Packers @ Lions Pre-Game (Thurs Night)

[Voyageur]

Ok first, I’m not as much in disagreement, but playing Devils advocate. Last night I went back and watched the condensed version (33min). I was actually surprised. Aside from what seemed like dozens of mistakes, the Packers Offense rolled over Detroit pretty good. Particularly on the ground, Detroit really had no answer for Jacobs. Either he got 0.5
or 8 yards or busted one open. Jacobs touched the ball 15 times for
108 yards or 7.2 per touch. Had we not gotten behind? I think he goes
~28 X 6.5 for 182 yards.

I almost forgot we had an unusual number of drops. Detroit was not plagued with drops but we were and it was across the board by multiple players. It was raining and Detroit nearly muffed a Punt similar to Miami. Even Goff had some wobbly passes they thought were tipped.

We had an unusual # flags. At times it almost got ridiculous. Maybe the Refs were a little too flag happy also.

We should’ve had a TD on the first Drive
(-4 points)

Without the flag likely would’ve had a 1st down on 2nd drive and creeping inside their Redzone. It was like 3rd 4 inside the Det35. I doubt we punt there. It’s 4th down territory. The way we flowed it could’ve been a TD 50/50 At least a 35 yard try instead of 46
(-3 points)

Forget about the INT. Just that minor stuff above was a 10 point swing. I really think had we executed on the easy stuff better.
3 drops instead of 6
5 flags instead of 10

We see a nail biter at the end. Had we ran cleaner? Maybe a 1 score Packer lead in the 4th. Not saying Lions couldn’t steal the Win, but overall minus the discipline and drops the Packers were the better team.

Excellent analysis. The question I have at this point, is how far both teams have come since then? I don't think we can necessarily use that last game as a guide for this one. What I'm seeing is the total work for both teams, over the course of the entire year.

The Lions have scored 383 points to the Packers 318. Incidentally, the 383 is tied with the Ravens for top scoring teams in the NFL. The Lions have given up 203 to the Packers 240. The 203 points allowed is second most to only the Chargers at 188. The Lions have both the top scoring offense, and stringiest defense in the NFC, and a whopping +178 in scoring, over 12 games. That's an average of almost +15 points per game. They are, at this point, the top team in the NFL, when it comes to putting points on the board, and stopping the opponents from scoring. It kind of curbs my optimism to a degree.

IF the Packers do beat the Lions, they're going to be very tough to beat from here on in, through the playoffs.

 

[OldSchool101]

They are, at this point, the top team in the NFL, when it comes to putting points on the board, and stopping the opponents from scoring. It kind of curbs my optimism to a degree.

You’re right. It’s undeniable.

That said. This was a week 9 matchup.
As the season progresses the cream rises. I think GB has risen a little bit since Week 9. I think Detroit is stagnant at their Plateau and possibly a slight -minus. It could be seen a little in Week 13.

Detroit was without Jameson.
Packers were without
Josh Myers, J’aire, Evan Williams and Preston Smith literally looked at 80%. Preston mentally was not in this, he got washed out and called out by name by announcers which is an anomoly.

Jameson is back, but so is J’aire and Evan Williams. We also won’t have inconsistent multiple fumbled snaps with Myers. We have Jenkins playing his natural spot and continuity.

Another point. While I agree Detroit was loaded on depth. They are not anymore. They barely have any depth left. Detroit just signed 4 players off other teams PS. That means they are ACTIVE. Packers need to confuse the crap out of them with shifting multiple Receivers into empty backfield. Detroit will have their hands full on Defense. Potentially we caught them perfectly at Invalid status. as in injury weakened. It could be a Packer romp IF we can slow Goff or get a few mistakes. GB has too many weapons moving too many directions if we get sophisticated on O it’ll expose the new guys. Detroit D might need to sell out regular.

 

[OldSchool101]

I’m not dismissing what the Lions have done. The lesson I’ve learned in the NFL is many of us project off only what we see. This is true ESPECIALLY in the Media. As an example, Everybody thought the Vikings were unbeatable at 5-0. They were going through teams like a hot knife through butter. I haven’t heard anyone say they are unbeatable lately.

I’m just saying that teams ebb n flow. If Detroit plays like they did in Week 9 I think they’ll lose. Just imo. If Green Bay plays like they did in Week 9 they’ll similarly lose again.
That said. If Detroit is counting on GB to lay 2 eggs I think it’s mostly wishful thinking. I don’t believe that Detroit is better than Week 9 give or take. I do believe the Packers are better than Week 9 and potentially substantially better.

