The Green Bay Packers return home to face the Detroit Lions in an important NFC North clash. The Packers are 6-2 on the season while the Lions are 6-1. Green Bay defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 30-27 last week. Meanwhile, the Lions crushed the Tennessee Titans 52-14. Here are the keys to victory for the Packers in their Week 9 matchup with the Detroit Lions.

The Packers lead the all-time series between these two teams 104-76-7 in the regular season. The two teams first met in 1930 when the Lions were known as the Portsmouth Spartans. The Packers won both playoff meetings between the teams back in 1993 and 1994.

Here are the keys to victory for Sunday’s game at Lambeau:

Packers Keys to Victory vs Lions, Number One: Get Pressure on Jared Goff

Jared Goff has been playing at an elite level for the Lions this season. He has completed 74.1 percent of his passes, has an impressive 9.0-yards per attempt. He’s thrown 13 touchdowns and just four interceptions and has a quarterback rating of 115.3.

In the past, Goff struggled when pressured but this season, he has done a great job of handling the blitz and throwing under duress. He’s only been sacked 17 times in seven games.

The Packers have struggled to get consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks unless defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley installs some unusual blitz packages. When the Vikings defense did their version of disguised blitzes, Detroit scored 31 points and won the game.

Will Edgerrin Cooper or Keisean Nixon get some pressure off the blitz, or will Rashan Gary, Preston Smith, Kenny Clark, and Devonte Wyatt get some pressure on their own?

If Goff has time to throw, he can be very effective. If he’s under pressure, the Packers at least have a chance to get the Lions offense off their game.

Number Two: Stop the Lions Running Game

As a team, the Lions rank 6th in the NFL with 156.7 yards on the ground per game. They have two running backs that have contrasting styles in the speedy Jahmyr Gibbs and the more physical David Montgomery.

The Packers defensive line will have to hold up at the point of attack in their battle against the Lions strong offensive line. The team will also have to be sure tackles as both Gibbs and Montgomery are very good at gaining yards after contact.

Forcing the Lions into third and long situations will also help the pass rush, but it will be easier said than done. The Green Bay defense ranks 10th in the league in rushing defense, allowing 111.6 yards per game on the ground. The run defense has been very inconsistent, doing well one week while struggling the next.

Both Gibbs and Montgomery have enjoyed success against the Packers in the past.

Packers Keys to Victory vs Lions, Number Three: Contain Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta

The Packers won’t have to face Detroit’s top deep threat in Jameson Williams who will miss this game due to a suspension. But they still have two dangerous weapons in the passing game that the Packers defense will have to account for.

The first is Amon-Ra St. Brown who operates out of the slot. St. Brown is more of a possession receiver but he’s very difficult to stop. Through seven games, he has a team-leading 41 catches for 408 yards and five touchdown catches.

Tight end Sam LaPorta is second on the team with 20 catches for 272 yards and two touchdowns. The Packers need to prevent LaPorta from making big plays.

The Packers ideally would prefer to have Javon Bullard in the slot but may have to settle on Nixon. The key will be having a healthy safety Evan Williams available. Williams left last week’s game with a hamstring injury and has not practiced Wednesday or Thursday.

The Packers top cover corner, Jaire Alexander, also didn’t practice Wednesday or Thursday with a knee injury. Having Alexander and Williams available would be a big help for the Packers.

The Lions have been making big plays on offense and the Green Bay defense has been better this year at preventing splash plays. Something has to give on Sunday in this game.

Number Four: Protect the Quarterback

The Packers will need to protect the quarterback to beat the Lions. If they can do that, Detroit’s secondary can be exploited as they rank 27th in the league against the pass.

The Lions best pass rusher, Aidan Hutchinson, is out for the season. He still leads the team with 7.5 sacks despite missing the last two games. Behind Hutchinson, Alim McNeill is next on the team with 2.5 sacks followed by Malcolm Rodriguez and Trevor Nowaske with two each.

The Packers offensive line has done a good job of protecting the quarterback this season. Through eight games, they have allowed only 12 sacks through eight games.

Starting quarterback Jordan Love injured his groin last week and left the game in the third quarter. He practiced on a limited basis Thursday after sitting out Wednesday’s session.

If Love can’t play, Malik Willis will step in. Willis is 3-0 in the games he’s played in, and he is more mobile than Love but less dangerous as a passer.

Whichever quarterback plays, the Packers need to protect the quarterback so the Packers dangerous receiving corps can exploit the Detroit secondary.

Packers Keys to Victory vs Lions, Number Five: Run the Football Early and Often

The Packers running game will be important in this game. If Love can’t play or is limited, it will be even more vital to get the running game going.

Josh Jacobs can be a workhorse back and will get the ball often. He’s gained 667 yards on 145 carries which puts him on pace for more than 1,400 yards this season. Jacobs runs best between the tackles so the Packers interior offensive line will have to control the line of scrimmage.

The Packers are averaging 156.9 yards per game on the ground. The Lions defense if 5th in the league and is allowing just 101.9 yards per contest. That number is helped by the fact that the Lions have held a lot of leads this season.

If the Packers can run the football, they can hold the ball, keep the Lions offense off the field and make the passing game more effective.

Number Six: Win the Turnover Battle

Both the Packers and the Lions are among the league leaders in turnover differential. The Packers lead the league with 19 takeaways and are fourth in the NFL with a plus-seven differential. The Lions have only turned the ball over five times in seven games this season. They are tied for second in the league with a plus-10 turnover differential.

Both teams have safeties that are among the league leaders in interceptions. The Packers Xavier McKinney has six. Detroit has Kerby Joseph with five picks and Brian Branch with four.

In a close game like this, the team that wins the turnover differential will have a better chance of winning.

Prediction:

The Packers have been hit by some bad injuries at the wrong time. Williams and Alexander are key players on defense while playing without Love changes the offense dramatically.

Detroit is playing outdoors for the first time this season. The forecast calls for a high of 52 on Sunday with rain. Can the Lions handle the adverse conditions?

The Packers face a big challenge, but the Lions have been playing great football all season. This will be a critical game for both teams. The Packers injuries will make it tougher for them to win on Sunday, but it will be very close.

 

Lions 34, Packers 30

 

 

 

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