Around the NFL

Dec. 31, 2011 |

Poll

How will the Badgers and Packers fare this weekend?

both win: 39%

both lose: 28%

UW wins/Packers lose: 14%

Packers win/UW loses: 19%

Total Responses: 4697

Aaron Rodgers
Touchdown Database

In 2011, Aaron Rodgers set the Green Bay Packers' record for most touchdown passes in a season. Here's a look at details on each of those TDs in a sortable database. Sort by receiver, opponent, yards and more.

Next Opponent

PACKERS (14-1)
vs. LIONS (10-5)

WHEN: Noon Sunday
WHERE: Lambeau Field
TV: Fox (Ch. 6 in Milwaukee)
RADIO: AM-620 and Packer Radio Network affiliates

PACKERS: Schedule | Roster | Stats | Depth chart
LIONS: Schedule | Roster | Stats | Depth chart
MORE COVERAGE: Detroit Free Press

McGINN: Scouting report on the Lions
PREVIEW: Basics; five things to watch; matchups
INJURY REPORT: At a glance
PREDICTIONS: Packer Plus

ON THE FIELD

WHAT'S TRENDING: For some it's just the beginning and for some it's the end. Week 17 will provide a glimpse into the future for several starting quarterbacks and a final chapter for others. In Arizona, Kevin Kolb will be inactive, perhaps ending his short-lived run with the Cardinals. John Skelton gets the start and will be playing for a spot next season. In St. Louis, Sam Bradford could be gone if a new coach decides to start over, especially picking first or second in the draft. Tarvaris Jackson will be back in Seattle next year, but don't be surprised if he's battling a rookie or free agent for a spot. The Denver Broncos are saying Tim Tebow will be their starter next year, but you can bet they'll bring in someone to compete with him. Washington can't go on with Rex Grossman and will be looking to upgrade. And, of course, in Indianapolis it will be either Peyton Manning or a highly regarded rookie, possibly Stanford's Andrew Luck.

ON DECK: Four of the six playoff berths are accounted for in the AFC, but only two division titles are settled, a first-round bye is in play and home-field advantage has yet to be determined. The New England Patriots need merely to beat Buffalo to clinch the top spot, and by winning Baltimore can claim the North and Denver the West. Everyone else needs help. In the NFC, Green Bay has home field and three of the four division titles are secured. By winning, San Francisco clinches a first-round bye, New York or Dallas wins the East and Detroit captures the No. 5 seed. New Orleans needs help to get the No. 2 seed and Atlanta needs help to get the No. 5.

NORTHERN EXPOSURE: The Lions won't know whether Atlanta has lost before they play the Packers, so Detroit has to go for the victory or face the prospect of heading to New Orleans in the first round of the playoffs. The Lions probably will benefit from the Packers resting some players. Chicago and Minnesota's seasons are over and there isn't much for either team to do except avoid injury. The Bears will get another shot to see quarterback Josh McCown and the Vikings should have QB Christian Ponder back to finish up the season. Beyond that, don't expect many people to stick around the Metrodome to watch that game.

STAT OF THE WEEK: The NFC finished 33-31 against the AFC, the first time the NFC has won that battle since 1995.

BY THE NUMBERS

.5 Sacks San Francisco linebacker Aldon Smith needs to set the rookie single season record of 14.5 set by Jevon Kearse in 1999.

3 Games this season in which New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees has not thrown for 300 or more yards.

31 Players the Jacksonville Jaguars have put on injured reserve this year.

GAME OF THE WEEK

Dallas Cowboys (8-7) at New York Giants (8-7)

When: 7:20 p.m. Sunday (NBC).

Point spread: Giants by 3.

Key injuries: Cowboys - NT Josh Brent (knee), WR Andre Holmes (hamstring), RB Felix Jones (hamstring), LB Sean Lee (wrist, illness), S Danny McCray (ankle) and WR Kevin Ogletree (knee) are questionable. Giants - TE Jake Ballard (knee) and LB Mark Herzlich (ankle) are out; DE Osi Umenyiora (ankle, knee) is questionable.

Player to watch: Giants QB Eli Manning ranks third in the NFC with 4,587 yards passing and has three 400-yard games.

Recent history: The Giants have won five of the past seven meetings and four of the last five that Manning has started. The Giants won at Dallas, 34-34, three weeks ago.

Key statistic: Manning has 14 fourth-quarter touchdown passes, tied for most in a season.

Bottom line: It's winner-take-all Sunday at MetLife Stadium. The Cowboys are banged up. When they fell behind Philadelphia and saw the Giants were going to win last week, they started pulling players, including QB Tony Romo and Jones. Romo's right hand is bruised and he will either wear a glove or tape to support it. Jones' hamstring will be tested and his contribution is much needed so all the stress isn't on Romo. Manning is coming off two subpar performances, but he generally plays well against the Cowboys, who like to pressure him with blitzes. The Giants have had success neutralizing LB DeMarcus Ware, and if they can do it again they've got a good shot at winning.