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GREEN BAY, Wis. - The Detroit Lions are so close to ending a two-decade stretch without a division title.The Green Bay Packers have been so good that its a surprise when they dont win the NFC North.Upstarts vs. standard-bearers. Tackle Ndamukong Suh and one of the leagues top defences against quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the potent Packers offence. The winner of Sundays showdown between Detroit and Green Bay at Lambeau Field takes the NFC North championship and a first-round bye in the playoffs.Both teams (11-4) are already guaranteed post-season berths. But the loser gets relegated to a road game next week as a wild card.The winner gets some needed rest and a guaranteed home game in two weeks. Thats considered a huge advantage in the post-season.Yeah, theres a lot on the line. Its an opportunity to win our fourth straight division title, which would be pretty sweet. We get a chance for a bye, which would be great to get some rest for all of us, Rodgers said. A home playoff game is the most important thing; thats what we play for every year.According to the Packers, this will be the first time that teams each with 11 wins will play in a regular-season finale to determine a division champion since Dallas and the New York Giants met in 1993. The Cowboys won that game — and went on to win the Super Bowl.That year is also the last time Detroit won a division title. This often-forlorn franchise has been to the post-season just once since 2000, a 45-28 loss to New Orleans in the wild-card round in the 2011 campaign.One of the things that we talk to them about is the fact that this doesnt happen very often, Lions coach Jim Caldwell said when asked Sundays game will mean to his players.And hes just talking about the playoffs.If Detroit wins the North, it would have earned the title by snapping a 23-game losing streak against Green Bay in Wisconsin. The last time the Lions left the state happy was a 21-17 victory at Lambeau on Dec. 15, 1991.Thats so long ago that Hall of Famer Barry Sanders was still Detroits running back, gaining 85 yards. So forgive the Lions if theyre more pumped up than usual this weekend.The guys have fought some real battles and have done a tremendous job and weve got a great opportunity ahead of us, Caldwell said. And do you expect them to be a little off the ground here in the next couple of days in intensity and focus? Absolutely, because obviously were playing a great team in a historic place.Some key areas to watch on Sunday:AARONS HEALTH: The Packers practiced Tuesday, a typical day off, to get Christmas off on Thursday. Rodgers was hoping the late-week rest would help him get over a sore left calf that he strained last week against Tampa, not to mention a lingering head cold.Rodgers is one of the best quarterbacks in the league in extending plays, and his mobility could come in handy, especially against Detroits smothering defence. Both Rodgers and coach Mike McCarthy were confident the Pro Bowl quarterback would be able to run the full game plan against Detroit.PICKY LIONS: Rodgers has been especially successful at Lambeau, where he has thrown 396 times and 34 straight touchdown passes without an interception — both NFL records. Rodgers last interception at Lambeau came Dec. 2, 2012.An improved Detroit secondary features safety Glover Quin, who leads the league with seven picks. Fellow safety James Ihedigbo has four interceptions, and the Lions have had 12 straight games with a pick.One impressive streak is going to end.SITTING OUT: Lions centre Dominic Raiola lost his appeal of a one-game suspension for stepping on Chicago Bears defensive tackle Ego Ferguson last week, meaning hell have to sit out Sundays game.Rookie Travis Swanson is next on the depth chart at centre. He might be matched up against defensive lineman Mike Daniels, one of the keys to the Packers improved play of late against the rush.RUNNING MEN: Welcome back, Reggie Bush. The veteran, who has been slowed by injuries this season, had seven carries for 54 yards and a touchdown last week against the Bears, while also catching six passes for 44 yards.The Packers running game has improved in the second half of the season following a sluggish start, which included a 76-yard outing in the Week 3 loss at Detroit. Eddie Lacy, who is over the 1,000-yard mark for the second straight season, and James Starks will have to earn yards against the Lions stout run defence.CLAY-MAKER: Packers linebacker Clay Matthews is on a pass-rushing roll with 5 1/2 sacks in his last three games to get to 10 on the season.The one thing you look for more important than the sacks is the pressure thats being generated, and I felt myself around the quarterback a lot these last several games, Matthews said.Green Bay has 10 sacks overall in its last two games.