Cleveland Browns at Green Bay Packers; Indianapolis Colts at Arizona Cardinals 

As the Cleveland Browns cling to slim playoff hopes, they’ll face one of only two teams in the NFL that’s locked up a postseason berth, the Green Bay Packers, to open up a Christmas Day doubleheader. Aaron Rodgers and the Packers have won three games in a row and three NFC North titles in a row after a Week 15 win over the Baltimore Ravens. Meanwhile, the Browns are coming off a rash of COVID-19 issues and a heartbreaking loss Monday against the Las Vegas Raiders that dropped them to the AFC’s No. 12 seed. With head coach Kevin Stefanski and quarterback Baker Mayfield back for Saturday, ‘tis already the Browns’ postseason realistically as they look to stay alive in the AFC postseason race against the NFC’s No. 1 seed. 

Here are three things to watch for when the Packers host the Browns:

1. Rodgers aims to unwrap another gem. Like a number of all-time greats, Rodgers’ astounding play can often be taken for commonplace, but it’s really something to behold. His latest run of greatness is particularly impressive. Over the last four games, in which the Packers have gone 3-1, Rodgers has thrown for 1,301 yards (325.25 per game) and 13 touchdowns with no interceptions. Rodgers and the Packers offense is rolling right now, having surpassed 30 points in each of their last four. As the Packers look to keep hold of the NFC’s No. 1 seed and assure that the NFC playoffs go through Lambeau Field, Rodgers is looking to further his legendary Green Bay career. He sits at 442 career touchdown passes and can break a tie with Brett Favre for the most in franchise chronicle. He’ll look to do it playing on Christmas for the second time. On Christmas Day 2011, he owned the rival Chicago Bears to the tune of five TD tosses in a 35-21 Green Bay triumph.
2. Will Baker’s return bode well for Browns? Having endured an assortment of injuries throughout the season, Mayfield was sidelined in Week 15 due to COVID-19. But after being activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday, he’s back for Saturday’s holiday showdown and the continuation of a chaotic 2021 campaign. There’s been the injuries, the controversy ahead of Odell Beckham’s departure and the often wearisome play. Mayfield’s inaccuracy has become a common theme (he completed less than 53% of his passes for three straight weeks before a 68% showing in Week 14). Still, in two games without Mayfield this season, the Browns averaged 15 points and 306 total yards, compared to 21.8 points and 346.9 yards per game with the former No. 1 overall pick. Every point and every yard matters all the more at this point and the Browns are looking for back-to-back postseason trips for the first time since 1985-89. Can Mayfield’s return spark a return to the playoffs? 
3. Tough sledding for top backs. Two of the league’s most respected backs will be featured in Saturday’s matchup, but the Browns’ Nick Chubb and the Packers’ Aaron Jones will each face formidable run defenses. Though the Browns lost on Monday, Chubb rushed for 91 yards and a touchdown, breaking a three-game scoreless streak and rebounding from a two-game drought in which he ran for season-lows of 16 and 59 yards in Week 13 and 14, respectively. He’ll face a Packers defense that’s 12th in the league against the rush and do so with backfield mate Kareem Hunt out yet again. Green Bay, however, will have its one-two punch of Jones and A.J. Dillon. Jones hasn’t run for more than 59 yards since Week 6, with Dillon becoming the leading ground gainer most games, though Jones’ 58 yards led the way in Week 15. Cleveland boasts the No. 5 total defense (eighth versus the pass and ninth against the run). It’s a tough go for both backfields. The Browns’ rushing game is vital in the hopes of opening up the play-action game for Mayfield. The Packers’ running attack hasn’t had to be at its best with Rodgers playing as he has, but with their eyes on the prize of a Super Bowl run, a balanced attack must come to fruition.