Good afternoon, everyone. On Monday night, the Green Bay Packers will take on the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field. I am here to give my thoughts on what the Packers need to do to win on Monday night. Let’s get started.
For the second straight game, Davante Adams will be out of the game due to his turf toe injury. With this, I think that QB Aaron Rodgers will throw the ball to multiple targets, including the trio of Aaron Jones, Jamaal Williams, and Danny Vitale. Without Davante Adams, it is up to the other receivers (including Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Geronimo Allison, and Jake Kumerow) to step up on Monday night with a consistent game of production. I also think that the tight ends will be utilized as well, even without Robert Tonyan. I also think that the Packers will have a big night in terms of running the football. With Jamaal Williams back after being out with a concussion, I am sure that the Packers will have better success converting short third downs and goal-line situations with the rushing attack. If the Packers can run the ball well, then it can set up the play-action passing game to confuse the Lions’ defenders. As always, the offensive line needs to create running lanes and protect Aaron Rodgers from any sacks and pressures. A very important thing to do for Green Bay is to sustain long drives, keeping Matthew Stafford and the Lions’ offense on the sidelines. They can do this by moving the ball down the field, converting third downs along the way. Another way is by not turning the ball over. In the red zone, it’s important for the Packers to get touchdowns instead of settling for field goals. That way, there’s more pressure on Detroit to answer back.
It is up to the Packers defense to keep the Lions in check all game long. One of the keys for the defense, in my opinion, is limiting the impact that Kerryon Johnson can have in this game. He may get a few yards on some plays, but the defensive front (led by Kenny Clark, Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith) can’t allow him to run all over them for the whole contest. If they can shut down the running game, then they can focus on getting pressure on Matthew Stafford. The crowd at Lambeau should play a part in this as well, but it’s up to the defense to make the quarterback uncomfortable with plenty of pressures all game long. Even if they don’t get the sack, pressuring the QB can force him to make bad throws that can easily be intercepted. Without Darnell Savage, the defensive backs will have their hands full with the likes of Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones, and TJ Hockenson. Man coverage is crucial in keeping these targets from getting easy receptions. If the receivers get the catch, the DBs can’t be always greedy for the turnover. Doing that can risk a very big play for the offense. If there is an opportunity for a turnover, including interceptions and strip-sacks, the Packers need to take advantage of them. Any and all turnovers will give the offense more chances to put points on the board and give the Packers a comfortable lead. It’s also important for the Packers to get defensive stops on third down to force punts. In the red zone, the Packers need to force the Lions to settle for field goals. Doing all of these things will give Green Bay a great chance to win.
Special Teams can’t be underestimated in a team’s success. For the most part, the Packers are going very good on Special Teams. One obvious thing to fix is on covering kick returns. Some kick returns have given the opposing team a short field position to work with. Last week, a kick return by Dallas forced Mason Crosby to try to make the tackle. I was a bit nervous after the return because Crosby was slowly walking back to the sideline. He turned out OK in the end, but that can’t happen again. The weather is starting to get colder at Lambeau, so it’s important to make sure that the kickoff returns are covered well. Hopefully, most of the kicks are downed in the end zone for a touchback. On the other side, there should be an opportunity or two to get a long kick or punt return in order to give the offense great field position. If the return is for a touchdown, then that’s a huge plus for Green Bay. In the cold, it’s very important for JK Scott to punt the ball very far to flip the field. Mason Crosby needs to make all of his kicks, whether they be field goals or extra points. Hunter Bradley needs to snap the ball precisely to make sure that everything goes smoothly with the field goals and punts. I wouldn’t mind if the Packers get a blocked punt or field goal in this game at some point.
If the Packers do these things, then they will win against the Lions to go to 5-1 on the season, including 3-0 in division games. It’s time for Green Bay to begin a new streak of winning against the Lions at Lambeau Field. Hopefully it begins on Monday Night Football. Have a great rest of your day, everyone. Go Pack Go!
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