First place in the NFC North is on the line this afternoon in Green Bay as the Lions (6-1) square off against the Packers (6-2). The weather in Green Bay is cold, rainy and windy, and we’ll see how much that plays a factor in today’s contest.
Here are five things to watch out for in today’s matchup:
1. Weather
The Lions play their first game of just three games scheduled this season outdoors in the elements. The other two are back-to-back games Week 16 and 17 in Chicago and San Francisco.
There’s a 99 percent chance of rain in Green Bay today with winds expected to be in the 15-20 mph range. That will certainly impact this contest.
“We’ll make sure we’ve got the right spike on,” Lions quarterback Jared Goff said this week. “Typically, it’s either molded cleats or seven studs and typically on these grass fields you want to wear those seven studs so you’re not slipping around. You see a lot of guys on tape slipping and you don’t want that to be you.”
Which team establishes the run and stops the run the best will go a long way in determining who has the edge in a game like this.
2. Take extra care of the football
Detroit’s done a really good job in this regard over the course of their first seven games, ranking fourth in the NFL with just five giveaways. Detroit’s lost just one fumble all year and Goff hasn’t thrown an interception since Week 3 in Arizona.
But Green Bay is the best in the NFL this year at forcing turnovers. They lead the NFL with 19 takeaways and have had multiple takeaways in seven of their eight contests this season. On the road in a tough environment like Lambeau Field, the Lions can’t afford to give the Packers extra possessions or short fields by turning the football over. Same goes for the Packers.
3. Stopping Green Bay’s ground attack
The Packers’ 1,255 rushing yards are the most they’ve had through the first eight games of the season since 1971. Veteran running back Josh Jacobs has been a really nice addition for them as Green Bay ranks fifth in the NFL averaging 156.9 yards on the ground per contest.
Green Bay has 28 explosive runs (12-plus yards), which are third most in the league. Detroit’s been good stopping the run this year, ranking fifth in yards allowed on the ground per game (101.9), so this will be a great matchup of strength on strength.
4. Can Goff stay hot?
Detroit’s signal caller was just named the NFC Offensive Player of the Month after an amazing October that saw him lead the Lions to a 3-0 record while leading the NFL in completion percentage (80 percent) and passer rating (149.8). He’s just the third player in NFL history with a passer rating of 125-or-higher in four consecutive games.
He’s playing the best football of his career right now and will be looking to continue his fine play against an aggressive and opportunistic defense, but one that is 19th in pass defense (215.8).
5. Take advantage of opportunities
This is a game Lions head coach Dan Campbell expects will come down to the fourth quarter.
“They’re making an active effort to go after the football, and they are an opportunistic defense. This thing’s going to come down to one critical error,” Campbell said. “It’s going to come down to the fourth quarter, the very end, whoever makes one error is going to lose this game.”
Detroit is going to have opportunities to make big, game-changing plays, and they have to take advantage of those opportunities when they arise. Green Bay has given the ball away 12 times this season, with their nine interceptions third most in the league. Can Kerby Joseph or Brian Branch get their hands on the football in a big moment?
Detroit’s offense has been good generating big plays all season and the Packers’ defense has allowed 26 passing plays of 20-plus yards, which ranks 26th. When those opportunities come to make big plays Sunday on either side of the ball, will the Lions take advantage?
