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We've got our first glimpse of how the Green Bay Packers might move to replace center Scott Wells, who signed Friday with the St. Louis Rams. ESPN's Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter reported Monday that free agent center Jeff Saturday has visits scheduled with several teams, including the Packers.

It has been widely assumed that Saturday would join forces with longtime teammate Peyton Manning, who plans to play this season for the Denver Broncos. But the Packers' apparent interest in Saturday at least means they haven't ruled out the possibility of signing a veteran to replace Wells. Other options include veteran Dan Koppen, who missed most of last season because of a fractured ankle, and Samson Satele, who spent the past three seasons with the Oakland Raiders.

The Packers haven't dipped their toes into veteran free agency often in recent years, having last done so when signing the immortal Duke Preston in 2009. If they don't sign a veteran, the Packers could either elevate backup Evan Dietrich-Smith or draft a center -- possibly Wisconsin's Peter Konz -- and insert him immediately into the lineup.

The Green Bay Packers need a center now that veteran Scott Wells has agreed to terms with the St. Louis Rams. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the news Friday evening.

Wells and the Packers were reportedly far apart during negotiations prior to free agency, and Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel suggested last month that Wells was unlikely to take a discount to remain with the Packers. He wanted to be paid as a top-5 center, according to McGinn, and the Packers apparently didn't value him that way.

We don't yet know what Wells got from the Rams, but the bottom line is that the Packers will open the season with a new center in 2012 -- one that seems likely to come from outside the organization. Guard Evan Dietrich-Smith technically was Wells' backup last season, but considering him a front-runner for the job might be a stretch.

So the question, as always with the Packers, is whether they will seek a veteran via free agency or draft a center and hope to plug him into the lineup. There are a number of veterans available on the market, including Chris Myers, Dan Koppen and Jeff Saturday. I won't rule any of them out, but let's just say it has been a rare occasion in recent years for the Packers to sign a free agent to be a starter.

As far as the draft, ESPN analyst Mel Kiper includes three former Big Ten players in his list of the five-best centers available: Wisconsin's Peter Konz, Michigan's David Molk and Ohio State's Mike Brewster. Konz is considered a potential first-round pick.

I'm sure the Packers have been planning for this possibility. We'll soon know if they will take a rare dip in the free-agent pool, or if they're confident enough in their ability to grab a starter in the draft.

I've gotten a few angry notes about largely ignoring the Green Bay Packers over the first two days of the NFL's new league year. Yes, I admit I couldn't even muster up a "BBAO IV" to complete the cycle Wednesday morning.

Most of you, however, get that this isn't the Packers' typical busy season. There have been no reports of free agent visits to Lambeau Field, and if the Packers have addressed the contracts of veteran left tackle Chad Clifton or receiver Donald Driver, it hasn't been made public.

The only mild drama facing the Packers at the moment is the future of center Scott Wells, whose contract expired Tuesday. On Wednesday, my AFC South colleague Paul Kuharsky reports, Wells became a primary free-agent target of the Tennessee Titans, who are hoping to upgrade their interior offensive line. Wells is a Nashville native who attended the University of Tennessee.

If Wells departs, the Packers' general aversion to free agency would be tested. He didn't have a true backup last season -- guard Evan Dietrich-Smith technically had that role -- and it's risky to assume that a rookie center would be ready to start right away. We'll get to that when and if it happens.

This month, we discussed what appeared to be the start of a public-relations tour designed to rehabilitate the image of Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. In the first 10 days after the Lions' season ended, Suh appeared as a guest on CBS' "The NFL Today" pregame show and also on NBC's "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon."

Next up, or so it would seem, is "Face to Face" -- an ESPN special that will air Tuesday night. (We posted an excerpt Friday of a segment on Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.)

As part of the show, Suh spoke extensively with host/executive producer Hannah Storm on the University of Nebraska campus in Lincoln, Neb. From the outside, at least, "Face to Face" would seem another stop on the Suh PR Tour of 2012. So last week, I spoke with Storm to gauge the extent of the spin, or lack thereof, she detected during several hours she spent interviewing Suh.

