Cheese Curds, 12/27: Packers refusing to overlook Lions with bye there for the taking

There can be no overlooking the Detroit Lions in week 17. The Lions’ 3-11-1 record and lengthy injured reserve list be damned — this is the team standing in the way of the Green Bay Packers getting a playoff bye (or more) and the green and gold will be ready to go on Sunday afternoon.

The stakes are clear. Win, and the Packers get a bye. Win and get some help from Seattle on Sunday night and the road to the Super Bowl runs through Green Bay.

If the Packers follow the formula that they stuck to on Monday in Minnesota, minus the early turnovers, they should be just fine. Aaron Rodgers moved the chains on third downs, the running game wore down the opposing defense, and the Packers’ D clamped down on their opposition. Tackling was key to the Vikings’ ineptitude, and the run defense had arguably its best game of the year as well.

Repeating that set of performances should send the Packers home to rest for a week before beginning their postseason run.

Packers receivers providing an assist to Aaron Jones’ career year | Packers.com
Green Bay's receivers are blocking their tails off, particularly the likes of Allen Lazard and Jake Kumerow. Lazard helped Jones break off his 56-yard touchdown on Monday, while Allison helped spring a big gain to Davante Adams on a screen pass.

Green Bay Packers have too much at stake to risk taking lowly Lions lightly | Packersnews.com
With a bye on the line, the Packers must run all of their starters out on Sunday afternoon to guarantee themselves the top seed. Regardless of the Lions' multitude of injuries, they must approach this like a playoff game.

Packers didn’t miss a single tackle attempt vs. Vikings | Packers Wire
That was according to coordinator Mike Pettine, who called out his starting cornerbacks for their excellent tackling on Monday.

Packers' Aaron Rodgers prioritizing wins over personal statistics | ESPN.com
Five touchdowns a game would be great, but Rodgers is perfectly content to throw for 200 yards and no scores if the team wins.

Antonio Brown set to visit with Saints on Friday - NFL.com
Oh joy. If Brown signs with New Orleans, that will make the Saints even tougher to like. It shouldn’t make them noticeably tougher to defend, though, since he’s likely to go on the exempt list when he signs.

Florida man flees in stolen truck, drives into deputy's cruiser | WDTV.com
Florida Man even strikes in West Virginia!