Packers Morning Buzz: Aaron Rodgers making his move in MVP race

Welcome to your Morning Buzz, rounding up news and views regarding the Green Bay Packers from around the web and here at PackersNews.com.

We'll start with Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers' stock rising in the NFL MVP race, according to a seven-person ESPN panel. Although the Packers quarterback remains outside the list of the top five contenders, panelist Courtney Cronin writes that he is poised to make a move:

STOCK UP

1. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers

2019 stats: 1,590 passing yards, 62 rushing yards, 8 total TDs, 2 INTs

Let's look a little further at what sparked Rodgers' late-game magic vs. Detroit on Monday night. The Packers were already without Davante Adams, and Geronimo Allison got injured in the second half. Rodgers has shown that no matter who he's throwing the ball to, he's going to use his incredible abilities to put that player in position to succeed in the game's biggest moments.

That's what we saw with Allen Lazard, who caught four passes for 65 yards and a touchdown in the fourth quarter against Detroit, after not previously ever being targeted by Rodgers. The play Rodgers has strung together in a brand-new offense is the catalyst behind the Packers' 5-1 start. If Green Bay is somehow able to get a No. 1 seed in the NFC, it'll be because of what No. 12 is doing.

You can read the entire story here:

Allen Lazard is savoring his TD catch against Detroit:

All indications are that Rodgers is becoming more comfortable in Matt LaFleur's offense, write Eric Baranczyk and Pete Dougherty:

Rodgers doesn't fare particularly well in this new metric, given that his numbers are down this season despite his strong play in guiding the Packers to a 5-1 start:

The Packers pick up a slot receiver with a familiar name:

Trading Trevor Davis to Oakland could come back to bite Green Bay:

Lori Nickel tells the story of Mason Crosby's  professional and personal challenges:

Check out the transcript of Pete Dougherty's live chat:

Falcons tight end Austin Hooper tops the list of players the Packers should target for possible trades, writes Rob Reischel for ForbesSports:

Did the Packers benefit from bad calls Monday? Happens all the time, in all sports:

The Lions are still licking their wounds:

The Packers' game in Los Angeles against the Chargers game is particularly pricey:

The Raiders have an off-the-field issue to deal with as they prepare for the Packers:

The Packers climb two spots to No. 3 in the USA TODAY power rankings, with this comment by Nate Davis:

3. Packers (5): Unheralded guys like Jamaal Williams and Allen Lazard stepped up in key spots to propel banged-up Pack to 5-1 start. Sign of a very formidable team.

The rankings can be found here:

And finally: Three straight Packers make the list from Nos. 41-43:

Contact Stu Courtney at (920) 431-8377 or scourtney@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @stucourt