This game will likely turn into a game of chicken -- can the Detroit blitz get to Packers QB Aaron Rodgers before Rodgers gets to Detroit's undermanned and overmatched secondary. The Lions have no choice but to blitz the Packers heavily because they can't get a push with just the front four. The Lions failed to get to Cleveland's Brady Quinn last week, and he threw four TD passes. If the Lions can't pressure Rodgers, he'll toy with a perfect passer rating.
Lions QB Daunte Culpepper, who is expected to start for the injured Matthew Stafford, is playing for his career. Culpepper still yearns to start in the league, and the soon-to-be free agent wants to show other teams that he still has what it takes. Culpepper still has the physical skills, including mobility and arm strength, but he has to convince personnel people that he can make good decisions with consistency. While the Lions aren't a very good team, they have some impressive young talent, and TE Brandon Pettigrew is quickly establishing himself as a real weapon. A physical blocker, he's also becoming a force as a receiver who can muscle for yards after the catch and move the chains. When he gets more consistency in his overall game, he's going to be a matchup nightmare for defensive coordinators.
Packers Keys For Success
Packers' keys to success
1. Protect the corners. With Al Harris out and Charles Woodson playing a plethora of positions, the coaches will have to find a way to protect new starting corner Tramon Williams and new nickel back Jarrett Bush. That probably means playing a lot of cover 2 if they don't plan to move Woodson around in blitz situations. Playing cover 2 reduces the creativity in the Packers' blitz package, but it's better than giving up a bunch of big plays.
2. Fight the surge. The Lions will come out with a wave of energy to start the game, and the Packers will have to match or withstand it. The visiting team tends to wear out first in games played in a short week, and it will be vital not to trail early. One of the keys to doing that is establishing the run and keeping the crowd quiet. A couple of long drives to start out the game will calm down the Lions' fans. 3. Get Jackson involved. Backup running back Brandon Jackson was effective last week on third down by showing a good knack for working the screen pass, something that has been missing all season. Opponents are coming hard after Aaron Rodgers because of all the sacks the team has allowed, so it is crucial to run successful screens. Jackson isn't a breakaway threat, but he runs hard and usually leans forward for a couple of extra yards. He's a good complement to starter Ryan Grant.
Lions Keys For Success
1. Keep Smith involved. Running back Kevin Smith's rushing numbers aren't always impressive, but he continues to make valuable contributions as a receiver out of the backfield. He's comfortable running routes downfield, including up the seam. Though he doesn't have great speed, he's elusive in the open field and knows how to work his blockers.
2. Delmas must be a playmaker. Rookie safety Louis Delmas has to come up huge in the secondary because he'll be playing more center field in this game. Delmas is getting better at recognizing routes, and he needs to take some calculated chances because the Packers are going to be winging the ball downfield. 3. Stay away from Woodson. If the Lions are going to have a chance to win, they have to avoid Woodson, who feasts on Detroit quarterbacks. Woodson can't cover the long ball like he used to, but he's a hawk in the short zones and an expert at baiting quarterbacks who think they have a �soft� read. Woodson already has five picks this season, and he'll have a chance for more because the Lions will have to throw a great deal to keep pace.
The Bottom Line
The Packers dominated the Lions 26-0 in the first meeting, and the game wasn't even that close. Green Bay simply has too much offensive firepower, and Detroit is too banged up on offense to match them. The Lions are giving up 30 points per game and surrendered 37 points to the Browns, who had scored a total of 29 points in their previous five games combined. And the Lions are catching the Packers at a bad time -- after losing two straight games, Green Bay has won its last two and needs to keep rolling to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Scoring prediction: Packers 31 - Lions 17
Lions QB Daunte Culpepper, who is expected to start for the injured Matthew Stafford, is playing for his career. Culpepper still yearns to start in the league, and the soon-to-be free agent wants to show other teams that he still has what it takes. Culpepper still has the physical skills, including mobility and arm strength, but he has to convince personnel people that he can make good decisions with consistency. While the Lions aren't a very good team, they have some impressive young talent, and TE Brandon Pettigrew is quickly establishing himself as a real weapon. A physical blocker, he's also becoming a force as a receiver who can muscle for yards after the catch and move the chains. When he gets more consistency in his overall game, he's going to be a matchup nightmare for defensive coordinators.
Packers Keys For Success
Packers' keys to success
1. Protect the corners. With Al Harris out and Charles Woodson playing a plethora of positions, the coaches will have to find a way to protect new starting corner Tramon Williams and new nickel back Jarrett Bush. That probably means playing a lot of cover 2 if they don't plan to move Woodson around in blitz situations. Playing cover 2 reduces the creativity in the Packers' blitz package, but it's better than giving up a bunch of big plays.
2. Fight the surge. The Lions will come out with a wave of energy to start the game, and the Packers will have to match or withstand it. The visiting team tends to wear out first in games played in a short week, and it will be vital not to trail early. One of the keys to doing that is establishing the run and keeping the crowd quiet. A couple of long drives to start out the game will calm down the Lions' fans. 3. Get Jackson involved. Backup running back Brandon Jackson was effective last week on third down by showing a good knack for working the screen pass, something that has been missing all season. Opponents are coming hard after Aaron Rodgers because of all the sacks the team has allowed, so it is crucial to run successful screens. Jackson isn't a breakaway threat, but he runs hard and usually leans forward for a couple of extra yards. He's a good complement to starter Ryan Grant.
Lions Keys For Success
1. Keep Smith involved. Running back Kevin Smith's rushing numbers aren't always impressive, but he continues to make valuable contributions as a receiver out of the backfield. He's comfortable running routes downfield, including up the seam. Though he doesn't have great speed, he's elusive in the open field and knows how to work his blockers.
2. Delmas must be a playmaker. Rookie safety Louis Delmas has to come up huge in the secondary because he'll be playing more center field in this game. Delmas is getting better at recognizing routes, and he needs to take some calculated chances because the Packers are going to be winging the ball downfield. 3. Stay away from Woodson. If the Lions are going to have a chance to win, they have to avoid Woodson, who feasts on Detroit quarterbacks. Woodson can't cover the long ball like he used to, but he's a hawk in the short zones and an expert at baiting quarterbacks who think they have a �soft� read. Woodson already has five picks this season, and he'll have a chance for more because the Lions will have to throw a great deal to keep pace.
The Bottom Line
The Packers dominated the Lions 26-0 in the first meeting, and the game wasn't even that close. Green Bay simply has too much offensive firepower, and Detroit is too banged up on offense to match them. The Lions are giving up 30 points per game and surrendered 37 points to the Browns, who had scored a total of 29 points in their previous five games combined. And the Lions are catching the Packers at a bad time -- after losing two straight games, Green Bay has won its last two and needs to keep rolling to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Scoring prediction: Packers 31 - Lions 17
