Right now, the Green Bay Packers (7-3) don’t really care how they win. All that matters is that they are.
In a defensive struggle against the Detroit Lions (4-6), the Packers were the team to come out on top. After trading off the lead multiple times, Aaron Rodgers connected with Randall Cobb for 22-yards and a touchdown with 1:55 left in the 4th quarter. This gave the Packers a 21-20 lead that they never relinquished.
“When our best was needed,” Rodgers said after the game, “we were able to come through.”
For many fans, the final score of 24-20 was just a little too close for comfort. Lizzy Ziemer, a sophomore at St. Norbert College in De Pere, WI, and life long Packer fan, was in a constant state of anxiety during the game.
“We finally got the lead, and then we thought we lost,” Ziemer said when the game was over, “it was just too close.”
Photo by: Wikipedia
This game was crucial for the Packers as they were coming off a much needed bye week. The week was not long enough for all of their players to recover as the Packers were forced to play the game without linebacker Clay Matthews. The win against the struggling Lions, who will face the Houston Texans (9-1) on Thanksgiving, allowed the Packers to stay on course in the race for the division. The win cuts The Chicago Bears (7-2) lead in the division to only a half game. If the Bears lose to the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night, the Packers would have a share in the lead.
“Now we got our groove back,” said veteran wide receiver Donald Driver, “and we’re ready to roll.”
Fans are hoping that next week’s game against the New York Giants (5-5) is not so close. Even though the Giants are under performing this season, Eli Manning makes their offense a viable threat.
The game against the Giants will be the first time these two teams have met since the Giants upset the Packers 37-20 in the 2011 playoffs.
The Lions hopes of getting back to the playoffs for a second consecutive season are quickly fading. After the loss to the Packers, they now live in the basement of the NFC North.
