GREEN BAY – Packers quarterback Jordan Love made no promises, but he didn’t hesitate to express his desire for Sunday’s NFC North showdown with the Lions.

“I definitely want to play,” Love said. “I think it’s realistic.”

He missed practice Wednesday because of the groin injury that sidelined him early in the third quarter of last week’s game in Jacksonville, and he is taking things day by day.

When asked if Love could play even if he doesn’t practice all week, Head Coach Matt LaFleur said, “Potentially.”

“He’s moving better,” LaFleur said. “Certainly, yes, we are going to push the boundaries with that. I know he wants to play, but we will see where he is by the end of the week.”

Love said he would be okay with playing without practice even if it isn’t ideal, especially for such a big game against the first-place Lions, who are 6-1 and a half games ahead of the 6-2 Packers in the division.

There is a lot to weigh. On the one hand, with the Packers’ bye next week, all that extra rest and recovery time could be beneficial in the long run. On the other hand, the magnitude of this match is undeniable.

With the Lions having already defeated the Vikings (5-2) in Minnesota, and the Packers having lost to the Vikings at home, Detroit could take command of the NFC North with a win. Or a win in Green Bay could erase any substantial lead in the race heading into November.

The only thing known on Wednesday is that no decisions have been made yet.

“We’ll keep an eye on it, but obviously there’s a major league opponent coming, so I’m going to do everything I can to get back,” Love said.

If he can’t go, Malik Willis would make his third start of the season. He won the previous two, in Weeks 2-3 against the Colts and Titans, and then withdrew from last week’s game against the Jaguars in relief of Love.

Seven weeks ago, before that first start, Willis had barely arrived in Green Bay after the trade with Tennessee. Seeing his success as he has learned and absorbed the offense, LaFleur and the coaching staff now feel “a lot more comfortable” and confident in what he can do.

That also applies to Willis, whose playing was “great” in Love’s eyes.

“It’s a different time, it’s a different situation,” said Willis, who expressed no doubt he will be ready when needed. He mentioned that the communication he has with Love on the practice field and in the meeting rooms remains extensive regardless, and the two have developed a strong working relationship.

Whoever is at QB, the challenge this week is big.

Defensively, the Lions are without top pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson, but they have intercepted 10 passes, with safeties Kerby Joseph (five) and Brian Branch (four) combining for nine of those.

“They are definitely ballhawk players,” Love said. “We have a feeling for them, and you just always have to be smart with the ball, be picky and be good at reading.”

Offensively, the Lions have averaged over 40 points per game over the past month and can put pressure on opponents to keep up.

The Packers are confident they can do that, but they know they have to play a more complete game offensively than most weeks. Penalties have been reduced lately, but the offense has gone five straight games without a turnover-free performance.

“There are highs, there are lows. It’s definitely never going to be perfect,” Love said. “But I think when we know that there are mistakes and mental errors that we make ourselves, that they are things that we can clean up, that’s the frustrating part.

“I don’t think we’ve had our best performance yet, so we’re definitely trying to chase that down.”