Rastak
09-13-2008, 08:19 AM
If the Lions have serious intentions of making a run at the playoffs this season, they can't afford a loss that would leave them two games behind the Packers in the NFC North. Numerous offseason additions to Detroit's defense were expected to enhance the scheme and increase the unit's overall level of talent. But the Lions were porous last week, allowing Falcons RB Michael Turner to crack the 200-yard rushing mark while nearly giving up a 100-yard game to backup RB Jerious Norwood. Coach Rod Marinelli needs to get his crew fired up for the home opener against a Green Bay club that's coming off a short rest after a physical game against Minnesota.
When Green Bay has the ball
New Packers QB Aaron Rodgers was sharp in his first start, taking what the Vikings' defense gave him and unloading a deep pass now and then to keep the secondary loose. He was sound in his decision-making and crisp and accurate with his passes. More of the same is all the Packers can hope for from Rodgers, though an occasional scramble would force the Lions to respect his running skills as they rush the pocket. But overall, expect Green Bay to focus on the ground game after watching Atlanta tear apart Detroit's front seven.
The Lions need to focus on tightening gaps and better occupying blockers up front. The linebackers are somewhat undersized, but they're very athletic and need to be free to run and make plays. If the defense can plug up the middle and force RB Ryan Grant to run laterally, Detroit has a chance to limit Green Bay. Grant is less effective when improvising, and Rodgers may not be ready to carry an offense.
When Detroit has the ball
Down 21-0 at the end of the first quarter last week, Detroit was forced to all but abandon the run game early against Atlanta. The hope is that with a rebuilt backfield, the Lions can run the ball effectively and control the clock. But the offense still must revolve around the passing game and the team's superb weapons, WRs Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson.
Trouble is, the Packers have a strong pass rush and two good cover men who fit their scheme perfectly in CBs Al Harris and Charles Woodson. Both are effective in tight man-to-man coverage and bump-and-run. The more physical they're able to get with the Lions' receivers, the longer QB Jon Kitna will be forced to hold the ball and remain exposed to the Packers' pressure. As a result, the Lions will need to rely on a lot of three-step drops, moving pockets and quick timing passes in this matchup.
Keys to
Success
1Run the ball effectively on first and second down: Detroit's defense and Green Bay's offense aren't in the same league, particularly when it comes to the Lions' ability to stop the run. Packers coach Mike McCarthy surely saw the film of Turner and Norwood romping through the Lions' front seven and immediately began formulating a game plan with a heavy emphasis on the ground game. Grant should carry a heavy load this week, not only to continue lightening the load on Rodgers' shoulders but to give the offense its best shot to keep the chains moving.
2
Press and re-route Detroit's receivers: Green Bay has two of the best press corners in the league. How effectively Harris and Woodson jam the Lions' big receivers and throw them off their patterns will determine how comfortable Kitna gets this week. With the 3- to 4-inch height advantage Williams and Johnson have in this matchup, it will be important for the Packers' corners to dictate the receivers' routes -- not the other way around.
3
Attack the Lions' secondary down the middle: With QB Brett Favre at the helm, the Packers' offense often attacked opponents deep and in the middle of the field. Though Rodgers will use more checkdowns and screens (especially early in his career), he needs to take selective shots at the Lions' safeties. SS Dwight Smith and FS Gerald Alexander lack ideal size and deep speed, so they're vulnerable to quick-strike passes to WRs Donald Driver or Greg Jennings. Rodgers won't have to air it out deep, but several well-timed intermediate shots could pay dividends.
Keys to
Success
1
Run productively on early downs: The Lions' left-side blockers gave up three sacks to Falcons DE John Abraham last week, and things won't get any easier against Packers DEs Cullen Jenkins and Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila. To slow Green Bay's pass rush and make the most of its receiving weapons, Detroit needs to run well on first and second down to stay in manageable down-and-distance situations. Kitna can be extremely effective when allowed time to survey the field, and an effective ground game will ensure him more time in the pocket.
2
Don't get beat deep: Although Green Bay will want to take a ball-control approach in this matchup, the offense still is capable of hitting hard and swiftly with Driver and Jennings. Lions safeties Smith and Alexander must provide their cornerbacks with sound support over the top and keep the Packers' receivers from getting behind them. The more often Detroit can force Green Bay to engineer long drives, the better chance it has to stay in this game.
3
Williams and Johnson must win one-on-one: The Packers love to play press coverage with their physical corners and the Lions have two matchup weapons at receiver. So Detroit must cash in on one of the few built-in advantages it has this week, exploiting single-coverage opportunities when they come up. Williams and Johnson are big, physical receivers who excel at catching the ball over the top of defenders. They need to use those advantages to come up with catches even when a defender is in position to make the play.
