The Green Bay Packers are postseason bound. With a 12-3 record, they are enjoying a first-season under Matt LaFleur that little expected. However, they aren't happy yet.
The Packers can clinch a first-round bye on Sunday if they beat the 3-11-1 Detroit Lions. For quarterback Aaron Rodgers, that stands as a crucial goal.
“An extra week at this time of the season is crucial. And even more important than that is obviously the home-field advantage that we feel like we have here in Green Bay, with our crowd, and the weather, and the footing, and everything about Lambeau Field, and the mystique, has to offer. That’s what we’d like to secure this week,” Rodgers said on Thursday, via Zach Kruse of Packers Wire.
Though Lambeau Field stands as one of the NFL's best home-field advantage — particularly in the winter when the “Frozen Tundra” takes place — Rodgers doesn't want off the bat. Instead of playing at home a week after ending their regular-season finale, he'd like to host whichever opponent at home after a one week rest.
The Packers have not reaped the benefits of a first-round bye since 2014. They want to get back to doing so in 2019. However, before they do that, they must be the reeling Lions. Rodgers stresses that the Packers must not let up. Green Bay must go into Sunday, knowing what's on the line.
“It’s important we approach this game understanding how much we have to gain by winning. The great teams win these games,” Rodgers said. “If we want to be that great team that gets an opportunity to be in the mix for the one seed, for sure gets a bye, gets a chance to relax for a week and get ready for an opponent, these are the kind of games you win.”
Take care of business, Packers.
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