The Green Bay Packers got a glimpse of life without quarterback Aaron Rodgers last week and it was not a pretty sight.
It could be even uglier this week if Rodgers is unable to play when the Packers travel to New England on Sunday night to take on the surging Patriots.
Rodgers suffered his second concussion of the season in last week's 7-3 loss at Detroit, a defeat that could have serious ramifications on the playoff hopes of Green Bay (8-5).
The Packers have a killer schedule to close the season that includes games against the Patriots, New York Giants and NFC North-leading Chicago Bears - teams that sport a collective 28-11 record.
A decision on Rodgers' status is not expected to be made by Saturday at the earliest. He also suffered a concussion at Washington on Oct. 10 but returned the following week. If Rodgers can’t go, Matt Flynn will get the start.
Rodgers has not missed a game since taking over as the starter in 2008 and the Packers can ill afford his absence if they hope to keep pace with a New England juggernaut that is averaging a league-best 31.9 points per game.
The Patriots (11-2) have won five straight games en route to clinching a playoff berth and tying the Atlanta Falcons for the league’s best record.
New England is averaging 39.2 points per game during the winning streak that includes victories over the Pittsburgh Steelers, Indianapolis Colts, New York Jets and Chicago Bears.
The last two wins have been among the more impressive of the Bill Belichick era. The Patriots outscored the Jets and Bears – a pair of nine-win teams – by a combined score of 81-10.
Tom Brady has moved to the front of the league’s MVP race during that stretch. He has thrown 29 touchdowns against just four interceptions on the season and has not been picked off in eight games.
Despite playing on a snowy field and throwing in winds that gusted up to 50 mph at times, Brady carved up the Bears last week, throwing for 369 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Deion Branch had eight receptions for 151 yards and a touchdown and Wes Welker added eight catches for 115 yards as New England did the Packers a favor and kept them within one game of the Bears in the NFC North.
That offense will pose a stiff test for a Green Bay defense that has allowed an NFL-low 189 points on the season. Not to mention New England is 6-0 at home this season and Brady owns the league record, having registered 26 consecutive regular-season home victories.
It’s not exactly the type of environment for Flynn to make his first career start. He has attempted just 46 passes in three years, 26 of which came in the loss to the Lions. Flynn completed 15 of them for 177 yards and an interception.
The Packers typically have an edge on most opponents when it comes to winter-weather games. That won’t be the case against New England, which is an NFL-best 19-1at home in December since 2002.