Week 1 is upon us, and the Green Bay Packers will start their campaign by welcoming the back-to-back NFC North Champion Detroit Lions. In one of the most anticipated games of the weekend, this matchup will likely be a pivotal moment in the story of who wins the division in 2025.
Below are three key players who need to deliver for the Packers this weekend.
Matthew Golden
It would be tempting to put the first wide receiver the Packers selected in Round 1 in 23 years on this list, regardless of the matchup. However, Golden may have more on his plate than you might think.
Christian Watson is on the PUP list and won’t be available. Jayden Reed didn’t participate in practice on Wednesday before logging a limited practice on Thursday. His status for Sunday is very much up in the air. Even if he does give it a go, Reed won’t be expected to be at 100%. Dontayvion Wicks suffered a calf injury in late July and missed the entire preseason. He has logged limited practices this week, and his status for Sunday remains unclear.
All of a sudden, a wide receiver room with a lot of depth and solid options has been bruised and battered before we kick things off in Week 1.
There’s already been a hype train around Golden, with teammates and coaches praising his hands and smooth route running. While the Packers may have initially thought they could ease the rookie into NFL action, they now find themselves in a situation where Golden and Romeo Doubs may lead the team in snaps at wide receiver against the Lions.
We’ll see what the rookie’s got on Sunday.
Rashan Gary
All eyes will be on Micah Parsons and his Packers debut (assuming he gets cleared to play) on Sunday afternoon. There’s no doubting the impact Parsons will have on the entire defense throughout the season.
One immediate and apparent advantage is the amount of attention opposing teams will be forced to give him, which should free up others for advantageous looks on the defensive front.
Rashan Gary has 4.5 sacks in his last three games against the Lions. Gary has played alongside other talented edge rushers, like Preston Smith, but he’s never had a tag-team partner quite like Parsons.
Gary is really good in his own right, but now, offenses will have to pick their poison with Green Bay’s front. The common theme will likely be double teams swarming Parsons sporadically throughout the season. Theoretically, it should free up Gary to have a massive year. The veteran defensive end has feasted in recent history against the Lions. With Detroit replacing two key pieces on the offensive line this year, he should continue to wreak havoc.
Parsons likely won’t be out there for anywhere close to 100% of the snaps as he continues to get acclimated with Jeff Hafley’s system and works through a back injury. When he is out there, though, he’ll get plenty of attention paid his way. It should open the door for Gary.
Green Bay struggled mightily at times last year, cooking up consistent pressure on the opposing quarterback. Parsons’ arrival should alleviate that.
Don’t be surprised if Gary has a signature play on Sunday as a result of Parsons’ presence on the field.
Josh Jacobs
Josh Jacobs had six games last year with 19 or more carries. The Packers went 6-0 in those games. Jacobs had three games of 100 or more rushing yards last year. Green Bay went 3-0 in those games.
In the first matchup against Detroit, Jacobs had 95 rushing yards but just 13 carries. In the second quarter, Jacobs had three touchdowns but only 66 rushing yards. If the Packers want to put their stamp on this game Sunday, Jacobs will have to play a big role.
Green Bay’s passing game should be improved in 2025, and that could play into Jacobs’ hand as the Packers try to find that happy balance on offense. There were games last year, like the ones against the Indianapolis Colts, the Los Angeles Rams, and the Jacksonville Jaguars, where Green Bay flat-out doesn’t win if not for Jacobs’ efforts.
The Packers will rely on Jacobs again in 2025, and what better way to open the season than with a division rivalry — and one where you get the chance to avenge going 0-2 last season.
Get Jacobs the ball early. Get Jacobs the ball often. The data speaks for itself.
