For the second consecutive year, the Green Bay Packers (10-3, 4-1 NFC North) are NFC North champions. With a 31-24 win over the Detroit Lions (5-8, 1-4 NFC North) on Sunday and a Minnesota Vikings loss, the Packers clinched the division and, following a New Orleans Saints loss, shifted into the first-place spot in the NFC.

Although the Packers walked away with the result, they had to fight for it until the very end at Ford Field. The Lions would get the ball first in this one and wasted no time showcasing they were ready to play. On their first drive, they marched down the field in 11 plays for 75 yards and shaved 5:36 off the clock before quarterback Matt Stafford connected with tight end TJ Hockenson on a 1-yard shovel pass to make it 7-0 Lions.

The Packers, however, clearly weren’t impressed and decided to show how an opening drive is really done. Green Bay responded by also going 75 yards down the field, but did so in just three plays and 1:24. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers connected with his top wide receiver target, Davante Adams, on a short pass and Adams displayed a little trickery and beat his man and took off for a 56-yard score to make it 7-7.

Then, The Packers forced the Lions to put and, before you could blink, Rodgers was back in the driver’s seat making things happen for Green Bay. After first downs from wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, a scramble for a first down from Rodgers himself, a first down from running back Jamaal Williams, first down from wide receiver Tavon Austin and then a first down from Adams, Rodgers connected with MVS for what was probably the best catch of his career for a 14-yard touchdown to take a 14-7 lead. The monster drive shaved 7:01 off the clock and consisted of 12 plays and 69 yards (ESPN stats).

After both the Lions and Packers were forced to punt on their next drives, the Lions took the field for what seemed like forever before the half and went 80 yards in 11 plays before pushing through for six. Lions running back D’Andre Swift rushed in for the 3-yard score to tie the game at 14 at the half.

When it looked like Green Bay would have to punt on it’s opening drive of the second half, MVS displayed his athleticism once more and kept what ended up being a lengthy drive alive. Rodgers connected with him over the middle for 21 yards on third and fourteen to keep things moving. Then, after shaving nearly nine minutes off the clock, the old man himself joined in on the fun and scrambled for 6 yards and into the end zone for a touchdown. Rodgers found gold and the Packers took a 21-14 lead off what would be the only score in the third quarter.

On their next drive, Green Bay took their time again before digging for more gold. This time they went 71 yards in 12 plays and shaved 7:49 off the clock (ESPN stats). MVS, tight end Robert Tonyan, Rodgers, running back Aaron Jones and Williams all had key first down plays before Rodgers connected with Tonyan for a 4-yard touchdown pass to take a 28-14 lead.

Detroit wasn’t going down without making this one at least somewhat interesting though. Thanks to holding penalties from safety Adrian Amos and linebacker Christian Kirksey, the Lions were able to extend their drive (which should’ve died quickly) and get points out of it too. Running back Kerryon Johnson rushed for 2 yards to cut the Packers’ lead to just one score at 28-21.

On their next drive, Green Bay couldn’t quite find their rhythm either and had to settle for a 58-yard field goal attempt. Luckily for the Packers, kicker Mason Crosby came up clutch and drilled the 58-yarder to tie his career long and extend Green Bay’s lead to 31-21.

Just when it seemed like the Packers had this one in the bag, Green Bay’s special teams laid a giant egg; Detroit had a 71-yard kick return and were right back in Packers territory. After exiting the game with a rib injury, Stafford was replaced by Chase Daniel at quarterback and the Packers defense was luckily able to hold him and the Lions to a field goal to give us our final score of 31-24.

Detroit attempted an onside kick with 1:49 left in the game but the ball rolled out of bounce before the Lions could grab it, giving Green Bay the win and the NFC North.

What we learned: Rodgers is the MVP

Heading into week fourteen, the league MVP race between Rodgers and Chiefs’ quarterback Patrick Mahomes was neck and neck. However, after both of their performances on Sunday, Rodgers is absolutely leading that race now.

Rodgers was 26/33 against Detroit and threw for 290 yards and 3 touchdowns and rushed for a touchdown of his own (ESPN stats). Meanwhile, Mahomes still had a strong 24/34, 393-yard, 2 touchdown performance but managed to throw 3 interceptions along the way (ESPN stats).

What went right: Packers Win the North!

After their win and the Vikings loss on Sunday, the Packers clinched the NFC North for the seventh time in the last decade, according to FOX. Not only did the Packers win their division on Sunday, but they also took first place in the NFC after the Saints fell to the Eagles.

As exciting as these milestones are, the Packers remain focused on their ultimate goal- the Super Bowl. Adams was sporting a “Won, Not Done” shirt in his post-game media availability.

What went wrong: Special Teams (not Mason Crosby)

Besides Crosby, the Packers have some serious issues on special teams. Week after week after week we’ve seen this, but the Lions 71-yard kickoff return late in the game was the cherry on top. Giving up plays like this, especially so late in the game, are so unacceptable and could absolutely cost Green Bay in a potential late playoff run.

The offense can only score so many points without support from the other sides of the ball in Green Bay.

Offensive MVP: MVS

Have a day, MVS! Valdes-Scantling had a career day on Sunday with 6 receptions for 85 yards and 1 touchdown (ESPN stats). As frustrating as his drops can be sometimes, MVS proved Sunday why the Packers continue to believe in him. His contested touchdown reception in the second quarter was a thing of beauty and showcased his strength and hands all in one play.

Defensive MVP: Darnell Savage Jr.

After a beautiful late-game interception in week thirteen, safety Darnell Savage Jr. continued to trend in the right direction on Sunday. Savage led the team in tackles with 8, all of which were solo, 1 sack, 1 tackle for a loss and 1 QB hit (ESPN stats). The Packers found a really great player in Savage and I’m excited to continue and watch him progress this season and beyond.

A look at some of your takeaways!

• “Division champs!  Wins on the road in the division are tough, don’t care about style points. But - defensive soft spots are evident. ST are gar-bage, except for Mason. 12 to 17 is magic” -@EricRose4

• “Really good game from MVS!” -@GeorgeHagstrom

• “Thank god for Mason Crosby. MVP of the special teams.” -@ErikSlaby

• “Thank you Philly!  NFC North Champs!!  LaFleur OWNS the North!  #GoPackGo” -@eric_erolson7

Up next, the Green Bay Packers get a visit from the Carolina Panthers for a rare NFL Saturday night football matchup. Kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m. EST next Saturday, December 19.