
» After the Israeli threat to Sistani... Will Baghdad deploy air defense systems around Najaf?
Today at 4:37 am by Rocky
» Who will stop the "collapse of the dinar"? Dollar prices continue to soar in Iraqi markets
Today at 4:36 am by Rocky
» Iraq opens 22 new border posts with Türkiye
Today at 4:33 am by Rocky
» Visited the Russian Supreme Court in Moscow... Today... The Chairman of the Judicial Council signs a
Today at 4:32 am by Rocky
» Minister of Planning discusses with Al-Lami the role of the press in the success of the population c
Today at 4:31 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani's advisor: A thin Iraqi thread that will not be cut, and who is Abu Ali Al-Askari?
Today at 4:29 am by Rocky
» Regional tension pushes the parliament speaker’s file to “the shelf of oblivion” and there are expec
Today at 4:28 am by Rocky
» Signing the contract to implement the Gulf electricity interconnection with Iraq
Today at 4:27 am by Rocky
» Violations in projects costing 3 billion dinars in Kirkuk
Today at 4:26 am by Rocky
» Ministry of Planning: There are expectations of a decline in unemployment rates
Today at 4:25 am by Rocky
» Nechirvan Barzani: Erbil-Baghdad understanding is key to stability in Iraq
Today at 4:24 am by Rocky
» Central Bank: Loans and advances volume rises to more than 61 trillion dinars
Today at 4:22 am by Rocky
» TBI moves on dollar prices
Today at 4:19 am by Rocky
» International credit rating agency issues warning for region
Today at 4:18 am by Rocky
» "Electronic banks" compete with traditional banks.. Will they succeed in Iraq?
Today at 4:16 am by Rocky
» New rise in dollar exchange rates against the dinar in Iraq today
Today at 4:13 am by Rocky
» The Commission calls for adherence to the rules of electoral conduct in the Kurdistan Parliament ele
Today at 4:12 am by Rocky
» Allocating 16 billion dinars.. New details about purchasing weapons from citizens
Today at 4:11 am by Rocky
» After the absence of the Minister of Oil.. Fuel oil quotas released to “suspicious” factories (docum
Today at 4:10 am by Rocky
» Connecting Iraq with the Gulf at a competitive cost.. Is buying electricity from abroad more feasibl
Today at 4:08 am by Rocky
» NSA Investigating CCP-Backed Hack of Major US Telecommunications Companies
Yesterday at 5:35 am by Bama Diva
» IV Fluid Shortage: Hospital Group Asks Federal Government to Declare National Emergency
Yesterday at 5:15 am by Bama Diva
» Rafidain announces contracting with a specialized company and experts in combating money laundering
Yesterday at 5:10 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani stresses the importance of setting standards for partnership between the Iraq Development
Yesterday at 5:07 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Oil Committee warns: The region is causing a reduction in Iraqi oil revenues
Yesterday at 5:06 am by Rocky
» MP: Court's comment on the phrase "sovereign" obligates the government and region to end foreign pre
Yesterday at 5:04 am by Rocky
» Iraq continues negotiations with British BP to start developing Kirkuk oil fields
Yesterday at 5:02 am by Rocky
» Iraq is the second largest oil supplier to India in nine months
Yesterday at 5:02 am by Rocky
» The Council of Ministers decides to increase the financial costs of a number of stalled projects
Yesterday at 5:00 am by Rocky
» Association of Banks: More than 600 government institutions adopt electronic payment
Yesterday at 4:58 am by Rocky
» Iraqi oil approaches $80 per barrel
Yesterday at 4:57 am by Rocky
» Electricity: Supply hours are declining for this reason
Yesterday at 4:56 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Committee stresses the need to continue the school feeding project
Yesterday at 4:55 am by Rocky
» The Central Bank continues the actual implementation of banking reform plans
Yesterday at 4:53 am by Rocky
» World Trade Organization
Yesterday at 4:52 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary report: The government has achieved accomplishments in several files
Yesterday at 4:51 am by Rocky
» Government spokesman: We are continuing our efforts to stop the aggression and we reject the logic o
Yesterday at 4:48 am by Rocky
