Reaction: Packers Take NFC North Again With 30-20 Win Over Lions

(View from my Seat)

My thoughts after watching the Packers beat the Lions yesterday, clinching for the former a fourth straight NFC North title:

1. The Dreaded Goal Line:

The Packers still can't punch it in from inside the 10, so that was annoying. Hopefully Lacy will just start jumping over the line again once the playoffs start.

2. Rodgers is Hurt:

The stadium died when he left and lit up when he returned, but nonetheless, he's still kind of hurt. Definitely not favorable at this time of year.

3. Another Strong Outing From the Defense:

They gave up a pair of touchdowns when Rodgers was out, but besides that they were very good at killing Detroit's momentum. 

Leave your own takeaways below. 

Rodgers (Calf) Probable vs. Lions

Packers fans everywhere can breathe a sigh of relief. Aaron Rodgers will play Sunday, or at least he should.

The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel's Tyler Dunne reported so, tweeting Friday afternoon the star QB is probable for this weekend's game against the Lions. The contest decides this year's NFC North winner (both teams are currently 11-4), so obviously Rodgers' playing in it matters.

We can talk about other stuff now I guess, but just remember, this isn't exactly best-case scenario. Rodgers is still said to not be 100 percent, so who knows, maybe he'll still struggle.

We'll have to wait and see.

McCarthy Assures Media: Adams' Recent Drops Not Part of Him Hitting Rookie Wall

Packers WR Davante Adams has no doubt struggled with drops lately, but team Head Coach Mike McCarthy doesn't think he's hitting a rookie wall.

Here's his full quote, courtesy of The Green Bay Press-Gazette's Ryan Wood:

"Rookie wall? I would think with the CBA and this new schedule we're on, it doesn't exist. I think the education that's in place with today's rookies gives them the chance to get through that first year, which when you break it down, it's remarkable what a rookie goes through. He finishes his (college) season and he's training for the combine, and then he goes from the combine and then he's training for the draft, and then he gets drafted and he goes right through."

Packers Listed as 7 1/2 Point Favorites for Sunday's Lions Game

The Packers have been listed as 7 1/2 point favorites for Sunday's NFC North championship game against the Lions.

The contest will be played at Lambeau Field, so it's not a huge surprise the line is so one-sided. The Packers are 7-0 at home this season, while the Lions have never beaten an above-.500 team on the road in the Matthew Stafford era. 

The meeting is the second Week 17 divison decider in as many years for Green Bay, who visited the Bears last December in similar context. The Packers won that matchup, 33-28, on a last-minute touchdown, securing for them first place despite their 8-7-1 record.

Packers listed as 3 point favorites for tomorrow's Bears game

Thanks to the fact that Rodgers is finally returning, the Packers have been listed as 3 point favorites for tomorrow's division title game against the Bears. When the odds for this one were first released on Wednesday, the Pack were actually 4 point underdogs, but that was obviously when Flynn was the one we all thought was going to start. 

Anyway, I've already said that I think the Packers will win this one easily, and I still stand by that prediction. In my opinion, Green Bay's defense is terrible, but when you have Rodgers throwing the ball, it won't matter. 

Reaction: Rodgers will start this weekend

Finally, the announcement that we've all been waiting for has been made: Aaron Rodgers will start for the Packers in this week's NFC North Championship game. As you know, Rodgers hasn't played since Week 9, but that doesn't matter. Right now, the Pack are very much alive in the race for the playoffs, and now all they gotta do is beat the Bears with their star QB and they're in. I think I speak for all of us when I say: Green Bay's got this one in the bag. I already thought they would win, but now I see a W this Sunday being 99% guaranteed. I mean, the Bears suck and the Packers have Rodgers back. Need I say more?

Matthews officially ruled OUT for this Sunday's Bears game

Packers LB Clay Matthews, who re-broke his thumb in Sunday's loss to the Steelers, has been officially ruled out for this weekend's NFC North Championship Game against the Bears, Bleacher Report reports. This comes as no surprise, but you know, it wasn't made official until today. 

Anyway, I'd like to be upset about this, but really, I couldn't care less. Pretty much all season, Matthews has either been hurt or unproductive, so I don't feel like his absence will effect the Packers this week the slightest bit. If anything, his being gone just might help them a little on defense. 

Week 17 decision on Rodgers to be made tomorrow

According to Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette, injured Packers QB Aaron Rodgers had a scan done recently, with its results, and whether or not Rodgers will play this week, set to be announced tomorrow. Now this news can be seen many different ways, but I'll take it in a positive one: that Rodgers is getting better. 

Remember, McCarthy did say that #12's decision would be made earlier in the week, but now that's obviously not happening. So yea, I guess Rodgers could still miss this week, but I don't think it's guaranteed anymore. Which is obviously great news if you're a pro-winning type of guy.