GREEN BAY – Packers quarterback Jordan Love made no promises but didn’t hesitate to express his desire for Sunday’s NFC North showdown with the Lions.

“I definitely want to play,” Love said. “I think it’s realistic.”

He missed Wednesday’s practice due to the groin injury that sidelined him early in the third quarter of last week’s game in Jacksonville, and he’s taking things day by day.

When asked if Love could play even if he doesn’t practice all week, head coach Matt LaFleur replied, “Possibly.”

“He’s moving better,” LaFleur said. “Of course, yes, we are pushing the limits with this. I know he wants to play, but we’ll see where he stands by the end of the week.”

Love said he would feel good about playing without practice, even if it’s not ideal, especially for such a big game against the first-place Lions, who are 6-1 and a half game ahead of the 6-ranked Packers :2 in the division.

There is a lot to weigh up. On the one hand, the extra rest and recovery time as the Packers head into break next week could be beneficial in the long run. On the other hand, the size of this competition is undisputed.

Since the Lions have already beaten the Vikings 5-2 in Minnesota and the Packers lost to the Vikings at home, Detroit could take command of the NFC North with a win. Or a Green Bay win could wipe out any significant lead in the race through November.

All that was known on Wednesday was that no one had made any decisions yet.

“We’ll keep an eye on it, but obviously we have a big division opponent coming up, so I’m going to do everything I can to try to come back,” Love said.

If he can’t go, Malik Willis would make his third start this season. He won the previous two, back in Weeks 2-3 against the Colts and Titans, and then left last week’s game against the Jaguars to relieve Love.

Seven weeks ago before that first start, Willis had barely arrived in Green Bay from the trade with Tennessee. Given his success learning and absorbing the offense, LaFleur and the coaching staff now feel “a lot more comfortable” and have more confidence in what he can do.

This also applies to Willis, whose game was “great” in Love’s eyes.

“It’s a different time, it’s a different situation,” Willis said, expressing no doubt that he will be ready when needed. He mentioned that the communication he maintains with Love on the practice field and in the meeting rooms remains extensive and the two have developed a strong working relationship.

Whoever the QB is, the challenge this week is big.

Defensively, the Lions will be without top pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson, but they intercepted 10 passes, with nine of those coming from safeties Kerby Joseph (five) and Brian Branch (four).

“They’re definitely ballhawk players,” Love said. “We have a feel for them, and you just have to always be smart with the ball, be selective and make good reads.”

Offensively, the Lions have averaged more than 40 points per game over the last month and can really pressure opposing teams to keep up.

The Packers are confident they can do that, but they know they’ll have to play a more complete game offensively than they do most weeks. Penalties have been reduced recently, but the offense has not had a turnover-free effort in five straight games.

“There are highs, there are lows. It’s definitely never going to be perfect,” Love said. “But I think when we know that there are mistakes and mental errors that we have on our own end and that they are things that we can clean up, then that’s the frustrating part.”

“I don’t think we’ve had our best performance yet, so we’re definitely still trying to strive for that.”