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NFC Matchups: Where else to start but Brady and Rodgers?
But Gronk in particular has always been a big-play guy in big games for Brady, and Green Bay doesn't have linebackers who excel in coverage. Green Bay will do some blitzing, though not as much as Buccaneers defensive coordinator Todd Bowles figures to do. Unlike Brady, Rodgers can create outside the pocket, and he's especially dangerous when doing so. Veteran placekicker Mason Crosby is solid, making all 16 field goal attempts, but missed four PATs for Green Bay. Tampa Bay's Ryan Succop, now in his 12th pro season, made 28 of 31 field goal tries but missed five extra points.
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Rams' defense struggles with injury hindering Donald
Without Donald in peak form, the NFLโs top defense simply couldnโt slow down the leagueโs highest-scoring offense. The Green Bay Packers scored on their first five series and beat the Rams 32-18 in the NFC divisional playoffs. โI love Aaron Donald,โ Rams coach Sean McVay said. Yet this heavyweight matchup between the Packersโ offense and the Ramsโ defense was more like a mismatch for much of the day. You have to defend every inch as far as laterally.โThe Rams also had some uncharacteristic mistakes on defense to help Green Bay out.
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Packers won't have Pro Bowl OT Bakhtiari for rest of season
Green Bay Packers offensive tackle David Bakhtiari (69) plays during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov 29. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)Green Bay Packers offensive tackle David Bakhtiari will miss the rest of the season after the three-time Pro Bowl selection injured his knee in practice Thursday. Weโre still sad and hurting for Dave just because itโs our brother and itโs our left tackle, our teammate. Pro Bowl selection Elgton Jenkins has made 11 starts at left guard, two at center and one at right tackle this season. Turner has started six games at right tackle, four at right guard and three at left tackle.
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Packers' versatile offensive line keeps overcoming injuries
โWeโve been able to roll a lot of guys in on the offensive line, started a lot of combinations,โ Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. When Linsley left the Bears game, Green Bay shifted left guard Elgton Jenkins to center and inserted Runyan at left guard. Green Bayโs offensive line is coming off arguably its best performance of the season. โThese guys are professionals, man,โ offensive line coach Adam Stenavich said. Jenkins started games at every offensive line position but right guard at Mississippi State.
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Rodgers at ease as Packers roll past Vikings 43-34
Davante Adams was predictably the biggest beneficiary, with a career-high, franchise-record-tying 14 catches for 156 yards and two scores. Aaron Jones rushed for 66 yards and a touchdown for the Packers, who posted their highest score against the Vikings since a 44-31 victory at the Metrodome on Oct. 27, 2013. Jaire Alexander, who also recorded a safety on an untouched cornerback blitz in the second quarter, made the bobbling interception. When LG Lucas Patrick (shoulder) was forced out in the second quarter, Jenkins moved back to his original spot and free agent addition Rick Wagner entered at RT. ... DT Kenny Clark (groin) was hurt in the second quarter during Alexander's interception and didn't return.