DETROIT -- It may not look good for the Green Bay Packers after losing four of their last five games, but it shouldn’t be all gloom and doom.

The NFC North title, and the playoff berth that goes with it, is still within their grasp. At 7-4 heading into Thursday night’s game at the Detroit Lions, they are only one game behind the first-place Minnesota Vikings (8-3).

In fact, numberFire.com gives the Packers a 39.52 percent chances of winning the division, according to its latest calculations. Even without the division title, it puts the Packers’ playoff chances at 79.1 percent.

Here are five reason the Packers can win the division for a fifth straight season:

Eddie Lacy has rushed for 100 yards in back-to-back games. Hannah Foslien/Getty Images

Eddie Lacy is on a roll: In his last two games, the Packers running back has finally started to look like the same guy who rushed for 1,100 yards in each of his first two seasons. Lacy rushed for 100 yards on 22 carries against the Vikings and 105 yards on 17 carries in the Thanksgiving loss to the Bears. That said, the Packers have to commit to the run. Lacy’s 39 carries are the most he’s had in consecutive games this season, and it likely would’ve been higher had he not fumbled against the Bears.

Run defense: If the Packers want to rely on their running game more late in the season, then it stands to reason other teams might have the same thought, especially in potential cold-weather games late in the season. If that’s the case, then at least Dom Capers’ run-stopping unit is trending the right way. Although they still rank 23rd overall against the run, they have allowed just 80.0 yards rushing per game over the last two games – and that includes holding Adrian Peterson to just 45 yards on 13 carries.

Aaron Rodgers is healthy: At least the MVP quarterback isn’t on the injury report anymore. He was listed for one week, heading into the Vikings game, because of a right shoulder injury. Then last Thursday against the Bears, he came to the sideline holding his left arm after he got banged on the elbow. He said he finished the game without full feeling his left hand, but that doesn't seem to be an issue anymore. Perhaps more importantly, Rodgers doesn’t appear to have any lower-body injuries, which means he should be able to make plenty of plays on the move. He might need to, given that his offensive line is banged-up.

Strength of schedule: The Packers have the easier schedule over the final five weeks in terms of combined opponent winning percentage. The Packers’ remaining opponents – the Lions (4-7), Cowboys (3-8), Raiders (5-6), Cardinals (9-2) and Vikings (8-3) – have a combined winning percentage of .527. The Vikings’ final five foes – the Seahawks (6-5), Cardinals (9-2), Bears (5-6), Giants (5-6) and Packers (7-4) – have a combined winning percentage of .582. However, the Packers have three of their final five on the road, while the Vikings have just two remaining road games.

Finale at Lambeau: The Packers already have a win over the Vikings, who still have to come to Lambeau Field for the regular-season finale on Jan. 3. A season sweep over the Vikings could be enough to win the division, given that it would give the Packers the head-to-head tiebreaker.