BananaMan
09-19-2006, 10:26 PM
Why To Watch
The Detroit Lions were nearly victorious in their opener at home over Seattle before traveling to Chicago and getting dominated. Green Bay has lost two games Lambeau Field, getting blown out by the Bears and losing in a shootout to the Saints. The Packers obviously need a road trip to try to get their struggling team over the hump.
With both teams needing to get a win badly look for this divisional rivalry to be a serious battle of wills. The victor will have a chance to turn around their season while the loser will be winless and and in a big hole in the NFC North.
When the Packers have the ball
Rushing: Ahman Green quieted doubters if he could return to form serious quad surgery in 2005 with an outstanding 110 yard effort against a tough Bears defense. Green was the lone offensive bright spot in the opener giving some hope that their young, inexperienced offensive line could be productive in their newly installed zone run blocking scheme. However, last week, Green followed up with a non-productive game being held to 42 yards on 16 carries and had a fumble in a critical situation. This inconsistent run game must get on track to give the Packers a more balanced offense and give Brett Favre a chance to incorporate a legitimate play-action passing game. The challenge is that Green Bay will face a Detroit defensive front that has been very stout against the run so far. The Lions system penetrates with the defensive line allowing their athletic linebackers to run to the ball.
Passing: The Packers go as Brett Favre goes. He has to try to not force throws that just aren't there. Giving Favre better protection will go along way toward the Packers winning, but so far that's been a problem for this very inexperienced offensive line. They were run over by the Bears defense. But they improved against the Saints, allowing Favre to throw for 340 yards and three touchdowns. Detroit's pass defense is hard to figure out after two games. They were very impressive in the opener against the Seanawks, but then got torched in Chicago, giving up four touchdown passes. Which Lions defense will show up? If the Packers offensive line can keep the Lions from pressuring Favre the Packers will have a chance to get their first win.
When the Lions have the ball
Rushing: Detroit has yet to establish an effective run game. This week Kevin Jones will face a Packers defense that has done extremely well vs. the run against Chicago and New Orleans in the first two weeks. The Packers' linebackers all run very well so if Jones continues his habit of running too laterally, he gives the advantage to Green Bay. Jones must learn to make his read and hit it downhill, attacking the line of scrimmage. The Lions need better play from their offensive line which has not done a good job in the run game or in pass protection. Look for the Packers to aggressively control the run game.
Passing: Green Bay gets a reprieve this week, facing a Lions passing attack that has some good statistics but really hasn't been very explosive. Protection has been a problem for Detroit and they need to keep Jon Kitna upright to have a chance in the pass game. This team has a bevy of receivers with serious potential, but they need to find a way to make more big plays. Green Bay will field a defensive front with high-motor pass rusher Aaron Kampman opposite speed rusher Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila. They should be able to get some pressure on Kitna, making him uncomfortable in the pocket. Mike Martz is frustrated that his high-octane offensive system has yet to find itself in Detroit.
The Detroit Lions were nearly victorious in their opener at home over Seattle before traveling to Chicago and getting dominated. Green Bay has lost two games Lambeau Field, getting blown out by the Bears and losing in a shootout to the Saints. The Packers obviously need a road trip to try to get their struggling team over the hump.
With both teams needing to get a win badly look for this divisional rivalry to be a serious battle of wills. The victor will have a chance to turn around their season while the loser will be winless and and in a big hole in the NFC North.
When the Packers have the ball
Rushing: Ahman Green quieted doubters if he could return to form serious quad surgery in 2005 with an outstanding 110 yard effort against a tough Bears defense. Green was the lone offensive bright spot in the opener giving some hope that their young, inexperienced offensive line could be productive in their newly installed zone run blocking scheme. However, last week, Green followed up with a non-productive game being held to 42 yards on 16 carries and had a fumble in a critical situation. This inconsistent run game must get on track to give the Packers a more balanced offense and give Brett Favre a chance to incorporate a legitimate play-action passing game. The challenge is that Green Bay will face a Detroit defensive front that has been very stout against the run so far. The Lions system penetrates with the defensive line allowing their athletic linebackers to run to the ball.
Passing: The Packers go as Brett Favre goes. He has to try to not force throws that just aren't there. Giving Favre better protection will go along way toward the Packers winning, but so far that's been a problem for this very inexperienced offensive line. They were run over by the Bears defense. But they improved against the Saints, allowing Favre to throw for 340 yards and three touchdowns. Detroit's pass defense is hard to figure out after two games. They were very impressive in the opener against the Seanawks, but then got torched in Chicago, giving up four touchdown passes. Which Lions defense will show up? If the Packers offensive line can keep the Lions from pressuring Favre the Packers will have a chance to get their first win.
When the Lions have the ball
Rushing: Detroit has yet to establish an effective run game. This week Kevin Jones will face a Packers defense that has done extremely well vs. the run against Chicago and New Orleans in the first two weeks. The Packers' linebackers all run very well so if Jones continues his habit of running too laterally, he gives the advantage to Green Bay. Jones must learn to make his read and hit it downhill, attacking the line of scrimmage. The Lions need better play from their offensive line which has not done a good job in the run game or in pass protection. Look for the Packers to aggressively control the run game.
Passing: Green Bay gets a reprieve this week, facing a Lions passing attack that has some good statistics but really hasn't been very explosive. Protection has been a problem for Detroit and they need to keep Jon Kitna upright to have a chance in the pass game. This team has a bevy of receivers with serious potential, but they need to find a way to make more big plays. Green Bay will field a defensive front with high-motor pass rusher Aaron Kampman opposite speed rusher Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila. They should be able to get some pressure on Kitna, making him uncomfortable in the pocket. Mike Martz is frustrated that his high-octane offensive system has yet to find itself in Detroit.