The Packers’ gut-wrenching 31-26 loss to the Buccaneers at Lambeau Field had been over for less than an hour Sunday, and Aaron Rodgers was searching for words in the face of another NFC Championship Game disappointment.

Nebraska coach Scott Frost still believes Adrian Martinez can be a special QB, and will try to make it happen. 

Gunner Cruz, a Queen Creek native, will return home to play quarterback for the Arizona Wildcats. 

While both teams spent the week downplaying the significance of Tampa Bay’s 38-10 victory over the Packers on Oct. 18 at Raymond James Stadium — the Packers in hopes of the results being different this time around; the Bucs in an effort to combat overconfidence — there’s no denying that the game was easily the Packers’ worst offensive performance of the year.

“I forgot how much you truly, truly miss having a crowd there," Aaron Rodgers gushed after the Packers dispatched the Rams. "It’s hard to really put into words how special that feeling is. But you can feel it. It’s so palpable.” 

Packers coach Matt LaFleur was convinced running the ball was vital to winning their NFC Divisional playoff showdown with the NFL’s No. 1 scoring defense, not only to be productive but to set up what he wanted to do in the passing game.

How Jared Goff leads the Rams into their NFC semifinal game against the Green Bay Packers at cold Lambeau Field will serve as a template for his future with the team.