Packers believes injuries, not Chiefs' game plan did them in

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GREEN BAY - Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers says it's "baloney" that the Kansas City Chiefs gave future opponents a blueprint for beating the Packers.

Receiver Jordy Nelson said other teams have tried what the Chiefs did in beating the Pack last Sunday. But he said the Packers were undermanned, and they just didn't play well. Kansas City played man-to-man coverage on the Green Bay receivers with two safeties over the top. They also used eight men in pass coverage.

The Chiefs clearly took advantage of the absence of injured receiver Greg Jennings and running back James Starks. Starks is due back this Sunday night against Chicago at Lambeau Field. But Jennings is expected to miss the rest of the regular season with a knee injury. NFL.com reported yesterday on a blueprint for beating Green Bay. It said it included tight coverage on the receivers at the line of scrimmage, treating tight end Jermichael Finley as a wide-out, and forcing the Pack to rush for more often.

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Packers' right tackle Bryan Bulaga will not play on Christmas Night against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field. Coach Mike McCarthy ruled the second-year pro out yesterday, after he sprained a knee-cap last Sunday at Kansas City. That means newly-acquired tackle Herb Taylor will most likely be active for the Bear game. He's been learning the offense since Tuesday morning, and he says he'll be up to the challenge. Also, veteran left tackle Chad Clifton returned to practice on a limited basis yesterday. He's been out since early October with hamstring and back injuries. McCarthy said Clifton might get a few snaps against the Bears. Also, linebacker Desmond Bishop returned to practice. He's said to be close to 100-percent, after a calf injury at Detroit on Thanksgiving.

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Journeyman quarterback Josh McCown will start his first NFL game in four years on Sunday night, when he leads the Chicago Bears into Lambeau Field to face the Green Bay Packers. He replaces Caleb Hanie, who was benched late last Sunday in the Bears’ home loss to Seattle. Hanie took over the quarterback job after Jay Cutler broke his right thumb a month ago, and was ruled out for the season. Hanie is 0-4 since then, with a passer rating of 41-point-eight. McCown signed with the Bears on November 23rd, shortly after Cutler went out. He had spent most of this season as an assistant football coach in high school – and he’s surprised to be an NFL starter again. McCown threw for 35 touchdowns and 41 interceptions from 2002-through-’09 when he played for Arizona, Detroit, Oakland, and Carolina.

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