National Football League

Winning division title paramount to Packers, not home streak vs. Lions

Published Dec. 23, 2014 6:52 p.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Ha Ha Clinton-Dix has no recollection of the last time the Green Bay Packers lost at home to the Detroit Lions. That's because the rookie safety wasn't born when it took place.

Since the Lions' 21-17 victory over the Packers on Dec. 15, 1991, Clinton-Dix is one of four rookies on Green Bay's 2014 roster who first emerged into the world.

"That's a long time ago," Clinton-Dix said. "I just turned 22 Sunday."

It's a streak that's extended for 23 years, which is unbelievable considering these two division rivals face off every season. There have been plenty of close games along the way, including four in the past six years that were decided by seven or fewer points. Yet, the streak stayed alive each time.

"To me, it's a coincidence," said veteran cornerback Tramon Williams, who was in third grade when the streak began. "It's good we've been winning like that against these guys at home for a long time, (but) it doesn't guarantee you anything. We have to go out and we have to play and we have to perform against a quality team. That's what we're going to try to do."

The first three wins (1992-'94) were played in Milwaukee, Wis., so it's important to note that while these were all home games for the Packers, not every one was played at Lambeau Field.

Totaling up the last two-plus decades of Packers/Lions regular-season games in Wisconsin, Green Bay has a 631-346 advantage. The Packers also have one playoff home victory over Detroit during this span.

"You can't bank on that," Williams said. "Streaks are meant to be broken, and hopefully this one is not for a long time from now."

When reporters aren't around, this isn't a topic discussed by players. Several players in the locker room Tuesday said they were unaware or had forgotten about it.

Head coach Mike McCarthy doesn't use the home winning streak against the Lions in his conversations with the team leading up to this game every season.

"Really haven't given it any thought," McCarthy said.

Clay Matthews took it a different direction.

"We talk about not answering that question," Matthews said. "That's what we talk about. You know, honestly, that doesn't come into play. That doesn't come into my mind until every year it's brought up as far as the streak, so to speak. These are kids on this team now that weren't even born then, I'm sure, or who were very young at that time."

Aaron Rodgers rated it a "1" on a scale of 1-10 in terms of whether he cares about the streak.

Sunday's game is about more than a home winning streak. If Green Bay wins, it will be assured of a first-round bye in the playoffs and its fourth consecutive NFC North title. If Detroit wins, not only will the streak be over but the Lions will be division champions and earn no worse than the No. 2 seed. A Detroit win would also send the Packers on the road throughout the postseason as the No. 6 seed, beginning with a wild-card weekend showdown in Dallas against the Cowboys.

While those scenarios will ultimately be the most important part of the outcome Sunday at Lambeau Field, the streak will be on the minds of at least some Green Bay players.

"Oh, we know it," Williams said. "You have to understand things like that. As a player, you don't count on it, but it's facts, I guess you can say.

"Hopefully we can keep that going."

Follow Paul Imig on Twitter

share

Get more from National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

National Football League