Packers release LB A.J. Hawk

The Packers have released veteran LB A.J. Hawk, ESPN.com's Rob Demovsky reports.

Hawk, the team's first-round pick in the 2006 draft, had been with Green Bay for a good nine seasons, making the Pro Bowl once in 2010.

He also won a Super Bowl with the Packers that year, the highlight of a career the record books will too remember. Throughout his tenure in Green and Gold, Hawk collected 1,118 tackles -- the most in Packers history.

Hopefully he'll find a new job soon. It was kinda fun watching him flip off the camera all those years ago.

McCarthy considering giving up play-calling duties

Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy is considering giving up his play-calling duties, ESPN.com's Rob Demovsky reports. 

McCarthy has thrown around the idea of promoting Offensive Coordinator Tom Clements and letting him decide the team's strategies in 2015, according to Demovsky. 

If that plan comes to fruition, WR coach Edgar Bennett would replace Clements in a corresponding move. Bennett has held his current job since 2011.

Nothing is official yet, but expect more to come of this. It can certainly be argued that McCarthy's questionable choices in the NFC Championship Game had something to do with the Packers' losing that contest, so it wouldn't be that strange if this news is in fact true. 

Matthews open to playing ILB in 2015

Packers linebacker Clay Matthews certainly seemed to do well when playing inside this season, and the veteran says he's open to trying it again in 2015.

Here's his full quote, courtesy of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Tom Silverstein:

"I really enjoyed it. I enjoyed the change. At the same time, I'm very good at getting after the quarterback off the edge, so I think there's a fine line. So, we'll see. Week in and week out you never knew if I was going to be there 100% of the snaps or only 10. We'll see what that means moving forward."

Packers third most likely team to win Super Bowl 50, Bovada says

The Packers' 2014 season certainly came to a rough end, but the oddsmakers apparently still think they're pretty good.

Or at least that's opinion the online sports book Bovada seems to have, with the website giving the Packers 8-1 odds to win Super Bowl 50 in a list released Monday. 

That line is the third best in the league, trailing only the two teams who played yesterday. The Seahawks are first at 5-1, and the Patriots are second at 7-1. 

As for the rest of the NFC North, the Lions are a low 33-1, and the Bears and Vikings are an even lower 40-1. 

Definitely not bad news if you're a Packers fan. 

Hearing Officer Who Turned Suh Suspension into Fine Not Convinced He Was Completely Innocent

Ted Cottrell, the hearing officer who turned Ndamukong Suh's suspension into a $70k fine, isn't convinced the former was completely innocent.

Here's what he wrote in a recent letter to Suh, courtesy of Pro Football Talk's Michael David Smith: 

“Although I accept that your feet may have been cold on a late December day in Green Bay, it is difficult for me to believe that you did not feel Aaron Rodgers’ leg under you as you stepped on him twice. While you may not have consciously intended to cause injury to the opposing player that you stepped on, I nonetheless believe that you could have avoided—and had the responsibility to avoid—making such dangerous contact with your opponent’s leg—twice. Your conduct was a clear violation of the Playing Rules and was outside the normal course of the game of football. It must be emphasized that illegal acts that jeopardize the safety of other players, as was certainly the case here, will not be tolerated in this League.”

Two Packers Win NFC Weekly Honors

Packers CB Micah Hyde and QB Aaron Rodgers have been awarded NFC weekly honors.

Hyde, one of the team's returners, has been named the conference's Special Teams Player of the Week, and Rodgers its Offensive Player of the Week. 

Hyde brought a punt back 55 yards for a touchdown in Sunday's first quarter, giving the Packers an early 7-0 lead. Rodgers, meanwhile, completed 17/22 passes for 226 yards and two touchdowns, leaving shortly before halftime with a calf injury before surprisingly coming back later. 

The Packers won the game 30-20 over the Lions, clinching for them the NFC North and a first-round bye in the playoffs.

Rodgers: Possibility of Bye Week Motivated Me to Come Back in Lions Game

Aaron Rodgers knew he was hurt Sunday, but wanted the bye week for rehab.

