Morning Buzz: Role players will rise
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 (or brew some tea, if that’s your thing) and get caught up on everything you need to know about the Packers.
We’ll start today with Tom Silverstein writing on the need for Packers role players to rise to the occasion on Sunday night.
When playoff elimination is on the line, it’s the guys who have performed in Super Bowls or conference championships or elimination games who are the most likely to produce an unforgettable moment.
Rodgers and Nelson did it at the end of the Chicago Bears game in Week 15 with their 60-yard hook-up that set up Mason Crosby’s game-winning 32-yard field goal. Three years prior, Rodgers and Cobb connected on a similar big play on that same Soldier Field, this one for a 48-yard game-winning touchdown with 38 seconds left.
But one of the things coach Mike McCarthy has stressed this week as the Packers prepare for a winner-take-all game with the Detroit Lions for the NFC North title, is that somewhere along the way someone not named Rodgers or Nelson or Clay Matthews is going to have an impact in the game Sunday night at Ford Field.
Some rookie or part-time player or marginal starter probably will be involved in a play that might determine the outcome.
I spoke with Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press yesterday to get the lowdown on the Lions.
Opposite Sideline: Detroit Lions a different team
Geronimo Allison turned in an impressive performance in place of Randall Cobb against the Minnesota Vikings. Ryan Wood writes on how Allison has impressed his teammates.
Packers linebacker Blake Martinez has been easing back into his role on defense since returning from a sprained MCL. Michael Cohen takes a look at the rookie’s progress.
Randall Cobb missed his second practice in a row on Thursday. Get the latest on the Packers wide receiver and everything that happened at practice in Tom and Michael’s notebook:
I sat down to chat with Packers fans on Facebook Live for about 40 minutes yesterday. I’ll be doing so again this afternoon, if you’d like to join in the conversation. Just be sure to Like our Facebook page.
Elsewhere, Tom Oates of the Wisconsin State Journal says no one should be looking past the Detroit Lions, a team that has played the Packers tough at home as of late.
NFL Films has put together another excellent trailer for Sunday night’s game:
Paula Pasche looks at five key things to know about Packers-Lions:
Greg Cosell is one of the best X’s & O’s guys around. He does a great job here breaking down how the Packers offense causes all sorts of problems for opposing defenses.
Rob Demovsky takes a look at Aaron Rodgers' interceptionless streak::
Finally, what does it take to be a shutdown cornerback? Spice Adams lays it out for you: