NFC Game Of The Week
Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers
Lions: Give them credit, they’re a better team than people think they are. After a tie in week one, they’ve really got on the right path and although it’s still early, they still are in the race for the competitive, yet unpredictable NFC North. They recorded two big wins over the Los Angeles Chargers and Philadelphia Eagles, two teams who were in the playoffs last season. In week four, they gave Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs just about everything they could handle but fell short. After that game, I said to myself no matter what happened, you must respect the Lions because they play hard, they play well as a team and most importantly, they don’t fold like they once used too. My biggest takeaway from watching them is how they play for each other and how they leave everything on the field. Prior to their game against the Chiefs, I said their recipe for success has been sharing the wealth and Matt Stafford getting the football to all his receivers. Here’s the thing now when you face the Lions: You don’t know what guy will be the top target. It’s been like this for years since Calvin Johnson decided to call it a career. Now, I think the team has bought in to Matt Patricia and what he’s selling to the team. For a while, I thought the players didn’t want to play for him. They could have solo possession of first place once again with a win on Monday night at Lambeau.
Packers: I like the way they’re built right now. I also ask myself where this was when Mike McCarthy was the head coach? For once, everything isn’t planted on the shoulders of Aaron Rodgers. He doesn’t have to throw the football close to 50 times a game because he has that running game to lean on, something he hasn’t had much of in his career minus the year when the Packers went on their run and went to the Super Bowl back in 2011. When I previewed their game against the Cowboys last week, I said that without Davante Adams, the Packers would have to change up their entire offensive gameplan and Aaron Jones was my player to watch. He has the best game of his career scoring four touchdowns in a bounceback win for the Packers after losing their first game in week four to the Philadelphia Eagles. Despite the ground game, the defense had a nice day regrouping and looked like the team that we saw in the first three weeks of the season showing their physical nature, getting after the quarterback and creating turnovers. This is what I’ve been wanting to see from the Packers for years. When they play the way, they did at JerryWorld on Sunday, this is a tough team to beat. Just imagine if they had Adams, it’d be even scarier, and he’s developed into such a reliable target for Aaron. They’ll look to keep it rolling with a Monday nighter at home.
Lions Player to Watch: Danny Amendola– He has a thing for playing under the lights. This goes back to his days with the Patriots. He’s their third down target alongside Hockenson. Danny has become Stafford’s safety valve.
Packers Player to Watch: Marquez Valdez-Scantling– I’m not sure what the update is on Adams. Until he’s back, he must be that go-to guy for Aaron Rodgers. He’s a true possession receiver that can create that mismatches all over the field because of his height.
Final Analysis: There’s nothing like Monday Night Football. Who would think these would be the two teams atop the NFC North right now? Let’s see how the Lions come out after the bye week and losing such a close game two weeks ago. The Lions need to be aware of Za’Darius and Preston Smith. They’ve made such a huge impact for the Packers defense. You saw how they were all over the Cowboys and Prescott, they can easily turn things up in this one. It’s always a close game when these two face each other. The Packers will look to feed Jones the ball once again. This one will come down to who keeps their quarterback protected better.
Prediction: Packers 26 Lions 17
