Morning Buzz: Packers finding ways to win

Welcome to your Morning Buzz, rounding up news and views regarding the Green Bay Packers after their victory over the Houston Texans from around the web and here at PackersNews.com. Grab a cup of coffee and get caught up on everything you need to know.

We’ll start with Bob McGinn’s game story, which as usual does a fantastic job laying the groundwork to explain what we all witnessed Sunday.

From McGinn:

Steadily falling snow and treacherous footing once meant base personnel, a muscle back steamrolling through the opposition and another dominating victory for the Green Bay Packers.

That wasn’t the picture Sunday afternoon at Lambeau Field, but at this point in the season little matters beyond the final score.

Ever resourceful, Mike McCarthy, Dom Capers and Aaron Rodgers made adjustment after adjustment and, in the end, repulsed the equally determined Houston Texans, 21-13, in a game that was vital for both teams.

While maybe not a true “must-win,” next week’s game against the Seattle Seahawks is the game that could change the Packers’ season.

From Pete Dougherty:

This was a game the Packers had to get in the W column, one way or another. The Texans were short-handed, and the difference between Rodgers and Brock Osweiler at quarterback was simply too great.

So that sets up this week’s showdown with Seattle. It’s not a must-win for the Packers, because Detroit really could lose to both the Giants and Cowboys in the coming weeks and still set up a Lions-Packers finale for the division title. But really, this Sunday is a game that could change the Packers’ season.

Mike McCarthy told reporters that Jordy Nelson is “back” after Sunday’s game. Ryan Wood illuminates what that means.

From Ryan:

His big plays are more elegant than explosive now. They come with the meticulous touch of an artist refining their craft. A toe tap on the sideline. A perfectly timed jump. A crisp route cut.

Jordy Nelson is not rattling off 80-yard touchdowns every week. Not leaving NFL secondaries in his dust. This is not 2014.

His highlight reel this season could be set to Coltrane, not Kanye.

Michael Cohen takes a look at the play of the team’s specialists in the inclement weather.

I chatted with readers over on Facebook and answered questions on the Packers' victory after the game:

With his sack Sunday, Julius Peppers moved into sole possession of fifth place on the all-time NFL sack leader list.

You may have seen several players wearing specialized cleats during Sunday’s game. Players were participating in the NFL’s "My Cleats, My Cause" campaign, with each player's cleats being some kind of reflection of charitable causes.

Aaron Rodgers wrote on what his cleats meant to him for the Players Tribune.

You can see all the special cleats worn by NFL players Sunday below:

Jordy Nelson won’t have many easier touchdown catches than this one:

Nelson called into the Dan Patrick show this morning:

Sunday was a day for snow angels:

Speaking of snow, it made for some fantastic images. Our guys got some amazing shots:

Too soon, Ryan. Too soon.

Several Packers players were sharing this on Twitter last night. Former Packers tight end Mitchell Henry is in need of help.

One former Packer seemed to enjoy Sunday’s game:

Nice column from Tom Oates. It all comes down, as it often does, to Aaron Rodgers.

The Seahawks lost star safety Earl Thomas, likely for the rest of the season, to a broken leg Sunday:

The Packers and the Texans seem to be teams heading in opposite directions: