PACKERS (9-6) VS. LIONS (9-6)
SUNDAY, 8:30 P.M. ET, FORD FIELD, DETROIT uTV: NBC
Announcers: Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya
About the Packers: Five down, one left, which will determine the NFC North champions. Since pronouncing in Week 11 that they’d “run the table” after a fourth consecutive loss, QB and the Packers have won five in a row, averaging more than 30 points a game. Their 38-25 dismantling of the Minnesota Vikings included five Rodgers touchdowns, increasing his season total to 40, against 11 turnovers. played his best game since suffering a left shoulder injury in Week 11, and fellow OLB (hand) was a force after missing two games. Matthews was responsible for one of the defense’s two takeaways, increasing its total during the surge to 14 against one turnover. The Packers are clinging to the No. 6 seed, but only a win against Detroit would ensure they make the playoffs.
About the Lions: The Lions failed to clinch a playoff berth Monday but have a shot at the NFC North title. Standing in the way of their first division title since 1993 are the Packers, who built a 31-10 halftime lead in Week 2 before hanging on for a 34-27 victory. The Lions didn’t allow more than 28 points afterward until yielding 42 vs. the Dallas Cowboys. Detroit knows it must lean on MVP candidate who has thrown for 273 and 260 yards in two games since dislocating a finger. The Lions also need No. 1 CB inactive Monday with a hamstring injury, healthy to battle the Packers’
and for top RB (wrist) to add a spark after a three-game layoff. Marvin Jones had a big game vs. the Packers in Week 3 but hasn’t done much since.
The Lions reached this point despite minimal contributions from their best pass rusher, who collected his first sack two weeks ago and added another Monday. With Packers RT
departing early a week ago with a shoulder injury, Bakhtiari is unlikely to receive a lot of help protecting the blind side against explosive Ansah.
Player to watch: Lions WR Marvin Jones: He had a career day in the first meet-
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
ing (six catches, 205 yards, two touchdowns) but hasn’t topped 94 yards since. The Packers lost CB (elbow) Saturday and have struggled against outside playmakers, including Minnesota’s Adam Thielen (12 catches, 202 yards, two touchdowns) Saturday. CB must play big after being benched in Week 15.
Division titles for the Packers since the Lions last won the division, in 1993 when it was the NFC Central.
KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Say Nelson: The NFL’s front-runner to earn Comeback Player of the Year, Nelson is playing as well as any NFL wideout with a league-leading 14 receiving touchdowns, including two as part of his nine-catch, 154-yard outing Saturday. With inactive last week with an ankle injury, Nelson has spent more time in the slot. Lions newcomer
a cornerback signed from the Baltimore Ravens practice squad two weeks ago, struggled on the inside in his debut with Detroit in Week 15.
2. Red zone: The Lions went 3-for-4 in the red zone Monday after converting five of their past 16 red-zone trips. Still lacking any semblance of a consistent run game, Detroit needs someone other than slot WR (team-high seven TDs) to step up.
3. Avoiding mistakes: Stafford has been successful by taking what defenses give him, but he seemed to press in the last two games after falling behind. Can he stay composed if Detroit falls behind by more than a score?
Arthur Arkush