“As I’ve said many times over the last eight or nine months, this year has been a gift. And I’m very thankful for it,” McCarthy said.

State Journal columnist Tom Oates grades the Green Bay Packers' performance in their 20-15 win over the Washington Redskins on Sunday at Lambeau Field.

Ervin, claimed on waivers from Jacksonville last week and immediately installed as the team’s return man, accomplished more the first time he touched the football Sunday than the rest of the Packers punt returners accomplished in the season’s first 12 games.

“As I’ve said many times over the last eight or nine months, this year has been a gift. And I’m very thankful for it,” McCarthy said.

This is not the way a team with Super Bowl aspirations is supposed to operate, especially with games against its three NFC North Division rivals — Chicago at home, Minnesota and Detroit on the road — coming up next and the playoffs after that. No wonder the Packers were more bothered than excited afterward.

Rodgers and the Packers (9-3) play the Washington Redskins (3-9) on Sunday at Lambeau Field.

The Redskins running back with a history of knee injuries tweeted that Savage’s low tackle on him in last Sunday's game was a “cheap shot.”

“Anytime you don’t perform up to the level that you expect or the standard, you’re always concerned about that," Matt LaFleur said the day after the 20-15 victory against the Redskins.

For the second consecutive week, the Ravens earned all 12 first-place votes for 384 points in balloting Tuesday by media members who regularly cover the NFL.

Aaron Jones rushed for a season-high 134 yards and a touchdown on just 16 carries, Aaron Rodgers threw for 195 yards and the Green Bay Packers did enough to beat the Washington Redskins 20-15 Sunday.