» The government completes the file to join the "WTO"
Yesterday at 4:45 am by Rocky
» Opening of two residential complexes in Babylon
Yesterday at 4:44 am by Rocky
» Facilitating the procedures for issuing a retirement card in Wasit
Yesterday at 4:43 am by Rocky
» Conducting labor market surveys
Yesterday at 4:42 am by Rocky
» Soon.. Opening of (38) new public transport lines
Yesterday at 4:41 am by Rocky
» Education: Announcement of the imminent elimination of illiterate employees from state institutions
Yesterday at 4:40 am by Rocky
» The Ministry of Interior receives more than (1200) requests within the {Your Plate for Your Home} se
Yesterday at 4:39 am by Rocky
» Baghdad Governorate to {Sabah}: Efforts to resolve the file of violations in the capital
Yesterday at 4:37 am by Rocky
» The Iraqi government rejects the accusations of treason directed at Arab brothers and insulting them
Yesterday at 4:33 am by Rocky
» Analysis of the Iraqi government statement on “Arab brothers”: I felt embarrassed after the threats
Yesterday at 4:31 am by Rocky
» Due to lack of jurisdiction.. Federal Court rejects Parliament’s lawsuit regarding withdrawal of coa
Yesterday at 4:30 am by Rocky
» The regional finance department talks about a deficit of about 305 billion dinars in September salar
Yesterday at 4:29 am by Rocky
» Iraq in the grip of its neighbors.. The absence of defensive means puts it at risk
Yesterday at 4:27 am by Rocky
» Iraqi analyst reveals the secret of Biden's document regarding Iran: 4 points that protect Tehran fr
Yesterday at 4:25 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani stresses the importance of setting standards for partnership between the Iraq Development
Yesterday at 4:24 am by Rocky
» US Embassy Sends Five Warning Letters to Baghdad Within 72 Hours - Urgent
Yesterday at 4:22 am by Rocky
» Iraq's budget breathes a sigh of relief with rising oil prices..may witness other "jumps"
Yesterday at 4:20 am by Rocky
» Iraq adopts prepayment for Turkmen gas supply via Iran
Yesterday at 4:18 am by Rocky
» Rafidain clarifies the Cabinet’s decision to approve the contract with K2 Integrity
Yesterday at 4:17 am by Rocky
» Iraqi Trade Announces Strategic Stockpile and Launches “Hypermarket” Markets in Baghdad
Yesterday at 4:14 am by Rocky
» The countdown begins for the US withdrawal from Iraq.. Will it affect the country's security?
Yesterday at 4:12 am by Rocky
» The spread of drug farms in Iraq... a new threat that exacerbates security concerns!
Yesterday at 4:11 am by Rocky
» Launching a package of medical and social guidelines to raise awareness of the dangers of breast can
Yesterday at 4:08 am by Rocky
» The government approves the issuance of the second amendment to the investment system
Yesterday at 4:07 am by Rocky
» Integrity Commission reveals readiness of the law to recover corruption proceeds
Yesterday at 4:05 am by Rocky
» How did the Federal Court interpret the phrase “fully sovereign” in the Constitution?
Yesterday at 4:04 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani directs the Tax Reform Committee to write a draft law for the sales tax
Yesterday at 4:03 am by Rocky
» Mawazine News publishes the text of the Cabinet decisions in its second session today
Yesterday at 4:01 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani chairs the regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Iraq Development Fund
Yesterday at 4:00 am by Rocky
» Dollar prices fall in Baghdad stock exchanges
Yesterday at 3:59 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani Advisor: The Ministry of Finance is preparing the 2025 budget tables
Yesterday at 3:57 am by Rocky
» New Cabinet decisions, including those related to “Iraqis deported” from abroad
Yesterday at 3:54 am by Rocky
» List of dollar exchange rates against the dinar in Iraq today
Yesterday at 3:52 am by Rocky
» Ranked 29th out of 100 countries, Iraq raises its gold holdings to more than 152 tons
Tue 08 Oct 2024, 12:30 pm by Rocky
» The Bank of Iraq extends working hours to complete money transfer transactions
Tue 08 Oct 2024, 12:28 pm by Rocky
» Central Bank Governor: National Bank Lending Strategy Aims to Stimulate and Activate Economy
Tue 08 Oct 2024, 12:26 pm by Rocky