LIONS (1-1) VS. PACKERS (1-1)
SUNDAY, 1 P.M. ET, LAMBEAU FIELD, GREEN BAY, WIS. uTV: FOX, DIRECTV 711
Announcers: Thom Brennaman, Charles Davis, Peter Schrager
About the Lions: Penalties and injuries marred the Lions in their 16-15 loss to the Tennessee Titans. After losing Pro Bowl DE
to an ankle injury on the second snap, their already-depleted linebacker corps lost rookie (thigh) and (calf ). Additionally, after the team showed signs of life on the ground for a second consecutive week, top RB suffered a foot injury. Coach as usual, didn’t provide updates on injuries Monday, except to say they weren’t an excuse for one of the least-disciplined games in franchise history, when the Lions tied a franchise record with 17 penalties.
The return of WR didn’t magically cure the offense, after all. Green Bay’s 17-14 road loss to the Minnesota Vikings was among the worst offensive showings of the
era. The Packers managed 4.1 yards per play and committed three turnovers, with Rodgers lamenting a continuing lack of offensive rhythm. Nowhere is there less symmetry than up front, where an offensive line including two new starters contributed to Rodgers’ battering (five sacks) and sloppy ball security (one interception, three fumbles). Green Bay’s run defense continues to impress, but the absence of top CB (concussion) was felt in the secondary.
Matchup to watch: Lions WR Golden Tate vs. Packers CB Damarious Randall: After excelling against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Randall was torched repeatedly by Vikings wideout Stefon Diggs. Now he’ll see Tate, another quick and precise route runner with plenty of ability after the catch. Defensive coordinator might want to give Randall more help, except WR is coming off his second-best day as a pro (eight catches, 118 yards). Getting Shields back to cover big-bodied Jones is key.
Player to watch: Rodgers: Last season seemed to be rock bottom, relatively speaking, for the two-time MVP. But the career 103.8-
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
rated passer, who completes nearly 65% of his passes, had a 70.7 passer rating and a 55.6% accuracy rate Sunday.
The Lions were penalized for 138 yards Sunday, one more than they totaled on the ground and one fewer than they permitted to Tennessee’s rushers.
KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Next men up: Even a struggling Rodgers has the resources and wherewithal to target a Detroit second level that’s in dire shape. Even when healthy, the Lions have struggled to defend tight ends. This could be the game Rodgers looks to get newcomer going, in addition to using and his receiving backs to create mismatches on Detroit’s inexperienced linebackers, whether it’s Van Noy, Williams or converted end don Copeland.
2. Traveling Lions: Detroit has taken four of five away from Ford Field dating to last season, starting in November when it ended its 24-game losing streak at Lambeau Field. The Lions could find Green Bay in a vulnerable spot, reeling and tempted to look ahead to an open date on the schedule.
A more consistent workload for RB who’s averaging 4.3 yards on 26 carries over two games, is necessary to help the offense’s rhythm. Curiously, not Lacy, got the call — and failed — on a critical fourth-down play late in Sunday’s game. The Lions are permitting 5.1 yards per carry and should expect to see more of Lacy.
Arthur Arkush