***SNF IN THE SWAMP - GB @ DET***

***GREEN BAY PACKERS @ DETROIT LIONS***

Well the season has come to an end and the SNF finale has lost some juice with the Redskins losing outright to the Giants which forfeited their claim to a Wild Card spot. Not a lot of time for much of a writeup here but basically in a nutshell- With that Redskins loss, both the Packers and Lions have punched their playoff tickets. Instead of this game being a possible do or die type scenario, it now becomes for the NFC North title and a home game against the Giants in the first round of the Playoffs, the loser will travel to Seattle. Needless to say, both options are tough but one would have to think that both of these teams would rather get the home game in their favor and avoid having to pack their bags for Seattle. Nobody wants to have to face the Seahawks in Seattle period, let alone a playoff game. The Lions haven't won the NFC North since 1993 I believe, and the last time the Packers visited Ford Field was when QB Aaron Rodgers threw an amazing game winning and slightly controversial Hail Mary on Prime Time last season. Earlier this year, the Packers smacked Detroit around in the first half of their first matchup in Green Bay, and then it seemed as though they let off the gas and the Lions came back to make it a respectable outcome on the scoreboard but still lost the game. After making one hell of a run and winning games by the skin of their teeth, the Lions have now dropped two straight road games against the Giants and Cowboys. QB Matthew Stafford is still nursing his injured middle finger on his throwing hand and wearing a glove on it to help grip the ball. Clearly, he hasn't been at his best and neither has the Detroit defense as the Cowboys were able to shred them to pieces last week. CB Darius Slay is set to make his return from injury tonight to try and plug up the huge holes in the secondary but I don't think he is 100% and will be much of a factor. I wouldn't be surprised to see Rodgers go right at him in fact. Neither team has much of a running game although they will still try. I see this one eventually turning out to be a shootout between two of the best gunslinging QBs but see the Packers edging out the Lions in the end to steal the Division Title that they have been clinging onto for the past few weeks in true big brother fashion. Around 5 weeks ago, Rodgers declared that the Cheese would run the table to the playoffs and I think we know by now that when Rodgers makes these type of claims he means business and so far he has proven so. I believe they will complete the run to the playoffs tonight and set up a home game for next week. Will they win in the playoffs? Well that is for another time my friends, let's just concentrate on this one right here in what should be a fun high scoring affair but I like Rodgers to be too much and come through in the clutch. No WR Randall Cobb, no problem as it seems like the Pack are finding more weapons to incorporate in the passing attack every week. PACKERS-3.5