I figured Storm was in pretty good position to make that determination after spending the past 28 years as a journalist. Here's what she said: "You don't get the feeling he's doing this as damage control at all. This is a guy who is who he is, and that's what he's sharing.

"It seems like he feels he has been portrayed as the villain by the NFL," Storm said. "He gets the storyline. … So [in "Face to Face"], I think what he really appreciated was the ability to tell his story from his perspective, how he feels and how he sees it."

During the interview, Suh acknowledged he should have handled himself better before, during and after his infamous Thanksgiving Day stomp of Green Bay Packers guard Evan Dietrich-Smith. But said it is "outrageous" to be called a dirty player, and according to Storm, Suh complained to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell about an NFL Network piece that billed the Lions' game against the Denver Broncos as "Good vs. Evil."

And what figures to be one of the takeaway moments of the piece, Suh scoffed at suggestions that he needs help with anger management.

"It's funny to me," Suh said in the video excerpt below. "I don't have issues of beating up people in bars. I know it's not right. It doesn't make sense to me. But I think people try to make their own opinion and I think it's a storyline. It's a great storyline. I understood this year that a lot of people see me being a dirty player is a fun storyline to have. That's what it is to me. It's kind of comical to me to keep saying something and really have no substance behind it."

I'll say this much: If Suh was single-minded in his desire to rehabilitate his image, I think his answer would have been a little more conciliatory. So I plan to watch the full interview when it airs Tuesday night. (ESPN2, 9 p.m. ET.) I want to see Suh being "who he is," as Storm termed it. I'll take honesty, whether or not I agree with it, over spin any day.

It's fair to say that Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh didn't always do or say the right thing in his second NFL season. But we should also acknowledge that he has some aggressive and powerful advisers who have wasted no time in their efforts to rehabilitate his image.

In the first 10 days after the Lions' season ended, Suh made two high-profile national television appearances that provided friendly environments to demonstrate his off-field charm. His appearance on CBS' "The NFL Today" pregame show Sunday morning, as well as Tuesday night's stint on NBC's "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" were randomly timed and, to my knowledge, not tied to any event or product endorsement.

Sitting behind the CBS anchor desk Sunday, Suh answered several questions about his controversial season, most notably his Thanksgiving Day stomp of Green Bay Packers guard Evan Dietrich-Smith. When asked by analyst Boomer Esiason about that "fiasco," Suh said he is a "very humble and hungry individual" who wants to make things right.

USA Today television columnist Michael Hiestand wrote that "NFL players in on-air network cameos often use them as de facto audition[s] for future TV work." Suh, on the other hand, "seemed focus[ed] on image rehab." The Baltimore Sun's David Zurawik was more blunt, writing that Suh delivered "self-serving, public-relations-coached spin-talk about his 'growth' as a 'young man.'"

Fallon, meanwhile, led Suh through a five-minute interview in which they discussed the $2.6 million gift he gave to the University of Nebraska two years ago, as well as his decision to present his father with the first NFL paycheck he earned. The Thanksgiving Day game did not come up, but Suh did say he has a "good feeling" the Lions are going to make "a good run" to the Super Bowl next season.

For what it's worth, I have to think this is the window dressing for the real work that lies ahead. Most of us know that Suh is an articulate, intelligent and often charming person off the field. That's why advertisers across the country were so quick to sign him up after his All-Pro rookie season in 2010. I wasn't surprised to watch him represent himself well over the past few days.

But the paradox of Suh is that he doesn't take those attributes into games with him. Those who have carried doubts about him into the offseason want to see him repair his image on the field. Their opinions will sway based on how he conducts himself there, and whether he can maintain control in moments when the Lions need him most. His efforts on national television are but a condiment to that main course.

We'll make this as easy as we can: Of the 106 players on the combined active rosters of the New York Giants and Green Bay Packers, only two are unlikely to be available for Sunday's divisional playoff game at Lambeau Field.

