The Packers head into Sunday trying to end a very disappointing season on a positive note by avenging an early season loss to the Lions in the season finale at Lambeau Field.  Sunday's game has a feel to it that it could certainly be the end of an era for many Packer players and coaches.  All eyes will be on Packers interim head coach Joe Philbin as he will look to go 3-1 during his ongoing interview and trial run as head coach and leave a lasting impression on his team as well as the organization heading into the offseason.  

It is clear that the Packers will not mail it in and play for draft picks as the team came back from 15 points down to beat the Jets in overtime last week.  If one thing is for certain in this season of uncertainty, it is that the Packers will give it everything that they have and try to send off their coach as well as their veteran leaders with a win in what could be their final game as Packers.  

Because this is the final game of the season and both teams are eliminated from playoff contention, I've decided to make this final version of key matchups completely about our guys wearing the Green and Gold.   Here are some of the key Packer matchups that I will be watching in the season finale this Sunday against the Lions.  

1. Davante Adams vs. The Packers Record Books and Injury Report

If this was a normal meaningless December game, I think Davante Adams would have zero chance of playing in this contest.  However, I believe that this game against the Lions just does not have the feel of a meaningless game.  I think that the Packers are intent on blowing the Lions doors off and etching Davante Adams's name into the Packers record books.

Davante enters Sunday's contest just two receptions short of breaking Sterling Sharpe's record and 134 yards away from breaking Jordy Nelson's record of 1,519 yards.  Adams could also become the first Packers receiver ever with 100+ catches 1,500+ receiving yards and 15+ touchdowns if he is able to duplicate his 140-yard performance (and score two touchdowns) from earlier in the season against Detroit.

I believe the Packers will wait as long as they can to make a decision on Davante's status, but I believe that he will play long enough to at least break Sterling Sharpe's reception record.

2. Aaron Rodgers vs. Whether he can reach the 30 Touchdown Pass Plateau

Going into Sunday's matchup against the Lions, Aaron Rodgers finds himself in need of a career performance to eclipse the 30 touchdown pass plateau for the 2018 season.  If Aaron were to hit the personal milestones of 5,000 yards and 30 touchdowns for this season, he would need a Matt Flynn like performance against the Lions from years back, and throw for 584 yards and 5 touchdowns, which probably has about a 1% chance of happening; but then again it's Aaron Rodgers.  

What is more likely to happen, will be that Aaron Rodgers eclipses the 4,500-yard mark by force-feeding Davante Adams in an attempt to have him break the Packers reception record as well as the franchise's record for receiving yards.  It would certainly be nice to see Aaron start to return to form, and end the 2018 season with an Aaron like performance that will give the franchise hope going into 2019.

3. Will Clay Matthews and Randall Cobb Give us One More Moment?

Sunday's matchup against the Lions could prove to be an emotional day for Clay Matthews and Randall Cobb who will both be entering free agency after this season and could realistically be donning the Packer uniform for the final time at Lambeau Field this Sunday.  I believe that both Randall and Clay will rise to the occasion and provide the Lambeau Faithful with one final moment to remember them by if indeed this is their final game as Packers.  

For Clay, I see him rushing through the A gap one more time and wrapping up Stafford in his arms, and then bull rushing and ducking under the left tackle one more time for a strip sack in typical Clay fashion.  For Randall, I see a slant over the middle in the red zone for a touchdown which would be indicative of the reliable red zone target that he has been for Aaron Rodgers over the years.

As Clay and Randall provide the Lambeau Faithful with one final moment, I believe that the Lambeau Faithful, in turn, will give both players a proper send-off with a thunderous ovation for their many great seasons in Green Bay.

Predictions:

• Davante Adams plays and breaks Sterling Sharpe's reception record as well as Jordy Nelson's record for receiving yards and becomes the first Packers receiver with at least 100 receptions 1,500 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns.  I think that he will have 7 receptions for 150 yards and 2 touchdowns.
• Clay Matthews gets 3 sacks and a forced fumble.
• Randall Cobb gets 75 yards and a red zone score.
• Aaron Rodgers throws for 350 yards and 4 touchdowns.
• Tyler Lancaster and Dean Lowry will stifle the Lions running game.
• Matt Stafford will throw 2 picks.
• Mason Crosby goes 2 for 2 kicking field goals.
• The Packers absolutely blow the Lions off of Lambeau Field by a score of 41-17.