Packers notes:
Rodgers, Matthews listed as questionable.
Green Bay — The most irreplaceable players for the Green Bay Packers’ offense and defense were listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers (hamstring) and outside linebacker Clay Matthews (shoulder) have been limited in practice this week, but they should be on track to be available.
Coach Mike McCarthy said Wednesday he expects both to play against the Texans.
McCarthy said Friday morning he’s happy with the work Rodgers has gotten done in practice this week.
“Aaron looked good,” McCarthy said. “We had a set number of reps for him to take in the unit period. That went well. Then he focused on the rehab part of it.”
On Matthews, McCarthy said Friday morning: “Looked good. Same thing (as Rodgers) . ... He did everything.”
Of more intrigue may be whether the Packers can have more depth at inside linebacker Sunday. Jake Ryan was listed as questionable, as was rookie Blake Martinez. If one of them returns against the Texans, it could allow the Packers to move Matthews to outside linebacker.
Saturday will be key for injured players, even more than usual, McCarthy said.
With the Packers coming off consecutive night games on the road, including a short week with a Monday night game in Philadelphia, McCarthy pushed back some of the practice workload to Saturday.
“We’re going to do more Saturday,” McCarthy said. “We basically had taken a period or two out of Thursday’s practice and put it in Saturday’s.”
Blitz risk: With a hamstring injury likely keeping quarterback Rodgers in the pocket Sunday, the Texans could ramp up their blitz against the Packers quarterback. But should they? Through much of his career, Rodgers has been the rare quarterback defenses fear to blitz. His quick release, quicker recognition and strong, accurate arm presents a flashing warning sign for defenses: blitz at your own peril.
“Best I’ve been around, by far,” Packers quarterback coach Alex Van Pelt said of Rodgers’ ability to beat the blitz. “He understands it, he sees it before it happens a lot of times.”
Earlier this season, Rodgers was as susceptible to the blitz as at any time in his career. It would have been a bad matchup against the Texans. Under defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel, they’re one of the most blitz-happy units in the NFL.
Rodgers since has broken out of his slump. Though he’s not playing at his two-time MVP level, Rodgers has climbed near the top of the league in many passing categories.
He’s second with 27 touchdown passes, and his seven interceptions are third fewest among 11 quarterbacks with at least 20 touchdowns. Rodgers is one of seven quarterbacks with at least 3,000 passing yards (3,074) before the season’s three-quarters mark. His passer rating has also started to climb, now sitting just outside the top 10 at No. 11 with 97.8 points.
Rodgers has been blitzed on a quarter of his 504 drop backs this season, according to Pro Football Focus. He’s completing 61.3% of his passes against the blitz, slightly down from his 65.5% with no blitz. But his nine touchdowns to one interception shows just how effective he remains against extra pressure. With no blitz, Rodgers had a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 18 to 6.
Rodgers’ 103.6 rating against the blitz is better than his 95.6 rating when he isn’t blitzed.
The payoff for defenses blitzing Rodgers is when the pass rush does get to him. He has a 70.4 passer rating under pressure this season, completing just 40.6% of his passes. His rating without pressure is 105.8.
Fine time: Outside linebacker Julius Peppers was fined $9,115 for grabbing Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz by the facemask in Monday night’s game.
Eagles right guard Allen Barbre was not fined for his hard hit on Matthews, a block that wasn’t penalized.
And Eagles defensive tackle Fletcher Cox wasn’t called for a penalty for a late hit against Rodgers. Cox appeared to clothesline Rodgers after he released the football.