Getting Morgan Burnett back for Sunday’s game with the Lions is important for many reasons.
The fourth year safety will make his debut this week after a nagging hamstring injury to start the season. Many may want to talk about his dreadless hair but Burnett’s energy, cover ability and leadership presence will be key in the defensive backfield.
And it’s pretty timely considering the Packers are 30th in the NFL in interceptions with two as they face Matthew Stafford who has attempted over 40 passes twice this year already.
But the Packers will need Burnett’s toughness to harness the Lions running game. Reggie Bush ran all over a very good Bears defense, which is only allowing 106 rushing yards a game, with 139 yards.
The Lions have been known as an air-it-out team the last five years, but with Bush the Lions are forming balance on offense.
Another reason it’s great that Burnett is coming back is not only because it’s a division game but also because the Lions have beaten the Vikings and Bears already. A win over the Packers and Detroit is looking pretty comfy as we head to Halloween.
Burnett needs to prove why the Packers decided to fork over a $24.75 million extension this summer. And this is the game where the Packers need him most — a big, lanky wideout and a quick versatile running back.
Burnett has a chance to be the Packers’ second-best defender. Sunday is where it starts.
——————Cory Jennerjohn is from Wisconsin and has been in sports media for over 10 years. To contact Cory e-mail him at jeobs -at- yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter: Cory Jennerjohn
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