Game of the Year? This is certainly the matchup of the week and has potential to be a preview of the NFC Championship game. Green Bay will host the 6-1 Detroit Lions on Sunday afternoon. The Lions come to Lambeau Field red hot, winning five games in a row and scoring 40+ in 3 of the last 4. The Packers are coming off four straight wins with their last two by way of walk-off game-winners from Brandon McManus.
The big question coming into this game is the health of Jordan Love. Suffering a groin injury early in last weeks win in Jacksonville, Love will come to this game with a ‘questionable’ designation.
Whoever starts for Green Bay, this should be an incredible game. Here are 3 things to watch in the Packers vs. Lions week 9 matchup:
Lions First Outdoor Game
Nine weeks into the season and the Detroit Lions have yet to play a game outside. This is only the third time since 1970 when a team has gone the first 8 weeks of the season without an outdoor game. This is something that should not be overlooked. Jared Goff and the Lions offense have been on a roll, leading the league in points per game (33.4) after scoring 52 points in last weeks win over the Titans.
The weather forecast calls for temperatures in the mid-low 50s with rain all day. Exactly the type of weather you don’t have to deal with when playing in the comfort of a dome. This could prove vital to slowing down Goff and the Lions. Jared Goff’s passer rating drops from 100.1 down to 89.5 when the game is played outside. He turns the ball over at a higher rate and on average throws almost 1 less touchdown per game.
Look for the Packers to take advantage of the weather and make Goff uncomfortable forcing him into a turnover or two.
Control Time of Possession
What is the best way to slow down the NFL’s hottest offense? Keep the ball out of their hands. If the Packers can win the time of possession battle, they should certainly be in a good position to win this game. Green Bay has the 6th highest TOP at 31:47/game while Detroit has the ball 29:58/game. At home, the Packers are converting on 49% of third downs, good for third best in the league. Keeping drives alive and continuing to convert on third downs could be the difference maker in this game.
If the Packers can establish the run, control the clock and take advantage of play-action, they should be in the driver’s seat on Sunday.
Don’t Beat Yourself
The Packers cannot afford to make this game more difficult than it will already be. Taking on one of the league’s top Super Bowl contenders is already a tough enough task, LaFleur’s guys need to play clean and not beat themselves.
Winning the turnover battle will be crucial in this matchup. LaFleur and the coach staff constantly preach about protecting the ball and host weekly “ball meetings” discussing exactly that. Not giving the Lions any more help or extra possessions will bode well for a Packer W.
Not only do you need to play a physically clean game, you need to play a mentally clean game as well. You cannot afford bad penalties and mental lapses in such a critical division matchup. Expect LaFleur to have his guys locked in and ready for their toughest game of this season.
Prediction: Packers 26, Lions 24
The Lions are probably the last team in the league anyone would want to get in front of right now, but the Packers will welcome them to Lambeau in their first outdoor game and look to bring them back to Earth. I expect the weather conditions to play a true role in this game and for Green Bay’s coaching staff to step up and call their best game of the year. If the Packers play smart, control the ball and don’t beat themselves, they should be able to head into their bye week on a 5 game win streak.