Either Detroit 28-23
Or
Packers 31-23

 

[Thirteen Below]

They are, at this point, the top team in the NFL, when it comes to putting points on the board, and stopping the opponents from scoring. It kind of curbs my optimism to a degree.

You lay out a solid argument for why Detroit is a better team than Green Bay, but thankfully the better team doesn't always win. Way I look at it, yeah - they're the best team in the NFL, but we're pretty damned good as well. Not really that far behind them.

We're close enough that we're very capable of beating them. I think right now you have the Bills, the Lions, and still the Chiefs as arguably the best 3 teams in the league, with a second tier close behind - Pittsburgh, Minnesota, Philadelphia, probably Baltimore, and Green Bay. I'd say every 1 of those 8 teams are legitimately capable of beating any of the other 7 teams on any given Sunday, Monday, Thursday, or Saturday.

If we show up and playb our "A" game this week, there's a great chance we'll win. That's about the most I can say.

 

[Pkrjones]

Alexander, Edge Cooper, Doubs & Ballentine out for Thursday night's game. Need a team-effort to shut down their run, consistently pressure Goff, & blanket St. Brown & LaPorta. I'm changing my prediction to: GB 38- Lions 37.

 

[Voyageur]

You lay out a solid argument for why Detroit is a better team than Green Bay, but thankfully the better team doesn't always win. Way I look at it, yeah - they're the best team in the NFL, but we're pretty damned good as well. Not really that far behind them.

We're close enough that we're very capable of beating them. I think right now you have the Bills, the Lions, and still the Chiefs as arguably the best 3 teams in the league, with a second tier close behind - Pittsburgh, Minnesota, Philadelphia, probably Baltimore, and Green Bay. I'd say every 1 of those 8 teams are legitimately capable of beating any of the other 7 teams on any given Sunday, Monday, Thursday, or Saturday.

If we show up and playb our "A" game this week, there's a great chance we'll win. That's about the most I can say.

You guys are right about Green Bay being right on the heels of the Lions. In all honesty, the Packers lost a couple of games because they didn't have a kicking game, and blunders with clock management. Hopefully all that is in the rear view mirror. If it is, this could be a great win for the program, and with the youngest team in the NFL.

It's not going to help that Doubs is out for this game. We need him out there. But, if we win it without him, imagine what a bonus it will be having him out there if we meet again in the playoffs.

 

[OldSchool101]

You guys are right about Green Bay being right on the heels of the Lions. In all honesty, the Packers lost a couple of games because they didn't have a kicking game, and blunders with clock management. Hopefully all that is in the rear view mirror. If it is, this could be a great win for the program, and with the youngest team in the NFL.

It's not going to help that Doubs is out for this game. We need him out there. But, if we win it without him, imagine what a bonus it will be having him out there if we meet again in the playoffs.

J’aire is out, Cooper is out. Cooper played in our last meeting. Although our current group of LB’s has stepped up as of late.
I’m adjusting my score
Detroit 30-28
or
Packers 31-27

I’m conflicted!

 

[Sanguine camper]

Alexander is out again for Detroit. At this point, I would rest him until the playoffs. He's already missed most of the season. If he comes back before then, he'll just get hurt and miss any playoff games. After the season, Gute should think long and hard about cutting Alexander. They're paying him way too much money to have him watch the games. No way do I play Doubs in this game as well. He had a concussion. That should be at least a 2 to 3 week hiatus. If he comes back too soon, he runs the risk of being the next Sam Shields.

 

[El Guapo]

The Lions lost to the Bucaneers, and Ohio State lost to Michigan. You just have to be the best on the day that you play. The Lions and Packers trajectories are going in different directions right now.

Also, the injury reports are that they are without four top DL.

 

[Sanguine camper]

You guys are right about Green Bay being right on the heels of the Lions. In all honesty, the Packers lost a couple of games because they didn't have a kicking game, and blunders with clock management. Hopefully all that is in the rear view mirror. If it is, this could be a great win for the program, and with the youngest team in the NFL.

It's not going to help that Doubs is out for this game. We need him out there. But, if we win it without him, imagine what a bonus it will be having him out there if we meet again in the playoffs.

The Packers don't play injured players and haven't for a long time. Let's face it, the Detroit game isn't a must win situation. I have no problems resting key players. 2 more wins and the Packers are in. Might as well realize that and start resting guys. I would love to see Jacobs get very few touches tomorrow. He looked a bit tired in the Dolphin game and the Packers can't afford to wear him out. The goal should be to slip into the playoffs as a 7th seed since their is no home field advantage in the playoffs.

