Good morning, everyone. It’s crazy that we are at the final week of the 2022 NFL regular season. For the Green Bay Packers, all they have to do is to win against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field and they’re in as the 7th seed in the NFC Playoffs. I have a feeling that it might not be an easy game. Whether or not the Lions have a chance at a playoff spot (they need Seattle to lose to the Rams), the Packers have to be ready for any special stuff that the Lions may have up their sleeve on Sunday night. As always, I’m here to give you my thoughts on what the Packers need to do to win this game. Without further delay, let’s get started.
On offense, the Packers need to have a balanced attack while avoiding any turnovers and penalties in the process. It all starts with how the offensive line performs against the Lions defensive front. With everyone healthy, including David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins, I’m sure that they will be up to the task both in the running game and the passing game. They need to create the holes for Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon to run through, plus they need to keep Aaron Rodgers upright. The running backs should have no problem following any blocks and going for plenty of yards on each run (plus evading or running through defenders). I really think that the running backs can combine for 250 rushing yards and at least 2 touchdowns on Sunday night as long as they are given opportunities and don’t fumble the ball. A very effective running game can help open up everything else that the Packers want to do on offense, including deep play-action passes. Obviously, Aaron Rodgers needs to be much better at throwing those passes accurately. There will be opportunities for Rodgers to throw deep passes to the likes of Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs, but it depends on the QB and the receiver being on the same page. Whether the passes are short or deep, Rodgers needs to be accurate and the receivers need to catch each pass (other than throwaways). Rodgers also needs to stop taking unnecessary sacks by holding the ball too long. To him I say this: if there is nobody, don’t take the sack and throw the ball out of bounds instead. Most importantly, the Packers need to convert third downs and avoid turnovers/penalties to keep sustaining long drives that should end in a touchdown each time (especially in the red zone). I have no doubt that this offense will be on a mission to not let the home crowd down on Sunday night.
On defense, the Packers need to make the Lions one-dimensional on offense while also being on the lookout for any trick plays. The defensive front, which includes Kenny Clark, TJ Slaton, Devonte Wyatt, and Jarran Reed, needs to get past the blockers and tackle the ball carrier (sorry Jamaal Williams) for minimum yardage. On the chance that the Lions run a reverse play, then there needs to be defender to tackle the runner and shut down the play. If the Packers are able to keep the ground game in check, then they can get after QB Jared Goff, who has struggled before in the cold. Even if a sack doesn’t happen every play, the pass rush should be able to make Goff throw passes that could be picked off by the likes of Jaire Alexander, Rasul Douglas, Adrian Amos, and Darnell Savage. Those four corners need to make sure that there are no easy catches for the Lions receivers. This includes plays in which a non-QB player throws a pass on an option play. Regardless of how many trick plays the Lions pull out on offense, the most important thing for the Packers defense is to stop them on critical third and fourth downs. In addition to that, the Packers need to keep the Lions from scoring too many touchdowns, especially in the red zone. Any and all turnovers can help the Packers win the game, whether they are via a fumble or an interception. I have hope that Joe Barry’s unit will be ready for anything that the Lions do.
On Special Teams, the Packers need to be ready for anything. For instance, they have to watch out for any fake field goal or fake punt attempts by the Lions. There needs to be a focus on the ball carrier in the case this happens. If it’s a pass, then the “receiver” needs to be covered well. In the return game, Keisean Nixon will be ready to take any kickoff back for a bunch of yards, plus a touchdown or two. He needs to follow the blocks and burst through the hole like he did against Minnesota. I understand that the Lions may avoid him by doing a squib kick, but that would be a positive in terms of field position. In punts (and on kickoffs), the return man needs to make sure that he doesn’t fumble the ball. If there is no return opportunity, then he needs to fair catch the call cleanly. On the other side, the Packers coverage unit needs to not allow any long returns that can give the Lions extra momentum. Hopefully the kickoffs are mostly touchbacks so Green Bay is not concerned about that part. Pat O’Donnell needs to punt each ball deep in Lions territory when he is called upon. He also needs to catch the snap by Jack Coco and get the ball ready for Mason Crosby on field goal attempts. I have no doubt that Crosby will make each field goal and extra point attempt as long as the line protects the kicks. Hopefully there is a blocked punt or field goal by the Packers that can completely change the momentum in Green Bay’s favor and get the crowd loud. I am sure that Rich Bisaccia will get his men ready for anything on Sunday night.
Overall, I am looking forward to this game. The Packers need to be ready for anything that the Lions do on all sides of the ball. I have no doubt that the Packers don’t want to let the Lambeau Field crowd down on Sunday Night Football. No matter what happens in the game, I pray that nobody on either team suffers a serious injury during it. I’ll be here on Monday or Tuesday for the recap of the game. Have a great weekend, everyone. Go Pack Go!
留言