GREEN BAY — Mike McCarthy is keeping his options open.

The last time a Green Bay Packers backup quarterback came into the game and did OK, it was Scott Tolzien in relief of Seneca Wallace during the team's Nov. 11 loss to Philadelphia. In the aftermath of that game, McCarthy immediately named Tolzien the starter for the following week's game against the New York Giants.

That wasn't the case after Sunday's 26-26 tie, however, after Matt Flynn came on for an ineffective Tolzien with the Packers in a 20-7 third-quarter hole and completed 21 of 36 passes for 218 yards and a touchdown (85.2 rating).

Instead, McCarthy said he and the staff were going to immediately break down the tape on Sunday evening and start prepping for the Lions because of the quick turnaround.

"We'll make it Thursday. We're going to keep it a secret," McCarthy said, leaving room to wonder if he was being serious or not. "We're not going to let you (reporters) at practice."

Then, seemingly more forthcoming, he added, "I don't have an answer for you. You guys know my history. I don't usually play games like that. We'll evaluate it. We need to sit down as a staff, frankly, and talk about the things that went on today and how that affects our planning for Detroit. Just like we always do when we step away from the staff room, we'll do what's in the best interests of our football team and gives us the best chance to win."

It would seem that the combination of the decision to bench Tolzien and Flynn's strong performance would make it a no-brainer. But perhaps the wild card is the possibility that injured starter Aaron Rodgers, who sat out his third straight game with the broken collarbone he suffered Nov. 4 against Chicago, will be ready to play.

"I have no idea," McCarthy replied when asked if Rodgers could play. "I can't answer that for you right now."

For his part, Flynn was as in the dark as anyone else.

"I don't know what the plan is. I don't know if anyone's really thinking about the plan this second," Flynn said. "I know it's a quick turnaround this week with the Thanksgiving game. We'll see. I'm sure we'll know more tomorrow."

Jason Wilde  wrote: