After a frustrating loss to the rival Chicago Bears, Packers fans are still feeling the sting. But Week 16 isn’t done yet - and there’s still meaningful football to be played that could have a direct impact on Green Bay’s postseason hopes. In fact, there’s one game in particular that Packers fans might want to circle on the Sunday slate.
All eyes should turn to Ford Field this afternoon, where the Pittsburgh Steelers are set to face off against the Detroit Lions in a game loaded with playoff implications - not just for the AFC North, but for the NFC North as well. And yes, Packers fans, that means it’s time to root for a familiar face: Aaron Rodgers.
Rodgers, now leading the Steelers, is stepping into a high-stakes matchup that could shift the playoff picture in both conferences. Pittsburgh is coming off a crucial win over the Ravens that gave them a leg up in the AFC North race. The two teams are set for a rematch in Week 18, but a Steelers win today - combined with a Ravens loss tonight - could put Baltimore in a tougher spot to secure a postseason berth.
That’s relevant for AFC dynamics, sure. But here’s where it gets interesting for Green Bay: a Lions loss today would do more than just dent Detroit’s division title hopes.
It would also bring the Packers one step closer to locking in a playoff spot. Green Bay’s magic number is two - meaning any combination of two Packers wins and Lions losses will punch their ticket to the postseason.
So yes, this is one of those rare Sundays where Packers fans might find themselves pulling for Rodgers again. It’s not about nostalgia - it’s about math. And if the Steelers can take care of business against Detroit, it could be a key domino in Green Bay’s playoff path.
Beyond that headline matchup, there’s a full slate of games to keep an eye on. Here’s how the rest of Sunday’s schedule shakes out:
12:00 PM CT Kickoffs
- Los Angeles Chargers at Dallas Cowboys | AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX | FOX
- Minnesota Vikings at New York Giants | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ | FOX
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers | Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC | FOX
- Buffalo Bills at Cleveland Browns | Huntington Bank Stadium, Cleveland, OH | CBS
- Kansas City Chiefs at Tennessee Titans | Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN | CBS
- Cincinnati Bengals at Miami Dolphins | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL | CBS
- New York Jets at New Orleans Saints | Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, LA | CBS
Afternoon Window
- Jacksonville Jaguars at Denver Broncos | 3:05 PM CT | Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, CO | FOX
- Atlanta Falcons at Arizona Cardinals | 3:05 PM CT | State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ | FOX
- Pittsburgh Steelers at Detroit Lions | 3:25 PM CT | Ford Field, Detroit, MI | CBS
- Las Vegas Raiders at Houston Texans | 3:25 PM CT | NRG Stadium, Houston, TX | CBS
Sunday Night Football
- New England Patriots at Baltimore Ravens | 7:20 PM CT | M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD | NBC
There’s plenty of football left in Week 16, and for Packers fans, today’s action could quietly - or not so quietly - shape the road to January. So fire up the TV, keep an eye on that Steelers-Lions showdown, and yes, for one more afternoon, it’s okay to cheer for the guy in black and gold.