5 reasons the Packers will beat the Lions (and 1 reason they might not)
If the Green Bay Packers are to win this afternoon and avenge last season’s shocking home defeat to the Detroit Lions,a few things are going to have to happen:
1. Aaron Rodgers needs to snap out of it. It’s up to the quarterback to make this Packers offense look like an actual offense again,not a bunch of kids drawing up plays in the sandlot.
2. Personnel looks must be diversified. Remember when Mike McCarthy used to line up with a full-house backfield? Or five wide receivers? Or two tight ends? He rarely does that any more. These days,it’s 3 wide and a tight end virtually every snap. Yawn….
3. The field position battle must be won. I’m tired of seeing the Packers constantly starting inside their own 10-yard line and watching Jake Schum’s punts die after 35 yards at the opponent’s 25.
4. Mike McCarthy needs to –
(At this point,the author of this post slaps himself in the face and dumps a bucket of cold water over his head. He gets up from his chair,walks around,takes a deep breath,eats a bratwurst,washes it down with some cheese,and sits back in his chair.)
Whoa! Wait just a minute! Sorry,I went out of my mind momentarily. I was actually writing a post that insinuated the Packers might have a tough time beating the Lions today. IT’S THE FREAKING LIONS! PLAYING AT LAMBEAU FIELD!
I don’t care how shaky Rodgers and this offense has looked,they’re not going to lose to the Lions at home two years in a row.
Nope.
No way.
Not gonna happen.
Here are five reasons why:
No Ziggy
As fun as it is watching Lions defensive end Ziggy Ansah take on Packers left tackle David Bakhtiari in a battle of player’s names I can’t pronounce,it’s a big deal that Ansah will miss today’s game. He had five tackles and one of his 14.5 sacks against the Packers in 2015. He’s a good one.
Leaky line
The Packers have been getting after quarterbacks this season,and that should continue against the Lions less-than-stellar front. The Lions have allowed five sacks through two games – not a huge number,but Indianapolis and Tennessee aren’t exactly known for their explosive pass rush.
Thirty-nine
That’s how many rushing yards per game the Packers have allowed so far,and one of those games was against Adrian Peterson. The duo of Theo Riddick and Dwayne Washington definitely won’t be striking fear into Green Bay’s hearts. However,I almost hope the Lions have some success running the ball so they don’t throw it on every down and try to exploit a secondary missing Sam Shields and Morgan Burnett.
Where’d these guys come from?
The Packers are getting solid contributions from the likes of Joe Thomas,Nick Perry and Kenny Clark on defense. Nobody expected much from these players,so the fact that they appear to be reliable pieces should help the Packers cover for some banged-up regulars on D (Burnett,Clay Matthews,Datone Jones and Letroy Guion).
Catch phrase
Remember R-E-L-A-X? Or “Shhhhh?” What’s Rodgers’ catch phrase going to be this time when he explodes for 400 yards and five touchdowns? Whenever Rodgers and the offense have come under fire in the past,they usually come through and rebound in a big way,followed by some type of smart-alekey postgame interview from the QB to quiet all the detractors.
Remember when the Lions actually beat the Packers at Lambeau last season? I try not to remember,but unfortunately,it’s a nightmare that I can’t forget. If a similar defeat is to happen today,here’s why:
The Cooter effect
Ever since Jim Bob Cooter took over play-calling duties for the Lions halfway through last season,their offense has been effective. Matthew Stafford has cut down on the Cutler-like mistakes and become very dangerous in the red zone. Taking on a short-handed Packers defense,look for Cooter to get Stafford going early and a steady does of short to mid-range passes.
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