Packers, Lions to duke it out at Lambeau Field, winner claims NFC North title
GREEN BAY (WITI) -- The Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions will do battle on the gridiron at Lambeau Field on Sunday, December 28th. The teams are meeting for the 171st time -- and there's a division title on the line! Both teams come into the game with an 11-4 record. The winner will be crowned the NFC North Division Champion.
This Sunday will be the first time two NFL teams with 11-plus wins will meet in the final game of the regular season to determine a division champion since 1993 (Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants). It's the fourth time in the last eight years (2007, 2008, 2011), Green Bay will play Detroit at Lambeau Field to close out the regular season.
Sunday's game marks the second consecutive season the Packers will play for the NFC North title in Week 17. Last year, Green Bay beat Chicago 33-28 at Soldier Field to win the division.
The NFL has flexed the game from its original noon start time to 3:25 p.m. No matter the time, you'll be able to watch the game only on FOX6!
Packers QB Aaron Rodgers was battling a cold and an injured calf last Sunday, December 21st, when the Packers faced the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the road. The Packers won, 20-3. That game followed a 21-13 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, December 14th. With last Sunday's victory over the Buccaneers, the Packers clinched their playoff berth. Green Bay joins New England as the only teams in the league to make the playoffs each of the last six years.
Packers.com reports Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy said early this week Rodgers injured calf is "sore," but McCarthy says Rodgers has told him he wants to practice as much as he can this week in preparation for the Lions.
The Packers’ schedule is shifted this week due to Christmas, with the usual Wednesday-Thursday practices taking place Tuesday-Wednesday instead so the team can have Christmas Day off. Players came in on Monday for a conditioning workout and meetings, according to Packers.com.
The Packers are obviously hoping for a victory over the rival Lions at Lambeau this week -- a team Green Bay has scored more points against than any other franchise. The Packers have won 23 straight games against Detroit in Wisconsin, including a ’94 playoff game. The streak spans eight Lions head coaches. The 23 straight regular-season wins in Wisconsin ranks number one among NFL streaks at one team’s home.
The Packers and Lions have met every year since 1932 -- the only teams in the NFL to do so. Back in 1932, the Detroit Lions were known as the Portsmouth (Ohio) Spartans.
The teams first met on the gridiron back in 1930! They met at City Stadium in Green Bay, and the Packers won 47-13.
The Packers have 94 wins over the Lions -- the most Packers victories against any team in the league. The Packers have won both of their postseason battles with the Lions.
The Packers have a pretty good record in Week 17 -- particularly at home. Dating back to 2006, Green Bay is 7-1 in Week 17 games, including 4-0 at home. The Packers’ seven wins in Week 17 are tied for the second most in the NFL from 2006-13 (New England, Pittsburgh, San Francisco), behind only San Diego's eight wins.
The Packers and Lions last met earlier this season, on September 21st, 2014 at Ford Field. The Lions won, 19-7.
The Packers and Lions last met at Lambeau Field on October 6th, 2013. The Packers won 22-9. Green Bay used five K Mason Crosby field goals, which tied a franchise record, and an 83-yard touchdown pass from QB Aaron Rodgers to WR James Jones to defeat the Lions by 13. RB Eddie Lacy led the way on the ground, registering a game-high 99 yards on 23 carries.
The Lions have a new head coach this season. Jim Caldwell is the Lions' 26th head coach.
Prior to joining the Lions, Caldwell spent 2012-13 as the offensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens. He orginally joined the Ravens as the quarterbacks coach and was promoted to offensive coordinator with three weeks left to play in the 2012 season. He went on to help Baltimore win the AFC North and Super Bowl XLVII.
From 2002-11, Caldwell coached for the Indianapolis Colts, including three years as the head coach (2009-11).
While in Indianapolis the Colts had nine consecutive playoff appearances that included six AFC South titles, two AFC Championships and one Super Bowl title.
Caldwell began his NFL coaching career as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ quarterbacks coach in 2001.
The stat of the week goes to Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy! Last week, McCarthy won his 99th career game (including palyoffs) last week, moving past Vince Lombardi (98) for the second-most victories in franchise history. Additionally, McCarthy has led the Packers to five seasons with 11-plus wins, passing Lombardi and Mike Holmgren (four each) for the most in team history.
Additionally, last week Green Bay allowed just 106 yards of total offense in Week 16 vs. the Buccaneers -- the fewest allowed by the team since December 21st, 2006.
Lambeau Field is ready for Sunday's big matchup!
Sunday’s game, the final regular-season game of the season, is also the official Fan Appreciation Game, with extra game giveaways and special promotions to thank the fans for their support during the season. Some of these giveaways will include a Bose Speaker, Kohl’s Gift Cards, Packers jerseys, and an Ariens Sno-thro.
