Green Bay Packers: What You Need to Know Heading into Week 13

The Green Bay Packers desperately needed to avoid a loss in Week 12, and that's exactly what they did. While they didn't beat the Minnesota Vikings, they did get a tie in exciting fashion.

This week will be a short one, as the Packers will travel to take on the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving Day. The Lions currently lead the Thanksgiving series with an overall record of 11-8-1.

Let's take a look at everything you need to know heading into Week 13.

Division Standings

Team	Record	Next Game
Detroit Lions	6-5	vs. Green Bay Packers
Chicago Bears	6-5	@ Minnesota Vikings
Green Bay Packers	5-5-1	@ Detroit Lions
Minnesota Vikings	2-8-1	vs. Chicago Bears

Not a single team in the NFC North won in Week 12. Sure, two teams tied, but it was a tough week for the division as a whole.

To make things even more interesting, the entire division plays one another in Week 13. The Packers and Lions play on Thanksgiving Day, and the Chicago Bears and Vikings have their matchup on Sunday afternoon.

What's exciting about this week for the NFC North is that the division will either become even more exciting or a team will finally separate itself as the leader of the pack.

For example, if Detroit wins and the Bears lose, the Lions will gain sole possession of first place in the division. However, if the Packers and Vikings win, the Packers will be atop the division.

Simply put, Week 13 might finally be the week that decides the NFC North.

Injury Report

Player	Position	Injury	Monday's Practice Status
Don Barclay	OL	Knee	Limited Participation
Brandon Bostick	TE	Concussion	Did Not Practice
Johnathan Franklin	RB	Concussion	Did Not Practice
Johnny Jolly	DL	Groin	Limited Participation
Jamari Lattimore	LB	Quadricep	Did Not Practice
Mike Neal	LB	Abdomen	Limited Participation
Marshall Newhouse	OL	Shoulder	Limited Participation
Nick Perry	LB	Foot	Limited Participation
Aaron Rodgers	QB	Collarbone	Did Not Practice
Sam Shields	CB	Hamstring	Limited Participation
Josh Sitton	OL	Back	Did Not Practice
C.J. Wilson	DL	Ankle	Did Not Practice

The injury report may seem a little long, but that shouldn't come as too big of a surprise, as the team just played on Sunday. Most teams don't practice until Wednesday, but the Packers simply don't have an option other than starting to prepare for Thursday's game right away.

What everyone is going to want to know in the upcoming days is the status of quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Unfortunately, ESPN's Adam Schefter gave some bad news concerning Rodgers' playing status this week:

That means that Matt Flynn will likely be getting his first start of the season this week for Green Bay.

What Must Improve

The problem with the Packers has been the same all year, and on Sunday it is was as obvious as ever: Green Bay is unable to slow down passing attacks from opposing teams.

Basically, when you make Christian Ponder look like an All-Pro quarterback, you have some major issues.

The Packers are currently giving up 244.2 passing yards per game, which is good enough for 13th-worst in the league. Their pass-coverage abilities also grade out as the fifth-worst in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). 

When you combine the inability to slow down opposing passing attacks with a league-low four interceptions on the season, you have major problems. What this does is allow offenses to have long and tiring drives that eventually end up in points.

There is no doubt that the secondary is going to be tested this week against the likes of Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson and Reggie Bush. If the Packers want to win this week, they are going to need major improvement from their cornerbacks and safeties.