Packers vs. Lions 2017: Time, TV schedule for ‘Sunday Night Football’

The final game of the 2016 NFL regular season — #Game256 — will feature a fight for the NFC North title between the Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions on Sunday Night Football. Either team can clinch the division with a win, but even with a loss could make it to the playoffs with a Washington loss. The Lions can also secure a first-round bye with a win, combined with losses by both Atlanta and Seattle.

In last week’s Green Bay win over Minnesota, quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw for 347 yards and four touchdowns — two to wideout Jordy Nelson, marking their 59th touchdown pass connection and setting a new franchise record. Despite a 4-6 start to the season, Rodgers is playing some of the best football of his career and has led the team on a five-game winning streak.

That wasn’t the first time Rodgers and Nelson connected on two touchdowns in a game, achieving the feat in late September against the Lions. The Packers came away with a 34-27 win the last time these two teams met, thanks to the offensive pairing. Rodgers.

On defense, the Packers are capable of putting opposing quarterbacks in tough situations, often rushing the passer or taking them down altogether. Linebackers Clay Matthews, Julius Peppers, and Nick Perry have a combined 22.5 sacks so far this season. With Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford already protecting a finger injury on his throwing hand, Detroit’s offensive line will need to step up.

Stafford is just 20 yards away from his sixth consecutive 4,000-yard season. He’s had a much better season behind his young linemen, but with targets like wideout Golden Tate and Anquan Boldin, he doesn’t need as much time in the pocket. Tate just marked his second career 1,000-yard season and Boldin is looking for his fourth NFC North game in a row with a touchdown catch.

The Lions’ rushing game has struggled all season, totaling just five touchdowns on the ground heading into Week 16, but Zach Zenner kicked things up a notch with two scores early against the Cowboys. Zenner will need to build off his career-best 67-yard game in order to spread out the offense.

The Lions will have some help on the defensive side of the ball, as defensive end Ezekiel Ansah has a sack in each of his three career home games and Kerry Hyder has five sacks in the past five division meetings. Even when the team can’t keep Rodgers from throwing the ball, he’ll have to avoid Glover Quin, who leads NFC safeties with the most interceptions (16) since 2013.

Detroit had two fewer days of preparation heading into the NFC North showdown thanks to their appearance on Monday Night Football in Week 16. The good news for the Lions is that cornerback Darius Slay could be back from a hamstring injury, which would help stop deep threats like Jordy Nelson.

The Packers have the hot hand coming into this final Sunday Night Football matchup of the season, but the Lions have a lot at stake, including their first division title since 1993.

Time: 8:30 p.m. ET

Location: Ford Field, Detroit

TV: NBC

Announcers: Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya

Online: NBC Sports