In addition, fans watching Sunday’s game will be a part of Get Loud, Lambeau, a new program aimed at creating a loud, competitive atmosphere at Lambeau Field. New video board graphics, music and announcements will help fans to stand up and get loud in order to energize players and coaches during appropriate moments at the game.
Prior to kickoff, the Packers will recognize Bruce Larson, the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association/Green Bay Packers High School Coach of the Year, from the field. Larson recently completed his 16th season as the head coach of the Somerset High School football program. The Spartans finished the 2014 season with a perfect 14-0 record, capped off by a 28-16 victory over Little Chute High School in the WIAA Division 4 State Championship at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison on Nov. 20. Larson will be awarded a $2,000 grant for the Somerset High School football program, and will be honored at the WFCA All-State Banquet on Jan. 25 in the Lambeau Field Atrium.
Also during pregame, representatives of the Packers and Humana will recognize this year’s 10 Community Quarterback Award recipients. Each recipient received a $4,000 grant in recognition of their extensive volunteer work that is given to the nonprofit group for which they volunteer. The recipients were also given two tickets each to the game.
During the first half, Brian Newell of Greenfield, Wis., the winner of the Ultimate Leap sweepstakes, will be performing the Lambeau Leap. Newell was selected by the Packers, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and Pick ‘n Save from nine randomly selected sweepstakes finalists during an event at Lambeau Field on December 16th.
At halftime, Packers alum and Pro Football Hall of Famer Forrest Gregg will be honored in a ceremony in which he will be presented with a Hall of Fame Ring of Excellence. Gregg, who played right tackle and guard for the Packers from 1956-70 is one of five senior Hall of Famers receiving the ring this season.
Also at halftime, the UW Madhatters, an a capella group from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, will perform. They will perform again during the two-minute warning.
Two featured alumni are scheduled to make appearances throughout the weekend at various locations. Mike Flanagan and Marco Rivera will be taking part in fan activities at the Packers Pro Shop, Tundra Tailgate Zone and Legends Club leading up to kickoff.
In addition, the Packers and WPS Health Insurance will be recognizing U.S. Army Special Forces Officer Paul Ross through Operation Fan Mail on-field prior to the national anthem. Country recording artist Jackie Lee will sing the national anthem.
Also taking place Sunday is the premier gameday tailgate party in the Tundra Tailgate Zone (TTZ), which will open at 11:25 a.m., along with the Lambeau Field Parking lot. The TTZ will feature the band Nashville Pipeline, as well Packers alum Mike Flanagan, who will be signing autographs from 1:45 until 2:45 p.m.
The Lambeau Field Atrium and guest services desk will open at 11 a.m. for ticketed guests only. Gates to the seating areas will open at 1:25 p.m.
For a full list of gameday information, please visit packers.com/gameday/gameday-information.html.
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Northeast Region in Green Bay is reminding motorists heading to Lambeau Field on Sunday, December 28th for the Green Bay Packers/Detroit Lions game that US 41 and adjacent roadways from Oneida Street north to Suamico in Brown County are under construction.
The US 41/WIS 172 interchange could experience significant backups on both north and south US 41 and east and west WIS 172. Barrier walls, orange barrels, narrow lanes, and increased volume from holiday travel, in addition to game day traffic, will affect game day travel. Due to US 41 construction, Ashland Avenue through De Pere and Ashwaubenon will also experience increased traffic congestion as additional motorists use this as an alternate route.
WisDOT strongly recommends motorists allow themselves additional time to reach their destinations and check Wisconsin 511 online (www.511wi.gov) or call 511. Additionally, motorists are advised to remain alert and plan on exercising patience as they drive through the Green Bay area.
Here is a list of the major roads in northeast Wisconsin most Packers fans will be traveling as they head for the game and the road conditions they should anticipate:
US 41 and WIS 172 Interchange
Motorists should expect heavy congestion and potential long delays at this interchange between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Sunday before the game and again following the game. Motorists should consider avoiding this interchange area and utilize alternate routes if possible.
US 41
All construction on US 41 will cease on Packer game day, although barrier walls, narrow lanes and orange barrels will be present in various locations.
I-43
Please note, if you are involved in a crash:
The WisDOT’s Division of State Patrol advises you to immediately call 911 if you are involved in a crash. If there are no injuries and the vehicles can be moved, report the other vehicle plate numbers as you may then be advised to move off the main portion of the roadway to a crash investigation site or to a ramp out of traffic. This will assist first responders in reaching you while helping to clear traffic delays during the critical travel times before and following the game.
Additionally, if your vehicle becomes disabled in the US 41 work zone between De Pere and Suamico, notify authorities immediately and WisDOT will send a Freeway Service Team vehicle to your location. Motorists can then contact their motor club or towing preference after WisDOT has relocated your vehicle to a more accessible and safe location.
Travelers should allow extra time and can check online for real-time traffic information, including travel times, lane closures and incidents, at Wisconsin 511 online (www.511wi.gov) or by calling 511 on a phone.