Packers Question of the day - Expectations for Sunday
In the marquee match-up that'll be the final game of the 2016 NFL regular season, the Packers will venture into Detroit to face a Lions team that'll be vying for their first NFC North championship since 1993.
What are your expectations for the season finale? With a Redskins loss, the Packers will see the playoffs regardless, but how vital is it that they beat the Lions and earn the 4th seed - or possibly a 3rd with a 49ers victory over the Seahawks?
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Zachary Jacobson is a staff writer/reporter for Cheesehead TV. He's the voice of The Leap on iTunes and can be heard on The Scoop KLGR 1490 AM every Saturday morning. He's also a contributor on the Pack-A-Day Podcast. He can be found on Twitter via @ZachAJacobson or contacted through email at [email protected].
Comments (24)
Bearmeat
December 30, 2016 at 03:24 pm
The Lions are a fake-good team. They have three borderline elite players who are all hurt to varying degrees: Stafford, Slay, and Ansah. They've had 8 come from behind victories this year (which by their nature could go either way) and have one of the weakest SOS of any team in the NFL. The only borderline good team they've beaten is the Redskins. At home. In overtime. This team should be 6-9 or so.
So I expect the good guys to win a high-scoring affair, with the secondary hemorrhaging yards to Stafford, but picking him off at least once in the 2nd half. If Slay plays and is functional, this will be a close game. If not, GB wins by 10+ points.
Gianich
December 30, 2016 at 12:48 pm
I agree. Whats the word on Gunter's elbow?? Gunter can help stem the hemorrhaging a little bit if he can play. If not.....Ooof
Thegreatreynoldo
December 30, 2016 at 01:22 pm
Gunter was a full participant in practice on Thursday. Looks like he will play,
jeremyjjbrown
December 30, 2016 at 06:02 pm
I'm not sold. The Lions have not won the division since 1993 when it was the NFC Central. I have a feeling they are going to be pumped for this game in thier own house for the season finale. This is going to be an old fashioned dog fight. I expect A dirty old cheap shot from Anash on Rodgers and I except Stafford to have a lot more time to throw than Barkley or Bradford did because the Lions Tackles are a lot better. If Staffords finger is doing better it's going to be a big problem. Jim Bob Cutter is going to have a solid game plan.
I do not expect a cake walk game, even though I'd love to see one.
Bearmeat
December 30, 2016 at 06:12 pm
If Slay plays and is effective, your prediction is exactly what I said above, isn't it?
jeremyjjbrown
December 30, 2016 at 09:40 pm
I don't disagree with your other points in particular, but I'm not sold on "fake good". I think the Lions are good enough to beat the Packers, especially if the Packers play to certain historic tendencies. The Packers have played only 2 games this season I thought where impressive against the Seahawks and Eagles but also lost to the Titans and Colts. The Lions played basically the same schedule as the Packers except that played the Rams instead of the Seahawks. So if the Lions are Fake Good, then the Packers probably would be as well.
Bearmeat
December 31, 2016 at 06:46 am
I guess my point is that come-from-behind-one-score-victories historically tend to be 50/50 affairs. The Lions are 8-1 in one score games this year. That's a HUGE historical outlier that can't stand for long. The trend will reverse soon - either tomorrow night or next year. But so far they've beaten the odds this year, and I think, masked the inability of their team in doing so.
dobber
December 31, 2016 at 04:01 pm
There's really no statistical indicator that would lead you to expect this Lions team would be any better than 7-8 at this point. This team is not as good defensively or offensively as past teams that finished with poorer records. The key change is that Cooter has Stafford playing under control more than in the past. Until the last couple weeks, he hasn't been pissing away games. He tried to piss away the Chicago game, but ultimately couldn't do it.
dobber
December 31, 2016 at 03:57 pm
Besides H/A assignments, the difference between the two schedules is the Lions getting NO and the Rams while the Packers played Seattle and Atlanta. The Lions were 2-0 in those games while the Packers split theirs.
bears suck forever
December 30, 2016 at 10:03 am
Slay will play but probably not at 100 %. He has had limited practices this week. They will pull out all the stops.
