Packers QB Aaron Rodgers should clinch MVP with stellar game vs. Lions

Ditto for Green Bay (9-5), which has played very well in winning five straight to tie Detroit for the division lead. The team is trying to win the division title for the first time since 1993 and host a playoff game in Detroit.

It’s a square public play, but I’m riding a red-hot Rodgers and the Packers. Tampa Bay win and Washington tie and Green Bay loss and Tampa Bay clinches strength of victory tiebreaker over Green Bay. The loss eliminated Washington (8-7-1) from playoff contention. Consequently, that’s produced an uptick in the performance of Aaron Rodgers, whose quarterback rating has risen from 97 through the first 10 weeks, to 119 since the return of Matthews. The Packers have registered a winning streak of four-plus games in 10 of 11 seasons under Head Coach Mike McCarthy.

Green Bay was my preseason pick to win the Super Bowl. If that trend continues, the Lions will walk off the field as NFC North champions on Sunday night. Then the Lions lost on the road against the Giants and Dallas, allowing the Packers (9-6) to pull even atop the division. The QB had an MVP-caliber season and is one of the more accurate deep-ball throwers in the League, but his broken leg puts him out for the playoffs. He had only one interception in the first meeting with Green Bay.

The Lions had the inside track on a playoff berth and the division title when they were 9-4. Baltimore would have the tiebreaker advantage if they could get to 10-6, on conference record, and Oakland would be in good shape there, otherwise it would be a huge cluster. Tonight will be no different as the pressure has mounted on the Lions and their loyal fanbase to get back into the playoffs and deliver a postseason win. The Packers started off the season hot as usual and were looking to be a lock for the playoffs yet again.

-Lions LT Taylor Decker vs. Packers OLB Nick Perry.

Pass rush or not, the young cornerbacks will be tested. Add on to that the lack of sticking to the running game by the overrated Jim Bob Cooter, and the Lions are a one-dimensional team that isn’t quite ready to contend with the best.

I’ll have the overall standings up in the comments section shortly, but can confirm that castigers remains our overall leader going into the final round of games. Ansah has one sack each of the last two games and is coming off a season-high seven-tackle performance against the Cowboys.

“It was important for me to get back period, regardless of who we were playing”, Perry said. The Pats secure the top seed with a win over Miami.

Both teams are hopeful of getting some key performers back. He has thrown for 1,718 yards, 14 TDs and no interceptions in his past six games.

If the Packers can protect Rodgers from hard edge rushing players like Ziggy Ansah and Kerry Hyder, I’m not sure Detroit’s pass defense will be able to hold up.

Matthews said the injury doesn’t seem to be affecting Stafford’s throwing ability. San Francisco, which snapped a 13-game slide last week, can only dream of title games right now. The result? A nine-catch, 154-yard and two-touchdown day for Green Bay’s No. 1 wide receiver. I expect the home crowd to get involved early and if the Lions can capitalize on the atmosphere, this is a winnable game. The Lions certainly have to feel much better about things tonight with the matchup being played at their home Ford Field.