by Carlos Osorio - AP

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For the Green Bay Packers, Mike McCarthy on the injuries: 

Johnny Jolly, he will probably miss some practice time this week with his knee sprain. Ryan Pickett will test probably Wednesday, possibly Thursday, to see if he'll go later in the week. Brandon Underwood, he will be limited this week in practice. And B.J. Raji will also be limited this week in practice.

For the second week in a row, a number of defensive lineman are banged up. But he didn't mention DE Cullen Jenkins who was limited in practice last week.

He was also asked why fantasy star QB Aaron Rodgers laid an egg just as the fantasy playoffs started, and McCarthy said there were "two minuses for the offense":

Our two biggest failures were No. 1, giving the ball away, and No. 2, the third-down production. 

The two turnovers, a fumble by TE Jermichael Finley at the end of the first half, and a fumble by Rodgers on the first drive of the second half, were both in Bear territory, and ended potential scoring drives. Obviously turnovers are always bad.

But the third-down production comment was surprising. The Packers were 5 for 13 on 3rd down, plus 1 for 1 on 4th down, against the Bears. That's either a 38% or 43% success rate, if you factor in the 4th down conversion. The Packers have the 5th best 3rd down conversion rate this season at 45.2% (the Colts are No. 1 at 51.6%). I understand a coach will always want push his players to improve, but it was odd for him to mention something that they've been good at this season. Maybe the two failed 3rd down conversions in the red zone during the first half are stuck in his mind.

On the continuing struggles of K Mason Crosby:

(Are you going to bring in any kickers this week or work any out?) 
I'll just say this. I have all the confidence in the world in Mason Crosby. As far as what players, what position, we bring players in here all the time on Tuesday, and I've never commented on it in the past, and I won't today. But I have all the confidence in the world in Mason Crosby. 

I've got no patience for the lousy special teams performance on kick and punt coverage (and returns...) this season, but I agree with McCarthy on this one. Crosby has a league leading 8 missed FGs, and has only made 75% overall. But it didn't look like QB Matt Flynn did him any big favors holding both of his misses in the last two weeks. He's only made 1 of 5 attempts beyond 50 yards. I wouldn't be expecting many kickers would do well from that distance. Three teams this season haven't even attempted a field goal beyond 50 yards this season. Pull out those 4 misses (and 1 made) and he's an average kicker (85% made). Not a ringing endorsement, but it's not time to find any guy off the street either.

More photos » by Ross D. Franklin - AP

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First reported by Adam Schefter, the Green Bay Packers signed LB Brandon Chillar to a 4 year contract extension for $21 million. About $7 million is guaranteed, but he's almost certain to receive the $9.5 million he's due before the end of 2010. That's a lot of money for a sometime starter who will probably be the backup behind LB A.J. Hawk for the rest of the season. But they had to pay him more than LB Brady Poppinga, who received a 4 year, $17 million extension last year. At least Chillar starts sometimes.

I don't like either contract given to Chillar or Poppinga, LB Desmond Bishop is probably just as good for a fraction of the price, but I'm willing to give GM Ted Thompson a pass here. Overall he's done a great job at identifying talent in the draft and avoiding high price free agent busts. But he's a former backup LB himself, and he apparently has a sweet spot for them. So long as it doesn't stop the Packers from signing important potential free agents such as FS Nick Collins.

by Kiichiro Sato - AP

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The Green Bay Packers are trying to pull away from the rest of the NFC for a wild card spot, so every win is a good win. Especially when it comes against a division rival, which helps in case they need it for a tiebreaker. It's their 5th win in a row, and it moved them up into the top wild card spot. Another good thing: Mike McCarthy said only 4 players were injured during the game and they all returned. Here's the big recap from the Sports Network.

A couple things that didn't make it into my play-by-play recap after the jump. I was expecting a big game from OLB Brad Jones against backup Bear RT Kevin Shaffer, but instead Jones didn't record a single stat. I also noticed during the game that there were several times when the Packers went with one defensive lineman (DE Cullen Jenkins) and 5 linebackers. Defensive coordinator Dom Capers has been showing some unusual formations this season, but that was very usual and I'm not sure it's good that he calls that defensive package 'Psycho'. It's not something I expect to see against every team, but the Bears running game has been toothless all season, so they weren't as likely to get burned by a power running formation.

