Soul

Potentially very damaging loss for the Packers in terms of injury. It's been talked about on here by others, but here's a summary: Rodgers: a report came out Sunday that Rodgers was actually not at all close to coming back. This report says that not only is Rodgers not medically cleared, but that his most recent tests showed "extraordinary risk" of injury if he plays. http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/10180238/aaron-rodgers-green-bay-packers-was-never-close-playing-pittsburgh-steelers If true -- big IF, IMO -- it would seem to indicate that he won't be able to play against the Bears either, unless he pushes it or suddenly heals very fast from where he is. We'll see. Matthews: Matthews re-injured his thumb. It's an extreme injury, and the same one he had before. Hard to imagine him playing next week, or in the playoffs for that matter if the Pack were to get in. Big win for the Bears -- Matthews is, obviously, a dirtball who would no doubt attempt to put Cutler in the hospital on an illegal hit. Lacy: Lacy's been battling an ankle injury. He's been able to continue playing, but not this time. It would seem he has injured it more severely than previously. Not sure if this will help the Bears or not because you could put a contestant on the Biggest Loser back there and he'd run for 100+ yards. Starks is more than capable of carving up the Bears pathetic "empty jersey" D to the tune of 150+ yards. http://espn.go.com/blog/green-bay-packers/post/_/id/5457/packers-injuries-to-watch-in-week-17

And trending downward too. I would have loved to give up only 161 yards rushing yesterday, that's how biblically awful this has become.

Every year people have 50 players all going before the Bears pick at 22. There's going to be valid help available when the Bears pick. Just need to not blow it on another McClellin.

Here's to hoping that, come 6pm Sunday, you are REALLY hating the NFL's broadcast policies, and not backtracking on that statement.

This is exactly what I think the biggest problem has been. There's just nobody plugging the middle and keeping guys off the LBs to make tackles in the running game. That, plus the inability to get any kind of pass rush on a regular basis have just killed the defense. Good play up front really hid the weaknesses of the safeties last year it appears. I don't know of many teams who could hold up in the defensive backfield without any kind of disruptive play along the line anyway. Yeah, it's revealed weaknesses in the backfield but it's just too hard to succeed on D with nothing happening up front.

I feel like I can go back to any week this year and find calls that weren't just bad judgement -- they are just wrong on the actual rules, or missing something so obvious that you wonder how it's possible. It just seems like the officiating in this league is going backwards. I don't know what the solution is, but I hate when things like that happen and it just never ends.

With that loss the Bears became the only division leader with a negative point differential. The only team in the NFCN with a positive differential? Detroit, who just got eliminated. I would never, ever have believed that the NFCN would be won by a 9, or even 8 win ballclub at the beginning of the year. But here we are. The Packers are under .500 on the road this year and the Bears are 5-2. It's pretty clear this team is much better at home, so I'm expecting a good effort and solid preparation this week, and a win on Sunday afternoon. Any kind of lackluster effort will be met with extreme scorn. What I saw yesterday just simply can not happen next weekend.

Agreed, but this whole season's been touch-n-go and yet the Bears still have shot to put in a good game at home and make the playoffs.

Oh, I'm down with the Packer hate. We need a mind wipe to erase tonight's game. Clear the mind, because Bears/Packers FOR ALL THE [expletive] MARBLES is upon us!!

He's been medically cleared to play? No, McCarthy already said he's not.

If Rodgers plays, they can beat anyone, Seattle included So, put Rodgers in the RG3 scenario even if he's not medically cleared?

Packers have to consider carefully whether their entire franchise is worth an 8 win, one-and-done team. If it's me, I play Flynn unless I've got multiple doctor's signature in blood. They already have the doctors OK. I don't see how playing Rodgers hurts the franchise at all. At worst he hurts the collarbone worse and is back 2 months before training camp. Trust me the Packers aren't taking any chances with that collar bone, and that's the likely reason you haven't seen him back yet.

Packers have to consider carefully whether their entire franchise is worth an 8 win, one-and-done team. If it's me, I play Flynn unless I've got multiple doctor's signature in blood.

Well, any team that can run the ball and avoid turnovers will absolutely shred this defense. Makes me feel like throwing up. Not sure why you're OK with it.

Good. Who cares? Screw [expletive] NBC

Well if it makes anyone feel better McCown looks like ass too with unblocked monsters in his face

yep There are stats that prove it now, too

Here comes McCown Let the controversy begin!!!!

Well, at least we have next week. More than you can say for the Lions.

About as fucked as losing your star NBA player with 2 season-ending knee injuries.

He just got old, that's all. As I recall the Bears chose to keep him around this year when they didn't have to.

In fairness it looked like he was trying to play linebacker there, to make up for our hapless bozos who get blown out of their position every [expletive] play

Rofl.

I think Cutler needs the work, guys. Can't pull him, he's not sharp and we need better next week.

At this point I'm very concerned about this beat down having a carry-over effect on next week