So, when does the Packers' bye week end?

That may seem like a rhetorical and flippant question, but it's really the only one that matters. The Packers played the Detroit Lions Sunday afternoon at Lambeau Field. Detroit is, at last glance, a member in good standing of the National Football League.

However, with starting quarterback Matthew Stafford, top wide receiver Calvin Johnson and a host of other front-line defensive players sidelined, the Lions put up little resistance as the Packers romped to a 26-0 victory before a sellout crowd of 70,801.

The Packers, who were coming off a bye week following a disappointing loss to rival Minnesota, racked up 435 yards and 23 first downs, but their prowess was offset by enough dropped passes, turnovers and sacks to make for some lively film sessions this week at 1265 Lombardi Ave.

The Lions (1-5) have lost 19 straight games in the state of Wisconsin. The Packers had a chance to embarrass them like New England did to Tennessee in a 59-0 victory in snowy Foxboro, Mass.

But, they didn't.

The Packers hit the road Sunday to face Cleveland, which has been nearly as hapless as Detroit, next week. Then, it's the long-awaited rematch with Minnesota and Brett Favre's return to Green Bay.

Coach Mike McCarthy and his staff will do everything in their power to keep the players from looking past the Browns, but it might not matter if they do. Cleveland simply isn't very good, so the Packers can expect to be 4-2 heading into Favre-a-palooza the sequel.

Some observations from Sunday:

• Aaron Kampman fans, including FOX sideline reporter Tony Siragusa and several talking heads on the pre-game shows, had to be thrilled to see their guy "with his hand down." Apparently, the Packers finally realized they weren't getting the most out of a Pro Bowl-caliber player by having him float around in coverage rather than doing what he does best, which is rushing the passer.
• This victory could end up being very costly if left tackle Chad Clifton's re-injured left ankle puts him in jeopardy of missing the Vikings game. Mark Tauscher was inactive Sunday, but will see action in Cleveland and could be ready for a start against the Vikings. T.J. Lang filled in for Clifton and seemed to hold his own.
• The Detroit Free Press headline, at least online, summed up the game: "Packers poor, Lions pathetic."
• The Packers can't be considered a serious playoff contender until they clean up their penalties. Jordy Nelson's kickoff return should have put them up a touchdown on the game's first play, but it was called back. Clifton was called for lining up illegally, then a false start.
  For the game, the Packers collected 13 penalties for a whopping 130 yards. Against a mediocre team, that kind of charity would be hard to overcome.
• Rookie linebacker Clay Matthews is making plays and having the kind of impact that was expected of A.J. Hawk, whose role has been diminished.
• Having the hapless Lions across the line of scrimmage helped Green Bay's defense, but so did the return of safety Atari Bigby. Though he makes some mistakes, Bigby also makes plays and frees Nick Collins to do the same.
• Heading into the game, I told Jason Wilde of 540 ESPN that the Packers needed to be so far ahead that they could allow backup quarterback Matt Flynn to relieve Aaron Rodgers. I wanted to see Rodgers with a baseball cap on in the fourth quarter. That didn't happen, though it could have. The Packers reduced Rodgers' injury risk by handing the ball to running backs often, which also served to inflate the meager running stats (14 attempts, 30 yards in the first three quarters).
• Did the Packers need to unveil that flea-flicker?
• The offensive line continues to have its issues, but Ryan Grant has done nothing to convince anyone that he is more than an ordinary running back. The Packers need someone in that spot who is "special." Grant doesn't seem to be the answer.
• The first of Donald Driver's seven catches moved him past Sterling Sharpe for first place on the team's all-time list. Though it was marred by a penalty (shocker!), the play was a nice moment for one of the franchise's marquee players.
• Injury-prone running back Brandon Jackson returned to action Sunday and carried the ball twice. He fumbled once. Not a good first impression for the season.
• The Lions now have a bye week to prepare for a titanic clash against the Rams.
• Mason Crosby had problems with the swirling wind on kickoffs, but was OK with field goal attempts.
• Today marks the one-year anniversary of the last time the Packers won back-to-back games. They have a chance to do so Sunday in Cleveland.