cunningham, with words for aaron rodgers. wendy's coming up next with these messages. ♪ ♪ no two people have the same financial goals. pnc works with you to understand yours and help plan for your retirement. visit a branch or call now for your personal retirement review. just waiting for inspiration to strike. and there it is! done. genius. give the gift of dunkin' coffee. get two pounds for $14.99, only at dunkin' restaurants. america runs on dunkin'. >>> welcome to the wendy's post game report. here now bob costas. >> the packers take a game lead over chicago with a win at soldier field next week. they're only a half game back from the 49ers from the number two seed in the nfc and the niners have to play the patriots in foxborough next week. stars of the game, aaron rodgers, didn't throw for a td, but did have a long td run. trammen williams, a lot of man coverage on calvin johnson. you are never going to stop him. but when the game was in doubt, held him very much in check. >> michele: you had just 16 offensive plays

cunningham, with words for aaron rodgers. wendy's coming up next with these messages. >>> welcome to the wendy's post game report. here now bob costas. >> the packers take a game lead over chicago with a win at soldier field next week. they're only a half game back from the 49ers from the number two seed in the nfc and the niners have to play the patriots in foxborough next week. stars of the game, aaron rodgers, didn't throw for a td, but did have a long td run. trammen williams, a lot of man coverage on calvin johnson. you are never going to stop him. but when the game was in doubt, held him very much in check. >> michele: you had just 16 offensive plays in the first half. your coach mike mccarthy told you at half time throw the stats out of the window, we're going to go win this thing. how did you change things? >> we still had 22 minutes in possession, so it was an ugly win. ugly wins are better than tough losses. we're first in the division right now, three left. big week next week in chicago, a chance to go two game up

. >> packers quarterback aaron rodgers running for a 27-yard touchdown. yeah, that's the longest in his career. green bay's 27-20 victory over detroit. packers now have an nfl record 22-game winning streak at home against the lions and can clinch the nfc north next weekend. but that would require a win over chicago. it's hanukkah time. that's what they did in washington sunday. the national hanukkah menorah was illuminated during a ceremony outside the white house. it stands adjacent to the white house christmas tree. as he's done for 20 years, the rabbi presided over that ceremony. 20 years. that is quite a streak. >> very nice. thank you. >>> 49 minutes past the hour. people waking up in minnesota right now have a little work to do, i would say so. there is as much as 17 inches of snow waiting to be shoveled outside. in some parts of the state, it sure looks pretty, doesn't it? alexandra steel is in for rob marciano. let it snow. >> absolutely.

and also, we know that aaron rodgers is going to put up points and have big numbers. but christian ponder has to come up big. he's got to do it on the road. and the last time they were in green bay, he threw a couple big interceptions that turned the game around. he's going to have to play well under the playoff pressure. i think you have to like aaron rodgers and the packers in that game. >> all right, on to the afc. the broncos have home field. the patriots also have a bye. surging cincinnati travels to houston in the early game on saturday with coverage beginning at 4:00 eastern here on nbc. the colts will head to baltimore to face the ravens on sunday at 1:00 eastern time on cbs. so, tony, what's your overview of the afc? >> well, it really is setting up for a new england/denver championship game, and i think it's going to be great with tom brady playing against peyton manning. that's the way i kind of see the whole thing playing out. but i'm excited about our game on saturday night. we're going to have houston and cincinnati. and matt schaub, the pressure is on h

aaron rodgers and the pack trying to clinch the nfc north. facing chicago, jay cutler over the middle to brandon marshall. breaks a tackle, stiff-arms another. 30 second left in the first half. it's tied. aaron rodgers, james jones, they hooked up three times today. packers win 21-13. they clinch the nfc north. andrew luck and the colts trying to clinch a playoff spot. 3-0 texas. matt schaub to andrew johnson for the touchdown. 13-3 houston. the punt, scoops it up, scores, texans win 29-17. houston clinches the afc south. are you guys staying with me? peyton manning and the broncos seeking their 9th straight win in baltimore. broncos lead, but ravens on the doorstep of the end zone. denver's chris harris picked off joe flak coast. broncos win 34-1. baltimore loses their third straight game. their lead is just a game. maybe they fired the wrong coordinator. they fired cam cameron last week, but they can't stop opposing off fences. >> so busy on game day. >> yes, indeed. we'll have a complete report from new england on that game. vern glen will

