Badgers 21st In Initial College Football Playoff Rankings

By Adam Roberts – 11/3/2021

While they are by no means going to be in the College Football Playoff, the first round of CFP rankings does feature Bucky.

Wisconsin earned the 21st spot on the list yesterday, thanks in large part to their upset win over previously #9 Iowa on Saturday.

Wisconsin is one of six Big Ten teams in the CFP Top 25, led by #3 Michigan State. Ohio State is in the five spot, one outside of the playoff field. Those two teams will meet in Columbus on November 20th.

The Badgers’ remaining schedule starts with a road trip to Rutgers this week, followed by games against Northwestern and Nebraska at home and a road trip to #20 Minnesota to finish the season.

BREAKING: Packers QB Aaron Rodgers Tests Positive For COVID-19; OUT Vs Kansas City

By Adam Roberts – 11/3/2021

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has tested positive for COVID-19, and it’s being reported he will not be eligible to play versus Kansas City this weekend.

There was some confusion in the early reporting of the story on whether or not Rodgers was vaccinated, which would make a big deal in the possibility of playing Sunday or not. In his own words, Rodgers said he was “immunized” when asked about it before the season. That, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, is not the equivalent of vaccinated in the eyes of the league.

Kurt Benkert was added to the COVID-19/reserve list earlier this week, meaning Jordan Love will get the start as of right now against the Chiefs and is the only available quarterback on the roster.

We’ll continue to follow this breaking news story and provide any updates as they become available.

Packers Release LB Jaylon Smith

By Adam Roberts – 11/2/2021

The Jaylon Smith era in Green Bay lasted just two games.

The team announced today the former Cowboys’ linebacker had been released not even one month after he had been signed. In his short time with the Packers, Smith recorded two total tackles.

This decision makes some sense for Green Bay; Smith clearly wasn’t performing at the rate the team had hoped for and releasing him didn’t come with a big price tag since the Cowboys are on the hook for his salary this year and Green Bay only had to pay the league minimum for him.

It also seemed inevitable since Smith was brought in mostly as filler while Krys Barnes dealt with a concussion. De’Vondre Campbell and Oren Burks have gotten plenty of snaps at the ILB position also.

Green Bay travels to Kansas City this Sunday.

Vikings Fall To Cowboys; DE Hunter May Have Torn Pectoral

By Adam Roberts – 11/1/2021

The Vikings’ game against Dallas can be best summarized by what Xavier Woods said after the game:

The defense didn’t even have a plan to prepare for any Dallas quarterback not named Dak Prescott.

Cowboys back-up Cooper Rush threw a go-ahead touchdown pass to Amari Cooper with under a minute in regulation as Dallas defeated Minnesota 20-16 at US Bank Stadium. Rush got the start for an injured Prescott, and the Vikings defense allowed the quarterback, who hadn’t thrown a regular season pass since 2017, to pass for 325 yards and two touchdowns. 

Meanwhile, Kirk Cousins had a meager 184 yards passing and threw the Vikings only touchdown on the game’s first drive to Adam Thielen. 

In injury news, defensive end Danielle Hunter left the game with what was deemed a shoulder injury in the first half. Hunter had an MRI earlier today to see if the injury is in fact a torn pectoral muscle, which would be a significant issue. 

The Vikings sit at second place in the NFC North with a 3-and-4 record. The travel to Baltimore next Sunday. 

Packers HC Matt LaFleur Mum On Any Trade Deadline Deals

By Adam Roberts – 11/1/2021

The Monday before the NFL Trade Deadlines is one of the busier days on the league calendar. With the reaction pouring in from the week before and about 24 hours remaining to make a deal, the pressure can be daunting on front offices of fringe playoff teams and contenders alike.

As for Green Bay, while anything can happen it doesn’t seem like any flashy deals are in the works for Gutekunst and Co. (as is tradition).

But at his Monday media availability, head coach Matt LaFleur didn’t rule out the possibility of Green Bay pursuing an opportunity for a new name either today or tomorrow.

“I think if the right opportunity presents itself, then that’s something that we could be involved with.” LaFleur said this afternoon. “I know that Gutey and his staff are working extremely hard to find something…it’s just whether or not the right opportunity presents itself.”