 

[Pkrjones]

I’m adjusting my score
Detroit 30-28
or
Packers 31-27

I’m conflicted!

So you're ok with being 100% wrong, regardlesss of the outcome? Go with your gut feel, pick one.

 

[Sanguine camper]

The Lions lost to the Bucaneers, and Ohio State lost to Michigan. You just have to be the best on the day that you play. The Lions and Packers trajectories are going in different directions right now.

Also, the injury reports are that they are without four top DL.

Packers are playing without Cooper, Doubs and Alexander so any injury advantage the Packers may have is going to be minimal.

 

[Pkrjones]

The Packers don't play injured players and haven't for a long time. Let's face it, the Detroit game isn't a must win situation. I have no problems resting key players. 2 more wins and the Packers are in. Might as well realize that and start resting guys. I would love to see Jacobs get very few touches tomorrow. He looked a bit tired in the Dolphin game and the Packers can't afford to wear him out. The goal should be to slip into the playoffs as a 7th seed since their is no home field advantage in the playoffs.

You make some good points, but I'd much rather the playoff road go thru GB rather than having to travel to MN or Detroit in late January.

 

[Sanguine camper]

You make some good points, but I'd much rather the playoff road go thru GB rather than having to travel to MN or Detroit in late January.

In the last 20 years, (29 playoff games- the Packers are 7-7 at home and 7-8 on the road. There's basically no home field advantage. The Packers are a passing team. I'd much rather see them play in a dome in January than on a slow track in Green Bay.

 

[OldSchool101]

So you're ok with being 100% wrong, regardlesss of the outcome? Go with your gut feel, pick one.

How about I go with your pick? I can’t take all the peer pressure!

 

[OldSchool101]

I used my “phone a friend”
Packers 31
Lions 27

 

[El Guapo]

Packers are playing without Cooper, Doubs and Alexander so any injury advantage the Packers may have is going to be minimal.

Missing one player at three separate positions doesn't compare to the Lions missing three starters and a strong rotational player at one position (DL). Pascal, DJ Reader, and Hutchinson are all starters and huge losses. Levi Onwuzurike had been having his best season ever.

To pile on if we want to look at all positions, they'll also be without starting LT Decker and obviously Anzalone is still out at LB. The point about the DL is that they will be playing backups and practice squad guys against our intact starting five and Josh Jacobs. If I were LaFleur, I would run heavy in the first half no matter how successful we are in terms of progress. Those guys aren't used to playing 60min and will tire. Once the Lions have to commit to the box, Love can burn them over the top.

 

[DETGBfan]

Detroiter here. I really like reading your thoughts. Can’t say I disagree with a lot of you. I can’t describe how frustrating it is that we can’t just sit back and enjoy an 11-1 season. Nope. The NFC North had to pick this year to be so tight

Our injuries are significant and your team has a habit of breaking my heart anyway, but we’ve had the upper hand lately. Still, tomorrow is going to be a very, very hard game to win. I will be there with my 22 year old daughter who has never been to a game, so a loss would be extra crappy. Would love her to experience a win, but I’m not liking the looks of this one.

I mentioned in a previous post how much I’ve always enjoyed the Packer fans that come to our games. What an excellent fan base! I’m sure there will be quite a few of you there. Looking forward to what I think is going to be a heck of a game.

Goodlucknotreally

 

[OldSchool101]

Detroiter here. I really like reading your thoughts. Can’t say I disagree with a lot of you. I can’t describe how frustrating it is that we can’t just sit back and enjoy an 11-1 season. Nope. The NFC North had to pick this year to be so tight

Our injuries are significant and your team has a habit of breaking my heart anyway, but we’ve had the upper hand lately. Still, tomorrow is going to be a very, very hard game to win. I will be there with my 22 year old daughter who has never been to a game, so a loss would be extra crappy. Would love her to experience a win, but I’m not liking the looks of this one.

I mentioned in a previous post how much I’ve always enjoyed the Packer fans that come to our games. What an excellent fan base! I’m sure there will be quite a few of you there. Looking forward to what I think is going to be a heck of a game.

Goodlucknotreally

I did notice your LT, Dan Skipper played the entire games against the Texans Week 10 and Bears last week. Both ending in 3-point Wins.
If I’m Hafley I’m rotating Rashan Gary and Lukas Van Ness with their Excellent Bull Rush. It’s really a good matchup for GB. I’d also run a few more Stunts and kinda throw the tool box at him to test his breaking point. The Bull Rush was his Kryptonite at Arkansas, it just happens to be the strength move of the GB DL. I have a feeling Enagbare might even be the guy that gets home tomorrow.