and also, we know that aaron rodgers is going to put up points and have big numbers. but christian ponder has to come up big. he's got to do it on the road. and the last time they were in green bay, he threw a couple big interceptions that turned the game around. he's going to have to play well under the playoff pressure. i think you have to like aaron rodgers and the packers in that game. >> all right, on to the afc. the broncos have home field. the patriots also have a bye. surging cincinnati travels to houston in the early game on saturday with coverage beginning at 4:00 eastern here on nbc. the colts will head to baltimore to face the ravens on sunday at 1:00 eastern time on cbs. so, tony, what's your overview of the afc? >> well, it really is setting up for a new england/denver championship game, and i think it's going to be great with tom brady playing against peyton manning. that's the way i kind of see the whole thing playing out. but i'm excited about our game on saturday night. we're going to have houston and cincinnati. and matt schaub, the pressure is on h

tom brady and payton man aaron rodgers don't want to leave the field or lose their jobs. why would we mess with something that makes us the envee of the world. >> the you got to have family relationships. >> and rick who is peyton manning of journalism. >> i am not a big vacationer, i enjoy working which is why lizy is reading my e-mails while she is on vacation. >> it is relevant in recent history. we saw where walmart and other companies required people who want to take off. and everything in this country unless we need you to show up for work. i want to get back foemac. i know how hard you work . there are times, is there been a year whether you used awful your vatime? i don't think you have. >> that's why i feel like i am losing my mind. i got to knock it off. >> and that is interesting. germany and the eu. germany had highest vacation days n eu . they are most productive. >> they make good cars, the germans. >> and the gloth grated is-thirds of our own . once upon a time they were a low tax regime and hours were higher. taxes on work you get less of it >> europe has

all about aaron rodgers. >> it was a cool date, though. and we will not live to see the next repetitive date, 1-1-2101, 88 years away. so it's good we got one under our belt. because we'll be in another place, a better place. >> who knows, you might be living. >> nothing in my gene pool suggests that. >>> coming up, britney spears is number one on a brand-new list. >> and a new top for new york's number one landmark. a construction milestone to make the big apple proud, coming up on "world news now." ♪ concrete jungle where dreams are made of there's nothing you can't do now you're in new york ♪ l ♪ ♪ i got a pocketful of dreams i'm from new york concrete jungle where dreams are made of ♪ >>> welcome back, everyone. the first section of the top that would make the new world trade center the tallest building in the western hemisphere is now in place. it took workers half an hour to hoist the 70-ton piece of galvanized steel to the top of the 104-story building. and it caught the eye of tourists and new yorkers alike who caused to

and notable names from the nfc, aaron rodgers, adrian peterson, calvin johnson and victor cruz, who will make his first career pro bowl appearance. >>> coming up at the top of the hour on "morning joe," treasury secretary tim geithner throws a monkey wrench in the fiscal cliff talks, announcing that the u.s. will reach its budget cliff by monday. we'll discuss that on "morning joe." and when we come back, we'll hudding around the water cooler, where it gets awkward in an interview between the obamas and barbara walters. that's next when "way too early" comes right back. ♪ >>> okay, enough with the real news, let's gather around the water cooler to watch barbara walters try to pull back the curtain on life at the white house. the 83-year-old journalist sat down to interview president obama and the first lady, assuming we've all heard plenty about the fiscal cliff, walters wasted little time pivoting to more intimate territory. >> when you look at this picture, what do you think? at what point was it taken? >> i think we were campaigning in iowa. >> so, why were you hugging so hard in io

