Last season, the Green Bay Packers went into Ford Field and stunned the Detroit Lions. The Packers were struggling to adjust to the transition from Aaron Rodgers to Jordan Love. Every time the Packers took a step forward; they quickly took a step back. Until Thanksgiving Day, when everything seemed to click, and the Packers looked like a cohesive team.
Green Bay is coming off their most complete win of the season against the Miami Dolphins. Miami has historically struggled in cold weather conditions. You can make a narrative every week for not beating an opponent ‘enough’. However, the past two weeks, the Packers played like the better team that we know they are. We know they are a better team than the 49ers and the Dolphins, it just came down to execution. While the team is playing far from perfect, this matchup against the Lions is the first in December.
The weather gets colder, the stakes are higher and the teams that didn’t stand out in September start to stand out in December. This is when you are looking to play your best football. You want to be playing complimentary in all three phases. The Packers are there, and they have a chance to make a huge statement on Thursday night. Here are three keys to victory I’m looking at for the Packers.
The Packers Cornerback Room is Desperate for Jaire Alexander
Jaire Alexander seemed to be putting together a pretty impressive season. However, the story continues to be Jaire’s inability to stay on the field. Of course, injures are just a situation of bad luck. Nevertheless, Jaire’s injuries appear at the most inopportune times. He has yet to play a divisional game this season. These are the games you need your star players the most.
The cornerback room has been shaky at best. Now, they are playing better than I expected them to given the circumstance. There is something missing in the cornerback room though, and it is glaringly obvious that it is Alexander. Without Alexander, the Packers rotate Carrington Valentine and Eric Stokes. Stokes has not been good since his rookie year. Valentine shows flashes but is inconsistent.
If the Packers can get a healthy cornerback room on Thursday, it will make a huge difference. The Packers play completely different without Alexander out there. Jaire’s leadership also cannot be replicated. His presence and energy make everyone around him better. The confidence will be high with a mostly healthy defense.
Special Teams Continuing to Make Big Time Plays
What does Rich Bisaccia even do here? That question was everywhere in the minds of Packers fans at the beginning of the season and rightfully so. Anders Carlson was cut; Brayden Narveson couldn’t save us. The Packers were drafting and developing effortlessly except when it came to replacing Mason Crosby.
Mason wasn’t that accurate, and we were patient with him. This was another common statement among fans. However, the league is ever changing. Ted Thompson may have been a little stubborn, but Brian Gutekunst is showing he will make hard and necessary decisions. Cutting Anders wasn’t easy, taking a chance on Narveson wasn’t easy and bringing in Brandon McManus wasn’t easy.
However, since signing McManus, the special teams have been revitalized. Daniel Whelan’s punts are consistently within the 10 yard line. Robert Rochell recovered a punt fumble against the Dolphins and Karl Brooks blocked the Bears attempt at a game winning field goal. The interesting thing about the blocked field goal was Bisaccia emphasized that if the Packers didn’t come up with a block in the game, then it would be a disappointment.
If the special teams can continue this run of one key play per game, it will be incredibly beneficial against the Lions. Any way the Packers can get wins in all three phases will be crucial. Finally, we can say the Packers special teams are playing a big part of that role.
Jordan Love Continuing to Protect the Ball
Jordan Love is playing his best football of the season right when you need him to. The first thing that’s clear is he is one hundred percent healthy. His early season injury limited his mobility in the pocket. While Love can be risky, I believe some of his interceptions was him thinking he had to put the entire team on his back.
Now there is the most creative run game in the league. Yes, there is David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs on the other side. However, Matt LaFleur is calling some the most unique run plays I have seen. He is finding ways to incorporate all three running backs. Josh Jacobs is your power back. Emmanuel Wilson is shifty and quick. Chris Brooks is the best blocker. All three work together to create some offensive magic.
Jordan is leaning on the run game. There is more trust between the offensive unit overall and it is showing. The past two weeks, Love has not created a turnover. If you look at the results of the game and the offensive performances, it is no coincidence. Love protecting the ball benefits everyone.
The Packers have an incredible chance to get a key NFC North victory on Thursday night. If the Packers can go into Detroit like they did at this time last year, the league will take notice. The Lions and Eagles are the top teams right now in the NFC. With a win on Thursday, the Packers will solidify themselves in the conversation.