The Giants have ruled out linebacker Mark Herlzich, who is sidelined by an ankle injury. And Packers linebacker Robert Francois is doubtful because of a hamstring injury that prevented him from practicing Friday.

Everyone else is probable or unlisted on the final injury report of the week. That includes Packers left tackle Chad Clifton, who took a veteran rest day Friday, and offensive lineman Evan Dietrich-Smith (illness). Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw (foot) returned to practice Friday and is probable.

Is it game time yet?

» NFC Wrap-ups: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

Arrow indicates direction team is trending.

Final Power Ranking: 8
Preseason Power Ranking: 16

Biggest surprise: The Lions didn't think enough of tailback Kevin Smith to offer him a contract this summer. They had drafted bruising tailback Mikel Leshoure in the second round and planned to pair him with 2010 first-rounder Jahvid Best. Smith went home, worked out and waited by the telephone. Leshoure ruptured his Achilles tendon in training camp, Best was sidelined by a pair of concussions and the Lions brought Smith in for a look-see during their bye week. They signed him on Nov. 7, he made his season debut six days later and has provided the Lions a credible backfield presence ever since. Smith produced 535 yards from scrimmage, scored seven touchdowns and is expected to start Saturday night's wild-card playoff game at the New Orleans Saints. I'm not sure that many people thought any of that was possible five months ago.

Biggest disappointment: Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh appeared set for superstardom after a rookie season that included 10 sacks, a Pro Bowl invitation and first-team All-Pro nod. He was one of the NFL's most visible public pitchmen during the offseason, appearing in television commercials and countless national interviews. But Suh ended his second season in a much different place, thanks to a year-long debate on his aggressive play and a poorly-timed stomp of Green Bay Packers guard Evan Dietrich-Smith on Thanksgiving Day. Worse, Suh's play slipped and he finished the season with four sacks and 36 tackles. You can't always judge a defensive tackle by such statistics, but Suh's peers limited him to alternate status in Pro Bowl balloting. Suh has some on- and off-field repair work to do this offseason.

Biggest need: Smith's emergence aside, the Lions will have to take a hard look at their backfield this offseason. Best's history of concussions will make it difficult to depend on him for the long term. Early indications are that Leshoure will be ready for training camp, but he suffered a serious injury that will at least need to be tested before he can be considered a reliable contributor. So will the Lions prioritize this position for the third consecutive offseason? It's not out of the question. Meanwhile, general manager Martin Mayhew and coach Jim Schwartz will have to take a hard look at left tackle, where veteran Jeff Backus is headed for unrestricted free agency. Will they try to ride Backus, 34, for a few more years? Or do they look for his replacement?

Team MVP: Calvin Johnson had one of the best seasons for a receiver in NFL history, catching 96 passes for 1,681 yards and 16 touchdowns. The only receiver to match that across-the-board production in a single season was Randy Moss for the Minnesota Vikings in 2003. But Johnson needed someone to feed him the ball, and Matthew Stafford elevated himself into the upper tier of NFL quarterbacks with a monster season that was more responsible for the Lions' success than any other single factor. A late-season surge pushed Stafford to a stunning 5,038 passing yards, fourth-most in NFL history. Most important, he started all 16 games and was the calm backbone behind four comebacks from deficits of at least 13 points.

Breakout: The least-discussed member of the Lions' starting defensive line might have had the best season of them all. Left end Cliff Avril finished with 11 sacks, forced six fumbles and scored two defensive touchdowns on returns. A pending unrestricted free agent, Avril made himself some money -- from the Lions or someone else -- this season. The Lions would surely like to have him back but have a fair amount of money tied up in their defensive line, from Suh to 2011 first-rounder Nick Fairley to veteran defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch.

We're Black and Blue All Over:

As it turns out, the Green Bay Packers' reserve offensive lineman who got stomped on Thanksgiving Day by Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh likely will be in the starting lineup Sunday for the rematch between the two teams. But Suh and guard Evan Dietrich-Smith long ago made amends via phone, and the incident hasn't exactly been at the tip of either teams' lips this week.

