Packers get No. 1
GREEN BAY, Wis — Now that the Green Bay Packers have wrapped up the No. 1 seed in the NFC, Mike McCarthy is free to rest some of his starters in the regular-season finale.
And while McCarthy’s natural inclination might be playing to win — especially with the NFC North rival Detroit Lions coming to Lambeau Field on New Year’s Day — the coach acknowledged after the Packers’ 35-21 victory over the Chicago Bears on Sunday night that his team’s injury situation might dictate his strategy.
“We’ll look at all of our options,” McCarthy said. “But I’m not going to stand here and tell you we want to give away opportunities to win the game. We’re going to play to win the game next week. I’m not real excited about a division opponent coming in here and think we’re not going to do everything we can to get to 15-1. But health is an issue for us. I think that’s stating the obvious.”
Aaron Rodgers threw five touchdown passes in a game for the first time in his NFL career, breaking a close game wide open by leading three quick scoring drives in the second half.
The Packers (14-1) nailed down the No. 1 seed in the NFC and claimed another round of bragging rights in the storied rivalry by eliminating the Bears (7-8) from the playoff chase. Chicago’s loss also put the Atlanta Falcons in the playoffs.
Rodgers threw a pair of touchdown passes to Jordy Nelson, another two to James Jones, and found tight end Jermichael Finley for a score. Rodgers was 21 of 29 for 283 yards and no interceptions when backup Matt Flynn took over with 7:54 left in the game.
Rodgers has 45 touchdown passes this season — only shy of Tom Brady’s single-season record set in 2007.
But when asked about the possibility of breaking Brady’s record, Rodgers made it sound as if he didn’t expect to see much of the field next Sunday.
“I think that’s probably safe,” Rodgers said.
Rodgers said he expected McCarthy to weigh the pros and cons of playing to win.
“There’s something to be said about finishing the season well,” Rodgers said. “The Bears tried to keep us out of the playoffs last year in the last game of the year and it would be nice to finish out the season the way we started it, with a strong showing in a home game.”
Rodgers might not get a shot at Brady’s touchdown record, but he did break a franchise record Sunday. With 4,643 yards passing, he surpassed Lynn Dickey’s single-season total of 4,458 set in 1983.
“It’s obviously an award that’s bigger than an individual award,” Rodgers said. “It takes obviously the offensive line pass-blocking for you and your guys getting open and delivering a catchable ball and then making plays. We’ve got a great group of guys to work with. This is a record we all share.”
Rodgers’ offensive feats came behind a patchwork offensive line, as the Packers were without three of their top four tackles.
Chad Clifton returned to practice this week after sitting out since October because of hamstring and back injuries, but isn’t ready to play. Bryan Bulaga was inactive Sunday because of a left knee sprain, and backup Derek Sherrod is out for the season with a broken right leg.
But the line played well, and Rodgers wasn’t sacked.
Green Bay also was missing wide receiver Greg Jennings, because of a sprained left knee, and defensive lineman Ryan Pickett because of a concussion.
“I enjoy playing this game, but at the same time, we have to be smart,” Clay Matthews said. “We like winning around here. It’ll be interesting to see where we go. Like I said, we have to be smart.”
