- Van Nistelrooy accepts Man Utd lack a clinical striker
- Maresca says Chelsea can beat 'any team'
- Kolisi on the bench as Springboks ring changes for Scotland clash
- Israeli football supporters back home after Amsterdam violence
- Stock markets waver after US election rally, rate cut
- Guardiola will 'solve' Man City's malaise
- Russia seeks six years for medic for criticising Ukraine campaign
- Leveraging Trump win, embattled Macron eyes diplomatic comeback
- England cricket great Botham hails Hughes for Aussie croc rescue
- Mbappe 'down but not out' says Real Madrid coach Ancelotti
- Arsenal ready to rebound after troubled spell: Arteta
- Cartier owner's profit sinks as China sales slump
- UN aims to set standards for scandal-hit carbon markets
- Australia rugby captain Wilson aiming to hit England for six
- Amsterdam mayor 'ashamed' by 'unbearable' attacks on Israel football fans
- UN probe says women, children comprise the majority of Gaza war dead
- England's Lawrence eager to face rising Wallabies star Suaalii
- Judge Spurs at end of the season, says Postecoglou
- Paris Olympic horses to be awarded military medals
- Flood-hit Spain drenched by wettest October on record
- Spain call up uncapped trio for Nations League
- INEOS Britannia named as challenger for 38th America's Cup
- Scarlets wing Murray set for Wales debut against Fiji
- Stocks falter tracking US, China policy updates
- Prince William reflects on 'brutal' year as Kate returns to public life
- After Trump win, EU leaders tackle 'urgent' reform agenda
- France expects massive slump in 2024 wine harvest
- Leaders condemn 'anti-Semitic' football clashes in Amsterdam
- China passes energy law to 'promote carbon neutrality'
- Slot not surprised by flying start at Liverpool
- Kagiyama leads Miura at NHK Trophy
- China unveils sweeping local govt debt swap to lift ailing economy
- Partial UN probe of Gaza war dead over 6 months shows 'nearly 70%' women, children
- 'Anti-government' samosa theft prompts India police probe
- Qantas plane returns to Australia airport due to 'engine failure'
- Ayub hits 82 as Pakistan crush Australia in 2nd ODI
- Russian drones, missiles pummel cities across Ukraine
- First artwork by humanoid robot sells for over $1.0 million
- China to raise local govt debt ceiling to boost struggling economy
- Climate change poses multiple risks for banks
- Boxing club helps fight Greenland's suicide scourge
- Retired Olympian Daley dives into the spool with Tokyo knitwear show
- Japanese organ builder 'honoured' to restore voice of Notre Dame
- Sony quarterly net profit jumps but forecast unchanged
- Asian markets struggle to maintain momentum after Fed cut
- Fur flies as Russia takes on young fans of 'quadrobics'
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- Rauf takes five as Australia out for 163 in 2nd Pakistan ODI
- Harris thrusts himself into pole position in Australia 'bat-off'
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Rodgers eyes Niners revenge, Henry set for Titans return
Aaron Rodgers embarks on his latest quest for a second Super Bowl ring on Saturday as the Green Bay Packers open their NFL playoff campaign seeking revenge over the resurgent San Francisco 49ers.
After earning an extra week's rest as NFC top seeds, Rodgers and the Packers enter the postseason brimming with confidence as they prepare to host the 49ers at Lambeau Field in Wisconsin.
For Rodgers, who grew up a 49ers fan in Northern California, it is another opportunity to remind San Francisco of what might have been had the franchise not snubbed him in the 2005 Draft.
Instead, the 49ers opted for Alex Smith, and Rodgers ended up in Green Bay.
When asked at the time how disappointed he was at not being drafted by the 49ers, Rodgers responded with a reply that has passed into NFL folklore.
"Not as disappointed as the 49ers will be that they didn't draft me," the quarterback said.
In the playoffs at least, Rodgers has been unable to live up to that bold 2005 declaration. In three previous postseason meetings with the 49ers, Rodgers has finished on the losing side.
Saturday's clash at Lambeau offers Rodgers arguably his best chance to end that losing streak in what is a record-tying ninth postseason meeting between the two NFC rivals.
Rodgers insists that the rivalry between the franchises does not give him added motivation.
"Motivation comes from within," he said this week. "I already have enough motivation. Inspiration? I did watch this rivalry growing up.
"I understand the history of this rivalry, the history of us against them. But these are two different teams."
The 49ers, who routed Rodgers and the Packers 37-20 in the NFC Championship game two years ago to reach the Super Bowl, meanwhile are happy in the role of underdogs as they hit the road once again.
- Bad blood? -
San Francisco sealed their place in the playoffs with a roller coaster victory over the Los Angeles Rams in the final game of the regular season, before silencing the Dallas Cowboys last weekend with victory in Arlington.
Had last year's offseason panned out differently, Niners coach Kyle Shanahan might well have been prepping Rodgers as his quarterback this postseason.
San Francisco enquired about Rodgers' availability after the quarterback indicated last year he wanted to be traded -- but were swiftly rebuffed.
Shanahan, a friend of Packers coach Matt LaFleur, insists there is no lingering bad blood over that approach. Shanahan and LaFleur exchanged a brief handshake earlier this season after the Packers won a last-gasp victory over the 49ers in week three at Levi's Stadium.
"I was pissed after that game because of how that game ended," Shanahan said.
"But we're good. I talk to Matt a lot. I've been really happy for him. But that stops this week."
After an uncertain start to the season, the 49ers finished strongly, going 8-2 in their last 10 games.
Whether the sixth-seeded 49ers can pull off another surprise may come down to the fitness of defensive linch pins Nick Bosa and Fred Warner. Both players limped out of last week's win over Dallas, but are expected to recover for Saturday.
Saturday's other divisional round game, sees the top-seeded Tennessee Titans take on the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC.
The game could mark the return of Titans powerhouse running back Derrick Henry, who has not played since suffering a fractured foot during the Titans' overtime win over the Indianapolis Colts in October.
Henry took part in padded practice sessions on Tuesday, and later reported he "felt great".
"I just wanted to get some pads on," Henry said. "Haven't had them on in a while and got some contact going."
Titans head coach Mike Vrabel is expected to delay a decision on Henry's availability until Friday.
T.Bondarenko--BTB