Team news: New York Jets | Page 78

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers (calf, probable) took limited practice reps all week and is probable for Week 17. Rodgers may be somewhat limited by the calf injury, but he’s not going to miss a showdown with Detroit for the division title. For what it’s worth, QB coach Alex Van Pelt said that he’s expecting a “healthy guy” and says the team is going in “fully loaded” for Sunday’s game.

A major reason the Packers were even in position to slay New England was WR Davante Adams.

Good defenses can eliminate — or at least contain — your first and second options. And Bill Belichick has a good defense. His game plan focused on Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb. So after one…two…three… weeks of standing at his locker each Wednesday, telling everyone he'd be ready when needed, Adams was needed Sunday.

He responded with his best game to date — a 6-catch, 121-yard notice to defensive coordinators that he's pretty good, too.

"The three rookies on offense have really done a good job taking advantage of their opportunities as the year has gone by," coach Mike McCarthy said on Monday, "and as their opportunities increase. Obviously, Davante was at the forefront of that Sunday. Hey, we need everybody. That's why we felt that in the off-season, try to play more people, as many different combinations of personnel as we can."

We had a recent news item that pretty much predicted the Packers were going to need Adams, and it came true. Teams will likely still need to focus on Nelson and Cobb which is going to leave Adams matched up on team's third corner. Playing a team's WR3 can often be risky but the risk is a little less on an offense like the Packers.

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.

Packers WR Davante Adams (heel, probable) took limited practice reps again Friday and is probable for Week 13. Adams may see a few extra targets if the Patriots are able to take away Jordy Nelson and/or Randall Cobb.

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.