Teams have until 3pm tomorrow afternoon to strike a deal. The most notable so far hasbeen the Denver Broncos dealing defensive superstar Von Miller to the Los Angeles Rams for a couple day two draft picks while also paying Miller’s salary.

Packers Lose TE Robert Tonyan For Season (ACL)

By Adam Roberts – 10/29/2021

The Packers’ 24-21 win over the Arizona Cardinals last night was not without one big loss.

On a flag route in the second half, tight end Robert Tonyan could be seen grabbing at the back of his knee as he went down to the ground following the catch and run. He was able to walk off under his own power, but the news was not great afterwards. A MRI today confirmed Tonyan suffered a season-ending ACL injury on the play.

“Im sick for Bobby” head coach Matt LaFleur said after the win last night, before the news was made official. “It’s been so cool to watch a guy make that amount of progress. My heart goes out to him.”

In Tonyan’s place, Josiah Deguara made two catches for 20 yards at the tight end spot.

We’re still waiting for word on kick returner Kylin Hill’s status following his injury last night, while it appears Za’Darius Smith is optimistic about a return soon:

Green Bay is now 7-1 with what could be a critical tiebreaker win down the stretch. They return to action November 7th against Kansas City.

Kolten Wong, Jackie Bradley Jr. Named Gold Glove Finalists

By Adam Roberts – 10/28/2021

We won’t find out if Corbin Burnes is named the National League Cy Young winner until after the World Series ends, but we did get a glimpse today at some of the names being considered for the MLB’s Gold Glove awards.

Two of those names hail from the Brewers, and both have some experience with the fielding honor.

Second baseman Kolten Wong and centerfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. are both finalists this year. Wong has won the award the last two seasons and is a strong candidate once again in 2021; in 937 innings at second base, Wong committed just two errors all year and upped his fielding percentage a few points from 2020.

Bradley Jr. won a Gold Glove with the Red Sox in 2018; this season in centerfield he had a .990 fielding percentage.

Farve Repays 600-K To Mississippi; Still Owes 200-K In Interest

By Adam Roberts – 10/28/2021

The money issues facing former Packer icon Brett Favre aren’t over yet, even though a sizable chunk of his debt to the state of Mississippi has been paid back.

The Green Bay Packer and Pro Football Hall of Famer still owes over 200-thousand bucks after already paying back 600-grand.

According to Mississippi state auditor Shad White, the money from the state welfare agency was paid to Farve as compensation for speeches he never made. The repayment comes after White’s office sent Farve a letter demanding the return of the 600-thousand, plus 228-thousand in interest.

While Favre is not faced with any criminal charges, White said he will ask Attorney General Lynn Fitch to file a lawsuit against him if he doesn’t make the interest payment within the original 30-day deadline specified in the demand letter.

Packers WR Davante Adams Officially Out Vs Arizona

By Adam Roberts – 10/28/2021

The process of whether or not Packers wide receiver Davante Adams would be on the field tonight against Arizona at times seemed marred by secrecy and uncertainty, even though it seemed apparent to everyone there was very little chance Adams would see any action.

Today, we have confirmation that Adams did not clear the league COVID protocols and will be out tonight.

In other injury news, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported today Marquez Valdes-Scantling was not activated from injured reserve, with the team preferring to give him extra recovery time with his hamstring. The Cardinals will be without JJ Watt, who’s season appears to be over ahead of expected shoulder surgery. Wide receiver DeAndre Hokpins will test out his own hamstring before game-time, but is expected to play.

Tonight’s game features teams with a combined record of 13-1, the best win rate for a Thursday night football game ever.

Vikings Add OL Parris To Practice Squad

By Adam Roberts – 10/27/2021

The Minnesota Vikings are adding depth to their offensive line, a spot that is still in many ways a work in progress for the franchise.

The team announced that they signed offensive tackle Timon Parris to their practice squad yesterday. Parris has played in four games during his NFL career, and his last regular season action came in 2019 with Washington.

The Vikings host the Cowboys on Sunday night.

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