"There's no hard feelings and that's pretty much it," Dietrich-Smith told reporters in Green Bay. He'll likely start at left guard Sunday, which would put him on the opposite side that Suh usually lines up on.

Said Suh, according to Chris McCosky of the Detroit News: "My main focus is on the guy who is in front of me. If he's in front of me, then maybe I will chat with him, go against him, beat him and try to get some sacks."

Continuing around the NFC North:

• Packers coach Mike McCarthy seemed a bit miffed after learning just before practice Wednesday that tight end Jermichael Finley had a sore knee. More from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
• If Packers players have been told how much they'll be on the field Sunday, they aren't saying. Rob Demovsky of the Green Bay Press-Gazette has more.
• Former Packers cornerback Al Harris is retiring, notes Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com.
• The Lions had their eyes on running back Joique Bell for a while before signing him this week, according to Philip Zaroo of Mlive.com.
• Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford on not making the Pro Bowl, via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press: "There's a lot of opinions that go into it, obviously, with all the fans, players and coaches. But I'm not too worried about that. I'm more worried about this game coming up and then our team future. Hopefully I'm busy that weekend, anyway."
• Chicago Bears special teams coordinator Dave Toub's contract will expire after the season, notes Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.
• The Bears signed guard Edwin Williams to a two-year contract extension, notes ESPNChicago.com.
• Bears quarterback Josh McCown isn't looking too far ahead, according to Sean Jensen of the Chicago Sun-Times.
• Bob Sansevere of the St. Paul Pioneer Press talks to Minnesota Vikings tailback Toby Gerhart.
• Vikings quarterback Joe Webb, who will go back to the bench for Sunday's season finale against the Bears, isn't one to make waves. Mark Craig of the Star Tribune explains.
• ESPN1500.com wonders whether Vikings guard Steve Hutchinson has played his last game in the NFL.

After the Green Bay Packers' 35-21 victory against the Chicago Bears, here are three issues that merit further examination:

Kevin SeifertThe Green Bay Packers take their turn in the examination room after beating Chicago.
1. It didn't get much attention in the afterglow of clinching home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, but cornerback Charles Woodson once again wasn't shy about expressing his disappointment with the Packers' defensive performance. After the Bears hit them for 441 total yards, including 199 on the ground, Woodson said: "Physically, we still have some problems. We just give up way too many things on a consistent basis." He added: "We're just not playing good football at times. … Everybody on this team, to the man, has to look within himself and let's get the job done." The Packers got by Sunday night as they have in most games this season, by creating two turnovers -- interceptions by linebacker Clay Matthews and safety Charlie Peprah -- to limit the damage of the opponent's high yardage totals. Woodson expressed some urgency to get the issues corrected, but at some point you wonder if the Packers are what they are: A team with a defense that, for whatever reason, gives up a lot of yards. I mean, the Bears got 121 yards from their third-string running back, their third-string quarterback completed 62 percent of his passes and previously invisible receiver Roy Williams caught a season-high six passes. The Packers' best hope is that they continue to create turnovers at their current rate. In Week 15, we saw what happens when they don't.
2. About five minutes into the third quarter, quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw a 55-yard touchdown pass to wide-open receiver Jordy Nelson, giving the Packers a comfortable 21-10 lead. If you think you've seen that play before, you have. It was the 10th touchdown pass Rodgers has thrown on play-action out of a two-back set, most of which have included bootleg-type movement from Rodgers and a deep throw down the middle of the field. The Packers moved away from it after hitting for eight touchdowns in the first seven weeks of the season, according to ace ESPN Stats & Information researcher John McTigue. Overall, the Packers have thrown 85 play-action passes out of that set and tried a total of 97 passing plays (including eight scrambles and four sacks). As we discussed earlier this season, it works in part because the Packers have established a tendency to run out of that formation on the majority of times they use it.
3. Nelson has been targeted a relatively modest 79 times this season but has caught 59 of them, including 12 touchdowns, making him what ESPN Stats & Information considers the NFL's most efficient receiver. Entering the game, 73 players had been targeted more frequently than Nelson. But he now has more touchdown receptions than all players but New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski and Detroit Lions receiver Calvin Johnson. Rodgers' passer rating this season on throws to Nelson entering the game was 156 and it was a perfect 158.3 Sunday night.

