The Green Bay Packers come into this week facing the same reality they have for the last five weeks: win and keep your season alive. Their opponent this week is the divisional rival Detroit Lions, who need a win themselves — plus some help from the Los Angeles Rams — to make the playoffs.
Though the Lions don’t control their destiny and have a chance to be eliminated before the opening kickoff, they will look to finish the strong in a season where they emerged as one of league’s most pleasant surprises. Though the Packers will surely give it their all this week, you can be certain that the Lions will play every down with equal intensity for head coach Dan Campbell.
Here are three things the Lions do well.
Protect the Quarterback
The Lions have invested a lot in their offensive line, specifically the offensive tackles. With edge rushers getting increasingly better at their craft, the job of the offensive tackle becomes harder than it has ever been. The Packers will face off against two very good tackles, Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell.
Although Decker had a bit of a down year early this season, he really turned it back on in the second half of the season. He has still been good at pass-blocking. Decker only really struggled to keep the quarterback safe against the Dallas Cowboys when he drew Micah Parsons, one of the most difficult assignments in the NFL.
Sewell, a second-year tackle, lines up across from Decker and is becoming one of the premier young tackles in the league. He has only allowed two sacks this season. That sack came in Week 10. Since then, Jared Goff has not gone down on his watch.
The interior offensive line led by center Frank Ragnow has also been good. But despite their performances in the run game, their effectiveness in protecting against oncoming rushers has been lacking. If the Packers want to draw pressure on Goff, the trick will be to attack the interior offensive line and isolate guards Jonah Jackson and Evan Brown in pass protection.
Young Edge Rushers
In the past, the Lions have struggled with getting pressure on the opposing quarterbacks off the edge. This year, they have been much better, thanks to rookies Aidan Hutchinson and James Houston IV.
Everyone knew about Hutchinson after his outstanding season at Michigan last season, and he has been a solid edge rusher for the Lions, racking up nine sacks and 50 pressures in his first season. Down the stretch, he has proved to be one of the better young edge rushers this season, and he has even displayed his ability in coverage. This season, Hutchinson has recorded three interceptions, one of which came in the endzone against the Packers.
Across from Hutchinson is one of the most underrated rookies from this draft class in Houston. After getting drafted in the sixth round from Jackson State, Houston has proved his value to the Lions. This season, after being waived, added to the practice squad, and rejoining the active roster in time for the Thanksgiving day game, Houston has recorded eight sacks in just six weeks and 110 snaps.
The Packers’ tackles have been great all season long, but this Sunday, they will need to protect Aaron Rodgers from two young edge rushers who look to spoil the Packers’ party.
Run the Ball
In Campbell’s first season as head coach, there were questions about his persona and the effect that it might have on his team. It looks like they’ve taken on Campbell’s tough, blue-collar persona in the way they run the ball and commit to a balanced offense.
The Lions’ running attack is averaging 129.7 yards per game on an average of 4.6 yards per carry. While we all know how surprisingly good Detroit has been through the air this year, you can’t forget about their running game.
Old Friend Jamaal Williams has taken a majority of the reps this season, racking up 994 yards and 15 scores on the ground. His ability to get momentum behind this young offensive line has been integral for offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. When the Lions are running the ball effectively, they are able to use play action with greater success and put Goff in a position to succeed.
If the Packers want to shut down the high-flying Lions offense, they are going to have to shut down the running game and make them one-dimensional.
