Another week, another do-or-die game for the Green Bay Packers.  While the mathematics never indicated that they were in a true "must win" situation, let's be honest.  The Packers needed to turn things around and win every game since they fell to 4-6 if there was any hope of making something of the 2016 season.  Back then, we were talking about draft position and the bevy of firings and changes that were likely to take place following this last game against the Detroit Lions.  Looking back at last year, the Packers started out 6-0 and finished 4-6.  This year, they started 4-6 and have a chance to finish 6-0 and make it a 10-6 two years straight.  Last year, the Packers made the postseason with that mark and if they complete their table run and finish 10-6, they'll secure yet another postseason appearance.

Win and the Packers are NFC North division champions and will host the New York Giants the following week in the Wild Card round.  Lose and their only way in is a Washington loss to those same Giants.  Last season, the Packers lost their week 17 game at home and the Minnesota Vikings won the North, although both teams made the postseason.  The Vikes got the Seattle Seahawks at home while the Packers traveled to Washington.  Match ups matter and there was some talk that Green Bay wasn't too heartbroken about losing the division title since they avoided the Seahawks for a week and got what seemed to be an easier game.  While Minnesota should have beaten Seattle, they didn't and the Packers trounced Washington, living to fight another week.  Might the Giants be thinking ahead to week 18 and their desire to avoid a red hot Packers team?  The G Men would never admit it out loud but if they happen to lose to Washington, they stick the Packers in a true do-or-die against the Lions.  Green Bay's only option at that point is to beat the Lions to extend their season.  The silver lining in that scenario is that the Packers will enter their Sunday night game against the Lions knowing exactly what they need to do in order to reach the playoffs.

On to this week's bullet points for the positive and the worriers.

Rants

Pass Or Fail

The story of the week has been whether or not the Packers secondary can hold up against Detroit's passing attack.  Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford had his most passing yards this season against Green Bay in week three with 385.  The Packers jumped out to an early lead and it led to Stafford throwing 41 times so that total may be a bit inflated, but in looking at his performance against some of the lesser passing defenses this season, Stafford has taken advantage.  He had three touchdown passes against the Indianapolis Colts, Packers and Philadelphia Eagles and four against the Los Angeles Rams.  He hasn't had more than two in a game since mid-October.

It's no secret that Lions offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter will get after Green Bay's banged up secondary early and often.  Tight end Eric Ebron was on his way to a nice day against the Packers before cornerback Damarious Randall took the ball right out of his hands on his way to the ground for what was credited as an interception.  Ebron is a match up problem for most secondaries but he's also been his own worst enemy with drops.  Still, the Packers are going to have their hands full and have struggled at times against bigger passing targets.  If you're looking for signs of hope, Morgan Burnett made Seattle's Jimmy Graham a virtual ghost a few weeks back when the two teams met.

As for the actual receivers themselves, there is no easy solution for Green Bay.  Marvin Jones had two touchdown catches in the first meeting back in September.  He's had four all season but he's the type of receiver that can make fools out of Green Bay's young corners in Damarious Randall and LaDarius Gunter.  Both Randall and Gunter are dealing with injuries but are expected to play.  Quinten Rollins has struggled lately and had a particularly rough outing against the Vikings last week.  Beyond Jones are veterans Golden Tate, who needs no introduction to the Packers nor their fans and Anquan Boldin, another who has had some big days against Green Bay.  In a winner-take-all scenario, Detroit's passing attack stacks up well with a combination of speed and savvy to make the tough catches in short yardage situations.  

If the Lions can throw it well, they can win.  If they don't, they can't.  The Packers need to come up with another day where they play above their own heads and force a turnover or two.

Fast Track Blues

The Packers have only played two games indoors this year, both losses.  The first was against the Vikings in a game they had chances to try and win.  The latest was a loss to the Atlanta Falcons that Green Bay also had chances to win but weren't able to keep the Falcons out of the end zone late.  The Packers offense can benefit from the lack of elements and a faster track but can the defense keep up with the Lions' speed?  The three teams are all different so the venue shouldn't make much of a difference, but was something that stuck out in terms of this season and past performances.

Raves

Most Valuable Packers

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been playing out of his mind over the past six games.  During that span he's had a passer rating over 100 in all but one game, hasn't thrown an interception and has 14 touchdowns.  Where not long ago we were all asking what was wrong with #12, we're now wondering how legitimate his chances are of winning MVP this year.  What isn't measured on the field are the confidence and amount of fun Rodgers is having on the field.  He's loose, laughing and all smiles at the podium when talking to the media.  Sure, some of that can be an act to convey confidence but this seems genuine by Rodgers.  He opined that he felt that this Packers team could win out after the loss at Washington.  Largely because of himself, they are four quarters away from doing just that, and more.

Receiver Jordy Nelson continues his own tear since recovering from the tear.  Targeted no fewer than 10 times per game in four of his last five, he has five touchdown catches during that time and currently leads the NFL with 14.  As the season has worn on, Nelson has resumed his back shoulder and sideline catches that have been a safety valve for Rodgers and the offense.  He added in a big deep ball against the Chicago Bears two weeks ago and should once again be drawing safety help from opponents.  The problem with that?  Teams can't simply play press man coverage and challenge the receivers to get off the ball like they did last year.  Once they revert to zone coverage to keep Nelson in check, the rest of the offense eats.  And try as they may, opposing defenses aren't keeping Nelson in check.  Good luck this week, Teryl Austin.  Nelson is a man on a mission lately.  The usually laid back receiver has been more demonstrative after his scores and has some of that swagger that we grew accustomed to before his injury.  Like I've said before, Nelson isn't coming back, he is back.

Clay Matthews reminded us all what he can do when he's healthy in the game against the Vikings.  A sack, strip fumble and two passes broken up (his only two of the season) weren't a bad day at the office for the Claymaker.  Since his separated shoulder against the Eagles, Matthews has basically been a hologram.  His presence on passing downs has drawn attention in pass protection but with his improved health, he'll continue to be an influence and open up opportunities for those around him.  Matthews moved inside last year and was a big help when the Packers lost Sam Barrington and were slowly bringing Jake Ryan along.  He did so earlier this year and sat out a few games in an effort to recover despite his likely lobbying to be on the field.  Many say Matthews is over paid and that his skills are falling off but as long as he's able to make those two or three big plays each week, he's a huge asset to the Packers.

McCarthy's Red Scare

Remember last year during a rough November when head coach Mike McCarthy talked about his players and coaches having a "red ass" after getting beat soundly a few times?  Do you also remember the same head coach having a red ass just one month ago because his seat was so hot?  I think it's safe to say that we're, at least for the moment, past that.  For as much criticism as McCarthy has taken for his play calling, game management and the control he does or doesn't have over this team, they have surely responded to and for him.

McCarthy has drawn up some good game plans for big games and this week should be no different.  With an opportunity to emphatically stamp this season "highly successful", I expect McCarthy to bring some fireworks with him to Detroit.  He knows that Lions crowd is loud from the get go but can easily be turned off if his offense can put up some early points.  Look for the offense to take some chances early on to create big plays.  Detroit cornerback Darius Slay will likely play but has been dealing with a hamstring injury lately so they may test his ability to cover the deep ball.  

While it may not ultimately become a "win or go home" proposition for the Packers, McCarthy will prepare them as though it is.  He doesn't play around with hypotehcials and over think scenarios.  His confidence in his team never waned even after their sixth loss and it's time for them to pay him back with a division title and another game to play next week.