NFC Playoff Picture: Charting the Green Bay Packers' Path to Indy

Aaron Rodgers and his Green Bay Packers have home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs, so they're in prime position to at least advance to their second straight Super Bowl. 

Let's take a look at the defending Super Bowl champion's route back to football's biggest game. 

Week 17: vs. Detroit Lions 

The Lions come into this game on a tear, as they've won their last three games. However, the game doesn't really matter for either clubs. The Packers can't move from the No. 1 spot, and Detroit is locked in to the No. 5 seed. 

While head coach Mike McCarthy has stated he'll only play Rodgers for a portion of Sunday's game, it looks like Matthew Stafford will be out there as if the Lions needed the victory to make the postseason. 

Either way, they'll get a week off before hosting the divisional round at Lambeau Field.

They could certainly play this club again, which adds a little intrigue to the season finale.  

Divisional Round: vs. Detroit Lions

After the Lions upset the New York Giants in New Jersey, they get their NFC North nemesis for the third time. 

With a fully rested and healthy Greg Jennings and offensive line, the Packers will be ready to explode for another ridiculously impressive offensive performance.

This game won't be a cakewalk, however.

Detroit enters the showdown on a tear, and Calvin Johnson demonstrated why he was the best receiver in the game for the final month of the regular season and in their win over the G-Men.

Containing Megatron will be imperative for Green Bay, as well as using additional blockers to make sure Rodgers is protected. 

In the end, with the Packers clinging to a narrow lead, Matt Stafford is intercepted on his final drive and the Packers "sneak" into the NFC championship after being thoroughly tested by a young and immensely talented Lions squad. 

NFC Championship: New Orleans Saints 

The 49ers-Saints matchup was one for the ages—a classic stellar offense versus stout defense matchup. Drew Brees led a furious comeback in the fourth quarter, and Alex Smith couldn't muster enough explosion on offense to keep his team ahead once they got the lead. 

Now, a rematch of the wildly entertaining season opener.

Will both pass-happy clubs be greatly affected by the winter weather?  

With a Super Bowl bid on the line, the last two champions, with the game's best two quarterbacks, go back and forth the entire game.

Rodgers fires a bullet to Jordy Nelson for a touchdown, Brees answers with a laser beam to Robert Meachem down the sideline.

You get the picture.  

The key in this game might be the Saints' running game. If the Packers can limit the big plays, especially on those terrorizing screens, they'll have a chance to advance to another Super Bowl.

Another game with loads of offense that shatters TV ratings records.