Game 16: January 1st, 2012, Detroit Lions @ Green Bay Packers

[T&P_Fan]

Your playoff bound Detroit Lions!





Presents the following thread:

AT Green_Bay_Packers_Helmet.jpg

(10-5) AT (14-1)

Your Detroit Lions
AT
The Green Bay Packers

NFC Conference
Week 17

Location: Green Bay, WI-The Frozen Tundra
Date: Sunday, January 1st, 2012
Time: 1:05pm EST

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Ch. 135


Packers, playoffs, history await Lions | The Detroit News | detroitnews.com

Green Bay, Wis.— If the Seattle Seahawks have taught us anything it's that getting into the tournament is truly all that matters.

They were 7-9 last season, snuck into the playoffs and upset an 11-5 New Orleans team in the first round.

So, whether the Lions beat the Packers on Sunday and get the No. 5 seed in the NFC, it's not going to make or break them. Sure, on paper going against an 8-7 team (Dallas or the Giants) looks more promising than having to face a 12-3 team (New Orleans or San Francisco), but once the postseason starts, everybody is 0-0.

"It depends on if your objective is to play one game or to keep winning," coach Jim Schwartz said earlier in the week. "I mean, if your objective is to play one game, maybe you're worried about stuff like that. But to get through, particularly being a wild card like we are, to get through the NFC you're going to have to win three games. All three of those are going to be good teams.

"The only thing we can worry about is ourselves. We can't be worrying about scenarios and all those other things. They'll have a team for us to play; we'll be ready for them."

There are other items on the Lions' agenda, however.

It's been a history-making season already for the Lions, and with a win here Sunday they can make even more.

They will play a playoff game for the first time since 1999. They have a chance to win just their second playoff game since 1957 (not counting the silly runner-up games the NFL used to stage in the early 1960s).

They have won 10 games for the first time since 1995 and 11 wins would be the most since they won 12 in 1991.

They are 5-2 on the road and a win Sunday would give them six road wins in a season for the first time in 50 years. The 1961 Lions, led by a ferocious defense featuring Joe Schmidt, Alex Karras, Roger Brown, Dick "Night Train" Lane and Dick LeBeau, went 6-0-1 on the road that year.

Oh and there's this: The Lions can end a 20-year drought in Wisconsin. They have lost 19 straight regular-season games, plus one playoff game, in Green Bay and Milwaukee.

"We've killed a lot of losing streaks here the last two years and it's important to us knock this one out, too," center Dominic Raiola said. "Beyond that, we want to continue playing well and get that No. 5 seed. We are going out there to win the game; nothing less."

Momentum is fickle. It can be gained and lost in a single play or a single possession. But this recent incarnation of the Lions has shown themselves to be a streaky bunch. As Schwartz often has said, they can get as hot as anybody.

We also seen have them go suddenly cold.

"You just want to be playing your best football," Schwartz said. "I think, particularly last week, you saw signs of us playing a complete game. That's the thing that we need to keep going."

The Lions began the season with five straight wins, which going back to the run at the end of the 2010 season, had them riding a nine-game winning streak.

Then they lost five of the next seven before running off three impressive wins. Call it momentum, call it confidence; whatever it is, the Lions are riding it right now and they don't want a hiccup in Green Bay to disrupt the flow.

"We've created a habit of winning around here," receiver Nate Burleson said, "and one loss can change that."

Schwartz used the 2010 Packers as evidence of what can happen when a team gets hot at the right time. They had to win their last two regular-season games to get the last wild-card spot in the draw and kept it rolling all the way through.

The Giants and Colts have also used that formula, going from wild card to Super Bowl champion.

"I think that there's something to be said for that," Schwartz said. "There's something to be said for the urgency at the end of the year. Typically, you don't lock up wild cards in Week 15 or 14, and you see a lot of teams lock up divisions in Week 15 and 14. So, you know, I'm sure that has something to do with it."

Parity in the NFL also has something to do with it.

"They're all good teams," Schwartz said. "It's not just one good team per division. I don't know. We aspire to win as many games as we can during the regular season and then aspire to win every playoff game we play."

The Packers have had the NFC North locked up for a few weeks. They locked up home-field advantage through the NFC championship game last week. The only remotely tangible item left on their agenda is the chance to sweep all six games from their division rivals — something that's never been done in their storied history.

That, however, is not enough for them to put key players in harm's way Sunday. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers may not even dress. If he does, he won't play more than a series or two. Matt Flynn might make his second career start.

"It sounds like Flynn is getting ready to play," Lions defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham said. "We played against him last year. He's a good quarterback. But if he plays I would still expect them to do the same things. I don't think they will go away from their offense."

Receiver Greg Jennings (knee), return specialist Randall Cobb (groin) and running back James Starks (knee-ankle) are out. Offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga (knee) is doubtful. Cornerback Charles Woodson (knee) and linebacker (ankle) are questionable.