This game reminded me of last week's game against the Ravens. They were in control for most of the game, but their opponent kept it close so that their opponent was able to get back into it with a couple TD drives. The Bears offense didn't do much, they only had 254 yards of offense in the entire game, but managed 136 yards on their two TD drives. I'm not sure if that's just the normal flow of the game, but it didn't make sense that the Packers were behind when it seemed like they had outplayed them. Overall it was a dangerous game, but they were better than the Bears and they deserved the win.

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More photos » by Julie Jacobson - AP

1 day ago: Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson (10) backsteps his way into the end zone as New York Giants cornerback Aaron Ross (31) looks on after Jackson caught a pass in the third quarter for a touchdown during an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

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I just finished watching the Eagles victory over the Giants by a final score of 45-38. The most important thing is just to win the game, but this can't be a game the Eagles feel great about.

QB Eli Manning torched them for 391 yards and 3 TDs (though his 2 fumbles hurt). But even on those turnovers, the Eagles can't expect to recover 4 fumbles every week. There is an element of luck that the loose balls bounce your way. Also, the Eagles had some awful tackling in the game, and it ended with one of their star defensive players getting ejected from the game for throwing a punch. But at least that foul shouldn't hurt the Eagles on the field because if Cowboys LT Flozell Adams wasn't suspended, I can't imagine Eagles DE Trent Cole would be.

As far as the Packers' playoff picture, having the Eagles move into the division lead means that the Packers are now the highest seed wild card team. Two teams would have to overtake them, most likely the Cowboys and Giants, which seems unlikely with only 3 games remaining. It could lead to an interesting two week schedule with the Packers traveling to Arizona for week 17, and then back again for the first round of the playoffs.

More photos » by Nam Y. Huh - AP

2 days ago: Green Bay Packers running back Ryan Grant (25) is chased by Chicago Bears safety Kevin Payne (44) while heading for the end zone and a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

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It was a close game for the Green Bay Packers, the Bears led 14-13 at the end of the 3rd quarter. But a big INT by FS Nick Collins early in the 4th quarter turned the game around, and set up the Packers' go ahead TD. 

The game was close in large part because QB Aaron Rodgers (16 of 24 for 180 yards with 0 TD, 0 INT) had an unremarkable game. Two Packer turnovers in Chicago territory, and a missed FG by K Mason Crosby, also took points off the board. 

But it was overall a solid game for the Packers. The special teams didn't allow any big returns and it was the Bears (instead of the penalty prone Packers) who committed a mountain of penalties. RB Ryan Grant's first play from scrimmage was a 62 yard TD run, and he overall ran the ball well. The defense allowed 2 TD scoring drives, but they were in control for the rest of the game.

Not a dominant performance against a lesser team, but the most important thing is to keep on winning. I'll post a detailed recap early tomorrow morning.

Inactives from Greg Bedard at JSOnline.com:

Packers inactives: WR Biren Ealy, CB Trevor Ford, FB Quinn Johnson, S Matt Giordano, T Breno Giacomini, T/G Allen Barbre, NT Ryan Pickett, LB Jeremy Thompson.

Bears inactives: WR Juaquin Iglesias, S Craig Steltz, WR Devin Hester, CB D.J. Moore, LB Cato June, DT Matt Toeainia, LT Orlando Pace, DT Jarron Gilbert.

NT Ryan Pickett appeared unlikely all week, and I'm glad to see he'll get a week off to heal his injured hamstring. They'll get a little smaller up front with either DE Michael Montgomery or DE Jarius Wynn in the rotation this week.

The loss of WR Devin Hester will hurt the Bears, but it's not a fatal blow to their offense either. It does mean the Bears might be playing with 2 TEs for nearly the entire game. LT Orlando Pace might not be a starter anymore, even if healthy.

And one more thing from Greg Bedard:

The turf here at Soldier Field looks terrible and it could be a factor in today's game. It's holding up OK now. Doubt it during the game.

I had forgotten about the awful turf at Soldier Field, though I haven't heard much about it since it was replaced back in September.

