Shawn: If the bye did the Green Bay Packers a favor in so far as getting guys back healthy, it may have done them no others. There is a stark contrast between how the Packers and the Lions enter this game on Sunday.
The Lions are 3-1 coming off their best game of the year and see right in front of them the golden chance to go 3-0 in the division, put the Packers — the two time defending division champs — into a 1-3 hole, and end a painful NFL record of 22 straight defeats in Wisconsin.
The Packers, on the other hand, are coming off a week’s vacation, the last time they saw the field being a very sloppy and painful loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Besides the momentum deficit, it also concerns me that Detroit has played very well at Lambeau Field the last two seasons, obviously motivated by a streak that HAS to end at some point. After losing a shootout in 2011 in which Matthew Stafford threw for 520 yards, the Lions dominated the first quarter last season in seizing an early 14-0 lead. The Lions were driving into Packers’ territory again at 14-3 when a bizarre Stafford fumble was returned for a TD by Mike Daniels, ultimately changing the course of the game.
Fortunately for the Packers, the Lions remain a favorable matchup because they are weakest in the secondary, which is exactly where the Packers seek to exploit teams. The Lions are also strongest at the middle of the defensive line and don’t have proven outside rushers that should overly concern the Packers and their two young tackles.
Neither team has been good on defense, though the Lions undoubtably have better personnel than the banged up secondary that the Packers faced in both games last season. The Packers’ defense has been terrible in the fourth quarter of every game so far this season, while the Lions have been notoriously good at the end of games during Stafford’s career.
Packers fans can only hope that the return of Morgan Burnett makes a sizable impact for the defense. Otherwise, the Packers will likely have to win a shootout.
After two close losses on the road to teams that haven’t been as good as advertised, and one win against a bad team, no one knows where this Packers team stands right now. Are they still an NFC contender? Or are they ready to turn over the crown of a division that they have dominated? It is impossible to tell right now, and we STILL won’t know for sure after this Sunday, win or lose.
I could very easily see the streak ending this Sunday. However, perhaps clinging to naivette, I still believe the Packers are better than a team that went 4-12 last season and that somehow Lambeau Field will make a difference. This isn’t a must-win game, yet, but losing a divisional game at home would be devastating.
I think Aaron Rodgers rebounds and plays well. I think the run game, fueled by an Eddie Lacy/Johnathan Franklin tandem, shows up. And I think Stafford and Lions do enough self-destructing to make the difference.
Packers 35, Lions 31
Monty: The Detroit Fuckin’ Lions. These assclowns are looking pretty good this year.
Normally, this would be a throwaway game in that hey, the fucking Detroit Lions are coming to town, obviously the Green Bay Packers are going to win. Well, not so much this time around.
The Lions finally have some offensive balance thanks to Reggie Bush, who’s on pace for a career season. That dude could have over 1,000 yards rushing and 700 receiving. So, the Lions aren’t just Doughboy’s big arm and Calvin Johnson anymore.
Reggie Bush is the key to this game.
I’m confident the Packers and their shitty defense can contain Megatron because Sam Shields is a boss and he’s playing for a fat contract. I’m also confident the Packers can generate a pass rush as long as Clay Matthews and his girly hamstrings aren’t taking himself out of the game because name me one Detroit Lions offensive lineman.
So, the question then is, who’s shadowing Bush? The Packers have been decent enough against the run this season, so I don’t see him ripping off a 100-yard rushing game, but he’s the kind of sneaky bastard that will catch a ball out of the backfield and then run 40 yards with it. And hey, the Packers haven’t been the best at tackling guys like that in a while.
Ultimately, the Packers need Morgan Burnett, in his first game of the season, to earn all that money they paid him. We know he’s going to be an upgrade over Jerron McMillian because Tom Hanks playing safety would be an upgrade over Jerron McMillian.
In that sense, Morgan Burnett is the key to the Packers winning.
On offense, we know Aaron Rodgers is going to do his thing because when is the last time Aaron Rodgers shit the bed two weeks in a row? Never.
Plus, the Lions are banged up in the secondary.
The Lions broke their streak of losing to Washington for all of history or whatever it was a couple weeks ago. They don’t get to break two streaks in the same season.
It’s time to start making this division right.
Packers 42, Lions 28
lol Monty. You’re one cool dude.
God I hope you are right. ….
Dominic Raiola.
GBP – 45
lions – 27
Megatron will probably catch a short TD pass this week, because there’s really not shit you can do to stop the loft to the corner of the end zone unless you have a corner who’s 6’6″, but I don’t think he’s going to rack up many yards. Bush really scares me. I don’t see our offense having any trouble, and a couple inevitable roughing the passer calls will help us out. I’d like to see some fights break out. Prediction – Packers: 35; Lions: 30
Dude you NEVER want to see fights break out against a cheap team. And they be some cheap mo’fuckers!
I would put Tramon Williams on Megatron with help over the top on every play. Shields plays closer to the line ala Charles Woodson and shadows Bush. I don’t know who else we expect to cover him.
i’m kinda just hoping we get out of this one with no injuries at running back
This is a big game. The Lions are really good it looks like. I just hope we break out with more guys healthy and show what this team (and especially Rodgers) are truly capable of. It’s time for Aaron to step up with a big-time performance.
I’ll leave predictions to bear fans. (“Bears are gonna kick Green Bay’s ass”). I like talking about my teams win, after they actually win.
Now, a realistic look at the game. This season seems reminiscent of the 2011 season, but without the wins. Offense rank’s high. Defense ranked bottom 5 in yards, and pts allowed. With Rodgers at QB, a win is very possible, players back, home game,ect. Would like to see the defense step up, and create some turnovers like they had in 2011, despite the D’s rank. Huge test for the O line today, for obvious reasons. If the Packers lose this game, and the Lions are 4-1, while the Packers are 1-3, the “feel good” climate in Green Bay and Packer fans change dramatically. Lets hope that doesn’t happen and the Packers play 4 quarters of solid football, on both sides of the ball. GO PACK GO!!!
According to nfl.com Megatron is injured and not playing. That gives hope.
Calvin Johnson is OUT!!