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL___Follow Genaro Armas at http://twitter.com/GArmasAP Saquon Barkley Jersey . "Opinion: Womens World Cup is the best Soccer of the year," Hanks tweeted to his 8.73 million followers on Friday. "Hey FIFA, they deserve real grass. Put in sod. Lorenzo Carter Giants Jersey . "Im excited just for a new start, just to see where things are going, to bring some kind of tradition back to the team and guys being excited about something new," the defensive back said during a conference call Monday after agreeing to stay with the Bombers rather than go to free agency next month. http://www.nygiantsproshop.com/authentic...jersey.html.The 24-year-old quarterback spent four seasons at Northern Illinois and in 2013 was a finalist for the Heisman, which is awarded annually to the most outstanding player in U. Nate Solder Jersey . Wearing bib No. 1, Maze skied through the gates cleanly to defend her big first-run lead and finish 0.07 seconds ahead of Anna Fenninger of Austria. Defending champion Viktoria Rebensburg of Germany was third, trailing 0. Alec Ogletree Jersey . -- Jesse Lussier scored 8:24 into overtime as the Halifax Mooseheads erased a four-goal deficit to beat the host Val-dOr Foreurs 6-5 on Tuesday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League playoff action.TORONTO -- Andrew Stein and Glenn Macaulay bought into the Blue Jays hype. Best friends since kindergarten and lifelong baseball fans, the pair were swept up in the promise of 2013 and purchased season tickets. From the top level of Rogers Centre above home plate they watched as Toronto slumped through the spring then came alive during an 11-game winning streak only to finish last in the AL East. Excitement isnt a word they used to describe their hopes for 2014. "I wouldnt say worried," said Stein. "Not optimistic," said Macaulay. "Yeah, not optimistic," said Stein. "Maybe slightly uneasy that its just going to be a repeat of last year." Stein and Macaulay were among the Blue Jays season ticket holders at Rogers Centre on Wednesday for the teams annual State of the Franchise event. Team president and CEO Paul Beeston, general manager Alex Anthopoulos and manager John Gibbons were on hand to take questions as jazz played throughout the stadium and food and drinks were handed out to fans wondering just what the state of the team is. Anthopoulos had no surprise announcements, nor was he worried about being grilled despite promises of change going unfulfilled during a quiet off-season. "When you dont have a good season you expect theres criticism that comes with that, that goes without saying, thats part of it," he said. "But again, these fans, I think its a different type of setting because these are the season-seat holders. They support the club. They love the team good and bad. Obviously were here to be accountable and to make ourselves available to talk and answer whatever questions they might have." Torontos only notable acquisition has been catcher Dioner Navarro, who was brought on to replace J.P. Arencibia. Navarro, who hit .300 with 13 home runs and 34 RBIs in 240 at-bats with the Chicago Cubs last season, barely made the splash that all-stars Jose Reyes or R.A. Dickey did when Toronto traded for them prior to last season. "(Navarro will) be serviceable. Im not going to buy his jersey or anything," said Stein. The Blue Jays real need, the one Anthopoulos promised would be his winter focus, is starting pitching. Dickey, coming off a Cy Young season, struggled, although not as badly as Josh Johnson. J.A. Happ missed time after being hit in the head by a frightening comebacker in May, while Brandon Morrows season ended in July with a forearm injury.dddddddddddd Only Mark Buehrle, who also had a slow start to the season, performed to expectation. Torontos rotation finished with a 4.81 earned-run average last season, second worst in the majors, and the starters 899.1 innings pitched were 28th in baseball. But Toronto has stood pat during the off-season. Japanese phenom Masahiro Tanaka was signed by the New York Yankees before veteran Matt Garza joined the Milwaukee Brewers. Several pitchers such as Ervin Santana and Ubaldo Jimenez still remain on the market, but Anthopoulos said progress has been slowed by free agents who cost teams draft picks. That doesnt apply to the Blue Jays -- theyve got two protected first-round draft picks. But Anthopoulos remained non-committal. "We like some of the upside of the guys that are coming back. Wed still like to add," he said. "I think weve been very open about that. I dont know whats going to happen obviously between now and the start of camp. "Depending on how free agency goes or even the trade market, maybe its beyond that, but we are excited about some of the guys coming back, especially some of the young guys. Theres upside to the performance of a lot of these guys. But at the same time were still going to be active and try to get a starter." Whereas Anthopoulos could only ask fans to stick by the team, Gibbons said hes looking ahead after making peace with 2013. "After I was home for about two weeks I said, you know what, its time for a new season," said Gibbons. "Ive always been an optimistic guy. Its smart to look back and look at some areas to do things differently maybe to improve some things. But in the end youve got to turn the page and its a new start here in the next two months." Gibbons, who heard plenty of calls for his dismissal last season, isnt worried about the direction of the team. He acknowledged fans frustrations, and that there wont be as much good will in April as there was last year. "It sure would be nice me coming in here feeling good going to this thing having won something, but until you do that youre just hoping and dreaming. So hopefully we can do that." What, then, is the state of the Blue Jays? Ask again on Opening Day. 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