Lions-Packers game will start at 4:25 Sunday

The Lions' Week 17 matchup against the Green Bay Packers will be available to a national audience, but it will not be the prime-time matchup as some suspected.

Instead, the game that will decide the winner of the NFC North will start at 4:25 p.m. and air on Fox after being flexed from its original kickoff time of 1 p.m.

NBC chose to flex the AFC North game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers to 8:30 p.m., another game with a division title on the line.

The working theory is the NFL wanted a prime-time matchup featuring a team in a win-or-go-home scenario. The Steelers (10-5) have already clinched a postseason berth, but the Bengals (9-4-1) need to win Monday night against the Denver Broncos (11-3) or next Sunday to reach the postseason — though a loss by the San Diego Chargers, who play in Kansas City in Week 17, would put Cincinnati in the tournament.

The Lions (11-4) and Packers (11-4) have already clinched a spot in the NFC playoffs and play at Lambeau Field, where the Lions haven't won since 1991.

Lions at Packers

Kickoff: 4:25 p.m. Sunday, Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wis.

TV: Fox

Line: Packers by 7.5

Records: Lions 11-4, Packers 11-4

Series: Packers lead 94-67-7 (Lions 19, Packers 7, Sept. 21)