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Packers beat Bears, clinch NFC’s No. 1 seed (AUDIO)

By

Matt LaFleur

The Green Bay Packers broke open a close game in the fourth quarter, knocking off the Chicago Bears 35-16 on Sunday at Soldier Field.  The Packers secured the top seed in the NFC, giving them a week off.  They won’t play again until the divisional playoff round either Jan. 16 or 17.

The Packers put 21 points up on the board in the first half and had what looked like another touchdown to start the third quarter, when Marquez Valdes-Scantling dropped what would have been a 53-yard touchdown pass.

After a slow start to the second half, Aaron Jones finally put the game away with a 4-yard touchdown run with 3:47 left.  On the very next possession, Davante Adams caught his 18th touchdown pass of the season, tying Sterling Sharpe’s franchise record.  He also broke Sharpe’s franchise record for single-season receptions.

Aaron Rodgers tossed four touchdown passes, giving him a career-best and franchise-record 48 for the season.  It likely put the wraps on Rodgers bid for his third NFL MVP award.  It also sets the Packers to host any NFC playoff games at [Read more…]

Packers look to win a title without David Bakhtiari

By

David Bakhtiari

The Green Bay Packers have shuffled the deck on their offensive line all season long.  They’ll have to do it again on Sunday against the Chicago Bears, as well as the playoffs and even well into next season too after losing left tackle David Bakhtiari with a torn ACL.

The first team All-Pro tackle suffered the injury in practice on Thursday and comes just six weeks after Bakhtiari signed a contract extension that made him the highest-paid offensive lineman in the history of the game.

The Packers are expected to move Billy Turner to left tackle and Elgton Jenkins to right tackle, if Rick Wagner isn’t ready to return.  If Wagner can play, then Elgton Jenkins would likely remain at left guard and Lucas Patrick at right guard.  If Wagner isn’t ready, then rookie Jon Runyan and Lucas Patrick would likely man the guard positions.

If the Packers beat the Bears on Sunday, they’ll secure the top overall seed in the NFC playoffs which will include a first round bye.  That will give the Packers more time to prepare their offensive line for a Super Bowl run.

Packers bounce back to beat Texans in Houston

By

Davante Adams

One week after suffering their first loss of the season in Tampa, the Green Bay Packers rebounded to rout the Houston Texans 35-20 on Sunday in Houston.

With four starters sidelined, the Packers turned to wide receiver Davante Adams, who combined with quarterback Aaron Rodgers for a big day.

Rodgers passed for 283 yards and four touchdowns, while Adams set career highs with 13 receptions for 196 yards to go along with two touchdowns.

The Packers jumped out to a 21-0 lead at halftime and had a 28-7 advantage after three quarters.  The offense converted on seven of their 12 third down opportunities with all seven coming on Adams receptions.

Rodgers also hit Malik Taylor and tight end Jace Sternberger for their first career regular-season touchdowns.

The Packers started the game without David Bakhtiari and Aaron Jones on offense and Kevin King and safety Darnell Savage on defense.  They lost safety Raven Green with an oblique injury and linebacker Krys Barnes with a shoulder injury. [Read more…]

Packers add veteran tackle to the mix

By

Billy Turner

With Bryan Bulaga leaving last Sunday’s game against San Francisco with a sprained MCL, the Green Bay Packers have added a veteran offensive lineman to the mix.

The Packers Wednesday claimed retired veteran Jared Veldheer off waivers from the New England Patriots.  The 32-year old Veldheer never played for the Patriots after signing a 1-year, $3.5 million deal during the offseason.  He instead, retired during the Patriots offseason program.

Healthy again, the Patriots released him from the reserve/retired list this week and the Packers were awarded Veldheer on a waiver claim.

Bulaga is expected to miss at least a week and maybe more, but his injury isn’t expected to be season ending.  Alex Light took over during Sunday night’s loss to the 49ers but struggled.