Texans and Bears combined for 9 sacks for -73 yards in games Skipper got the nod. The 2 contests in between where Decker played?
Combined for 1 Sack -9 yards.

 

[Sanguine camper]

Missing one player at three separate positions doesn't compare to the Lions missing three starters and a strong rotational player at one position (DL). Pascal, DJ Reader, and Hutchinson are all starters and huge losses. Levi Onwuzurike had been having his best season ever.

To pile on if we want to look at all positions, they'll also be without starting LT Decker and obviously Anzalone is still out at LB. The point about the DL is that they will be playing backups and practice squad guys against our intact starting five and Josh Jacobs. If I were LaFleur, I would run heavy in the first half no matter how successful we are in terms of progress. Those guys aren't used to playing 60min and will tire. Once the Lions have to commit to the box, Love can burn them over the top.

That's exactly what the Lions are thinking about their offense. Keep the Packers offense on the sideline and you don't have to worry much about their second string D line. They'll be keeping the ball on the ground to chew up the clock. The team that makes the fewest penalties and has the fewest drops will be the one whose offense will be on the field the most.

 

[OldSchool101]

if you watch that Houston game. Texans got up 23-7 Halftime, but it really should’ve been 27-7. Texans had 1st n Goal from the Det5 and pulled a GB self inflicted -10 yarder Offense flag. They had 3 shots to put that in and possibly 4 if they picked up 3 yards in 3 tries but went backwards more than forward. On 1st they should’ve just run the ball a couple times. Get inside the 2-3 yard area on 3rd down and go 4-down and use Detroits own potion or leave them with 99 yards to go.

Houston kept 4 Down DL but Regularly used 8 in the Box until it was a known Pass play then they’d drop 2 back. What worked for the Texans is they rally tackled Gibbs. Often 3-4 guys were just assuming he’d get the ball. Houston was assertive and played to shut down the Run. 32X3.2 carry. Detroit just got hammered in the Run.

LT Skipper was getting abused in some pass sets. But he plays better in the Run block. Good 2nd level blocker. He’s a big 6’9” 320, but he gets off balance in Pass sets. He either fell or was off leverage several times in Qtr1-2 that cost a QB hit and incomplete pass. Skipper (LT) held up but he reminded me of Nijman level. Respectable but absolutely susceptible. Detroits RT gave up a strip Sack fumble into the air and looked susceptible to hooking around him with that speed rush

 

[Firethorn1001]

Detroiter here. I really like reading your thoughts. Can’t say I disagree with a lot of you. I can’t describe how frustrating it is that we can’t just sit back and enjoy an 11-1 season. Nope. The NFC North had to pick this year to be so tight

LOL.. you know... honestly I didn't think of the flip side of being a Lions fan and the comical nature of the situation.

"Yay! We're 11-1.. and Vikings are 10-2.. and Packers are 9-3...." Which I think I read is the 1st time there have been 3 9 win teams in the same division in this week since 1985 (AFC East). When the Bears won the Super Bowl.

 

[OldSchool101]

LOL.. you know... honestly I didn't think of the flip side of being a Lions fan and the comical nature of the situation.

"Yay! We're 11-1.. and Vikings are 10-2.. and Packers are 9-3...." Which I think I read is the 1st time there have been 3 9 win teams in the same division in this week since 1985 (AFC East). When the Bears won the Super Bowl.

It’s similar to how I felt in 2020. We start getting really good and Tom Brady transfers into the NFC. What’s worse he comes in and Wins a SB in his first season in our Conference.

 

[rmontro]

"Yay! We're 11-1.. and Vikings are 10-2.. and Packers are 9-3...." Which I think I read is the 1st time there have been 3 9 win teams in the same division in this week since 1985 (AFC East). When the Bears won the Super Bowl.

Wow, that is a long time ago.

I just now realized that the Bears were part of the 13 straight Super Bowls that the NFC won. As were the Packers, although it was GB's loss to Denver that ended the streak.

 

[tynimiller]

All I know is I don't want to see any sky is falling, fire Gute and MLF or BS if the best team currently in a LOT of minds beats us at their house.....

This game with all the injuries and timing of it all is about as much a coin flip game as I can remember. The only thing I don't see happening is a blow out being dealt to us, I can see a nail biter win by either or a game where Packers light it up big time in the dome.

I believe Watson might just have a 2 TD day.