Good evening, everyone. On Sunday, the Green Bay Packers will play their first regular season game of 2020 at Lambeau Field. The opponent will be the Detroit Lions, who the Packers won against both times with a game-winning field goal by Mason Crosby. I am hoping that Sunday’s game does not have to go that way. I am here as always to give you my thoughts on what Green Bay needs to do to win against Detroit. Without further delay, let’s get started.
On offense, the key for the Packers is to continue playing at the level they did against the Vikings while having a balanced attack. It is up to head coach Matt LaFleur to still be creative in the play-calling with jet sweeps and reverses, in addition to coming up with ways to get the receivers open. In other cases, it will be up to the receivers to win their one-on-ones against the Lions secondary. They will get some help with Desmond Trufant out with an injury, but the receivers still need to get open for Aaron Rodgers to throw to them (and for them to catch every pass). I also think that the running game, which is led by Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams, will produce over 100 yards against the Detroit defense. I am sure that the running backs and the tight ends will get some catches from Rodgers, in addition to the receivers (Davante Adams, Allen Lazard, Marquez Valdes-Scantling). I am hoping that the offensive line continues to protect Aaron Rodgers from any sacks and create the running lanes for Jones, Williams, and AJ Dillon. One thing that I hope gets fixed on Sunday is the urgency to not waste timeouts. Against Minnesota, the Packers wasted 5 timeouts (including all 3 second half timeouts) due to the play clock. As long as the play is called and the players are out of the huddle with at least 15 seconds left, they should avoid that stuff against Detroit. As always, the Packers need to convert their third downs and avoid turnovers to win the time of possession battle. In the red zone, they need to score touchdowns on each trip instead of field goals to put more pressure on Detroit to answer back. It would be very nice for the Packers to put up over 40 points for the second straight week on offense. As long as they remain turnover-free, I like their chances of doing that against the Lions.
On defense, the key for the Packers is to stop the run. For the defensive line, the other guys (Kingsley Keke, Dean Lowry, and Tyler Lancaster) need to step up in Kenny Clark’s absence (he has a groin injury and is out for at least this week). I am sure that they will get some help from Za’Darius Smith when it comes to stopping the run game of Detroit. Among the backs they have to face are Kerryon Johnson and Adrian Peterson. If the Packers can stop the run, then the pass rush can get after QB Matthew Stafford. I hope that both Za’Darius and Preston Smith get at least one sack of Stafford on Sunday. Even if they don’t get the sack, the pass rush can pressure him to throw passes that can easily be intercepted by the likes of Jaire Alexander and Kevin King. Speaking of those 2 (and the rest of the defensive backs), they need to cover the receivers very well (not including Kenny Golladay, who is out with a hamstring injury). The defense need to keep the Lions offense from producing big plays that can turn into touchdowns. If the receivers are covered well, then those mistakes should not happen. One thing that I hope the Packers do on defense is to limit the amount of yards given up during the fourth quarter. If the Packers have a double-digit lead, the defense needs to preserve that lead and not give up chunk plays and points that make the score more respectable in the end. As always, the defense needs to keep the Lions from converting too many third downs and from scoring touchdowns in the red zone. It would be very nice to see the Packers get a couple of turnovers on Sunday, including a fumble recovery and a couple of interceptions. Any turnover can give the offense another chance to put points on the scoreboard. I have plenty of confidence that the defense will get their job done against Detroit.
On Special Teams, the key for the Packers is to avoid mistakes that can give the Lions momentum in the game. In the return game, the Packers need to cover kickoff and punt returns well (whenever there is a return, that is). On the other side, the Packers return unit (mainly Tyler Ervin, who can be used on jet sweeps) need to make the most out of their return opportunities while avoiding turnovers and penalties that can give the offense terrible field position. I still hope for a kickoff or punt return touchdown at some point this season for Green Bay. Mason Crosby needs to make all of his kicks when he is called upon. The same goes for JK Scott and punting the ball deep into Lions territory. As always, Hunter Bradley needs to snap the ball accurately on every punt or field goal attempt. The blocking unit needs to make sure that every punt or field goal attempt goes well and not get blocked. On the other side, I still have hope for a blocked punt or field goal during the 2020 season. As long as there are no huge mistakes by the special teams unit, the Packers will be fine against the Lions.
If the Packers do all of these things, then they will win their first game at Lambeau Field and start 2-0 on the season (and the NFC North). It will definitely weird to not see fans at Lambeau Field, but it’s up to the players to bring their one energy on Sunday. Hopefully some fans will be in Lambeau Field later this season. For now, the mission for the Packers is to get their second win of the season. I also hope that there are no additional injuries to anyone on either team (knock on wood). Stay tuned for my post-game thoughts on either Sunday night or on Monday. Have a good night, everyone. Go Pack Go!
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