Detroit Lions fans will never forget the circumstances surrounding the 2008 regular season finale Sunday afternoon at Lambeau Field.

How could they?

The Packers beat the Lions, 31-21, cementing Detroit's spot in the record book as the first 0-16 team in NFL history.

Detroit fans will likely remember it as the last for head coach Rod Marinelli, the end of a dark chapter and the start of yet another rebuilding project.

What about Packers fans?

Sure, the Packers won the game and avoided what would have been a colossal embarrassment. But, they finished with a 6-10 record instead of 5-11. By just about any objective measure, the Packers' season was a disappointment.

In addition to being the definition of a "no-win situation," the final game was, in essence, a microcosm of the season. The Packers got a spectacular effort from quarterback Aaron Rodgers, had two running backs (Ryan Grant and DeShawn Wynn) surpass the 100-yard mark and two receivers (Greg Jennings and Donald Driver) catch passes for more than 100 yards apiece.

And they still had to struggle to beat the lowly Lions.

Here are some observations from the victory, which will quickly be forgotten as the team scrambles to avoid a repeat.

Gimme an "A": Rodgers completed 21 of 31 passes for 308 yards with three touchdowns, no interceptions and a season-best 132.3 passer rating. The numbers would have been more impressive had Rodgers' receivers not dropped six or seven passes. Rodgers also surpassed the 4,000-yard mark for the season.

Rays of hope: Tight end Jermichael Finley -- who seemed destined to be labeled as a malcontent, underachiever or both - caught his first pro touchdown pass on a first-quarter corner route -- the same pattern he soiled in earlier matchups. Finley caught only two passes, but he showed enough physical talent to make it seem as though he has room for improvement.

Ditto for Wynn, whose 73-yard touchdown scamper in the first half came against a horrific run defense, but was inspiring nonetheless.

Aging gracefully? Packers cornerback Al Harris, torched by Plaxico Burress in the NFC Championship Game last season, played inspired football after returning from a spleen injury earlier this season but looked tired and old on Sunday. There was no shame in losing battles to standout Calvin Johnson. But, he also got beat by John Standeford.

Free at last: It was refreshing to see the Packers attempt a free kick just before the first half, even though Mason Crosby's effort into swirling winds fell short.

Scrambling: The Packers moved their offensive linemen early and often. Center Scott Wells left the game in the first quarter with an ankle injury. Jason Spitz moved to center and Allen Barbre played guard until he hurt his ankle. Tony Moll played right tackle and Daryn Colledge moved back to left guard.

In the draft: The Packers will pick ninth in the NFL Draft. Detroit, obviously, will choose first.

When the Jets bowed out of playoff contention, the Packers were ensured a third-round pick as compensation for the training camp deal that sent Favre to New York. If Favre retires after this season, the Packers owe the Jets a seventh-round pick in 2010.

Streaking: The Lions have lost 18 consecutive road games to the Packers... The Packers snapped a five-game losing streak.

Up next: The Packers will conduct their end-of-season business as usual this week. Players will clean out their lockers, stop by for exit interviews and physicals and McCarthy will meet with the media one last time before beginning off-season preparations.

The big question in the immediate aftermath: will the Packers make a decision on defensive coordinator Bob Sanders and special teams coach Mike Stock, both of whom have been under fire for the performance of their respective units.

Next season: The Packers' 2009 schedule will feature matchups against five playoff teams. At home, the Packers will face Dallas, Baltimore, Cincinnati, San Francisco and Seattle in addition to division rivals Chicago, Detroit and Minnesota. On the road, the Packers will face the NFC North clubs along with Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Arizona and St. Louis.