This is a must win, the Redskins will beat N.Y. as the Giants have no need to win.
I expect another gut wrenching 4th quarter with a squeaking out win.
If not, the golfing weather is great down here in Florida. See you at the tee for the wild card games.
Since'61
December 30, 2016 at 10:06 am
I expect victory and the NFC North title. Rodgers should have a great day against the Lions secondary and our OL needs to keep the ground game going and keep Stafford off the field. As long as the Packers do not beat themselves they should be able to take the Lions. Go Pack Go! Thanks, Since '61
MarkinMadison
December 30, 2016 at 10:51 am
I expect the Packers to make a statement. This OL should be able to shut down the Detroit pass rush. I'm thinking Packers 38-17.
Thegreatreynoldo
December 30, 2016 at 01:24 pm
Bulaga was downgraded from a full participant on Wednesday to limited participation on Thursday. I expect he will play, but this warrants watching closely.
EdsLaces
December 30, 2016 at 10:52 am
Stafford might have 500 yards. I expect a barn burner. Get that crown back GBP!
Lphill
December 30, 2016 at 10:53 am
Staffords finger is a factor even though he won't admit it, should be a win for the Packers, article today in my hometown paper NY Post by sports writer Steve Serby saying that the Giants should hope not to play Rodgers and the Packers in Lambeau stating Rodgers will want to atone for 2011 .
Lphill
December 30, 2016 at 10:54 am
Staffords finger is a factor even though he won't admit it, should be a win for the Packers, article today in my hometown paper NY Post by sports writer Steve Serby saying that the Giants should hope not to play Rodgers and the Packers in Lambeau stating Rodgers will want to atone for 2011 .
RocsCave
December 30, 2016 at 11:22 am
I expect the Packers to be playing and winning both final games...regular season and February final.
hybridauth_Facebook_712308588
December 30, 2016 at 02:57 pm
The Pack needs to play 4 full quarters without let up, continue playing smart & focused & that includes protecting #12. None of this pre-vent defense that Capers seems to be so intent on using. Also - HHCD will come through with a pick 6!
NashvilleCheesehead
December 30, 2016 at 03:02 pm
We are healing, Lions are hurting. We are rolling, Lions are reeling. Rodgers is clutch, Stafford will choke. 42-24 Packers. GO PACK GO!!!
dschwalm
December 30, 2016 at 03:28 pm
Yes, the only flaw in this "supposed" championship team is that they have NO pass defence!
Hematite
December 30, 2016 at 05:53 pm
I expect the Packers offense to beat the Lions offense in a 42-40 type of game.
Our defense will be beaten like a drum.
LASVEGAS-TOM
December 30, 2016 at 06:23 pm
This game opened at GB -3. It's been holding right there so far at GB -3, GB - 3 1/2. As a Rule, Not a Good Line for GB, not against Detroit. Hope I'm wrong, but I would not bet GB here, not to cover 3. It just looks too easy. Too Risky for me. Like last week, I'm going to just sit back and try to enjoy the game. Hopefully GB can bring home a Victory. If the line goes to 5 or 6, I'll jump in.
LVT
navydisposaleer
December 31, 2016 at 08:40 am
As usual, this is a game to be played on the line of scrimmage. The Packer O-line will make the difference and the D-line also. Everything hinges on this. McCarthy will need to have a better blocking half back to pick up the blitzes and the middle line backers need to plug the holes better. The defensive back field is what it is...not so great but adequate. Go Pack Go.
dobber
December 31, 2016 at 02:43 pm
I don't know why people expect that Detroit is going to run up a huge number of points. They've hit 30 points twice all season, they're in the bottom third in total offense, they have no running game (in fact, they'll be doing the Packers a favor every time they choose to run the ball), they really don't throw the ball downfield very well, they don't score many points...CHICAGO is a better and more productive offense. There's really no indicator that says they should be 9-6 at this point.
Is there cause for concern regarding the Packer secondary? Yes. I would say that the Detroit receivers mirror Minnesota's (Jones~Diggs, Tate~Thielen, Ebron~Rudolph), but I just don't see this being the kind of game people are projecting.