By: Jeremy T. Ballreich
The upcoming Gridiron Match between The Lions (2-1) vs. The Packers (2-1) is lining up to be an epic contest for Kings of the NFC North. The Packers hold the tie-breaker with winning versus the Chicago Bears in Week 1.
The much anticipated return of Taylor Decker to shore up the LT position, which makes the Right Tackle position better with Penei Sewell back to his natural starting position cannot be understated. While Decker missed the last 2 games with an ankle injury. He’s good to go. We will also see the return of David Montgomery as RB1. Which should help the running game immensely.
Concerns with Left Guard Jonah Jackson returning is a game time decision. But if he’s a go. You may see Colby Sordal man the RG position with Vaitai being hurt. Matt Nelson went to the IR needing ankle surgery. Glasgow was there at RG, but was underwhelming at times. Sorsdal entered the game after Nelson got hurt, and his back up Dan Skipper get a Hamstring injury. Who’s out this game too. You may see Kayode Awosika (OL) be called up from the practice squad for deoth.
Defensively the Lions have a top 5 run defense and is 18th overall, giving up 21 points per game. The Packers defense is 17th giving and average of 20.6 points per game defensively.
But the Packers have a bottom 5 run defense. Which is why Lions fans should be salivating to see what the combination of Montgomery, and first round pick Jahmyr Gibbs can do.
The Packers will be without their starting Left Tackle David Bahktiari, LG Elton Jenkins offensively. They are also without Star LBer De’Vondre Campbell, and Safety Zayne Anderson on defense. Results Douglas will start opposite Darnell Savage.
Jaire Alexander (CB1) and Christian Watson (WR1) are gametime decisions. I expect them to play. But we’ll see.
Offensively:
The Lions need to attack the right side of the Packers defense in the run game. Where RBs have averaged almost double what they do on the left side of the field. Due to the Tackling of Quay Walker on the left side. Rashan Gary is an excellent pass rusher but tends to overpursue in the run game on that right side of the defense.
Defensively:
The Lions must do as they have all season. Stop the run game. We faced the #1 rushing offense last week. Who prior to that game was averaging 176 yards on the ground per game. The defense held them to 44 total yards, as a team! That forces the Packers to become one dimensional.
The Conclusion:
The Detroit Lions have the 8th raked offense in the league. The Packers have the 20th.Lions have the 3rd best Oline in the league. While the Packers boast the 10th. My prediction is this should be a mid-level scoring game total. But I have the Lions coming out on top. Biggest thing after stopping the run, is to have Aaron Glenn continue to dial the pressure of the front 7 to make the secondary’s job easier.
If it all goes right:
DET 27
G B 24
If it goes the other way
DET 24
G B 27
Thanks For Reading!!!
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