The Detroit Lions and the Green Bay Packers are facing off at Lambeau Field on Sunday for their last regular season game. Both teams have carried themselves through the season with an impressive amount of determination and consequently, both are in the playoffs. The Lions have broken their playoff dry spell, seeing as though they have not made it to the post-season since 1999. They clinched their wild card spot in week 16 with their 38-10 win over San Diego. The Packers are and have been the NFC North champions for a few weeks now, and that is why many are questioning whether or not they will rest a few of their starters.
There is not much pressure on either the Lions or Packers in this week 17 match-up seeing as though both are definitely in the playoffs. However, if the Lions can come away with a win at Lambeau, they would move from the number 6 seed to the number 5 seed. This move up the rankings would allow the Lions to play the NFC East Champions, which could either be the Dallas Cowboys or the New York Giants. If the Lions enter the post-season as the number 6 seed, they will have to face the dominant New Orleans Saints who have already beat them once this season. The Green Bay Packers already have home-field advantage throughout the post-season as well as a first round bye, so a win isn’t as important for them.
Although there is not much hype about this Lions-Packers faceoff, both head coaches Jim Schwartz and Mike McCarthy respectively are taking this game very seriously. McCarthy stated in his Monday press conference, “We’re going to play to win the game next week”. Even though there is much speculation he may sit Rodgers and other starters out for the game at Lambeau Field, the team is going to still be determined to win. The same goes for the Detroit Lions. Schwartz has made it clear the Lions are going to come out as strong as they have been all season. However, the Lions have not won against Green Bay at Lambeau Field in 20 years and that is a huge obstacle to overcome.
Green Bay has been subject to injuries all season long and this may be advantageous for Detroit. The Packers are working with what many analysts are calling a “patchwork” offensive line and this has been a challenge for the team. They are missing three of their four top tackles and only two of their offensive line players are in their usual positions. This could be a problem for the Packers seeing as though the Detroit Lions are known for their dangerous defensive line and putting pressure on the quarterback. However, there is some brightness in the future of the Packers offensive line with McCarthy stating their right tackle Bryan Bulaga is close to returning and he would like for left tackle Chad Clifton to play on Sunday. They have both been dealing with serious injuries and the Packers desperately need these two starters back for their post-season run.
The Packer’s decimated offensive line is one of the reasons many believe Mike McCarthy may choose to rest Aaron Rodgers on Sunday. Even though the line proved to be effective in their 35-21 win over the Chicago Bears in week 16, it is critical that Rodgers be protected in this last week of regular play. In all seriousness, if Rodgers sustained an injury in the game against the Lions on Sunday the Packer’s Super Bowl dreams would be crushed. Rodgers is one of the main reasons for the Packer’s successful season and the team just wouldn’t be as strong without him. He is a leader and the team follows him in order to be victorious.
Rodgers commented on the speculation that he may not play on Sunday at Lambeau field stating, “Now that we have the top seed locked up, I think priorities may shift a little”. This hints at the fact he may take the week off to rest up for the playoffs, but we’ll all have to wait and see what happens. Rodgers sitting out could be a gift for the Lions, so we’ll see if coach Mike McCarthy is still in the holiday giving spirit…
