Episode 9 - How Clutch Is Aaron Rodgers Now?

December 21, 2016 Jon Meerdink and Gary Zilavy

Jon Meerdink and Gary Zilavy celebrate Aaron Rodgers' clutch heroics against the Bears [00:24] and dish on the Packers' representatives in the Pro Bowl [04:06]. There's a crazy scenario involving seven different NFL games that ends with the Packers clinching a playoff spot [06:30], and the guys break down Ty Montgomery's emergence as a running back [12:04].

Headlines [00:24]

Why won't Bob McGinn say that Aaron Rodgers is clutch?

McGinn: Packers in control after thrilling win
One deadly heave, one cold-blooded catch, one clutch kick. From Aaron Rodgers to Jordy Nelson to Mason Crosby, the Green Bay Packers sustained their playoff hopes in the final minute Sunday at icy Soldier Field with an enthralling 30-27 victory over the Chicago Bears.

McGinn: Rating the Packers vs. the Bears
Aaron Rodgers doesn’t have many game-winning drives on his resume. He was zero for two this season. Also, his deep-ball accuracy in the first two months of the season was spotty at best. Rodgers killed two birds with one stone with the 60-yard home-run ball that he dropped into Nelson’s hands to set up the decisive field goal.

McGinn, answering a question in his chat today, says Rodgers is still not a lock for Canton.
As for HOF, I wrote then: "Rodgers is close to securing a bust in Canton, but to clinch a berth he must get out of this tailspin and reach at least another Super Bowl." Knowing what I knew then, I wouldn't change anything in that column.

Rodgers, Lang, Clinton-Dix picked for Pro Bowl - Tom Silverstein

Rodgers moved a step closer to catching quarterback Brett Favre's franchise-record nine selections for a quarterback (1992-93, 1995-97, 2001-03, 2007). Lang has been an alternate the last two years and is the first Packers lineman to be selected since guard Josh Sitton in 2014. Clinton-Dix is the first Packers safety to be selected since Nick Collins in 2010.

At wide receiver, Jordy Nelson faced tough competition and didn't make it despite ranking first in the NFC in receiving touchdowns (12), fourth in receptions (82) and fifth in yards (1,037). Atlanta’s Julio Jones, the New York Giants’ Odell Beckham Jr., Tampa Bay’s Mike Evans and Arizona’s Larry Fitzgerald were the top four vote-getters.

Nelson wound up a first alternate.

Also chosen as alternates were wide receiver Davante Adams, defensive lineman Mike Daniels and fullback Aaron Ripkowski.

How Packers can clinch playoff berth - Ryan Wood

In simplest terms, a seven-step process would allow the Packers to clinch a playoff berth this weekend, according to FiveThirtyEight Sports' prediction machine. The seven-step process is as follows:

1. Packers beat Minnesota.
2. Tampa Bay loses at New Orleans.
3. Washington loses at Chicago.
4. Atlanta wins at Carolina.
5. Denver wins vs. Kansas City.
6. Detroit wins at Dallas
7. Houston wins vs. Cincinnati

Main Topic: What do we do with Ty Montgomery? [12:04]

An explanation of usage rate in the NBA
Free agents to be at running back this offseason
A look at next year's rookie running back class

The Power Sweep