And here is one issue I still don't get:

Sunday was the first game all season that Rodgers hasn't been sacked, and it came behind a patchwork group that included left guard T.J. Lang playing right tackle and reserve Evan Dietrich-Smith playing left guard. The Packers were pretty giddy about it, and Rodgers said: "I think a lot of people were questioning even the starters and the way that they've played. We had T.J. at right tackle and we had Evan at left guard and those guys played great. I've got to give them a lot of credit. They're the MVPs tonight. I barely got touched out there. That's always fun." One possible explanation: The Packers used three wide receivers, normally their base formation, on only 37 percent of their plays. That forced the Bears to line up with their base defense for the most part and gave the Packers extra blocking help with tight end and running backs as well. The question now is how the Packers move forward. You would think that right tackle Bryan Bulaga (knee) won't return this week. Perhaps veteran Chad Clifton will get some work Sunday against the Detroit Lions. But what will the Packers' line look like in their first playoff game? I'm not sure if anyone knows the answer to that question.

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- The Chicago Bears will play their top rivals Sunday night without their top two running backs and appear to be bracing for limited duty from receiver/kick returner Devin Hester.

Hester is active but the Bears also have receiver Max Komar in uniform for the first time all season.

Matt Forte (knee) and Marion Barber (calf) are inactive, as expected. Kahlil Bell is expected to get his second NFL start.

The Bears also deactivated rookie quarterback Nathan Enderle, meaning that deposed starter Caleb Hanie is the only quarterback available to play in relief of new starter Josh McCown.

The Green Bay Packers will have linebacker Desmond Bishop (calf) in uniform for the first time since Thanksgiving Day. Meanwhile, defensive end Mike Neal (shoulder) is in uniform, but the Packers announced that Howard Green will start for Ryan Pickett at left defensive end and that C.J. Wilson will start at right defensive end.

The team also confirmed that T.J. Lang will start at right tackle and Evan Dietrich-Smith will start at left guard.

» NFC Final Word: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

Five nuggets of knowledge on Week 16:

Busted rivalry: When the NFL released its schedule this spring, many of us had high expectations for a late-December matchup between the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears. Instead, an injury-devastated Bears team will limp north as a (deserved) 13-point underdog. It's possible the Packers will have clinched home-field advantage even before taking the field Sunday night, if the San Francisco 49ers lose Saturday at the Seattle Seahawks. If not, the Packers will attempt to secure it against a team playing without quarterback Jay Cutler, running backs Matt Forte and Marion Barber, and receiver Johnny Knox. Third-string running back Kahlil Bell is expected to start, pairing with third-string quarterback Josh McCown -- who has a history of helping the Packers' playoff positioning. (See: Noooooooooooooooo!) One other interesting bit of history: The Packers are one of five teams in NFL history to open a season 13-0 and then lose in their 14th game. All four of the other teams lost their 15th game, too. That list includes the 2009 and 2005 Indianapolis Colts, the 2009 New Orleans Saints and the 1998 Denver Broncos.

Packers' run game: For several reasons, Sunday night's game would be an obvious target for the Packers to try to enhance their running game. James Starks (ankle) and Brandon Saine (concussion) are expected to return. The Packers will start a makeshift offensive line that likely will include T.J. Lang at right tackle and Evan Dietrich-Smith at left guard; the best way for offensive linemen to get comfortable is via run blocking. And it's also worth repeating that the Bears historically have done a good job limiting Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers' downfield opportunities. According to ESPN Stats & Information, Rodgers has completed only five of 26 attempts on throws against the Bears that traveled in the air 21 yards or more. He's thrown for one touchdown, a game-winner to receiver Greg Jennings in 2009, and two interceptions on those passes.