The SB Nation Week 14 power rankings have moved the Green Bay Packers up to No. 8, which is ahead of two 8-4 teams (Broncos and Cowboys), but still behind two others (Eagles and Cardinals). Is that fair? Or should they be ahead of the Eagles and Cardinals too? It's hard to put them higher than No. 6, since the No. 4 and No. 5 teams have both beaten them this season (Vikings and Bengals).

The NFL SB Nation writers are already 0-1 with our Week 14 picks because the Browns beat the Steelers. Will any other coaches threaten to lock their players out of their locker room if they don't go back out and win? Coaches who do so are currently unbeaten this season. Not surprising, our consensus decision was that the Packers will win.

And check out our suggestions for last minute changes to your Week 14 fantasy roster. Though, I'll admit I'm having a hard time recommending any Packer from week to week except for QB Aaron Rodgers. With WR Greg Jennings staying out of the end zone this season, any of a number of Packers could have a big game (such as TE Jermichael Finley last week). But you never know which one it will be. He was a non-factor the last two weeks, but could this be a good week for RB Ryan Grant?

More photos » by Ted S. Warren - AP

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It's a fairly short injury report for the Green Bay Packers, only 9 players listed, but it includes the top 4 defensive lineman. The Bears report is even shorter, but it might expose their lack of depth at wide receiver. 

For the Packers: the big story has been that their top 4 defensive lineman are listed on listed on the injury report. While technically true, the only player likely to miss the game is NT Ryan Pickett, who hasn't practiced all week as he tries to recover from a hamstring injury he suffered during the win on Monday night. NT B.J. Raji will slide into replace him, and he's already making friends with Bear C Olin Kreutz. Raji is listed too, but he was a full participant in Friday's practice. DE Cullen Jenkins and DE Johnny Jolly were both limited in Friday's practice, but I expect they'll go. Late in the Monday night game, DE Jarius Wynn was in on several plays, and I don't expect the coaching staff has any concerns going with the 277 lb. rookie, if necessary.

Everyone else was a full participant in practice, except backup LB Jeremy Thompson, as he tries to recover from a career threatening neck injury. One name not listed is rookie OL T.J. Lang, who missed last Monday's game with a concussion, which is good news since LT Chad Clifton did miss some practice this week, and Lang will also be available to spell RT Mark Tauscher, if he needs a break.

For the Bears: it looks like WR Devin Hester is unlikely to play. While he isn't the greatest receiver and he's no longer the best kick returner on the Bears either, but he's still their leading receiver. Their great kick returner, WR Johnny Knox, would be counted on more in the offense, alongside WR Earl Bennett. Their bigger problem is that they don't have any depth at receiver behind their top 3 (none of their other receivers have more than 2 receptions on the season). The Bears might rely on their 2 TE packages even more than usual. LT Orlando Pace could return this week, but it's not clear whether he would start even if healthy. LB Lance Briggs should return this week, but his replacement, LB Jamar Williams, did very well in his place with 18 tackles against the Rams last week. 

The complete injury report is after the jump.

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by Nam Y. Huh - AP

9 days ago: Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte (22) makes a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the St. Louis Rams in Chicago, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

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Despite the Bears 5-7 record, it might be easy to overlook this game since they just ended a 4 game losing streak with a close win over the 1-11 Rams, and they haven't beaten a team with a winning record this season. They did beat the Steelers in week 2, but both the Steelers and Bears have fallen on recent hard times (Steelers have lost their last 5 games, and Bears have lost 4 of their last 5). Here's the Sports Network's Packers vs Bears preview. 

Here are the official NFL rankings, based on yardage, from NFL.com:

Taking a closer look, the official stats by yardage are making the Bears pass offense and pass defense look better than they really are. While the pass offense is moving the ball, QB Jay Cutler is also turning it over, and he has a league leading 20 INTs. Their pass defense has only given up 4 pass plays over 40 yards (tied for 6th best), but they've given up 21 TD passes (tied for 6th worst) and only grabbed 11 INTs. That doesn't make them bad, just average, and they're currently ranked No. 16 overall by Football Outsiders. 

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