Slow Start, Great Finish

The Packers started out extremely slow on Sunday night. They found themselves in a 14 point deficit midway through the second quarter. Finally with 10 minutes left in the half, struggling Packer kicker, Mason Crosby made a 48 yard field goal. Then shortly the Lions quarterback, Matthew Stafford fumbled and Packer lineman, Mike Daniels recovered it and ran for a 30 yard touchdown. The tide had been turned as the Packers went into the locker room at halftime only down by four.

Coming out at halftime the Packers defense stepped it up only allowing three points. Our offense scored another touchdown and the Packers were rolling. As the fourth quarter approached the Packers needed another score to break the tie. On a 30 yard run, Alex Green scored another Packer touchdown. With the Packers up by one score, it still wasn’t a comfortable lead, then from 42 yards out, Mason Crosby drilled another long kick! The Packers were now up by ten which made the game a two possession affair. The Packer defense definitely stepped it up and was able to force the Lions into some three and outs. Overall, a great second half by the Packers.

With a 27-17 win over the Detroit Lions, and a Bears loss to the Vikings, the Packers take a one game lead in the NFC North with only three games remaining in the regular season. This is huge as the Packers go into Chicago to play the Bears. Even if Green Bay Losses next week, they still would lead the NFC North due to the tie breaking rules. However, if the Packers want to be the second seed in the playoffs instead of the third, they must win out. If they do that, and the 489ers lose another game the Packers would be the second seed and have a first round playoff bye.

It is very settling knowing the Packers control their own destiny. The way they have played in six of the last seven games, I would say it is safe to say they will make quite a run in the playoffs. Super Bowl? Who knows, but they have a lot of work to do, and a lot of players need to heal in order for that to happen. There are a lot of really tough teams that the Pack could very easily lose too early in the playoffs. They must remain focused, remain a team, and remain healthy and we may see them in the championship game. (WC 417)