At least that's the reason he gave The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel's Tom Silverstein for why he came back from the calf injury, one which bugged him last week as well. Here's his full quote, courtesy of Silverstein:

"As bad as I felt, I thought if I can go out there and be able to do some things and we win, I get another week to rehab. That was definitely in my mind. Obviously, that doesn't enter the minds of the medical staff. They're thinking about what's in the best interests of the player. But Doc and I have a great trust between each other and we did a little fist pound, and after I told him I felt good and Mike said OK, he just trusted that I was not going to do anything stupid."

Lions/Packers Final Prediction

My final prediction for today's NFC North decider between the Packers and Lions:

Score: Packers 35, Lions 17
I don't think the Lions are bad, but I can't see them winning at Lambeau. The Packers are just too good there and will find a way to score 30+ points.

Why?
Because Aaron Rodgers is better at home and Matthew Stafford's worse on the road. That may be an unfair reason, but I'm going with it. Modern history says it'll happen, and I don't see the trend ending anytime soon.

Leave your thoughts below, and remember that I'll be at this one. Expect pictures.

Rodgers (Calf) Probable vs. Lions

Packers fans everywhere can breathe a sigh of relief. Aaron Rodgers will play Sunday, or at least he should.

The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel's Tyler Dunne reported so, tweeting Friday afternoon the star QB is probable for this weekend's game against the Lions. The contest decides this year's NFC North winner (both teams are currently 11-4), so obviously Rodgers' playing in it matters.

We can talk about other stuff now I guess, but just remember, this isn't exactly best-case scenario. Rodgers is still said to not be 100 percent, so who knows, maybe he'll still struggle.

We'll have to wait and see.

McCarthy Assures Media: Adams' Recent Drops Not Part of Him Hitting Rookie Wall

Packers WR Davante Adams has no doubt struggled with drops lately, but team Head Coach Mike McCarthy doesn't think he's hitting a rookie wall.

Here's his full quote, courtesy of The Green Bay Press-Gazette's Ryan Wood:

"Rookie wall? I would think with the CBA and this new schedule we're on, it doesn't exist. I think the education that's in place with today's rookies gives them the chance to get through that first year, which when you break it down, it's remarkable what a rookie goes through. He finishes his (college) season and he's training for the combine, and then he goes from the combine and then he's training for the draft, and then he gets drafted and he goes right through."

Packers Listed as 7 1/2 Point Favorites for Sunday's Lions Game

The Packers have been listed as 7 1/2 point favorites for Sunday's NFC North championship game against the Lions.

The contest will be played at Lambeau Field, so it's not a huge surprise the line is so one-sided. The Packers are 7-0 at home this season, while the Lions have never beaten an above-.500 team on the road in the Matthew Stafford era. 

The meeting is the second Week 17 divison decider in as many years for Green Bay, who visited the Bears last December in similar context. The Packers won that matchup, 33-28, on a last-minute touchdown, securing for them first place despite their 8-7-1 record.

Packers/Buccaneers Final Prediction

My final prediction for today's Packers/Buccaneers game:

Score: Packers 31, Buccaneers 17

I like the Packers' chances in this one, but to say they'll win easily might be too much of a stretch.

Why?

Because I don't trust the Packers when they play away from Lambeau. I tried to last week when they faced a seemingly-easy opponent in the Bills, but instead they put up their worst performance of the year. So, though the Buccaneers are just 2-12, I can't see Green Bay dominating. They'll score more points; that is all.

Leave your thoughts below on how accurate you think mine are.

Masthay: This Has Been a Weird Year

Packers P Tim Masthay is beginning to notice that he's punted less (37 times) than anyone else in the league this season.

"This has been a weird, weird year, but particularly weird the past month for me and for our punt team," Masthay recently told The Green Bay Press-Gazette. "Minnesota, the game at Minnesota, was a fairly normal rhythm. We had four punts, and they were scattered throughout the game. At least in my time here, we've never been a team that's punted heavily, because we've always had a strong offense. So having four or five punts a game, scattered, that's kind of the normal."

Masthay has a point, as the Packers have had two games this year in which both they and their opponents never punted. Prior to this season, that had only ever happened once, proving its unusualness. 

Patriots/Packers Final Prediction

My final prediction for today's Patriots/Packers game:

Score: Packers 38, Patriots 27

I don't expect there to be much defense in this one, but the Packers will still probably win.

