The Green Bay Packers are hosting the NFC North-leading Detroit Lions on Sunday at Lambeau Field. The Packers have won four straight games and are surging at 6-2, but the Lions have won five straight and currently lead the division at 6-1. The winner on Sunday will assume control of the NFC North entering Week 10.
Matt LaFleur’s team will be wearing throwback uniforms on Sunday, and it might take a throwback-type performance to take down the high-powered Lions at Lambeau Field.
Here are five keys to the Packers beating the Lions in Week 9:
Hold, protect the ball
With an injured starting quarterback and rain expected in the forecast, the Packers must find ways of sustaining drives with the run game and avoiding turnovers. Winning time of possession and the turnover battle will be vital. The Packers must keep the explosive Lions offense off the field and avoid giving the Lions short fields with giveaways. Consider this: when the Lions win the turnover battle this season, they are 3-0 with an average margin of victory of almost 30 points. This might be a game where the Packers need to have zero giveaways on offense while producing 1-2 takeaways on defense to win. It’s worth noting that the team that won the turnover battle won both games last season, including a 3-0 turnover advantage for the Packers in the Thanksgiving win at Ford Field.
Tackling rebound
The Packers defense needs to bounce back after what was likely the team’s worst tackling performance of the season in Jacksonville. The upcoming test is a tough one. David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs are a dynamic running back duo, while Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta can both create big plays after the catch. The Lions are going to run the football and consistently find completions in Ben Johnson’s scheme. The key for Jeff Hafley’s defense will be making tackles and limiting explosive plays. The Packers must force Jared Goff to engineer long, methodical drives, especially if the weather isn’t good. Explosive plays are the lifeblood of Detroit’s No. 1 ranked scoring offense, but tackling well on Sunday could limit the damage.
To blitz, or not to blitz
Jared Goff and the Lions have been one of the best passing teams against the blitz this season. Goff is averaging 12.2 yards per attempt against the blitz, and he was perfect completing passes against extra pressure last week, per Next Gen Stats. The Packers have struggled to pressure the quarterback with only four rushers, but blitzing — especially with second-level linebackers — has been Jeff Hafley’s best way of disrupting quarterbacks, especially on money downs. Keep a close watch on the line of scrimmage Sunday. Can the Packers get pressure with four, or will Hafley have to risk giving up big plays by sending extra pressure? With Jaire Alexander and Evan Williams both battling injuries in the secondary, the Packers defensive front must dominate.
Third down
The Lions are the No. 1 defense in the NFL on third down this season. The Packers are No. 8. This ties into controlling the football — which team can convert third downs consistently? Not having to face Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson (injured reserve) is a boost for the Packers because he can wreck the game in obvious passing situations. But the Lions have two ballhawks in the secondary (Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph), so the Packers need to stay on schedule and have play-action calls available in big spots on offense. On defense, pressure will be vital on third down. Goff has been sacked nine times on third down already this season.
Be on the lookout for specials
Jared Goff currently leads the NFL in completion percentage and yards per attempt, but offensive coordinator Ben Johnson will cook up a gadget play once or twice a game in the passing game. Amon-Ra St. Brown and David Montgomery have both thrown touchdown passes this season, and even punter Jack Fox has a passing attempt. Kalif Raymond, who returned a punt for a touchdown last week, can be a dangerous player on gadget plays. The Lions force a team to defend a lot of different things. It might be tougher to pull off a trick play against a division opponent, but the Packers must be on the lookout for the specials in the Lions playbook. Allowing even one successful trick play could change the game Sunday.
