Packers notebook: Linemen stand up for Aaron Rodgers after questionable hit during Green Bay's win...

Northwest GA News (Sports) 12/9 3:30P JASON WILDE | For the State Jour

For Packers backup guard Lucas Patrick, it’s the first rule of Fight Club: If they’re messing with your quarterback, it’s your job to mix it up.

A ‘glorious’ moment: Packers give interim head coach Joe Philbin his first victory with 34-20 win...

Northwest GA News (Sports) 12/9 1:15P JASON WILDE | For the State Jour

Aaron Rodgers threw two touchdown passes and set an NFL record for interception-free football, and the Green Bay Packers beat the Atlanta Falcons 34-20 Sunday to win their first game under interim head coach Joe Philbin.

Tom Oates: Grading Packers' performance in 34-20 win over Falcons

Northwest GA News (Sports) 12/9 11:30A TOM OATES | toates@madison.com |

State Journal columnist Tom Oates grades the Green Bay Packers' performance in their 34-20 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday at Lambeau Field in Green Bay.

Braden Mann becomes first Aggie to win Ray Guy Award

Northwest GA News (Sports) 12/6 6:00P Eagle Staff Report

ATLANTA — Texas A&M junior Braden Mann has won the Ray Guy Award, which goes to the nation’s top punter. The record-setting Mann received the honor during Thursday night’s Home Depot College Football Awards Show on ESPN.

Alabama football: Jeudy, Tua, Williams take home top honors football awards show

Northwest GA News (Sports) 12/6 2:41P By Alex Byington/Montgomery Adve

ATLANTA — While No. 1 Alabama may have opened things up offensively this season, everything still begins and ends at one place — the line of scrimmage.

LSU's Greedy Williams misses out on Jim Thorpe Award to Georgia defensive back

Northwest GA News (Sports) 12/6 10:52A BY BROOKS KUBENA | bkubena@thead

LSU's Greedy Williams missed out on the Jim Thorpe Award on Thursday at the college football award ceremony in Atlanta, finishing as a finalist as Georgia cornerback Deandre Baker won the award.

LSU's Cole Tracy doesn't win Lou Groza Award; Syracuse placekicker wins honor

Northwest GA News (Sports) 12/6 9:42A BY BROOKS KUBENA | bkubena@thead

LSU's Cole Tracy missed out on the Lou Groza Award, the honor for the nation's top placekicker, on Thursday night during the college football award ceremony in Atlanta.

Interim coach Joe Philbin ready to call plays for Packers

Northwest GA News (Sports) 12/5 3:00P JASON WILDE For the State Journa

On Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons at Lambeau Field, he’ll do something he’s never done: Call the offensive plays in a regular-season NFL game.

Ravens QB Lamar Jackson in concussion protocol, replace by RGIII vs. Falcons

Northwest GA News (Sports) 12/2 8:16A

Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson was entered into the concussion protocol and taken to the locker room following a designed run against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.

SEC Championship: Unlikely SEC MVP Jacobs kept Tide in game

Northwest GA News (Sports) 12/1 2:45P By Alex Byington/Montgomery Adve

ATLANTA — Josh Jacobs saw the ball hit the turf and panicked.

HURTS SO GOOD: Jalen steps in for injured Tua to rally Tide for SEC title

Northwest GA News (Sports) 12/1 2:41P By Alex Byington/Montgomery Adve

ATLANTA — Jalen Hurts finally got the chance to play the second half he was stripped of in January and made the most of the opportunity Saturday night.

Rabalais: Bama's backup (quarterback) plan foils Georgia's championship schemes again

Northwest GA News (Sports) 12/1 2:25P BY SCOTT RABALAIS | srabalais@th

ATLANTA — Alabama, the team being debated as college football’s greatest ever, was actually in trouble. Again.

Doug Segrest: Another storybook finish for Tide ... Can we get a rematch in the playoffs?

Northwest GA News (Sports) 12/1 2:19P By Doug Segrest/Montgomery Adver

ATLANTA — Same city. Same stadium. Same storybook finish. Oh, what a finish.

Alabama notebook: Mistakes prove costly for Tide

Northwest GA News (Sports) 12/1 1:53P By Alex Byington/Montgomery Adve

ATLANTA — Uncharacteristic mistakes and a concerted effort of keep-away saw Alabama enter halftime trailing for the first time since its last game against Georgia.

Will LSU make the Peach or Fiesta bowl? Path still appears clear after Championship Saturday

Northwest GA News (Sports) 12/1 1:45P BY SCOTT RABALAIS | srabalais@th

ATLANTA — Alabama’s stirring 35-28 comeback Saturday in the SEC Championship Game may not have pleased Crimson Tide-weary LSU football fans, but Championship Saturday’s early results did nothing to harm the Tigers’ hopes of reaching their first...