mike daniels returned a fumble for a 43-yard score and aaron rodgers rushed for a touchdown as the packers beat detroit, 27-20. the packers now win two straight games at home against the lions. >>> washington redskins quarterback roger griffin iii strained his knee late in the game against the baltimore ravens. he says he's okay, but is questionable for next week. quarterback kirk cousins ties it up for a two-point conversion after scoring a goal. tl skins beat the ravens, 31-28. >>> and talk about a rouse. this is in seattle. the seahawks set a franchise record, 58 to -- 58-0, a win over arizona. it was the largest shutout in seattle history. it was arizona's ninth straight loss. >>> when we come back another look at the top stories and texas strategy. dallas cowboys football player josh brent accused in a drunk driving accident that killed his teammate. accused in a car accident that killed his teammate. [ woman #1 ] i can't believe it's finally here! [ woman #2 ] it's the real deal! [ man #1 ] turn it around! turn it around! [ woman #1 ] over here! over here! [ woman #2 ] turn around! t

adrian peterson and aaron rodgers. robert griffin iii got the sixth most votes with almost 700,000, tops for any rookie this season which is pretty good considering andrew luck and russell wilson in seattle. >>> many figures in the sports community have reached out to those affected by the tragedy in newtown, connecticut. titans running back chris johnson was among those who lent his support yesterday sending christmas gifts to the family of 7-year-old grace mcdonnell. johnson also spoke to mcdonnell's older brother jack on the phone and gave the family his phone number in case they needed help in the future. >>> derek jeter called the mother of 27-year-old teacher victoria soto who was killed while protecting her first grade students. soto was such a fan of the yankees that it was mentioned as part of her eulogy. jeter did that without being prompted. he did it all on his own. the miami dolphins sent flowers in the memory of mary sherlach after learning she was an avid fan of that team. joe philbin said we just though

the packers were down 14- nothing at one point, but in the third, aaron rodgers escaped the pocket and ran 27 yards for a go-ahead touchdown. it was tied at 17 in the fourth when dujuan harris went 14 yards up the middle for a score. the packers won 27-20, and they can clinch the division with a win here in chicago next week. here's a look at the n-f-c playoff picture. the bears, giants and seahawks are all eight- and- five, but the bears are in sixth place due to tie-breakers. they are only one game ahead of washington, dallas, and minnesota, but they do have the easiest remaining schedule against green bay, arizona and detroit. college ball all clear for take- off as depaul plays uw- milwaukee. in the first brandon yound brings it up and drives the lane for a lay up. he had 13. they led by 18 at halftime. 2nd half, cleveland melvin to donovan kirk, who scored a career-high 14. depaul wins 84-50, now 6-and-3. that's a look at sports. you're live illinois lottery drawing is next. winning pick 3 numbers. 5,3,5 >>winning pick 4 numbers 3,73,5 lottery tickets anything is possible. have a

bears up seven nothing in the second, until aaron rodgers hits james jones for a 29- yard score his first of three touchdowns. seven- all just before halftime... jay cutler throws a bad pass right to casey heyward that sets up another packers touchdown. still down in the third, and the bears had second- and- goal from the one, but failed to score on three straight plays, including a pass interference penalty on alshon jeffrey. bears lose their sixth straight to green bay, 21-13 everybody will be held accountable. even if that means jobs. everybody on offense should be held accountable. i love this game. i am very passionate. right now it is affecting me way too much. the vikings looking to take advantage of the bears' loss. they're tied with the rams in the second, when adrian peterson breaks off an 82- yard run for a touchdown. he rushed for a season- high 212 yards, and is now 294 shy of the single- season record. the vikings win 36-22, and overtake the bears for the sixth and final playoff spot. the bears and vkings are both eight- and six but the tie- breaker puts the bears in seventh

. >> and today being 12-12-12 green bay packers, everybody was wearing aaron rodgers 12 at pla. as you can see for the offensive and defensive line stretching the threads to the maximum and mike mcintyre to speak with every player and coach individually before he takes off for his jaw not be as coach of colorado. the he turned it around. 10-3 this season and defensive coordinator will coach the spartans in that bowl game. he is going miss the coach. >> he has built this and we built this together. great mind and recruiter. it's the nature of the business. it's a crazy business, great profession. you just move on and you understand what that is all about. you try to make things better. >> in golf courses have a lot of bunkers, some have thick rough. in stlial they have a dinosaur. -- in straight they have a

