Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy confirmed Wednesday what had grown obvious this week: Matt Flynn will get the call at quarterback for Green Bay on Thursday against the Detroit Lions.
Harrison: Week 13 Game Picks
With a number of marquee matchups dotting the Week 13 slate, Elliot Harrison provides his predictions for every game. **READ**
Aaron Rodgers was ruled out for the game, so Scott Tolzien will back up Flynn. There was no way that McCarthy could go back to Tolzien after Flynn provided a spark for the offense Sunday, as the Packers overcame a two-score deficit to force overtime against the Minnesota Vikings.
As Detroit Lions linebacker DeAndre Levy pointed out, Flynn's last start against the Lionsmade the signal-caller a lot of money. Flynn has been on three teams since then, with little success. Flynn looked comfortable running the Packers' offense again Sunday, but we are not expecting a repeat performance.
Running back Eddie Lacy was the centerpiece of the Packers' comeback, and will be the key to the offense Thursday. The biggest plays of the comeback were runs and penalties. Flynn just needs to do his best to keep the Packers' offense on schedule, and give wide receivers Jordy Nelson and Jarrett Boykin chances to make plays.
More than anything, the Packers' defense needs to step up. That's been the team's biggest problem the last few weeks -- not their quarterback play.
The latest "Around The League Podcast" previewed all three of the big Thanksgiving games on the schedule.
