Packers Beat Down Browns 31-13

The Packers improved their home winning streak to 10 consecutive games—23 of their last 24—with a convincing 31-13 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Here are some takeaways.

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I would be remiss in not mentioning the heartbreaking injury to TE Jermichael Finley at the top of this post. After a 10 yard catch and run, Finley ducked forward in anticipation of a collision with Browns safety Tashaun Gipson. The defender squared his shoulder and smashed into the massive tight end. As Finley fell motionless to the ground, hearts sank into stomachs both on the field and in the stands. The silence was deafening, and Finley's state disconcerting. After a six minute pause in the action, Jermichael Finley was fastened to a gurney, face mask unscrewed, and immediately taken to an area hospital. It would be premature, not to mention crass, to begin to stipulate on the implications of this injury on Finley's season and career, as well as the team's injury-riddled offense. At this point, the important facts are that after a precautionary stay in the intensive care unit, Finley was able to walk around fine today, and was reportedly in good spirits. Early tests are coming back negative—that's a good thing—and we'll at least know something more by Wednesday's injury report.

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As if Aaron Rodgers needed to further set himself apart from other QB's, his performance on Sunday certainly accomplished that. His numbers were on par in the context of his career—25 completions on 36 attempts for 260 yards, 3 TD's and no picks—but it was the weapons at his disposal, or lack thereof, that make his level of success so remarkable. With primary playmakers like Randall Robb and James Jones sidelined, as well as Jermichael Finley later in the game, Rodgers got it done throwing to Jordy Nelson, Jarrett Boykin, Myles White, and Jake Stoneburner. James Jones may return next week, but it will be a long time before we see either Cobb or Finley on the field. Rodgers' meddle will be tested down the stretch, but he made it look relatively easy piloting a patchwork production against a competitive Cleveland defense.

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Eddie Lacy is a grown man. A powerful, punishing back who out-muscles defenders on first contact, and falls forward every time. In a "quiet" day for Lacy, he racked up 82 yards and 1 TD on 22 caries. The Packers have generally not had this type of production on the ground under Mike McCarthy, and the timing couldn't be better. With Aaron Rodgers bringing a knife to a gun fight—throwing to practice squad players and street free agents—being able to fall back on a reliable rusher is a life saver. Eddie not only occupies the attention of secondary defenders, but his consistent production also proves a boon to the offensive line. The difference in the line's overall swagger with and without Lacy is obvious to anyone who has followed this team over the past few seasons. With long term injuries piling up, the team will need Lacy to continue to produce at a high level in order to stay atop a murky NFC North.

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With Sunday's beat-down of the Browns, the Packers improve to 4-2 and take control of the NFC North. With the Vikings still to play tonight in New York, here is a snapshot of the division.

• 1. Green Bay (4-2) - Next opponent: Minnesota      
• 2. Detroit (4-3) - Next opponent: Dallas                   
• 3. Chicago (4-3) - Next opponent: BYE, Green Bay
• 4 Minnesota (1-4) - Next opponent: New York