NFL Headlines

Newton, Stafford shine in Week 16

"Please tell me that you didn't bench him. I received countless emails, Tweets and Facebook messages from anxious fantasy owners about whether they should sit Aaron Rodgers for the Sunday night matchup against the Bears. I had him ranked fourth this week behind Drew Brees, Cam Newton and Tom Brady. I implored you to play Rodgers and not to over-think it.

Rodgers completed 21-of-29 attempts and obliterated the Chicago secondary for five touchdowns in the spotlight game. He also rushed for 18 yards while deking Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs. Rodgers has now thrown 45 touchdowns against six interceptions this season, adding three rushing touchdowns for good measure. Is he the No. 1 pick in 2012?

Jordy Nelson had been quiet for the past month, but he turned in the play of the night in Sunday's win over Chicago. He sprinted free and clear in the Chicago secondary and hauled in a 55-yard touchdown pass, the first of his two touchdowns on the day. He finished the game with six receptions for 115 yards.

* Nelson eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark for the season in this game (1,101 total), raised his touchdown total to 12 and accomplished a unique feat. Al Michaels advised us during the telecast that Nelson has scored a touchdown in each of the Packers' seven home games. Take that further. Nelson has scored 10 of his 12 touchdowns at Lambeau Field.

James Jones picked up the slack for the injured Greg Jennings and gave trusting fantasy owners a huge holiday bonus off of the waiver wire. Jones caught four passes for 50 yards with two touchdowns.

Jermichael Finley didn't replicate his monster game from Week 3 against these Bears, but he did find the end zone early on Sunday night. Finley produced three receptions and 20 yards (six targets) in the victory. His touchdown reception was his seventh of the season and fourth against the Bears."


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