Packers Morning Buzz: Aaron Rodgers' return revives Super Bowl hopes

Welcome to your Morning Buzz, rounding up news and views regarding the Green Bay Packers from around the web and here at PackersNews.com. Grab a strong cup of coffee and get caught up on everything you need to know about the Packers as they prepare to take on the Carolina Panthers.

We’ll start with Tom Silverstein’s look at Aaron Rodgers’ expectations for himself when he gets back on the field Sunday against the Panthers.

From Tom:

Aaron Rodgers doesn’t mind bearing the weight of his football team on his previously damaged shoulders, but he insisted his focus as he prepares for his return to the field is returning to his previous form and letting everything else take care of itself.

The Green Bay Packers quarterback took his first snaps with the No. 1 offense at practice Wednesday and then spoke to reporters for the first time since he broke his collarbone against the Minnesota Vikings on Oct. 15.

The Packers (7-6) have almost no shot at the playoffs unless they win their next three games, starting with the Carolina Panthers on Sunday in Charlotte. Rodgers’ return gives them a chance, but nothing is guaranteed.

Rodgers’ teammates know they have to up their game:

Pete Dougherty writes the Packers should be considered Super Bowl contenders with Rodgers back in the fold:

Rodgers spoke to reporters for the first time since October:

On my latest podcast, I tried to put Rodgers’ return in perspective:

Nick Perry was back at practice Wednesday:

Former Packers cornerback LaDarius Gunter will see some old friends on Sunday:

The Ice Bowl speaks to more than football lore:

It’s Christmas time around Lambeau Field:

Elsewhere, Jordan Schultz isn’t buying the hype of Rodgers’ return:

Conor Orr, however, is a bit more optimistic:

Dusty Evely does some fantastic film breakdown for Pack to the Future:

Rob Demovsky writes on how impressive running the table, again, would be:

The Packers seemed to enjoy the blizzard that swept through Green Bay on Wednesday:

Davante Adams noticed a difference at practice on Wednesday:

Shannon Sharpe weighs in on Rodgers’ return:

The Packers brought back wide receiver Colby Pearson to the practice squad:

The crew at Pro Football Focus doesn’t appear to like the Packers’ chances this weekend:

Good Morning Football previews the game between the Packers and the Panthers:

Aaron Rodgers wants the Packers to pay Davante Adams “sooner rather than later”

Trevor Davis did some big-time work for his big return in Cleveland:

Davis was named Special Teams Player of the Week for his heroics:

The Panthers are dealing with a number of injuries:

Here’s a refresher of what happened the last time the Packers visited Carolina:

The Internet’s got jokes: