For the third year in a row, the Green Bay Packers will bring a regular season to a close by playing the Detroit Lions.
For the second consecutive season, it's a game between teams that are going nowhere but home afterwards.
The Packers stand 6-8-1 while the Lions are 5-10 under first year Head Coach Matt Patricia. Of course, the Packers will have a first year Head Coach in 2019 after Mike McCarthy was relieved of his duties four weeks ago.
Both squads are beat up and limping to the finish line but they, like the rest of us, resolve to get healthier and better come next year.
So let's offer up some Green Bay Packer resolutions before the clock strikes midnight on Monday.
Aaron Rodgers resolves to.....
Welcome the next regime with open arms and an open mind. Don't kid yourself, the 13 year marriage with McCarthy became strained over time. He'll have to give a little with a new way of thinking. As he ages, he can't be asked to shoulder the entire fortunes of the team with his play. For too long, the franchise has needed him to be great every Sunday to win. His "good" is better than most quarterbacks' best and with an improved complimentary cast, the Packers can return to the playoff mix.
Brian Gutekunst resolves to....
Not flinch over a franchise player. The rookie G.M. made a play for Khalil Mack but blinked at the dual cost of draft picks and salary, allowing the Chicago Bears to snap him up and become a division champion with an NFL championship level defense. Here's hoping Gutekunst learned a lesson that greatness requires sacrifice and the next time a franchise turning player is out there, a way must be found to get him on the roster.
Clay Matthews resolves to.....
Swallow some pride and accept senior citizen salary discounts. For the first time in his 10 year Packer career, Matthews will be hitting the market. He'd love to finish his career in Green Bay but his production hasn't matched his cap figure of late. A move to inside linebacker might prolong his career but demanding an All-Pro salary might prolong it on another team.
Mark Murphy resolves to.....
Get it right. His next decision will steer the franchise either back up the mountain or off the cliff.
As for the curtain closing contest, it's hard to see Lions beating the Packers once they cross state lines. Green Bay is 25-2 against Detroit in Wisconsin since 1992. Matthew Stafford and the Detroit offense has gone extremely flat since his favorite target, Golden Tate was traded and other key weapons got hurt. The Lions haven't scored more than 22 points in any of their last eight games. Their defense will put up a fight with above average secondary play against Aaron Rodgers and the Pack's aerial attack.
I just think the team really enjoys playing for interim Head Coach Joe Philbin and a victory would make it three out of four since he assumed the position and that could position him toward the top of that list Mr. Murphy will be looking over once 2019 arrives.
I'll take the Packers 24-16.
Happy New Year!