No time to relax against Lions
Defense must stay on its toes
Green Bay — This is the opposite of an irresistible force meeting an immovable object. The Detroit Lions, with their eight fourth-quarter comebacks this season, are the irresistible force.
In the fourth quarter, the Green Bay Packers defense has very much been a movable object.
Even if the Packers defense didn’t have its own issues, the Lions provide plenty of reason for concern in late-game situations. They have trailed in the fourth quarter of every game this season except one, yet have nine wins.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford set a single-season NFL record directing eight fourthquarter comebacks.
“You can never relax,” Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers said.
Capers saw the Lions’ comeback ability firsthand in September. Although the Packers won their Week 3 game, they saw their 31-3 lead late in the first half almost evaporate.
Stafford found Lions receiver Marvin Jones for a 73-yard touchdown before halftime, cutting the Packers’ lead to 31-10. Then the Lions opened the second half with a touchdown drive followed by a field goal, ultimately pulling within a possession with a late touchdown in the fourth quarter.
“You know they have quick-strike ability,” Capers said. “They’ve got a lot of playmakers, and they’ve got a quarterback that’s experienced and having an outstanding year. They’ve been very good in 2-minute situations. The statistics speak for themselves in terms of the fourth quarter.”
The statistics speak both ways.
Through 15 games, fourth quarters have been volatile for the Packers defense. In Atlanta, they gave up a winning drive. In Washington, they coughed up a trio of 50-yard plays. In Chicago, they saw a 17point lead become a tie game.
The Packers rank 26th in the NFL allowing 7.5 points per game in the fourth quarter. It has been opponents’ highestscoring quarter against the Packers this season, almost 3.5 points more than average third-quarter scoring.
Playing offenses that rank 28th and 26th in scoring, respectively, the Packers have allowed a combined 29 points in their past two fourth quarters against the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings.
The Lions’ “quickstrike ability” will make things difficult for Capers.
While the Packers’ prevent defense hasn’t prevented much of anything, it at least has made opponents “go the long way,” as Capers explained earlier this week. It could be the right tactic to use against the Lions, even if it ultimately allows points.
Either way, the Packers’ defense can’t afford to be a movable object in the fourth quarter Sunday.
“You’ve got to be ready to play for 60 minutes,” Capers said.
“No matter what the situation is, you can’t ever relax. We’ve experienced that the last couple weeks. We’ve come out and played as good a third quarter two games in a row, and then the fourth quarter we haven’t played well.”
Cobb questionable: Wide receiver Randall Cobb was among five Packers listed as questionable for the Lions game.
Cobb was held out of practice this week, although he spent a large chunk of early practice periods Thursday catching footballs from a JUGS machine on the sideline. The Packers, targeting to get Cobb ready for Sunday night, planned to rest him after keeping him on the inactive list last week against the Vikings.
Coach Mike McCarthy said he hopes Cobb can practice Saturday before the team leaves for Detroit.
“Randall Cobb’s making progress,” McCarthy said. “He’s getting better. An extra day, I think, has helped our whole football team.”
Cobb was joined on the Packers’ injury report by cornerback Damarious Randall (shoulder), linebacker Joe Thomas (back), center JC Tretter (knee) and outside linebacker Jayrone Elliott (hand), all listed as questionable. Running back James Starks (concussion) was listed as out.
Cornerback Darius Slay was among three Lions players listed as questionable. Slay injured his hamstring Dec. 18 against the New York Giants, his second hamstring injury of the season. With the Lions facing a chance to win their first division title since 1993, they could stretch their top cornerback this week.
Linebacker DeAndre Levy (knee) and receiver Andre Roberts (shoulder) also were listed as questionable. Center Travis Swanson was listed doubtful because of a concussion.
The Lions ruled out running back Theo Riddick (wrist), removing a significant piece of their passing game. Riddick has more receiving yards than rushing yards this season, catching 53 passes for 371 yards and five touchdowns. He hasn’t played since Dec. 4 against the New Orleans Saints.
Proper context: With the Packers and Lions slated for an evening kickoff, McCarthy was asked Wednesday about allowing his players to watch portions of the earlier games that influence the NFC playoff picture.
McCarthy said the Packers will go through their normal pregame routine.
“We have a system of when TVs are on and when they’re off,” McCarthy said.
But outside linebacker Clay Matthews said he plans to watch games throughout the day and follow scores closely. He does not want to be left in the dark.
“I’ll watch ’em all,” Matthews said. “I want to know exactly what’s happening.
“I’m not going to give you any sound bites about me, ‘I’m not watching to keep the edge.’ No, I think it’s important to watch, and as a fan of the game, I want to watch.”