NBC to Air NFL DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF Game This Saturday

The Packers also mixed it up by putting Randall Cobb in the backfield, which didn’t really have major effects, but it was a good idea. It made plays in the passing game, which allowed it to blend run and pass into an effective, drive-sustaining attack.

Based on regular season averages, it certainly looks like the Cardinals are the much better team on the defensive end. That is why they are favored by a touchdown.

Rodgers has enjoyed much more postseason success since, and the Cardinals expect to get his best.

The Cardinals seemed to realize that just minutes after the December 27 game.

A come from behind victory by the Packers over the Washington Redskins Sunday means the team is headed back to Arizona for a rematch with the Cardinals.

The Green Bay Packers are genuine playoff contenders.

He certainly has excited Arizona fans, especially since he took over as starting running back a month ago.

Just get in is the mantra of National Football League teams as they chase playoff berths.

The NFL, Kevin Minter said, “is all about short-term memory”. 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.

However, the Packers might have found their stride, in particular on defense.

“He’s played well. Hopefully, he continues to”, offensive coordinator Harold Goodwin said.

Elsewhere, the San Francisco 49ers are expected to speak with Tom Coughlin about their vacant head coach role after the 69-year-old left the New York Giants.

Arians said last week that the staff had a plan ready for any of the three potential opponents.

-Outside linebacker Dwight Freeney and defensive tackle Calais Campbell are finding out that playing next to each other is beneficial.

Formidable challenges, for sure – particularly for the Steelers if three key offensive players are sidelined.

But against Washington, Abbrederis played 28 snaps and caught 2 passes for 14 yards and a 2-point conversion.

“I talked a lot the last couple weeks about being able to turn it on, and a lot of you probably thought that was lip service”, Rodgers said. “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’re going out there to win, and we expect to win”, McCarthy said.

“Your best players, particularly your best player has to practice hard every day”. 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…. Rodgers threw for 423 yards, four TDs and an INT in his first playoff start but was sacked and lost the ball, with Karlos Dansby picking it up and running 17 yards with for the winning score. Short had a streak of four games earlier in the season in which he was virtually unblockable, and the Seahawks’ line is several notches below good.

-Punter Drew Butler is the weak link on special teams.