Leader of The Pack – Talismanic quarterback Aaron Rodgers inspires Green Bay

Arizona crushed the Packers 38-8 on that very same field just two weeks ago.

The Packers are 7-3 SU in their last 10 games against the Cardinals.

Robert Griffin III watched as the team he was supposed to lead for years lost their second playoff game in four years with a quarterback from the 2012 class unable to pull through.

They launched some new fan activities last week at the start of the playoffs, including the “Letters to Lambeau” program where fans got a chance to send their favorite players notes or drawings ahead of the game.

The Arizona Cardinals hope to reach their first conference championship since the 2008 season. That is why they are favored by a touchdown. Veteran kicker Mason Crosby is reliable, but the Packers don’t have a game-breaker in the kickoff or punt return game.

That game seems like ancient history for Rodgers, who has had so much postseason success since then. Green Bay travels next to Arizona to play the Cardinals. And as much as it looked like the Packers’ offense flipped a switch Sunday, Washington’s defense had something to do with it.

“We should be able to score from half a yard”, Redskins coach Jay Gruden said. For the first time since this playoff format all away teams won.

After falling behind 11-0 to the Redskins, Green Bay cranked up the juice.

NOTES: McCarthy wasn’t sure yet whether the team would love Thursday night or Friday for Arizona, and whether the Packers would hold their final practice of the week on the road…. Rodgers has been more involved in planning of late and don’t expect the routine to change as the Packers prepare to visit the Arizona Cardinals in the divisional round this weekend. If the Cardinals play with that same intensity, grit, and talent…then they can do the exact same thing they did to the Packers in Week 16. The Packers have to practice ball protection though as the Cardinals are turnover-minded. Running backs Eddie Lacy and James Starks combined for 126 yards and two TDs on 24 carries. Berger, in his 11th season was making his first playoff appearance. We’re not going to be an underdog. The team is ranked fifth in the league in total defense and the Packers must do something about linebacker Calais Campbell.

“He’s extremely excited and raring to go”, Arians said of his quarterback. Green Bay’s signal-caller had the second-highest passing rating of the day at 93.5, while taking just one sack despite a banged-up offensive line. “Nothing against the guys that I’ve played with, but I never had an All-Pro D-tackle, and he’s an All-Pro guy”. We made the catches, we made the blocks, the runs and things like that. Josh Mauro and Markus Golden are questionable. CB Quinten Rollins (quad) was doing everything he can to play, McCarthy said, adding that the rookie was “knocking it out of the park” as far as the treatment…. Williams rushed for 907 yards but was hurt in Week 17 and didn’t play at Cincinnati in the Wild Card win. Looks like his offensive line really can block.