The Green Bay Packers head to Motown to take on the Detroit Lions in their second meeting of the season. Green Bay enters this week’s game with a 7-3-1 mark while the Lions are 7-4. The Packers defeated the Vikings last week, 23-6. The Lions managed to beat the Giants 34-27 in overtime. Here are the keys to victory for the Packers in their Week 13 matchup with the Detroit Lions.
The Packers lead the all-time series between these two teams 105-78-7 in the regular season. The two teams first met during the regular season in 1930 when the Lions were known as the Portsmouth Spartans. The Packers have won both postseason meetings between these division rivals.
Here are the keys to victory for Thursday’s game in Detroit:
Packers Keys to Victory vs Lions, Number One: Pressure Jared Goff
Jared Goff remains a quality quarterback, but he’s not the most mobile signal caller and when pressured, can make critical mistakes. Get pressure on Goff and he’s much less effective as a passer.
The Packers pass rush has been the key to the defense. Micah Parsons has been the high tide that lifts all boats. He has a non-stop motor and forces opposing offenses to account for him on every play. His presence opens things up for other pass rushers like Devonte Wyatt and Rashan Gary.
Detroit has two good tackles in Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell. They will have their hands full with Parsons and Gary. Defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley will move Parsons around to find favorable matchups.
Lions center Graham Glasgow did not practice Monday or Tuesday due to a knee injury. His absence or limitations would hurt the Lions and give Wyatt a favorable matchup in the middle of the line.
Number Two: Contain Jahmyr Gibbs Running and Receiving
Jahmyr Gibbs gives the Lions a dual threat as a runner and a receiver. He has already gained 951 yards on the ground and run for 10 touchdowns. He is averaging 6.1-yard per attempt. Gibbs has also caught 48 passes for 379 yards and three scores.
David Montgomery serves as the change of pace back. He has a different style than Gibbs and they compliment each other well.
Packers linebacker Quay Walker missed last week’s game due to injury but was listed as a limited participant in practice both Monday and Tuesday. Isaiah McDuffie does a good job stopping the run but having him try to cover Gibbs as a receiver would be a bad mismatch.
The Green Bay defense ranks 6th in the league and gives up an average of just 96.5 yards per game. If the Packers can contain the Lions running game, that would allow Parsons, and the Packers pass rush to concentrate on pressuring Goff.
Gibbs remains the catalyst of the Lions offense. If they slow him down, the offense could be out of sync.
Packers Keys to Victory vs Lions, Number Three: Contain Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Jameson Williams
The Packers are unsure if Keisean Nixon will be ready to play Thursday after leaving last Sunday’s game early due to a stinger. If he can’t play, Kamal Hadden will have to step up and play against the Lions talented receiving duo which will be a big challenge. Carrington Valentine will start. The Packers could also get Nate Hobbs back. He was listed as a limited participant in practice Monday and Tuesday.
The Lions have two dangerous receivers that will challenge the Packers secondary. Amon-Ra St. Brown gives the Lions their most consistent and target. He specializes in short and intermediate routes and often lines up in the slot. He leads Detroit with 75 catches for 884 yards and nine touchdowns. He is a key target on third down and keeps the chains moving.
Jameson Williams “only” has 31 catches but he’s averaging 18.1-yards per reception and gives the Lions a deep threat that the Packers secondary will have to respect.
The Packers do a good job of limiting splash plays, but if the Packers pass rush doesn’t cause Goff problems, the secondary may have problems with this talented receiver duo.
Number Four: Aiden Hutchinson vs Rasheed Walker and Zach Tom
Aiden Hutchinson remains an elite pass rusher one year after his serious injury. He has 8.5 sacks through 11 games. Hutchinson’s burst, strength, and technique make him dangerous, and his tireless effort means offensive linemen must always be ready.
The Lions will move Hutchinson around to create favorable matchups, so the Packers offensive line has to be ready.
Rasheed Walker and Zach Tom are the Packers starting tackles. Walker has not lived up to expectations this year and he’s been less consistent than he was a year ago. Tom remains the team’s best offensive lineman, but he’s been slowed by injuries.
The Packers will likely continue to use a sixth offensive lineman as a tight end on Thursday with Darian Kinnard usually filling that role. There will likely be a cat and mouse game with Hutchinson trying not to line up opposite the sixth lineman and the Packers trying to have an extra blocker on the Lions star pass rusher at all times.
Giving Jordan Love time to throw will be vital for the success of the Green Bay offense. If Love has a clean pocket, he’s been one of the most effective and efficient quarterbacks in the league this season.
Packers Keys to Victory vs Lions, Number Five: Be Balanced on Offense
Josh Jacobs missed last week’s game with a bruised knee but the Packers hope to have him back for Thursday’s game. If he can’t go, Emanuel Wilson showed he can be effective as the team’s primary ball carrier.
The Packers offensive line has struggled to run block with both Jacobs and Wilson being hit at or near the line of scrimmage far too often.
The Detroit run defense ranks 11th in the league with 101.7-yards per game allowed. The Packers need to have balance in this game so running effectively will be important. The Packers will also want to keep the Lions offense off the field as much as possible.
An effective running game can set up the Packers play action passing game.
Number Six: Score Touchdowns in the Red Zone
Winning in the red zone will be critical for both teams. The Packers offense ranks sixth in the league in red zone efficiency, but the Lions are close behind in seventh. On defense, the Packers rank 19th, while Detroit is 25th.
The team that scores touchdowns in the red zone has a big edge. Holding the opposition to field goals would be considered a win for both defenses.
Having Jacobs healthy helps in the red zone where he is always dangerous. The Packers are missing Tucker Kraft who was their top red zone receiving target.
Prediction:
This game is critical for both teams. With a win, the Packers would go to 3-0 in the division and will open up a 1.5 game lead over the Lions with five games left on the schedule. Lose the game and Detroit passes the Packers in the standings.
Detroit typically plays well on Thanksgiving, and they are the home team. The Packers best game so far this season was their Week 1 win over the Lions. Since then, they have struggled to play to their potential in all three phases of the game.
This one will go down to the wire, but the Packers will make a mistake that will cost them the game in the final seconds.
Lions 24, Packers 21
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