On Jordy Nelson, The Lions, The Run Defense, and The Offensive Line

Free Head Exam: Green Bay Packers - NFC North Blog - ESPN. Kevin Seifert crunches the numbers on the incredibly efficient season by Jordy Nelson. He's probably doing more with fewer targets than any other wide receiver in the NFL.

Schwartz says Lions will play to win - JSOnline. Unlike the Green Bay Packers, the Lions are still playing for playoff seeding. The Falcons lost on Monday night, but if they beat the Buccaneers (who mailed in last week's game against the Panthers), then the Lions would have to beat the Packers to keep the No. 5 seed. The No. 6 seed would face the Saints or 49ers (probably the Saints) while the No. 5 seed would face the Giants or Cowboys. The Lions should want that NFC East match-up over either of those other teams. They'd still have to play at Lambeau, but they'll need to take it one game at a time. Play for the easier first round game, and then worry about the next game.

Green Bay Packers news | Notebook: Coaches expect better effort from run defense | Green Bay Press Gazette. Mike McCarthy thought it was the worst performance by the run defense in the past six seasons. I don't know, there were some bad times during the 2008 season.

Packersnews.com | Green Bay Packers | Insiders Blog " So’oto, Lattimore receive extra snaps with Walden struggling. I'd love for either Vic So'oto or Jamari Lattimore to emerge as an outside linebacker worth starting, but neither did much on defense. So'oto and Lattimore were active against the Bears, while Frank Zombo was a healthy scratch. The coaches are understandably down on him after an injury plagued season. Reluctantly, Erik Walden remains their best starting option.

McCarthy: Packers Playing to Win Game on Sunday; Chad Clifton Expected to Play | AllGreenBayPackers.Com. Both LT Chad Clifton and RT Bryan Bulaga could return against the Lions, and get some valuable reps before the playoffs. Marshall Newhouse was good against Peppers, but that's no guarantee he'll be good during the playoffs. They'd be better off with Clifton.