The Green Bay Packers must take care of business at Lambeau Field this Sunday. It’s time for Aaron Rodgers to have another great performance. Green Bay’s defense must stop the Detroit Lions’ talented wide receivers. Hopefully, Keisean Nixon can help the Packers run up the score and bring great field position again. But take it from me, the guy who said Nixon would be the difference-maker against the Vikings, the most important factor in the game will be the running game — on both sides of the ball.
When the Packers run the ball correctly, they usually win. Aaron Jones is an unstoppable force when he is properly utilized. A.J. Dillon is having a fantastic second half of the season again. God forbid the Packers need to desperately clear cap space and have to let Jones go within the next few years. They don’t just have good running backs in Jones and Dillon; they have good people.
But the team can’t overlook Detroit’s ground attack. D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams are no joke. Would you believe me if I told you that Williams has more rushing touchdowns than Jones and Dillon combined? And that Swift has more receiving touchdowns than Dillon, even though he missed three games? Or that Dillon has five more rushing touchdowns than Jones this year? The running game will be key in Week 18.
Detroit Lions Running game
It still hurts that Williams is no longer a Green Bay Packer. After Jones signed his 4-year, $48 million deal, we all thought Williams would be gone. It hurt even more that he signed within the division on a 2-year, $6 million deal. And after the season he is having, he will be getting a lot of money in 2022 from Detroit or elsewhere.
Williams has 994 rushing yards and 15 rushing scores. Yes, you read that correctly. Fifteen touchdowns. He also has 73 receiving yards. Last year he had 601 yards, the highest of his career. The most he ever had in a season with the Packers was 556 in 2017. Within those six years, he will be the only non-quarterback in the NFL to have 1,000 yards and 15 touchdowns. It’s impossible not to love the guy. You just hope his success doesn’t come at Green Bay’s expense.
Swift hasn’t had a spectacular year, but it hasn’t been terrible, either. He has 517 rushing yards, 328 receiving yards, and eight total touchdowns. He would possibly reach over 1,000 total yards. Right now, he is possibly facing career lows in most offensive statistical categories. It’s also hard to get the ball when the other running back on your team has 15 rushing touchdowns. When Swift is the guy taking a back seat in your running backs room, you know you are in a good spot. The Packers can’t overlook either of these two talents.
Green Bay Packers Running GAME
While Green Bay’s running backs can’t compete with 15 rushing touchdowns, they’ve had decent seasons. Jones and Dillon have more combined rushing yards on the year and more receiving touchdowns.
Jones already has over 1,000 yards on the year, with 1,073. He has two rushing touchdowns, which is way too low. He also has 375 yards receiving and five touchdowns through the air. Jones’ career-high is 1,104, so he has a very good chance to top that against the Lions if he gets the ball enough.
I said it already, but if the running game is used properly, it will be hard for the Packers to lose. Dillon is also a part of that. Jones is an absolute sensation who pairs perfectly with Dillon, who has 737 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns. Dillon also has 206 receiving yards and no receiving scores. Depending on how Sunday plays out, Dillon could also have a career-high rushing tally. Last year, he had 803 rushing yards. It would take quite a game from Dillon, but it’s possible.
Which Running game Will Excel?
So which group of running backs will take control of the game? The Lions have given up 2,388 rushing yards on the season. I would say that gives the edge to the Packers. The only problem is Green Bay has given up 2,268 rushing yards.
The disparities in the passing defenses might be the equalizer. The Lions have given up the third-most air yards with 4,374 and the seventh-most passing touchdowns with 25. The Packers are on the opposite end of that spectrum. They have given up the fifth-least air yards with 3,130 and 22 passing touchdowns. The scores aren’t too different, but 1,200 yards represents a lot of space left on the field for Aaron Rodgers and Co.
It wasn’t pretty the last time the Packers and Lions faced off. Rodgers had three interceptions. Jared Goff threw his last interception the last time they played Green Bay, and the Lions walked away with a 15-9 victory. The Lions were also at home, where Goff excels. He really isn’t anything above average on the road. The Packers have also been red-hot lately.
Hopefully, some cold conditions can help the Packers, and their running game gets the upper hand.
