Good morning, everyone. It’s crazy that this is the final week of the 2019 NFL regular season. For the Green Bay Packers, their goal is clear as they face the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. With a win on Sunday, they get a first-round bye in the playoffs. I am here to give you my thoughts on what the Packers need to do to accomplish this. Let’s get started.
On offense, the Packers need to get to a fast start in terms of moving the ball down the field and scoring touchdowns. One way to make this possible is for the offense to do better with protecting the football. They can’t have 3 turnovers in the first half again, especially during the postseason. For the running game, it will be up to Aaron Jones to carry the load. The reason why I say this is because Jamaal Williams is unlikely to play with a shoulder injury. Even with that, I think that the Packers will run the ball well with Aaron Jones (plus Dexter Williams). The offensive linemen and the wide receivers need to make key blocks and create the running lanes to make sure that the run game is efficient. If this is done, I think that Aaron Jones will get over 1000 rushing yards on the season (he is only 16 yards from 1000). He is also one touchdown shy of the franchise record (20) set by Ahman Green in 2003. I think that he can break that record as well. Running the ball well will definitely tire out the pass rushers for Detroit, who include Trey Flowers. In the passing game, it is up to the offensive linemen to protect QB Aaron Rodgers from any sacks or pressures. If they can do that, then Rodgers will have time to find the open receiver and throw the ball accurately to him. In turn, the pass catchers (who include Davante Adams, Allen Lazard, Jimmy Graham, Aaron Jones, Jake Kumerow, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling) need to catch every pass that Rodgers throws to them. Last week, there were a few drops by the pass catchers, including a dropped touchdown by Davante Adams. In addition to avoiding turnovers, the Packers need to convert every third down on offense to sustain long drives. Touchdowns need to be scored in the red zone instead of field goals to put more pressure on Detroit to answer back. I have a great feeling that the offense will score over 35 points on Sunday, as long as they do everything right.
On defense, the Packers need to make the Lions one-dimensional on offense. The way to do that is to shut down the running game, which is led by Kerryon Johnson. The defenders need to shed the blocks and tackle him for minimum gain. If they can do that, then the focus will be on making life miserable for QB David Blough (Matthew Stafford is on IR as well). In addition to Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith and Kenny Clark, it would be very nice if other players get sacks as well. Even if the defenders don’t get the sack, pressuring Blough will force him to make a lot of mistakes. These mistakes include throwing passes that can easily be intercepted by Green Bay. For the defensive backs, they need to hold on to those picks when the opportunities are there. They also need to make sure that the pass catchers (who include Kenny Golladay) are covered well. The receivers cannot be left open for easy catches. The defense needs to stop the Lions from converting any third downs that they face, especially ones longer than 10 yards. If the Lions get to the red zone, the defense needs to force them to settle for field goals instead of letting them score touchdowns. It would be a big bonus if the Packers get a few more turnovers in this game, including interceptions and fumble recoveries. Doing all of these things on defense will make sure that the Packers win by a comfortable margin.
On Special Teams, the Packers need to avoid mistakes that can give the Lions momentum. These mistakes include turning the ball over and penalties on kickoff and punt returns. For the return coverage unit, they need to make sure that any return by Jamal Agnew (or any other player) is covered well. Any long return can give Detroit momentum, especially if that return is for a touchdown. Therefore, the Packers can’t allow a long return at all. The easiest way for the Packers to avoid the long returns is for Mason Crosby to kick the ball out of the end zone for a touchback. Seeing that this game is indoors, touchbacks will be a given on both sides. When there is an opportunity for a kickoff or punt return, Tyler Ervin needs to make the most of it. If he can’t get a long return, he has to be smart with the football and not turn it over. Last week, he muffed a punt against the Vikings. Luckily, he recovered the fumble, which was a sigh of relief. As long as mistakes like that are avoided, the Packers will be fine. Mason Crosby needs to make all of kicks, and JK Scott needs to flip the field with all of his punts. Hunter Bradley needs to snap the ball accurately to make sure that everything goes smoothly with the kicks and punts. The line needs to make sure that the kicks are not blocked by Detroit. On the other side, it would be fun to see a blocked punt or field goal by the Packers on Sunday. Doing all of these things on Special Teams will help the Packers win on Sunday against the Lions.
In my opinion, this game should not be close. As long as the Packers do everything right, they will be able to beat the Lions by a wide margin. A win on Sunday will give the Packers an overall record of 13-3. Those wins would include sweeping the NFC North for the first time since 2011. The win will also give the Packers a first-round bye in the playoffs. In addition, home field advantage is possible for the Packers. If they win and the 49ers lose to the Seahawks, then the road to the Super Bowl goes through Lambeau Field. All of this will be possible with a win on Sunday against the Lions. As always, I will be here on Monday morning with my post-game thoughts on the game. Have a great day, everyone. Go Pack Go!
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