Scouts Edge
It's difficult enough to prepare for an opponent on a short week as a veteran quarterback. But with Rodgers in his first season as a starter, Green Bay's offense could be significantly affected after cramming six days worth of game planning into five. Detroit has to be a better team than it showed against Atlanta, and the Lions' first game at home is a perfect opportunity to show it. Expect Detroit's defense to rebound with a strong effort and Kitna to hit his explosive receivers for some big plays. But ultimately, the Packers' defense should help the team seal up a win and stay out front in the division.Prediction
Green Bay 21
Detroit 19
When Green Bay has the ball
New Packers QB Aaron Rodgers was sharp in his first start, taking what the Vikings' defense gave him and unloading a deep pass now and then to keep the secondary loose. He was sound in his decision-making and crisp and accurate with his passes. More of the same is all the Packers can hope for from Rodgers, though an occasional scramble would force the Lions to respect his running skills as they rush the pocket. But overall, expect Green Bay to focus on the ground game after watching Atlanta tear apart Detroit's front seven.
The Lions need to focus on tightening gaps and better occupying blockers up front. The linebackers are somewhat undersized, but they're very athletic and need to be free to run and make plays. If the defense can plug up the middle and force RB Ryan Grant to run laterally, Detroit has a chance to limit Green Bay. Grant is less effective when improvising, and Rodgers may not be ready to carry an offense.
When Detroit has the ball
Down 21-0 at the end of the first quarter last week, Detroit was forced to all but abandon the run game early against Atlanta. The hope is that with a rebuilt backfield, the Lions can run the ball effectively and control the clock. But the offense still must revolve around the passing game and the team's superb weapons, WRs Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson.
Trouble is, the Packers have a strong pass rush and two good cover men who fit their scheme perfectly in CBs Al Harris and Charles Woodson. Both are effective in tight man-to-man coverage and bump-and-run. The more physical they're able to get with the Lions' receivers, the longer QB Jon Kitna will be forced to hold the ball and remain exposed to the Packers' pressure. As a result, the Lions will need to rely on a lot of three-step drops, moving pockets and quick timing passes in this matchup.
Keys to
Success
1Run the ball effectively on first and second down: Detroit's defense and Green Bay's offense aren't in the same league, particularly when it comes to the Lions' ability to stop the run. Packers coach Mike McCarthy surely saw the film of Turner and Norwood romping through the Lions' front seven and immediately began formulating a game plan with a heavy emphasis on the ground game. Grant should carry a heavy load this week, not only to continue lightening the load on Rodgers' shoulders but to give the offense its best shot to keep the chains moving.
2
Press and re-route Detroit's receivers: Green Bay has two of the best press corners in the league. How effectively Harris and Woodson jam the Lions' big receivers and throw them off their patterns will determine how comfortable Kitna gets this week. With the 3- to 4-inch height advantage Williams and Johnson have in this matchup, it will be important for the Packers' corners to dictate the receivers' routes -- not the other way around.
3
Attack the Lions' secondary down the middle: With QB Brett Favre at the helm, the Packers' offense often attacked opponents deep and in the middle of the field. Though Rodgers will use more checkdowns and screens (especially early in his career), he needs to take selective shots at the Lions' safeties. SS Dwight Smith and FS Gerald Alexander lack ideal size and deep speed, so they're vulnerable to quick-strike passes to WRs Donald Driver or Greg Jennings. Rodgers won't have to air it out deep, but several well-timed intermediate shots could pay dividends.
Keys to
Success
1
Run productively on early downs: The Lions' left-side blockers gave up three sacks to Falcons DE John Abraham last week, and things won't get any easier against Packers DEs Cullen Jenkins and Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila. To slow Green Bay's pass rush and make the most of its receiving weapons, Detroit needs to run well on first and second down to stay in manageable down-and-distance situations. Kitna can be extremely effective when allowed time to survey the field, and an effective ground game will ensure him more time in the pocket.
2
Don't get beat deep: Although Green Bay will want to take a ball-control approach in this matchup, the offense still is capable of hitting hard and swiftly with Driver and Jennings. Lions safeties Smith and Alexander must provide their cornerbacks with sound support over the top and keep the Packers' receivers from getting behind them. The more often Detroit can force Green Bay to engineer long drives, the better chance it has to stay in this game.
3
Williams and Johnson must win one-on-one: The Packers love to play press coverage with their physical corners and the Lions have two matchup weapons at receiver. So Detroit must cash in on one of the few built-in advantages it has this week, exploiting single-coverage opportunities when they come up. Williams and Johnson are big, physical receivers who excel at catching the ball over the top of defenders. They need to use those advantages to come up with catches even when a defender is in position to make the play.
Scouts Edge
It's difficult enough to prepare for an opponent on a short week as a veteran quarterback. But with Rodgers in his first season as a starter, Green Bay's offense could be significantly affected after cramming six days worth of game planning into five. Detroit has to be a better team than it showed against Atlanta, and the Lions' first game at home is a perfect opportunity to show it. Expect Detroit's defense to rebound with a strong effort and Kitna to hit his explosive receivers for some big plays. But ultimately, the Packers' defense should help the team seal up a win and stay out front in the division.Prediction
Green Bay 21
Detroit 19