Packers, Lions Set Up NFC North Title Game with Playoff Seeding Up for Grabs

The Green Bay Packers (11-4) and Detroit Lions (11-4) both took care of business in Week 16, setting up a season finale between the two clubs that will determine the NFC North champion and recipient of a first-round bye in the conference playoffs. 

The winner of next Sunday's contest at Lambeau Field now claims the division at 12-4 and secures at least the No. 2 seed in the NFC. 

The two teams ensured Sunday that both races would come down to Week 17. 

The Packers needed a win in Tampa Bay to both clinch a sixth straight trip to the postseason and keep the Lions from winning the division in Week 16. Green Bay accomplished the task, dominating the box score and eventually handling the two-win Buccaneers by a 20-3 final at Raymond James Stadium. 

The Packers defense held Tampa Bay to just 109 total yards and six first downs, while quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw for 318 yards and a touchdown. Green Bay never trailed. 

The Lions entered Sunday with a playoff berth clinched, thanks to Washington's win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday. A win over the Chicago Bears and a Packers loss would have given the NFC North title to Detroit, but the Lions had to settle for a closer-than-anticipated road victory and the golden opportunity to steal away the division crown at Lambeau Field in Week 17. 

Detroit overcame two interceptions from quarterback Matthew Stafford to escape Soldier Field with a 20-14 win. Running back Joique Bell's 17-yard touchdown run gave the Lions a 17-14 lead with just over seven minutes remaining, and safety Glover Quin's interception of Bears quarterback Jimmy Clausen sealed the deal with under two minutes to go. 

The results set up a de facto division title game between the two teams that were clearly the two dominant entities in the NFC North this season.

The Lions haven't yet lost inside the division in 2014. Only four teams will enter Week 17 with a perfect 5-0 divisional record: the Lions, Atlanta Falcons, Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos. Overall, Detroit has outscored opponents in the NFC North by a 106-55 margin. 

The Packers' only loss in five tries in the NFC North came at the hands of the Lions, who beat Green Bay 19-7 at Ford Field in Week 3. Green Bay won its four other divisional games by a 159-62 margin. 

Regardless of which team wins Sunday, the victor will be ensured at least the No. 2 seed.

	Overall Record	Division	Conference
1. Detroit Lions	11-4	5-0	9-2
2. Green Bay Packers	11-4	4-1	8-3
3. Minnesota Vikings	6-9	0-5	5-6
4. Chicago Bears	5-10	1-4	4-7

The Arizona Cardinals can clinch the No. 1 seed with a win over the Seattle Seahawks Sunday night, while the Seahawks would be the No. 1 seed with two straight wins. The Dallas Cowboys can also win 12 games, but both the Lions and Packers will hold the conference-record tiebreaker—locking in the NFC North champion within the top two seeds. 

A Cardinals loss to the Seahawks Sunday night, coupled with a Seattle loss to St. Louis in Week 17, would open the door for either the Lions or Packers to hold the top seed. 

Both sides will be attempting to reverse a piece of history next Sunday. 

The Lions haven't won in the state of Wisconsin since 1991. Detroit's winless streak on the road against the Packers stretches a mind-boggling 23 games. The last time the Lions won in Wisconsin, Barry Sanders was a 23-year-old star running back and Mike Tomczak started at quarterback for the Packers. The date was December 15, 1991, when Mel Gray's 78-yard punt return gave Detroit its last taste of road victory against Green Bay. 

A more important streak to break might be the Lions' record on the road against winning teams with Matthew Stafford under center. Detroit is 0-16 in such situations since 2008. 

Meanwhile, the Packers want to erase a Week 3 loss in which the Lions controlled the game and shut down their offense. 

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Rodgers managed just 162 yards passing, and the Lions defense—thanks to a fumble return for a touchdown on the Packers' first possession and a safety in the second quarter—outscored Green Bay's offense 9-7. The Packers had never before scored fewer than 10 points in a game Rodgers started and finished. 

Green Bay has played poorly and lost all three games against defenses similar to Detroit's this season. The Seattle Seahawks pushed the Packers around in Week 1, and the Buffalo Bills held Green Bay to just 13 points in Week 15. However, all three games were played on the road away from Lambeau Field. 

Location is important, as the Packers have averaged 41.1 points per game at home this season and only 21.0 on the road. 

It all adds up to arguably the most thrilling season finale the NFL has to offer this season. 

Professional football doesn't get much better than a late-December game at Lambeau Field, especially with so much on the line. The division title, a week off in the postseason and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs could all be available to next Sunday's winner. 

The loser can certainly lean on the consolation prize of the No. 5 or 6 seed, but the victor in Week 17 will clearly take a big step toward the Super Bowl. 

Zach Kruse covers the NFC North for Bleacher Report. 

Follow @zachkruse2