GREEN BAY, Wisconsin (AP) ― Aaron Rodgers is limping into the playoffs with a smile.

Green Bay’s franchise quarterback threw two touchdown passes to Randall Cobb, Eddie Lacy gashed Detroit’s defense for 100 yards and the Packers claimed a fourth straight NFC North title with 30-20 victory Sunday.

Maligned by a left calf injury, Rodgers will appreciate a week off after the win, as the Packers (12-4) earned a bye. Detroit (11-5) will start the postseason at Dallas next week.

Rodgers was carted to the locker room after tossing his first score to Cobb late in the second quarter.

He hobbled back on to the field in the third quarter with the game tied at 14. He led Green Bay on a seven-play, 60-yard drive that ended with a 13-yard score to Cobb with 3:33 left in the quarter. The Packers didn’t look back from there.

Rodgers plunged forward across the goal line from 1 yard out with 8:45 left to help Green Bay regain a two-touchdown lead. “MVP! MVP!” chanted adoring fans while light snow dusted Lambeau Field.

Rodgers finished 17 of 22 for 226 yards. He was out of the game for about a seven-minute stretch between the second and third quarters. In between, receiver Calvin Johnson had touchdown catches of four and 20 yards on consecutive drives to help the Lions roar back from a 14-0 deficit.

Detroit hasn’t won a division title since 1993. It hasn’t won a road game against the Packers since 1991. For a few moments while Rodgers was out, it looked like both those streaks might come to an end. 


Flacco, Ravens earn playoff spot

BALTIMORE (AP) ― The Baltimore Ravens couldn’t help watching the scoreboard in the midst of a game they had to win to reach the playoffs.

Baltimore earned a wild-card card berth Sunday by defeating the Cleveland Browns 20-10 and getting an assist halfway across the country.

To enter the postseason for the sixth time in seven years, the Ravens (10-6) needed to beat the Browns (7-9) and have San Diego lose in Kansas City.

A 17-point fourth quarter took care of the initial segment of that scenario, and the Chiefs did their part with a 19-7 win over the Chargers. The Ravens knew what was happening in the other game.

“There is no not seeing the scoreboard. It’s all over the place,” quarterback Joe Flacco said.

“When we were down 10-3, yeah, we were paying attention,” linebacker Terrell Suggs said. “We had to handle our business, and we did.”

The first part of Baltimore’s playoff equation seemed easy enough, given that the Browns had lost four straight, were starting rookie quarterback Connor Shaw and had dropped 12 of their past 13 against Baltimore. 


Panthers capture NFC South

ATLANTA (AP) ― The Carolina Panthers have back-to-back playoff seasons for the first time in franchise history.

Back-to-back losing seasons could lead to a coaching change for the Atlanta Falcons.

Roman Harper and Tre Boston returned interceptions for touchdowns as Carolina’s defense led the Panthers to a 34-3 victory over the Falcons on Sunday to win the NFC South.

Carolina (7-8-1) will host a wild-card playoff game next week. The Panthers have won four straight, but still are the first team to enter the playoffs with a losing record since 2010, when Seattle was 7-9.

Harper scored on a 31-yard return in the second quarter and Boston clinched the win with his 84-yard interception return late in the third quarter. A 33-yard fumble return by Thomas Davis set up another touchdown.

Dallas 44, Washington 17

Indianapolis 27, Tennessee 10

Houston 23, Jacksonville 17

Kansas City 19, San Diego 7

NY Jets 37, Miami 24

Minnesota 13, Chicago 9

Buffalo 17, New England 9

Philadelphia 34, NY Giants 26

New Orleans 23, Tampa Bay 20

Denver 47, Oakland 14

San Francisco 20, Arizona 17

Seattle 20, St. Louis 6

Pittsburgh 27, Cincinnati 17