Tight end Jermichael Finley (knee) is probable but he isn't expected to play much.

"You do have to be smart with the bigger goal in mind," Matthews said earlier in the week. "The Super Bowl is what every playoff team has in mind."

Notes:
Stafford will look to continue to add on to his franchise records and well as give the Lions good playoff position and momentum going into the playoffs next week.

Tried my best...

[T&P_Fan]

I basically copied what Shinma has done in the past for the game thread.

Lets win in Lambeau, end that streak and then worry about the NFC East.

[Mr. Bigglesworth]

Final score prediction

Lions: 4,365
Packers: 4

[hail2mich]

Looks like some flurries and wind at 25-35 mph.

[Scottish caveman]

I'm really tired of the Packers !!! Here's hoping for a win !!

[Motor City Sonics]

Aaron Rodgers is deactivated. Matt Flynn to start.

[juiceman]

Rodgers is officially out today at QB for the Packers.

[kgeorge78]

I hope Dallas wins - Im not sure I want to go to NY to face a playoff proven Eli.
Romo on the other hand just sucks

[nd1377]

Detroit Lions Report just claimed Rodgers, Jennings, and Matthews will not be playing.

[hail2mich]

Aaron Rodgers is deactivated. Matt Flynn to start.

Charles Woodson, Clay Matthews, Greg Jennings, Randall Cobb, James Starks, and Bryan Bulaga also are inactive. Some big names right there

[Nastradamus]

Random fan opinions on Romo are hilarious.

[T&P_Fan]

Fumble. Lions are in business.

I would much rather play the Giants then the Cowboys.

[Kamakzie]

Fumble recovered by the Lions!

[thefunk]

Final score prediction

Lions: 4,365
Packers: 4

the only way today works is if we blow them out. I feel like we need to win by about 3 touchdowns to garner some positive press going into the playoffs.

[thefunk]

boo ya!!

Stafford's a beast.

[T&P_Fan]

TOUCHDOWN TITUS YOUNG!

Made that look easy.

[Motor City Sonics]

the only way today works is if we blow them out. I feel like we need to win by about 3 touchdowns to garner some positive press going into the playoffs.

I disagree. Just win it. Go 11-5 and you are not getting much of anything negative.

[Motor City Sonics]

SAFETY !

[T&P_Fan]

Haha, safety!

9-0 Lions and we get the ball.

[Yoda]

Wow hahaha

[thefunk]

I disagree. Just win it. Go 11-5 and you are not getting much of anything negative.

I'm saying in terms of positive mental energy, which very well may not exist.

I think it would do us wonders to blow them out. And that's what I want to see.

[T&P_Fan]

Lions have now set a team record for points in a season. Stafford is just something else, what a QB he is going to be.

[thefunk]

Packers suck.

[Motor City Sonics]

I'm saying in terms of positive mental energy, which very well may not exist.

I think it would do us wonders to blow them out. And that's what I want to see.

Just breaking that 20 year losing streak would be good enough, I think.....

[New_Age_X]

My god McCarthy do your guys upstaries not see the same thing we're all seeing.

[Mr. Bigglesworth]

Turns out Stefan Logan isn't the worst kick returner in the league...

[T&P_Fan]

What is GB doing? Completely unprepared. I love it.

[thefunk]

Just breaking that 20 year losing streak would be good enough, I think.....

if we 'eek' out a win against the green bay junior varsity, it won't feel as good as blowing them out as we should. that's all I'm saying.

[Yoda]

Cool I was hoping theyd come out and run twice in a row.

[T&P_Fan]

What a terrible possession, first two plays were runs for little to no gain to set up a long 3rd down.

[New_Age_X]

if we 'eek' out a win against the green bay junior varsity, it won't feel as good as blowing them out as we should. that's all I'm saying.

Not like they don't still have a bunch of talent out there.

[Yoda]

if we 'eek' out a win against the green bay junior varsity, it won't feel as good as blowing them out as we should. that's all I'm saying.

Isn't that the case with every game? I'd be happy with an ugly win.

[tigerbomb13]

I guess the Lions were overdue for a personal foul.

[Yoda]

Personal foul on a punt? Why even mess with momentum at a time like this...

[New_Age_X]

Wow great another PF on us.

[ben9753]

Romo is one of the best QBs in the NFL. I wouldn't want to face him in the playoffs, even given the Cowboys playoff history. Every year is a new year, and I am scared of Romo.

[Shelton]

Tp, just curious, are you going to complain about every running play that results in no gain? Maybe you can just do it all in advance and save yourself the trouble later.

[New_Age_X]

Wow not even a measurement on that what BS.

[T&P_Fan]

Pretty generous spot there stripes.

[T&P_Fan]

Matt Flynn carving up the defense. Our secondary really needs Delmas back.