green bay packers quarterback aaron rodgers. it has been declared aaron rodgers day today in that state. plans also calling for charity donations to number 12's favorite cause. those are your headlines. back to lori and melissa. how important is it that steve cohen is pain the legal fees of a four-month trader. investigators are trying to get the slip against his old boss. here is charlie with the very latest. there is two schools hit. number one as companies often paid legal expenses. we should point out that the former hedge fund trader that is at the center of the latest allegation of insider-trading left about two years ago. he is two years out of it. steve cohen is likely to have some sort of cooperation agreement. they share documents. they share strategy. if and when he ever cooperates, and we do know that we want him to cooperate, he still says no. if he ever does cut that deal, he is facing 20 years in jail. if he wants to avoid 20 years, he will know exactly what to say to prepare his defense. the government would only

he is the second rated passer in all of the nfl, only aaron rodgers and the packers has a higher rating. ravens quarterback joe flock o is ranked 23rd. he admitted this week that there was an added sense of urgency at practice after the disappointing loss to pittsburgh. the ravens are still in good position to win the division. they are in first place. the record is 9-3. but they are now heading into a crucial four-game finish to the regular season. all four games starting today with the redskins, then home away from today. peyton manning and the broncos. then eli manning and the jets will come to baltimore and the ravens will be on the road could be a wild ride starting today. join me for highlights and britain's reaction right after the game on wjz. back to you for now. >> thank you, mark. be sure to stay tuned for wjz peschel's post -- special postgame coverage. other action from today's game. >> the low lights would be a loss. >> yes, to say the least. >> and the highlight would be the rain. >> no highlights as far as weather is concerned. you'll need to dress address in the purple

. >> timmy tebow doesn't have the skills aaron rodgers has but he's a winner. he knows how to win. his quarterback skills aren't great but he knows how to get things date of done. >> absolutely, they tried to seek out pub publish. >> they haven't given him a shot. he's being paid essentially $3 million to sit and watch the game. which, come to think of it, to be forced to watch the jet games, they probably ought to pay him more. >> the jets are lousy. that goes without saying. they could bring joe namath back. is it your sense the tim tebow experiment is over and this sunday, whether he plays or not, will be his last game as a jet? >> i suspect that's right, it may be coach ryan's last game and the offense coordinator's last game and quarterback san she chez last game. wherever tim tebow lands, he's a good kid, religious kid, i guarantee you he'll continue for the starting quarterback on god's fantasy team. >> trace: i will disagree, i think mark sanchez will be there for a while because of the contract but tebow will go to another team. would you tell that team, look, this is a gu

packers quarterback aaron rodgers doesn't understand why smith's career has taken so many turns. >> alex and i are buddies. we have, you know, both got drafted in 2005 nfl draft and he's been through a lot. i can't imagine the, you know, what you have to go through that many offensive coordinators just the turnover in coaches has been tough for him. >> he's a great quarterback. he just needs to go somewhere, where he gets appreciated for the skill thats has and hopefully gets a chance nexter. > >> rodgers' opinion seems small compared to those of two college basketball coaches who used their platform to speak out about the sandy hook tragedy this week. >> if we in this country as americans cannot get the people that represent us to do something about firearms we are a sad, sad society. >> i didn't vote for president obama. okay? but you know what? he as my president now. he's my leader. i need him to step up. >> this is our fault. this is my fault and your fault, your fault, all your faults. >> this has to be a time for change and i know this microphone is powerful right now because we'r

aaron rodgers said the other night -- said the other day, to scott pelley, he assumes he is being the subject of that kind of effort to take him out of the game. >> well, we took a very strong position on bounties. for three years we had had charges that it was happening in new orleans. we finally got the information. we took a very strong position. it's clear that it happens it's been admitted to that it happened. i think what we need to do is make sure not only in the nfl, but in every level of football and every sport, that that kind of thing is inappropriate. you do not have a reward for injuring an opponent. that's not what sports are all about. >> i talked to drew brees recently. here's what he said. i'd say despite the injustices at the league office and commissioner goodell have committed against our team and against sean payton specifically, i think i'd ask himself what would sean want us to do and he wants us to focus on winning the football games. he feels the league is unfair. >> well they have their appeals and that's going in front of the former commissioner. we have to