Detroit's challenge: The Detroit Lions will clinch a playoff spot Saturday if they beat the San Diego Chargers in what will likely be a raucous atmosphere at Ford Field. (There are also several scenarios to clinch this weekend even if they lose. They're noted in this post.) Hopefully everyone knows the Chargers are on one of their annual December rolls. They've won three consecutive games after a six-game losing streak. Since Norv Turner took the head coaching job in 2007, the Chargers are 20-2 in December. This will be no cakewalk.

Big targets: Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers struggled earlier this season, but he has been the NFL's most efficient quarterback over the past three weeks based on Total Quarterback Rating. Rivers has hit a groove with a pair of 6-foot-5 receivers that will pose significant matchup problems for the Lions. Malcom Floyd has 11 receptions for 233 yards and two touchdowns over the past two games, while Vincent Jackson has caught 12 passes for 211 yards and a touchdown. Jackson has been sidelined in practice this week by a groin injury. Lions cornerback Chris Houston (knee) clearly wasn't 100 percent last week against the Oakland Raiders, and the team re-signed Brandon McDonald this week for extra depth. Safety Louis Delmas (knee) also remains sidelined, and backup Chris Harris was cleared Thursday to practice following a concussion.

Make it stop: If you're a big-picture observer, you see ample motivation for the Minnesota Vikings to lose Sunday at the Washington Redskins. One more victory by the Indianapolis Colts, in conjunction with two more Vikings defeats, would give the Vikings an excellent chance to secure the No. 1 overall pick of the 2012 draft. A loss to the Redskins would extend the Vikings' losing streak to seven games, tying a franchise record set in their expansion season of 1961. But I'm not sure what would be worse: tying that record or extending their NFL record of games without an interception, which stands at nine. Redskins quarterback Rex Grossman has thrown at least one interception in his past 10 starts, and he is tied for the second-most interceptions in the NFL (18) despite missing three games this season. Something's got to give.

Taking a look at Wednesday's newsbits in the NFC North:

Chicago Bears: A high number of prominent players didn't practice Wednesday. The list included running back Marion Barber (calf), linebacker Lance Briggs (ankle), tight end Kellen Davis (back), receiver Devin Hester (ankle), defensive tackle Henry Melton (shin) and defensive end Julius Peppers (not injury related). Melton doesn't appear to have a great chance to play Sunday night against the Green Bay Packers.

Detroit Lions: Safety Louis Delmas (knee), defensive tackle Corey Williams (hip), right tackle Gosder Cherilus and defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch (neck) didn't practice. It doesn't appear that Delmas will be ready for Saturday's game against the San Diego Chargers.

Green Bay Packers: Left tackle Chad Clifton finally returned to practice Wednesday but it's almost impossible to imagine him playing Sunday against the Bears. Instead, T.J. Lang is likely to start at right tackle with Evan Dietrich-Smith at Lang's left guard spot. The healthy backups will be Ray Dominguez and newcomer Herb Taylor. Running back James Starks practice an could be on track to play Sunday. Running back Brandon Saine (concussion) also practiced, as did linebacker Desmond Bishop (calf). Defensive end Ryan Pickett (concussion) did not.

Minnesota Vikings: Cornerback Asher Allen and guard Steve Hutchinson both sat out practice Wednesday because of concussions. Joe Berger would start for Hutchinson if he can't play Saturday against the Washington Redskins.

» NFC Stock Watch: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

FALLING

1. Health, Chicago Bears: The Bears led a charmed life on the way to their 2010 NFC North title, losing only a handful of starts because of injury all season. But their four-game dive in 2011 has coincided with injuries to quarterback Jay Cutler and running back Matt Forte. Receiver Johnny Knox has been lost for the season, and receiver/kick returner Devin Hester clearly has been limited by an ankle injury. Two members of their Week 1 offensive line, left guard Chris Williams and right tackle Gabe Carimi, are also on injured reserve. I've always considered it silly to say that injuries come in bunches, but that has been the case this season for the Bears and provides a ready-made excuse for why they are likely to miss the playoffs in 2011.