Why?

Basically just because of the home field advantage. I know that's kind of an akward reason, but I think we can all agree that if this contest was in New England instead, we'd see things a lot differently. 

Hopefully I'm right about that, but then again, the Patriots are still good. I wouldn't be shocked if they found a way to come out on top, as much as I don't like to admit so.

Packers Listed as 3-Point Favorites For Sunday's Patriots Game

The Packers have been listed as three point favorites for Sunday's game against the Patriots.

The Packers have won seven of their last eight after starting the season 1-2, including their last two contests at Lambeau by 30+. However, last week in Minnesota they didn't look too great, limping their way to a 24-21 victory. 

The Patriots, meanwhile, have a similar story. beginning the year roughly before going on a hot streak. They're currently 9-2 after being 2-2, and are 3-2 on the road.

Nonetheless, since the Packers are the ones with the home field advantage here it seems more likely they'll find a way come out on top, as tough as New England is.

Reaction: Packers Road Struggles Continue vs. Vikings, But They Still Win

The Packers didn't play that well today in Minnesota, but still, they won 24-21. Here are my takeaways from it:

1. Road Struggles:

They're not an illusion. This team is just not the same outside of Lambeau, and they need to fix that.

2. Eddie Lacy Can Make Big Plays:

On the last drive of this one, Lacy carried the ball five times in a row, and picked up the necessary two first downs to run out the clock. Not bad.

3. First Place:

With this and the Lions' 34-9 loss to the Patriots, the Packers are in sole possession of the top spot in the North for the first time this season. Finally.

On to the Patriots. 

Packers/Vikings Final Prediction

My prediction for tomorrow's Packers/Vikings game.

Score: Packers 34, Vikings 17

I've learned my lesson here. The Packers are better than good, and will play as such. They might not necessarily win by 30, but still, this one won't be close.

Why?

Because the Vikings just aren't a proven offensive threat. Since the Packers defense tends to struggle on the road, I wouldn't be surprise if they puts up 21+, but that still doesn't mean they'll win. The Packers will score at least 35, and that's being generous.

Leave your thoughts below on how accurate you think mine are.

Packers Listed as 9 1/2 Point Favorites for Sunday's Vikings Game

The Packers have been listed as 9 1/2 point favorites for Sunday's game at the Vikings.

The Packers have won six of their last seven, including each of their last two by 30+. However, they are just 2-3 on the road this season, with that pair of victories coming over the Dolphins and Bears.

The Vikings, meanwhile, have gone 4-6 this year, and 2-2 at home. They were blown out by the Packers at Lambeau 42-10 back in Week 5, but didn't have Teddy Bridgewater available to start that  contest.

Nonetheless, it's still unlikely that they'll find a way to come out on top this time around, regardless of how interesting Bridgewater may make things.

Rodgers Assures Media After Victory Over Eagles: "This Isn't Easy"

Many would agree, though, you make it seem so.

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers told the media after yesterday's 53-20 blowout of the Eagles that what he and the team are doing right now isn't easy.

"This is not easy," he assured the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. "This is a tough job. A lot of preparation goes into it, a lot of guys working together. It takes all 11."

Be that as it may, Rodgers is clearly one of the more important ones on the field. In Green Bay's last two games alone, he's thrown 9 TD and 0 INT, helping the Pack out-score their opponents 108-34.

Basically, the stats don't appear to support his modesty here, as necessary as it is.

Reaction: Packers Blowout Eagles to Move into First Place Tie

The Packers walked all over the Eagles 53-20 today in a fashion most probably didn't see coming. Here are my takeaways from it:

1. The Packers are the best team in the North:

After today, that seems clear enough. I know Mark Sanchez was starting, but wow, 53 points.

2. Mason Crosby:

I know the Packers won here by 33, but that doesn't mean Crosby looked particularly sharp. He barely made two short attempts, missed a usually-automatic 50-yarder, and had an extra point blocked. Might be something to think about.

3. Now the Road:

If this team is as elite as they seem, they'll do this same thing next week in Minnesota. Just getting a close victory would prove they're only good at home.

Leave your thoughts below.