Despite a strong 6-2 start, the Green Bay Packers are approaching an early crossroads in their 2024 season. The Detroit Lions are 6-1 and are the real juggernaut in the NFC North for now.

While the Packers have endured uncomfortably close games and two injuries to star quarterback Jordan Love in recent weeks, Detroit has overwhelmed teams at almost every opportunity. In an NFC North seemingly unwilling to budge while the surprising 5-2 Minnesota Vikings are still on the roster, division play will arguably be more important now than ever during the Aaron Rodgers era.

Love’s status for Sunday remains uncertain, but he is eager to play. It feels like Matt LaFleur is pushing his chips to the middle of the table, whereas that might not be the case if the New England Patriots came to town. Green Bay’s receiving corps prides itself on its depth and committee-like production. You never know who will lead the team in yards or points in any given week.

We saw the heavy workload we expected from running back Josh Jacobs. In the passing game, the electrifying Jayden Reed has had the most highlights, with breakout tight end Tucker Kraft not far behind. Romeo Doubs had his few weeks behind him and Dontayvion Wicks has already found the end zone four times. All of this leads to the question: When will we see a week with Christian Watson, the man with the highest draft pedigree and supposedly the highest ceiling?

Watson caused a minor upset with a 44-yard score in Week 6 against the Arizona Cardinals. Still, it was more of a typical game for Love, who threw four touchdown passes in a dominant offensive performance. The North Dakota State product narrowly avoided another serious injury in the Week 4 loss to Minnesota. However, many of his most significant contributions — like a crucial downfield block that set Jacobs up for a 38-yard homer last week — have remained out of the spotlight. It feels like it’s only a matter of time before we get to showcase his downfield speed again, and now is the perfect time for him to excel.

The turning point for the 2023 Packers was a dominant road win over the Lions on Thanksgiving. Up until then, Love and the offense had been shaky, and their record reflected that. But they rolled into Ford Field, pulled off the upset, never looked back, and took their season further than anyone thought possible. The game started with a 50-yard bomb to Watson outside of play. As the clock expired in the fourth quarter, the sophomore had seven catches for 94 yards and a score, his best game of the season.

Now he has the opportunity for an encore. Due to a suspension, Detroit has to do without its speedster Jameson Williams. Green Bay can only hope their man makes the difference. Jaire Alexander and breakout rookie safety Evan Williams are battling injuries, and the odds are slim that they will play this weekend. So we’re looking at an old-fashioned barn burner – at least if Green Bay has a chance of winning. It’s hard to imagine that Ben Johnson and his well-oiled Lions offense won’t get their win one way or another, so Love and LaFleur will have to put up a lot of points and scores if they want to get a clear win.

All signs currently point to the road to the NFC Championship going through the North, with three clear contenders and one possible “dark horse” representing the best division in football. Combine that with the uncertainty, injury and disarray that have characterized the reigning San Francisco 49ers, and the door is certainly open. The only other upset in the conference would likely come from the NFC East.

The Dallas Cowboys appear to be out of shape, but Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders have taken their place alongside the Philadelphia Eagles. Playing in a division where you might be 13-4 heading into the Wild Card game of Tampa Bay or Seattle is reason enough for the Packers to play like everything is on the line, even if it’s not Week 9 is. They can only hope they get a boost from No. 9 to add even more excitement to their offense.