It’s possible that Billy Turner will move from right guard to right tackle and have the Packers insert Lucas Patrick into the lineup at right guard.  But coach Matt LaFleur said they’ll take the week to make a decision as to what way they want to go.

Veldheer has played in 118 career games, including 113 starts.  He has spent time with the Raiders, Cardinals and Broncos.  Veldheer was originally a third-round pick by the Raiders in 2010.  The Packers selected Bulaga with the 23rd pick in the first round of that draft.

Bakhtiari returns, listed as questionable for Sunday

By

David Bakhtiari

After missing practice on Thursday with a sore back, Green Bay Packers left tackle David Bakhtiari returned to practice with the Packers on Friday and is officially listed as questionable on the team’s Friday injury report.

Bakhtiari said his back began “not cooperating” after a practice this week.  He was a limited participant on Wednesday.

“I think we’re going to monitor the next 48 hours and see how it is.  Obviously, we have a lot of time.  So, hopefully,” Bakhtiari said.

Bakhtiari missed the practice reps that would have helped him prepare for Minnesota defensive end Everson Griffen. [Read more…]

Madison is excited to be back with the Packers

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After being drafted in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft, offensive lineman Cole Madison never reported to Training Camp.

Madison told reporters on Tuesday at the Green Bay Packers voluntary minicamp that his absence was necessary to focus on “mental health” without the distraction of football.

“It wasn’t an easy decision,” Madison said.  “I love football, but at that point it was my health, and my life was on the line.  I had to go help myself before my football career.”

It had been widely reported that Madison’s mental healthy issues had to do with former Washington State quarterback and teammate Tyler Hilinski’s suicide in January of 2018.  But Madison said his mental health concerns started before his teammates death.

Madison said he didn’t think about football for much of last year.  He didn’t even watch games. [Read more…]

Packers introduce four free agent acquisitions

By

Za’Darius Smith

The Green Bay Packers introduced their four free agent acquisitions on Thursday.  Pass rushers Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith, as well as safety Adrian Amos and offensive lineman Billy Turner signed new deals with the team this week.

The Packers doled out $182 million for the four, a figure that doesn’t include incentives and escalators.

Za’Darius Smith got $66 million in his deal, averaging $16.5 million a season.  That is second on the Packers roster, only to quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

With big money deals, come high expectations.

“All that really hasn’t sunk in yet, but I’m going to do my best,” Za’Darius Smith said.  “I’m going to do what I can do.  Coaches know what I’m capable of doing, so I’m going to continue to work hard.  Like I said, stay after practice, do the little things right.  What I’m bringing to this team is leadership, accountability.  I’m going to do the right thing and I’m going to continue to put up big numbers hopefully.”

Za’Darius Smith had 8 1/2 sacks in a contract year for the Baltimore Ravens last season. [Read more…]

Packers reshaping their defense on second day of negotiating period

By

Brian Gutekunst

The Green Bay Packers made it clear on Tuesday that outside linebackers Clay Matthews and Nick Perry most likely won’t be a part of their plans moving forward.

The Packers agreed to deals with two pass rushers named Smith and added a safety as well.  The deals can be finalized when the NFL year opens on Wednesday at 3 p.m. CT.

The Packers came to terms with former Baltimore Raven pass-rusher Za’Darius Smith, who had 8.5 sacks last season.  His deal is worth a reported $66 million over four years, including a $20 million signing bonus.

The second Smith is former Redskin Preston Smith, who gets a four-year deal worth a reported $52 million with a $16 million signing bonus.  Smith recorded 24.5 sacks in his first four seasons with the Redskins but only four of those came in 2018.

The Packers were also looking for safety help and agreed to a four-year, $37 million deal with former Chicago Bear Adrian Amos.  He started all 16 games for the Bears last season and finished with two interceptions.  He has started 56 of the 60 games he’s played in with the Bears.

Packers GM Brian Gutekunst also added former Denver Bronco offensive lineman (guard/tackle) Billy Turner.  His deal is worth a reported $28 million over four years.