Green Bay Packers

Green Bay Packers: Four more wins could claim NFC North crown

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Aaron Rodgers said the Green Bay Packers can win out. Four wins from five might be the winning formula in the NFC North.

Hope fills the air in Green Bay once more following the Packers’ dominant display at Philadelphia on Monday night. The Packers move within two games of the lead in the turbulent NFC North with five games to go.

Detroit sits top, but three of their remaining five games are away from Ford Field. The Lions and their shaky pass defense pays a visit to Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints this week, whose offense is averaging 34 points inside the Superdome.

The Lions also travel to the Giants and Cowboys, who are a combined 18-4. New York hasn’t lost at home since Week 3, Dallas since Week 1. Detroit’s two home games are with division opponents, Chicago and Green Bay.

Minnesota sits effectively two games back of Detroit after surrendering the tiebreaker to their Thanksgiving opponents last week. They meet the Cowboys at U.S. Bank Stadium this week. If the Packers win all of their remaining division games, they would hold the tiebreaker over the Vikings.

Green Bay plays at Lambeau Field three times in five weeks, with road games at Chicago and Detroit. The Week 14 visit of Seattle is perhaps the most concerning, but the Packers need to focus on winning four of their remaining five, including victories over the Vikings and Lions.

In the event of a three-way tiebreaker atop the NFC North, it would be advantage Green Bay.

Packers at best with backs against wall

Unless it’s mathematically impossible, never count out Aaron Rodgers. He was as determined as anyone on the field to end the Packers’ winless drought. Rodgers shredded a talented Eagles defense, playing his best game of the season.

The Packers were aggressive but always in control of the game. Philadelphia’s defense couldn’t get off the field, Green Bay converting 10-of-14 third down attempts, 1-of-1 on fourth down, and punting only once.

Rodgers was sharp, accurate and looked at ease fizzing the ball around the Lincoln Financial Field turf.

The Packers still have some ways to go in order to dig themselves out of a two-game deficit in the NFC North, but Monday’s game reminds us of one thing: Aaron Rodgers should never be written off.

Rodgers refuses to be hamstrung

Even more impressive in Rodgers’ near-perfect display was that he spent much of the second half with an injured hamstring.

Rodgers confirms he tweaked his hamstring but will be "good to go." Went into the infamous tent to get taped up #Packers

— Wes Hodkiewicz (@WesHod) November 29, 2016

Rodgers pulled up after extending a play and looked in discomfort, but he didn’t miss a single snap and continued to display good mobility and pinpoint accuracy. Nothing was going to slow him down in a game the Packers had to win.

With a week of rest, the hope is Rodgers’ hamstring is 100 percent ahead of Sunday’s game with Houston.