Vin+ 3,121 Posted December 7, 2012 (edited) It didn't take long, but the Green Bay Packers have returned to the top of the NFC North. This time, the Packers look to stay there on Sunday night when they host the free-falling Detroit Lions, who haven't won at Lambeau Field since Barry Sanders was starring in their backfield. The Lions have lost 20 consecutive games in Green Bay, last winning there in 1991. "It probably (means) more to the people who have been here 20 years than us," Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford said. "We just want to go in there and put a good game together and try to come out on top." After falling back into second place with a loss to the New York Giants on Nov. 25, the Packers (8-4) drew back into a first-place tie with Chicago on Sunday with a 23-14 win over Minnesota. "Everything's right in front of us," quarterback Aaron Rodgers said. "We've got to go win our home games and get a couple wins on the road." After finishing 27 of 35 for 286 yards with one touchdown and one interception against the Vikings, Rodgers will try to improve on his 7-1 mark all-time versus Detroit. The loss came at Ford Field in 2010 when he was knocked out in the first half with a concussion. Rodgers has thrown for at least two touchdowns in every other game, including the last meeting on Nov. 18 when he threw a 22-yard score to Randall Cobb with 1:55 left in a 24-20 win at Detroit. It appears, however, that Rodgers will lead a banged-up offense again on Sunday. Already without right tackle Bryan Bulaga (hip), the offensive line took another hit on Sunday when backup T.J. Lang went down with an ankle injury in the second quarter. Rodgers has already been sacked a league-high 39 times, three more than all of last season. Detroit sacked Rodgers three times in their last meeting. Making matters worse, Green Bay is expected to be without second-leading receiver Jordy Nelson after he left Sunday's game in the first quarter with a strained hamstring. The Packers, though, are hopeful that the signing of Ryan Grant can bolster the backfield, where Cedric Benson (foot) will miss the rest of the season and James Starks (knee) is expected to miss multiple weeks. Grant had 1,000-yard seasons for Green Bay in 2008-09. The team has struggled to find consistency in the running game, ranking 11th in the NFC with 105.0 yards per game while scoring a league-low three touchdowns on the ground. "Ryan has great history with us, can kind of step right in," coach Mike McCarthy said. "I don't see him having any issues getting ready." Green Bay isn't likely to have any issues moving the ball against a Detroit defense that has allowed 69 points and 960 yards in its last two games. The Lions (4-8) have lost four straight, dropping the last three at home despite leading in the fourth quarter in each contest. Andrew Luck was the latest to break their hearts on Sunday when he threw a touchdown pass on the final play to give Indianapolis a 35-33 comeback win. "This is a tough league for tough people, and we'll find out now who is tough," Detroit coach Jim Schwartz said. Although he won't be making a second consecutive trip to the playoffs, Matthew Stafford continues to put up big numbers. He leads the NFL with 3,742 passing yards after piling up 754 with four touchdowns in the last two games. Stafford had a huge day in his last trip to Lambeau, throwing for a career-high 520 yards and five touchdowns in a 45-41 loss on Jan. 1. Unfortunately, Matt Flynn, who played in place of Rodgers (concussion), had 480 yards and six scores. Calvin Johnson, who had a career-high 244 yards receiving in that game, had another personal best on Sunday with 13 receptions to go along with 171 yards and a TD. Johnson will try to set an NFL record on Sunday night with his sixth straight game with at least 125 yards receiving. The Lions, however, will be without receivers Ryan Broyles and Titus Young, who were both placed on injured reserve this week. Young has been inactive for the last two games after what Schwartz called "unacceptable" behavior. Broyles tore his right ACL against the Colts. Still, Detroit leads the NFC in total yards per game (416.1) after totaling 976 the past two games and faces a potentially hobbled Green Bay defense. While it's possible Charles Woodson could return from a broken collarbone, Clay Matthews is expected to miss his fifth straight game with a hamstring injury. Copyright 2012 by STATS LLC and The Associated Press. Edited December 14, 2012 by Vin Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vin+ 3,121 Posted December 8, 2012 Sunday's forecast for Green Bay is calling for "multiple inches" of snow during the day, and the Lions-Packers game on Sunday Night Football could be played on a "snow-covered" field. The Green Bay players seem genuinely excited for