2. Offensive line, Green Bay Packers: It's very possible that the Packers will have replacement starters at three of their five positions Sunday night against the Bears. Left tackle Marshall Newhouse will make his 10th start at left tackle after taking over for veteran Chad Clifton, who has been working through hamstring and back injuries. Left guard T.J. Lang could move to right tackle, replacing Bryan Bulaga (knee) and Derek Sherrod (broken leg). And that would mean Evan Dietrich-Smith would return to the starting lineup in Lang's spot. Dietrich-Smith made two starts earlier this season in place of right guard Josh Sitton (knee). That's hardly the kind of continuity you want heading into the playoffs, but the Packers have dealt with such issues before.

3. Sleep totals in Detroit: Lions coach Jim Schwartz admitted it Monday. "I'm just tired as hell," he said during a news conference less than 24 hours after his team pulled off a wild comeback victory in Oakland. In the interim, the Lions made the long flight back east and immediately began preparations for the biggest week in recent team history. Playing a day early because of the Christmas weekend, the Lions are hoping to clinch their first playoff berth since 1999 with a win Saturday over the San Diego Chargers. There won't be much time to sit by the fire or sip eggnog this week. Serious business is at hand.

RISING

1. Cliff Avril, Detroit Lions defensive end: I know we've been touting Avril regularly here on the blog, but something caught my eye late in Sunday's game that merits a mention. Moments after Calvin Johnson's go-ahead touchdown late in the fourth quarter, television cameras showed Avril pointing demonstratively at defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and then at defensive tackle Corey Williams. Poking both in the chest, Avril appeared to be saying something along the lines of: You make a play. As it turned out, Avril made one himself a few minutes later, sacking quarterback Carson Palmer and forcing the Raiders to use their final timeout. Suh went on to block the Raiders' attempt at a winning field goal. Avril now has 11 sacks this season, but it was also nice to see him recognize the moment and, as a leader, challenge his teammates in a positive way.

2. Questions about Jermichael Finley, Packers tight end: When the season began, there were those who thought Finley was the best young tight end in the NFL. The New England Patriots' Rob Gronkowski (15 touchdown receptions) has captured that title, and Finley has regressed a bit in the past month with more drops than the Packers would like to see. He entered Sunday's game at Kansas City with five drops in 66 targets, according to ESPN Stats & Information, and probably had three more against the Chiefs, depending on how strict of a grader you are. Finley blamed no one but himself for the drops, and we should note that his 41-yard catch to set up the Packers' first touchdown required a high degree of skill and concentration. But through 15 weeks of the season, I'm not sure we can say Finley has broken through to the degree most thought he would. He'll need 10 catches over the next two weeks to match the career high of 55 he set in 2009 -- in 13 games.

3. Jim Kleinsasser, Minnesota Vikings tight end: Multiple reports suggest Kleinsasser is prepared to retire at the end of his 13th season, marking the end of a career that is to be admired in many ways, even if it rarely was reflected in the box score. Few recall that Kleinsasser was emerging as a reliable receiving threat in the early 2000s before he tore his ACL in Week 1 of the 2004 season. Since then, he has handled one of the NFL's most inglorious jobs with aplomb, serving as a blocking tight end/quasi-third tackle and earning the respect of three different coaching staffs along the way. His approach has been a model for anyone who wants to maximize an NFL career. For 13 years, Kleinsasser has hit people hard and kept his mouth shut.

Catching up on Mondays newsbits in the NFC North:

Chicago Bears: Receiver Johnny Knox had successful back surgery Monday, the team announced, and the prognosis for continuing his career is good. Meanwhile, coach Lovie Smith refused to name a starting quarterback for the Bears' next game, sparking speculation that he will bench Caleb Hanie for either Josh McCown or Nathan Enderle.

Detroit Lions: Coach Jim Schwartz said he hasn't ruled out any player on the active roster for Saturday's game against the San Diego Chargers. That includes defensive end Lawrence Jackson (thigh), cornerback Chris Houston (knee) and safety Louis Delmas, who had arthroscopic knee surgery on Saturday.

