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The Final Exam: Lions vs. Packers (Week 17)

By Larry Brown Jr.

Dec 11, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions defensive end Ezekiel Ansah (94) adjusts his helmet before the game against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field. Lions win 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions defensive end Ezekiel Ansah (94) adjusts his helmet before the game against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field. Lions win 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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At some point, being the expected “runner-up” has to run dry for QB Matthew Stafford and the Detroit Lions. Their Week 17 showdown against the Green Bay Packers may be one that brings closure to the future of head coach Jim Caldwell and the direction of this franchise as a whole.

Maybe primetime scrutiny will aid the motivation of both NFL franchises participating in the game of Week 17. An up and down season makes It unclear if the Lions have aspirations of hosting up the Lombardi Trophy in the near future, or simply striving for the implementation of new NFL participant trophies.

After a lack luster performance against Dallas on Monday Night Football (42-21), the only true reverence any NFL Playoff contender should feel for the Lions stems from pure humility. There’s really no given reason to predict a Lions victory in Sunday’s match-up against the Green Bay Packers and for that very reason, this may give inclination for Detroit to finally prove themselves as an league elite. Their 9-6 season record features 9 wins against opponents who will not be participants (Rams, Eagles, Jags, Colts, Bears, Vikings, etc.) in this upcoming Playoffs and a cluster of losses against teams who will (Texans, Giants, Packers?, and Cowboys).  A victory Sunday adds morale to a Lions team on a two game losing streak, seals the NFC North division, and  promises a Lions Playoff home game for the first time in over a decade. There though, is a Green Bay Packers team standing in the way of this glory.

NFL Game Preview:  @BuckyBrooks @MattMoneySmith

It’s a little late for the Grinch to steal Christmas in Detroit, but the man who made the Detroit Lions victims of a highlight reel Hail-Mary last season will return to Ford Field Sunday Night. Don’t look now, but a Packers team that looked rather fluffy in Week 12 has pulled off five straight wins bringing them into Week 17.

The man who made the Detroit Lions victims of a highlight reel hail-mary last season will return to Ford Field Sunday Night.

Former Super Bowl Champion QB Aaron Rodgers hasn’t done his dynamics against the lower ranked defenses either. The Eagles, Texans, Bears, Vikings, and Seahawks allowed 12 of Rodgers 36 season TD’s. That total represents exactly two times more than QB Stafford produced over these last five weeks. Not that throwing salt is inappropriate during this winter season, but after 8 fourth-quarter comebacks, the NFL is requiring the true resilience of Matthew to finally come forth in front of the home crowd in a gut-wrenching scenario. All the Lions will need to do to win this game is score at least 24 points. A 21-24 final score would convey a Lions dominated contest. However, if red-zone attempts subside to field goals the way they have these last two weeks, expect the Packers to triumph yet again against their old faithful divisional rivals. This is the moment of truth.

Nov 3, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; NFL hall of famer Tony Dungy talks prior to the game between the Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday Night Football at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 3, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; NFL hall of famer Tony Dungy talks prior to the game between the Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday Night Football at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Packers @ Lions 8:30 p.m. E.T on NBC

Keys to victory

  • Sustain offensive drives
  • Rush for 60 yards or better
  • Minimize turnovers
  • Red Zone TD’s
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