The Packers travel to Ford Field to take on the Detroit Lions on Sunday. This game marks the 
beginning of a three game NFC North stretch for the Packers. Two of the games, this one and the one against the Bears, will be played away from Lambeau Field. After a season-opening loss to Seattle and comeback victory against the Jets in week two, the Packers will likely show their true colors in this game.
The Lions are now a force to be reckoned with in the NFC North, and whether or not they blow it down the stretch, they can play spoiler to anyone at any time if they don’t challenge for the NFC North title. Here are a few things to watch for:
Stafford V Rodgers
Matthew Stafford may very well be a wildcard in this game. He lit up the Giants in week one but against a good defense in the Carolina Panthers last week, threw three interceptions. Rodgers is clearly a better quarterback but Packers fans can’t discount the fact that the addition of Golden Tate and Eric Ebron to the offense can’t help but make Stafford’s job easier.
Aaron Rodgers has been a pass-rich and interception-poor quarterback for his entire career. The Lions secondary has been all but decimated by injuries as evidenced by the desperation signing of cornerback Danny Gorrer. Aaron should have a good day. And I think our defensive backfield began to come into its own last week, so if we can keep the pressure on we should win this one.
Defensive Matchup
We know that the Lions defensive front is going to be a challenge, but there are questions. Starting with DE Ezekiel Ansah who did not participate in practice…will he play? The Lions will be able to bring pressure up the middle as always but if the edges are soft, it opens up opportunities for a Packer offense that can make anybody pay at any position. Again, Rodgers should have a fine time on Sunday as long as get gets the ball out of his hands.
The Packers defense, on the other hand, is a bit of an unknown. In the last half of the game against the Jets, the defense showed great improvement over their first five quarters and ten minutes of play, shutting out the Jets and setting the stage for a brilliant Packers comeback. But was this an anomaly or is was it a sign of a defensive unit that was coming into its own? The game against the Lions will be a critical coming of age game for the Packers D.
The offensive line
If the Packers offensive line can punch holes for Eddie Lacy and get him back to 2013 form, the Packers will put up 35 points or more. So far this season, the Packers have looked like the 2010 offense that could absolutely kill through the air but could do nothing on the ground. But let us not forget how important it was during the Super Bowl run that James Starks came on and the ground game suddenly blossomed. I will be looking for Linsley to have his first error-free game because I LOVE that his attitude is a perfect fit with Sitton and Lang. I look for the O-line to make enough room particularly on the edges and also cutback lanes, for Eddie Lacy to have 65 -80 yards. If he breaks 100 this game will be sown up in the 3rd quarter. If we can’t get a ground game going…well, I think we can still win a shootout but I would not be as satisfied with the progress of the team as a whole.
So that is what I will be looking for. What are your keys to the game? Let me know in the comments below.
GO PACK!!!
If Linsley can hold his own the middle should be strong enough to hold off the Lions front four. Just like the last two games the issue is going to be Sherrod…I hope he can finally get his form corrected and start playing better because if he don’t it will be a long day again for Rodgers. By them having to keep a TE or a RB on his side to help out it takes away from Rodgers weapons to throw to! As for the run game Lacy started off last year the same way so I look for him to finally get back into his stride this game. He needs to start running north-south instead of trying to get around the edge like he has been doing these first two games!
With Mulumba out I wonder if they will activate Bradford or Elliot this game? Maybe Richardson comes up to play LB who knows. The secondary is playing pretty good but HaHa still has been beat a few times and with a better QB to make passes and with the TE/Receivers the Lions have he will need to do better! Williams/Shields/Burnett are back to 2010 form so they have been covering his butt so far! I like the way House has stepped up he could be the next star for this defense with more play time. Harris really has not shown me much as the KR and his run game while spelling Lacy has not been stellar so why not activate Janis and sit him for a game to see how Janis does? I think Starks and Lacy can handle the RB job for this game.
You’re absolutely right about House, Jeff. I would like to see Janis on the field too…not just as WR but I think he showed promise as a returner. Would like to see him get some playing time. This will be an important game…Go Pack!
A Finley clone will be missing from Rodger’s arsenal. Don’t underestimate Stafford for a second, though. With Calvin Johnson, Golden Tate, et. al., it will take an enormous effort by our secondary to withhold them. The only thing that gives me confidence is in the quality of our cornerbacks. The safeties will double cover Calvin. So I see it will be the Packer’s game to lose but expect Detroit to check out if they can run the ball, and I expect us to stop the run as we did totally with the Jets. It’s a blessing that they lack cornerback talent, Rodgers will love it. Maybe Boskin will help at tight end?
The Packers have given up 7 sacks in the first 2 games. This game won’t be any easier on the O-line and Rodgers. Rodgers is most effective when he can step up and out of pressure. That’s not likely to be an option in this game. If we get the run game going and Rodgers gets rid of the ball quickly on timing routes, we have an opportunity for a big offensive game. But if either of those things don’t happen, and we have no reason at this point to think the run game will be a factor for us, this could easily turn into a Detroit win.
I agree about getting Janis some playing time in the return game and as a receiver. Boykin was a decoy only in week 1, and couldn’t get open against a lesser Jets’ secondary, which is a concern. At some point we need some receivers other than Nelson and Cobb to step up. Adams made a few plays last week, but needs to do more this week if we’re to be successful on offense.
I’m really looking forward to having Bostic back. In my opinion he’s our best option at TE and opens up more plays for Rodgers with screens and stretching the field in the middle.
We can’t spot the Lions a 21-3 lead and expect to come back. McCarthy needs to open up the offense early and often. He needs to drop that delayed hand off from the offset i in shotgun from his play book. It gives RBs no chance to move towards the line, forcing them to run east and west. We aren’t good enough to overcome 4 yard losses from telegraphed runs.
I believe our D builds upon the momentum from last week. Look for Peppers, Matthews, Neil, and Perry to all become more involved in big plays, while Daniels continues to improve and play well. Hayward and HHCD have an opportunity to make some big plays too. ILB opposite Hawks remains a concern.