The final game of the NFL regular season is a NFC North battle between the Lions and the Packers. Since the Seahawks beat the Rams in OT, the Lions are eliminated out of the playoffs. A month ago, things were ugly in Green Bay. They were 4-8 and Aaron Rodgers was not happy. He was blaming receivers and was extremely upset. Now, they’re a Sunday Night primetime win away from making the playoffs. The Lions on the other hand are a team which are kind of unpredictable. This season they’ve scored 45 points one game and followed that by getting shut out by the Pats. Both of these teams weren’t expected to make the playoffs so we should be in for a fascinating matchup.
The Lions have proven this season they are offensively capable of scoring points. When the season first began, I’m pretty sure all of us, me included, did not expect the Lions to make the playoffs. By the end of October, they were 1-6 and dead last in their division. They picked it up, got on some winning streaks and have gone 7-2 since then. In the games they’ve won this season, they’ve scored a lot of points. Out of their 16 games this season, they’ve only had 3 games in which they’ve scored less than 20 points. They’ve proven that if you want to beat them, you’re going to have to beat them by scoring more than them. Jared Goff has had an incredible rebound year and has given this team a chance to win. He has had the help of outstanding receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. This guy is elite and has been one of the NFL’s best receivers. I presume he will match up against cornerback Jaire Alexander which will be very interesting to watch. The Lions also have an outstanding run duo in Jamaal Williams and D’Andre Swift. They split the workload and both are really talented. The Lions offense is great but I think it’ll come down to the Detroit defense. They have to step up and not make it entirely on the offense. I believe the Lions have a real chance to win this game but they’ll have to play at their very best.
The Green Bay Packers story has been unreal, I mean talk about momentum. They are coming off a thrashing of the Vikings at Lambeau Field. All they have to do against the Lions, regardless of what happens before, is beat Detroit. Win and in, it’s that simple for Matt LaFleur’s team. I think they really started believing after they beat the Dolphins. The defense has been absolutely incredible for them with forcing a whopping 8 turnovers in the last 2 games. Rodgers hasn’t had to do much because the defense has been marvelous. They have stopped two tremendous offenses and have really stepped up. Against Minnesota last week, Jaire Alexander took Justin Jefferson out of the game. Jefferson had 1 catch for 15 yards, that’s it. He can defend anyone and we’ll see how he does against Amon-Ra St. Brown. The Packers at the beginning of the season had some wide receiver issues. Now, Christian Watson has emerged and has been really good. I feel like everything is clicking for Green Bay and if they win tonight, they could cause some problems in the playoffs.
I believe the Packers will win this game 31-24. This team is on a hot run and is playing a complete game right now. The Lions defense has been the weak point of the team this season and I think they will be crushed by Aaron Rodgers. The Packers can run the ball well with Dillon and Jones which I think will be a big factor in this game. For the Lions, I think it’ll be down to how they can slow the game down. Green Bay fans know what is at stake and they’ll be really loud. The Lions have to rock the boat and not get ahead of themselves. This game is available to watch on NBC and Peacock.
On a Sunday Night in Wisconsin, Aaron Rodgers tries to lead his team into the playoffs while the Detroit Lions are looking to play spoilers. Will the Green Bay Packers roar into the playoffs or will the Detroit Lions end their season on a high note? We’ll find out very soon from Lambeau Field on Sunday Night.
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