With only minutes to go in the Green Bay Packers 2013 week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears, Aaron Rodgers danced around in the backfield on a 4th and long, then found receiver Randall Cobb deep for a 48-yard touchdown, and the win in a game that decided the NFC North title.
Meanwhile, the Detroit Lions had just finished the season with a loss to the Minnesota Vikings. It was their fourth loss in a row, and the sixth in their final seven games. Going to week 11 of 2013, the Lions were 6-3. They were first place in the division and has just completed the season sweep over the Bears. They were on top of the world.
But just like seasons before, the wheels fell off. They picked up a dominating victory over the Packers on Thanksgiving, but proceeded to blow huge games against the Eagles, Ravens and Giants. The Lions were eliminated from playoff contention in week 16, and a loss week 17 just rubbed salt in the wound, as it clinched another sub-500 season.
NFC North Championship Preview: Detroit Lions vs Green Bay Packers
This season, the Lions entered week 11 with an impressive 7-2 record. But there were still many question marks. They were on a four-game win streak, but the last three required last second drives to escape with a win. Many fans felt that this season would be a repeat of years passed, and the Lions would yet again fail to make the playoffs. These fears worsened when the Lions lost two straight to the Cardinals and Patriots, not scoring a touchdown in either game.
The Lions got back on track on Thanksgiving, dominating the Bears, and then going on to put up equally impressive performances over the Vikings and Buccaneers in the following weeks. They went on to win four straight, and clinch their second playoff appearance since 1999.
On the other hand, the Packers have won three straight NFC North titles, and entered this season as one of the favorites to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, and even to win it. Their season got off to a lack luster, dropping two of their first three including a loss to the Lions. But they then went on to win nine of their next ten, and ten of their last 12 overall, including wins over talented Eagles and Patriots teams.
Even more impressive is how they won. They have scored over 35 points six times this season, and at one point had a two game span where they had scored 108 points. Rodgers has been extremely impressive and has taken the spot as the frontrunner for NFL MVP.
The Packers are favorites to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, and like always are a threat to win it all.
Meanwhile the Lions, despite being a talented team, were not expected to be in this position this late in the season. The Lions have a chance to come out on top, but have to win in a state where they have lost their last 23 games.
Despite the differences in history and success in the recent years, the teams find themselves meeting each other week 17 in a game that will decide the NFC North champion. The teams enter Sunday’s game at an even 11-4 record, but this is truly a story of David vs Goliath. A final battle where the winner not only gets a first round bye, but the title of being the King of the North.
The Packers, will surely be favored in this game, just as they have been in nearly every game this season. But they have stumbled into this game. They lost a sloppy game on the road to the Buffalo Bills. In the game, Rodgers only completed 17/42 passes and threw two interceptions compared to no touchdowns. A week later, the Packers struggled again. This time against the Buccaneers, the NFL’s worst team. Rodgers could not get the offense going, and they were only able to pull away late because the defense held Tampa to only 3 points.
Despite their struggles in the recent weeks, the Packers offense is one of the best in the NFL. They rank second overall in points scored and sixth in yards per game. They have a top ten passing offense, and their rushing game, which is carried by 2013 rookie of the year Eddie Lacy, is ranked 11th in the NFL.
The connection between Aaron Rodgers and Receiver Jordy Nelson has been crucial to the Packers success. Nelson as accounted for 1400 of Rodgers 4000 yards this season, with Randall Cobb accounting for just over 1200.
The Packers passing attack is crucial to this matchup, as the Lions have the NFL’s top ranked rush defense, allowing under 1,000 total yards this season, and only seven touchdowns. The power of the defense comes from the defensive line. Ndamukong Suh is the best defensive tackle in the NFL, and 2013 first round pick Ziggy Ansah has been a threat off of the edge.
Suh and Ansah also create and almost unstoppable duo of pass rushers, accounting for a combined 16 of the Lions 41 sacks this season. Their pass rush has also been a key factor in the success of the Lions usually terrible secondary.
Safety’s Glover Quinn and James Ihedigbo have held together this secondary and have single handedly won games for the Lions this season. They have intercepted a combined 11 passes this season, and they along with corners Darius Slay (2 interceptions) and Rashean Mathis (1) have 14 total.
This secondary has lead the NFL’s sixth best passing defense, but it won’t be smooth sailing for the Lions secondary. They have often had mental lapses, leading to huge gains by opponents. With a quarterback like Rodgers and the chemistry that he has with both Nelson and Cobb, expect the Packers to air it out deep often, and complete a few downfield. Corner Darius Slay will be their main target, as he is the most susceptible to getting burned downfield, and often commits costly pass interference calls.
If the Packers are successful enough going down field, they could also get their run game going. If they can draw the attention of the Lions best linebacker DeAndre Levy towards the pass on a play action, then they can catch the Lions off guard and Lacy can begin to pick up yards.
The Packers are a versatile team that is hard to stop even with the best of defenses, and once they get momentum, they can be near impossible to stop.
The Detroit Lions offense, no matter how many weapons or how versatile they are, can be broken down to one key factor. Will quarterback Matthew Stafford be able to hook up with receiver Calvin Johnson. Johnson played 12 games this season, many of which he was injured for, but has already amassed over 1,000 of Staffords 4,000 yards on the season.
But for the Lions, they have finally found the sought after WR2. Golden Tate joined the Lions this offseason after locker room problems (like sleeping with the quarterbacks wife) led to him leaving the Seahawks.
Tate has lead the Lions in receiving yards this season with almost 1,300 yards this season. He makes one of the best WR2s in the league, but he and Johnson are the only options Stafford has to throw.
The team has struggled with injuries this season, with all three active tight ends injured at one point this season. With Joseph Fauria out for the season, rookie Eric Ebron has had troubles staying consistent and at times has forgotten how to catch a football, which leaves Brandon Pettigrew, who throughout his career has proved to not be a formidable target.
Which only leaves the running backs. Joique Bell and Theo Riddick have shown flashes of great play, but are still young players that make many mistakes. Reggie Bush is a great target out of the backfield, but has had trouble staying healthy.
The Packers may enough trouble with just Johnson and Tate though. The Packers have the NFL’s 24th ranked pass defense, and Cornerbacks Tramon Williams and Sam Shields will have their hands full yet again. Safety’s Micah Hyde and Haha Clinton-Dix will have a lot of work to do in order to protect the Packers from allowing the Lions offense to beat their secondary deep.
The Packers will need to force the Lions in order to run, and if they do they will shut down the Lions offense. The Packers rush defense falls within the top 15 in the league, while the Lions rush defense is in the bottom five.
Reggie Bush will be healthy for the game, and may help out a struggling rush defense, but in the end it will come down to how well they can pass.
The Lions offense is inconsistent and has struggled at times, and relies way to much on their passing offense. But their passing game may be enough to beat an average Packers defense, and they have arguably the best receiver in the NFL, Calvin Johnson.
Sunday’s match up puts together two teams, who despite their differences, are in the same position. The Packers have the advantage of home field, but the Lions have already beaten them this season. Both teams have stumbled into this game, but both have enough talent to turn around and play like Super Bowl contenders.
The match up features one of the NFLs best offenses against one of the best defenses. Even though the saying says defense wins championships, in this case, the Packers should come out on top in a narrow victory.
Thank you for reading. Please take a moment to follow me on Twitter – @MansurShaheen. Support LWOS by following us on Twitter – @LastWordOnSport and @LWOSworld – and “liking” our Facebook page.
Have you tuned into Last Word On Sports Radio? LWOS is pleased to bring you 24/7 sports radio to your PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone. What are you waiting for?
