Colin Kaepernick has attempted more deep passes than anyone in the NFL. Yes, more than Andrew Luck, Ben Roethlisberger, Tom Brady, and, heck, almost twice as many as Aaron Rodgers.

Failure with the long ball has helped turn the 49ers (7-5) into long shots at a playoff berth.

Kaepernick went 0-of-10 on throws of at least 10 yards in Thursday night’s 19-3 flop against the Seattle Seahawks, and both of Richard Sherman’s interceptions came on two such passes.

“It’s not an evolved passing game. It doesn’t seem like cutting edge,” said Hall of Fame wide receiver James Lofton, an all-time great deep threat.

There’s no doubting Kaepernick has one of the league’s strongest arms. That helped make him such a fascinating prospect when he replaced Alex Smith in the midst of a 2012 run to the Super Bowl the story said. Kaepernick’s accuracy, however, ranks 20th when it comes to passes of 20 yards or more, the story continued. He’s attempted a league-high 61 passes in that range, and he’s completed 20, with four touchdowns and four interceptions.

Eagles QB Nick Foles (collarbone, out) has been ruled out for Week 12. Mark Sanchez will continue to guide the Eagles’ offense with Foles sidelined. Sanchez has the second highest YPA (8.54) of all quarterbacks with at least 100 attempts. Aaron Rodgers leads the way with 8.78 YPA.

Eagles QB Nick Foles (collarbone) was ruled out for Week 12. Mark Sanchez will continue to guide the Eagles’ offense with Foles sidelined. Sanchez has the second highest YPA (8.54) of all quarterbacks with at least 100 attempts. Aaron Rodgers leads the way with 8.78 YPA.

Eagles QB Nick Foles (collarbone) was ruled out for Week 12. Mark Sanchez will continue to guide the Eagles’ offense with Foles sidelined. Sanchez has the second highest YPA (8.54) of all quarterbacks with at least 100 attempts. Aaron Rodgers leads the way with 8.78 YPA.

Coach Mike McCarthy hinted last week this was coming, that the Green Bay Packers' tight ends -- even seldom-used Brandon Bostick -- might have a bigger role in the offense than they did in the first half of the season.

But even with that forewarning, it was still stunning to see quarterback Aaron Rodgers throw the first two of his six touchdown passes in Sunday night's rout of the Chicago Bears to tight ends. Bostick, who had one catch for 2 yards all season, was the recipient of the first, on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line. Andrew Quarless got the second, on third-down from the 4-yard line.

It was the first time since Week 3 of the 2011 season, when Jermichael Finley had three touchdowns against the Bears, that Packers tight ends have caught more than one touchdown pass in a game. And it was the first time since Week 2 of 2007, when Bubba Franks and Donald Lee had touchdowns against the New York Giants, that two different Packers tight ends have caught touchdowns.

On Bostick's TD, the team lined up without the likes of WRs Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb on the field and it was Bostick on the receiving end of a play-action pass. Eventually, Nelson and Cobb got involved but if Rodgers can add TEs as targets it's only going to make him more productive. While Bostick and Quarless aren't quite top-notch fantasy tight ends just yet, they do potentially take away targets and TDs from those Packers who are owned.

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers (hamstring, probable) took full practice reps all week and is probable for Week 10. Rodgers is good to go for a tasty matchup against the Bears.

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers (hamstring) took full practice reps again Thursday. Rodgers is good to go for a tasty matchup against the Bears.

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers (hamstring) practiced fully Wednesday. Rodgers is good to go for a tasty matchup against the Bears.