Opponent Profile: Detroit Lions Facing Green Bay As Packers Are Falling Apart
By Danny Cox
The Green Bay Packers were one of the lone remaining undefeated teams in the NFL at 6-0, but have now dropped four of their last five games. Meanwhile, the Detroit Lions have won three in a row, including a win over the Packers from a few weeks ago. Still, the Packers are an always dangerous team and will be even more so, if they can get their act together.
Season Record
The Packers are 7-4 and sitting in second place of the NFC North behind the Minnesota Vikings (8-3). The division is kind of wide open at the moment and anything is possible, especially now that the Lions are winning. Green Bay was well on their way to a first round bye and home field advantage, but now they are going to be struggling to get into the playoff.
Green Bay Packers on Offense
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers knows how to lead an offense and the Packers have a good one, despite some injuries this season. Right now though, it may not be their play on the field, but what happens before the team takes the field to play a game and Rodgers has been critical of their preparation.
"It goes back to what you're doing in your spare time and what you're doing with your time in the facility," Rodgers said. "Being a pro is all about making sure you're as ready as possible by the time the game hits. I think that's the important thing for guys to remember here, especially young guys."
Rodgers has plans to fix the Packers passing game which has looked out of sorts the past few weeks. Eddie Lacy and James Starks need to get the running game going to take some of the pressure off the passing game though, and the Lions can exploit that.
Green Bay Packers on Defense
It's not like they always give up a lot of points, even in losses, but the Packers still can't seem to find consistency on defense. There are not a lot of fumbles forced, but the team does have 11 interceptions and four different players have at least two picks each this season.
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix has been fired up and leads a secondary that will be able to hang with Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate. Somehow, some way, the Lions will have to get their running game going, avoid Clay Matthews, and try to open it up downfield for Megatron.
Green Bay Packers Players to Watch
Aaron Rodgers is the man. He always will be and there is no doubt about it. The success of the Packers rides on his shoulders and what he can do and what he can get out of them. If Rodgers is off, the rest of the offense will be as well. The Lions need to hound him throughout the day and make sure that he never gets into a groove.
Defensively, it would be Julius Peppers, but he missed practice on Monday and his status for Thursday night's game is not yet known. If he can't go, that would be a huge load off the shoulders of the Lions, but their eyes will still need to be on Matthews, Mike Daniels, and Nick Perry so that Matthew Stafford stays upright.
Outlook
A victory is not out of the question here as the Lions really have found their niche and are looking the best they have looked since last season. Three weeks ago, the Lions won 18-16 at Lambeau Field and the Packers have done nothing but continue to crumble since then. If they play at the level they have lately, the Lions can sweep Green Bay and win their fourth in a row.
Danny Cox knows a little something about the NFL, whether it means letting you know what penalty will come from the flag just thrown on the field or quickly spouting off who the Chicago Bears drafted in the first round of the 1987 draft (Jim Harbaugh). He plans on bringing you the best news, previews, recaps, and anything else that may come along with the exciting world of the National Football League. Danny is a freelance writer covering all things NFL. His work can be found on Examiner.com.
