or vacancy to fill after taking a sharp declin

It’s officially Draft SZN"WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections The APC PodcastPackers Film RoomFantasy Football AdviceCSTShareTweetShareShareTuesday Cheese Curds: Packers gear up for NFL Scouting CombineAaron Doster-USA TODAY SportsThe February post-Super Bowl lull for football fans is nearly over.The NFL Scouting Combine gets underway in Indianapolis today as teams descend on Lucas Oil Field for an up close and personal look at prospects for the 2019 NFL Draft.For the Green Bay Packers Kevin King Jersey , this means general manager Brian Gutekunst and head coach Matt LaFleur will be looking at prospects they hope can fill several holes on the roster, particularly at tight end, edge rusher and safety just to name a few.Both Gutekunst and LaFleur are scheduled to speak to the media on Wednesday, so we’ll have more information on what the Packers are looking for at the combine then but it’s clear what Green Bay’s priorities here are even with free agency still weeks away. Iowa tight end TJ Hockenson and Florida edge rusher Jachai Polite have emerged as two of Packer Nation’s biggest draft crushes and both will be putting their skills on display for the Packers and the rest of the league.The groundwork for what happens in free agency also will be laid this week despite the legal tampering period not starting until March 11.Fans have survived the biggest lull in the off-season with the calendar now turning to March. Things are about to get exciting.For more on the combine and who the Packers may be looking at, check out today’s cheese curds. The Green Bay Packers at the NFL scouting combine: Here’s what to expect—PackersNews.comWhile not the most exciting television around Josh Jones Jersey , the information teams gather this week will mood exactly how events will unfold during the draft in April.Packers free agency preview: Safety—Packers WireGreen Bay once again is in the market for a safety or two and while there are big names out there Gutekunst could sign, the contracts could quickly escalate out of control.Mike Smith’s message: Coming off the edge, go after the ball—Packers.comOutside linebackers coach Mike Smith will be placing an emphasis on forcing turnovers with his players, something the defense has been lacking with the pass rush for several years.Green Bay Packers’ Clay Matthews visits patients at Marshfield hospital—Wisconsin State JournalA snowstorm and a cloudy future in Green Bay didn’t stop the Claymaker from doing good things for some sick children in Marshfield.Escaped emu crosses border from Florida to Georgia—UPIFlorida-Georgia Line could right a song about this although I’m not sure they’re an Emu band. Well, it was disappointing for folks cheering on the Green and Gold Montravius Adams Jersey , but the 2018 NFL regular season has come to an end. And with a 31-0 home loss to the Detroit Lions, the Green Bay Packers (6-9-1) certainly did not end on a high note.But the Packers will not be the only divisional team watching the postseason from home this winter. The Minnesota Vikings spoiled their playoff chances with a loss in front of their home crowd, bringing the first season of Kirk Cousins to a bitter end in dramatic fashion as an argument broke out with receiver Adam Thielen on the sidelines. The Vikings will have some crucial decisions to make on the future of several front office positions this offseason.With a win over the Vikings, the Chicago Bears will enter the Wild Card round with optimism. But did they actually hurt their chances by knocking Minnesota out of the playoffs?That question and more is explored in today’s NFC North rundown.Chicago Bears (12-4)Won 24-10 at Minnesota; Next vs. Philadelphia in Wild Card roundOpinion: How the Chicago Bears’ win over Minnesota Vikings might turn out to be their lossMight the Bears have been better off playing a struggling Minnesota team next week in the playoffs than the streaking Eagles? That’s one opinion following Chicago’s convincing win.Chicago Bears may have huge advantage against Philadelphia EaglesAlthough quarterback Nick Foles figures to play against Chicago, his bruised ribs may give the Bears an advantage in first round competition.Reid all about it: Bears’ win sets up Nagy-Pederson playoff showdown vs. EaglesA pair of Andy Reid disciples who spent six seasons coaching together will square off next Sunday in the Windy City Jamaal Williams Jersey , a game that should feature plenty of offensive innovation.Minnesota Vikings (8-7-1)Lost 24-10 vs. ChicagoKirk Cousins, Adam Thielen exchange was a lowlight of Vikings’ futile endingWhat Thielen termed a “good conversation” was captured on the sidelines during the Vikings’ loss and raises even more questions about Cousins’ ability to deliver in Minnesota.Decisions await Vikings after disappointing seasonMinnesota has a Head Coach and a General Manager entering the final year of their contracts, as well as an Offensive Coordinator vacancy to fill after taking a sharp decline this season.Vikings Defense Comes Up Short in Season-FinaleA crucial third-quarter drive in which the Bears’ offense converted five third downs may have been a deciding factor in Sunday’s ball game.Detroit Lions (6-10)Won 31-0 at Green BayFOUR DOWNS: Lions shut out Packers in Green BayA pivotal special teams trick helped lead the Lions to their first shutout win against Green Bay since 1973.Detroit Lions get costly win and eighth pick in 2019 draftMaybe a silver lining in the Packers’ loss was that it prevented Detroit from owning a top-five selection in the 2019 NFL Draft.Detroit Lions must fix Matthew Stafford to become contender againSharing a similarity with Green Bay, the Lions must get their starting quarterback back to the level he once was to start competing for division titles again.