Both rivals are 11-4, which means the winner takes the NFC North.
Two of the NFC's best teams, the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions, reside in the same division. They'll settle the NFC North in a winner-takes-all showdown Sunday at Lambeau Field.
At this time last year, the Lions had just given away the division en route to a 7-9 finish. Head coach Jim Schwartz was dismissed soon thereafter and the search for a new leader began. Detroit eventually settled on Jim Caldwell, the offensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens and former head coach of the Indianapolis Colts. Caldwell's calm demeanor and professional approach provided the needed corrective to get the Lions on track. Outside of outbursts from center Dominic Raiola, Detroit players have shown improved composure on the field.
In particular, the Lions' receiving corps has stepped up in a major way. Calvin Johnson has once again topped 1,000 yards, but he's not the only weapon in the passing game. Free agent addition Golden Tate has provided valuable balance, forcing defenses to make tough decisions regarding which wideout to double. On defense, Detroit allows just 16.8 points per game, the second-fewest in the NFL. Ndamukong Suh still leads the way, notching 8.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss.
As for the Packers, they've once again built one of the league's elite offenses. Led by quarterback and MVP candidate Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay has won many tough games this season. Head coach Mike McCarthy recorded his 99th career with last week, placing him ahead of the legendary Vince Lombardi for second in Packers history. Even the team's much-maligned defense has played well over the last seven weeks.
That doesn't mean the Packers will have an easy time with Detroit, however. The Lions dominated the first meeting back in Week 3, limiting the Packers to just seven points. The Packers' running game never took off, and the offensive line struggled to keep Suh, Stephen Tulloch and others off of Rodgers. For the Packers to win and clinch the division, the line needs to produce one of its best performances of the season.
The Lions enter Sunday with a record of 11-4. The Packers also come in at 11-4.
How to watch
Where: Lambeau Field, Green Bay
When: 4.25 p.m. ET
TV: FOX
Announcers: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews
Radio: Lions Radio Network, Packers Radio Network
Online streaming: Verizon NFL Mobile
Odds
The Packers are 7.5-point favorites according to OddsShark.
Further reading
For more on the Lions, check out Pride of Detroit. For additional coverage of the Packers, head on over to Acme Packing Company.
Source SBNation.com - All Posts http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2014/12/28/7436557/packers-lions-2014-online-streaming-time-tv-schedule
No comments:
Post a Comment