The Green Bay Packers clinched the NFC North title on Monday night in Minnesota, but coach Matt LaFleur knows how important Sunday’s season finale against the Detroit Lions will be in terms of determining playoff positioning.
For the Packers, the path is clear: With a win over the Lions, LaFleur’s team clinches a first-round bye and opens up the possibility of securing the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
LaFleur said the Packers are preparing for Sunday as if it’s a playoff game.
“There’s a lot of information being thrown at these guys, so it’s going to take an unbelievable concentration and focus in order to digest all this information and then go out and play good football,” LaFleur said Thursday. “This is a playoff game for us. No doubt about it. And that’s the way we’re approaching it.”
The Packers can finish 13-3 and clinch a top-two seed with a win over the Lions, who have lost eight straight games and are 3-11-1 going into the finale.
Matt Patricia’s team has been devastated by injuries. Quarterback Matthew Stafford, receiver Marvin Jones, tight end T.J. Hockenson, defensive lineman Mike Daniels and linebacker Jarrad Davis are all on injured reserve.
LaFleur won’t underestimate who is still available to play in Detroit.
“This is the National Football League. You better be ready to play your best every week in order to come out on top,” LaFleur said. “We know we’re going to get their best shot.”
LaFleur said the Lions are playing “as hard as anybody” in the league despite their record. He described their defense as “physical” and opportunistic in terms of creating turnovers.
The Packers are dealing with a challenging week. They played Monday night, returned to Green Bay early Tuesday morning and had off Wednesday for Christmas. LaFleur said they’ll have a pair of walk-through practices on Thursday.
There’s a mental challenge at play, but LaFleur liked the way his team approached the start of the short week.
“I thought they were into it right away. I like the maturity of our team,” LaFleur said. “I think they’re locked in and ready to go and ready to play another game.”
The Packers can clinch the No. 1 seed in the NFC with a win over the Lions and a 49ers loss or tie to the Seahawks, or a tie with the Lions and a 49ers loss to the Seahawks and Saints loss or tie to the Panthers.
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