Green Bay Packers: Right tackle Bryan Bulaga has a sprained knee cap and isn't likely to play Sunday night against the Bears, coach Mike McCarthy told reporters. Rookie offensive lineman Derek Sherrod has already undergone surgery on his broken leg. McCarthy indicated the Packers will practice this week with T.J. Lang at right guard and Evan Dietrich-Smith at left guard, but he also said that veteran left tackle Chad Clifton is expected to return to individual drills Wednesday.

Minnesota Vikings: Two players are being monitored after suffering concussions Sunday: Left guard Steve Hutchinson and cornerback Asher Allen. Meanwhile, tight end Visanthe Shiancoe told reporters that some of his teammates quit in Sunday's loss to the New Orleans Saints. "Not a lot though," Shiancoe said. "Like a very small handful of guys."

After the Green Bay Packers' 19-14 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, here are three issues that merit further examination:

Kevin SeifertFollowing their loss against the Chiefs, the Packers take a seat in the examination room.
1. Here's what happened on the first two plays after the Packers lost rookie offensive lineman Derek Sherrod to a broken leg: Running back Ryan Grant ran into a brick wall in the middle of the line, managing no gain on second-and-10. And then, on third down, defensive lineman Allen Bailey beat substitute left guard Evan Dietrich-Smith for a nine-yard sack of quarterback Aaron Rodgers. That's a concentrated example of what any team would fear when making massive in-game adjustments to their offensive line, and it's something the Packers will have in the back of their mind this week. Sherrod is out for the season, starting right tackle Bryan Bulaga is set to undergo an MRI on his knee and coach Mike McCarthy offered little hope that veteran Chad Clifton is in position to offer a quick fix. Sunday night against the Chicago Bears, center Scott Wells and right guard Josh Sitton might be the only starters in their original Week 1 positions. You wonder at what point a line reaches critical mass in terms of changes.
2. How did the Chiefs stifle the Packers' passing game? Mostly with extra coverage and a standard four-man pass rush. According to ESPN Stats & Information, the Chiefs used at least five defensive backs on 86 percent of the Packers' plays Sunday. On top of that, they sent four or less pass rushers on 78.6 of Rodgers' dropbacks. As a result, Rodgers completed only two of 12 passes downfield, defined as 15 or more yards past the line of scrimmage -- the worst completion percentage on such throws all year. The Packers had four dropped passes, but Rodgers also had a tough time getting the ball into the small windows afforded by Chiefs coverage. He either underthrew or overthrew 10 of his 35 passes. Say what you will about the drops and Greg Jennings' absence, but on a relative scale there is no doubt Rodgers played the worst game of his season.
3. Referee Gene Steratore's crew called receiver Jordy Nelson for two offensive pass interference penalties in the first quarter. (One was declined.) Whenever you see a relatively rare penalty called on the same player in quick succession, it's reasonable to assume an opponent brought it to the attention of officials either before or during the game. McCarthy seemed to agree, saying: "Two quick calls like that? I would say it's uncommon. You don't see that very often." In fact, entering Week 15, offensive pass interference has been called 49 times across the league all season, according to ESPN Stats & Information's penalty database. That's an average of 3.5 for all games per week. Steratore's crew almost hit that in the first quarter of one game. You wonder how those calls impacted Nelson's aggressiveness thereafter. He caught two passes, his lowest total since Week 6, and both came in the fourth quarter.

And here is one issue I still don't get:

I'll admit to being surprised that the Packers lost Sunday. It was just two weeks ago, in fact, that I suggested they would finish 16-0 unless they benched their starters for meaningless games and/or self-destructed with a series of uncharacteristic mistakes. Neither happened Sunday, and I agreed with McCarthy when he said: "We were beaten today." Indeed, the Chiefs controlled the game throughout. In the end, however, the Packers did fall out of the template they had set for themselves during a 19-game winning streak. They didn't force a single turnover for the first time since, yes, their last defeat — in Week 15 of the 2010 season to the New England Patriots. They entered the game with an NFL-high 32 takeaways, including 27 interceptions. It wasn't quite a self-destruction, but it was a break from their pattern.