Morning Buzz: Packers in driver's seat

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 cup of coffee and get caught up on everything you need to know about the Packers.

We’ll start by putting a bow on the Bears game with Bob McGinn’s Rating the Packers feature.

From Bob:

Two weeks ago the Green Bay Packers were languishing in a tie for 24th place in turnover differential at minus-5. They ranked in the bottom half of the NFL for most of the season.

Now, after compiling a plus-10 ratio against Seattle and Chicago, the Packers have vaulted into a tie for eighth place at plus-5. Their four takeaways Sunday at Soldier Field led directly to 17 points.

Year after year, the teams that lead the league in turnover differential also lead the standings. The same holds true this season.

Don’t miss Pete Dougherty’s weekly 4 Downs post. I thought Pete’s second observation was particularly astute this week.

From Pete:

This game showed that Morgan Burnett’s role will very much be a week-to-week proposition. Against Houston and Seattle the two previous weeks, defensive coordinator Dom Capers used Burnett primarily at inside linebacker rather than his usual position, safety. That helped the Packers’ defense match up better in the passing game. But the Bears’ offense is built around their good, physical (222-pound) halfback Jordan Howard, so Capers kept Burnett at safety and used two traditional inside linebackers (Jake Ryan and Joe Thomas) rather than one most of the game. Burnett’s role will be determined strictly by the strengths of each opponent.

Packers fans won’t stop asking me about playoff scenarios. Frankly, they make my head hurt. Thankfully, Ryan Wood has it all sorted out.

Just don’t ask Mike McCarthy about the playoffs:

McCarthy: No playoff talk until 10 wins

Corey Linsley stopped by our Clubhouse Live show last night in Appleton. You can catch a replay below.

I listened to and answered voicemails from Packers fans after the game late Sunday night:

Elsewhere, Ty Montgomery spoke with Deion Sanders after Sunday’s game:

Jason Wilde, for the Wisconsin State Journal, writes on the excitement in Green Bay over being able to control their playoff fate:

Jordy Nelson has been noticeably more demonstrative on the field this year:

Packers fans seem ready for the Vikings game.

Green Bay has opened as big favorites over Minnesota this weekend:

Ben Fennell has a bunch of great breakdowns on his feed using the coaches tape:

The Vikings have a lot of problems and Mike Zimmer is searching for answers: