The Green Bay Packers are 9-3 on the season following their 30-17 victory over the Miami Dolphins on Thanksgiving. Unfortunately for the Packers, the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings also won their Week 13 games. Detroit, at 11-1, is the top seed in the NFC while Minnesota, at 10-2, is in second place in the division and ahead of Green Bay in the NFC Playoff picture.
Currently the sixth seed (out of seven), Green Bay has anywhere between a 96% and 99% chance of making the NFL Playoffs. However, if they want to improve their seeding or possibly win the division, they will likely need to win their remaining five games, three of which are against each other team in the division.
And they start with a visit to Detroit to face the Lions on Thursday.
The Green Bay Packers Had Romeo Doubs and Jaire Alexander Return to Practice This Week
Detroit won the first game the Packers played against them 24-14. While injuries are not an excuse Green Bay will use for a loss, it is worth mentioning that they were without two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander.
In their previous game, a matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Alexander suffered a knee injury on the Packers’ final defensive play of the game. He sat out the Detroit game, had the Bye Week to rest, and tried to return when Green Bay faced the Chicago Bears.
However, he was pulled from the game early due to his injury. It was later revealed that he has been dealing with a torn PCL.
Wide receiver Romeo Doubs missed the Packers’ Thanksgiving matchup at Lambeau Field due to a concussion that he suffered during their game against the San Francisco 49ers.
Fortunately, both players returned to practice this week.
Green Bay Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur Will Not Guarantee Either Jaire Alexander or Romeo Doubs Will Play vs the Lions
Despite the fact that both player returned to practice after not being able to participate last week, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur is not guaranteeing that it means they are going to play on Thursday.
When asked if Doubs, who is still in the final stage of concussion protocol, would play, LaFleur simply said, “We’ll see.”
When asked about Alexander’s return to practice and his potential availability, Green Bay’s head coach said, “He’s progressing.”
Obviously, LaFleur does not want to give anything away in terms of who may or may not be playing. It is good for fans, though, to keep in mind that these guys are still trying to get their bodies right for a highly likely postseason run.