the opportunity to play in a "white-out" of sorts. "We all like to go out there and play in the snow," said RB/FB John Kuhn. The Packers haven't seen a snow game since the 2007 NFC Divisional playoff game against Seattle. Temperatures are expected to be in the low-to-mid 30s, so a rain-snow slush is a real possibility. It should be good for the running games of both teams, but we'd still expect a heavy dose of passing from two of the most pass-happy offenses in the league. Source: Packers.com Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted December 8, 2012 Snow game?!?! Awwwww ya. Might be pretty sloppy though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bay 2,003 Posted December 8, 2012 Snow games. Nothing beats that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigBen07 285 Posted December 9, 2012 Packers keep up the domination of Detroit at home. 31 27 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted December 9, 2012 Fuck it, GREEN BAY IS GOING DOWN!!!!!!!!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RazorStar 4,025 Posted December 9, 2012 I think we get another Nutcracker of a game. 24 31 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted December 9, 2012 Lots of upsets today... May not bode well for us, Even if the Lions are significantly worse. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vin+ 3,121 Posted December 10, 2012 Packers declared WR Jordy Nelson, RB James Starks, CB Charles Woodson, LB Clay Matthews, LB Terrell Manning, DE Mike Neal and DE C.J. Wilson inactive for Week 14 against the Lions. It's a list full of notable names, but no unexpected ones. Greg Jennings and James Jones are expected to start outside in Nelson's absence, leaving Randall Cobb to man his natural slot position. With Starks sidelined, Alex Green will be the workhorse at running back, with John Kuhn perhaps being mixed in near the goal line and on third down. Newly re-signed Ryan Grant is active, but should have a minimal role on Sunday Night Football. Lions declared FS Louis Delmas, DT Corey Williams, OT Jason Fox, OT Corey Hilliard, QB Kellen Moore, WR Lance Long and DE Ronnell Lewis inactive for Week 14 against the Packers. Delams is the most notable inactive, though the real story is who will be starting opposite Calvin Johnson in the absence of Ryan Broyles and Titus Young. The Lions are calling on second-year pro Kris Durham, who was signed off the practice squad just five days ago instead of Mike Thomas. Thomas should man the slot, however. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AllYouNeedIsLovie 377 Posted December 10, 2012 I like the Packers in this one. I just hope Megatron goes off though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted December 10, 2012 He probably will... It's snowing at Lambeau though... So who knows what's going to happen. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AllYouNeedIsLovie 377 Posted December 10, 2012 Love watching games in the snow. Makes it so epic. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted December 10, 2012 Epicness. Now we just gotta make this a game... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AllYouNeedIsLovie 377 Posted December 10, 2012 24 17 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted December 10, 2012 Oh lauwd... Chris Durham is starting... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted December 10, 2012 WE GOTTA SCORE!! Finish this drive KTHX Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted December 10, 2012 STAFFORD!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted December 10, 2012 haha. Stafford almost falling on his ass trying to do his TD celebration. At that point, you might just want to walk away with your head down. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AllYouNeedIsLovie 377 Posted December 10, 2012 Nice playcall by the Lions there. Glad they didn't decide to just settle for a FG. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted December 10, 2012 Defense made a play.... offense has to capitalize. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted December 10, 2012 Bell and Leshoure looking good. We should run way more then we do Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted December 10, 2012 On the Packers, that isn't much of an accomplishment unfortunately. lol. Packers need to get a stop on 3rd down for once. These long drives are just no good. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted December 10, 2012 Well... that hurt... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted December 10, 2012 (edited) Rookie DT out of Iowa, Mike Daniels rumbles for the TOUCHDOWNNNNNNNNNNN! Have Stafford throw more, please. No more running for the Lions. Edited December 10, 2012 by Favre4Ever Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
