The Green Bay Packers will play their third game in 12 days and look for a huge victory in the NFC North when Matt LaFleur’s team hits the road to take on the league-leading Detroit Lions on Thursday night at Ford Field.
The first game of Week 14 pits the 9-3 Packers – who have won three in a row and seven of their last eight – against the 11-1 Lions. Can Green Bay end Detroit’s 10-game NFL winning streak and return to the league with four games remaining?
Here are five keys to the Packers beating the Lions in Week 14:
Win the turnover battle
In the first meeting early last month, Jordan Love made a devastating six to end the first half as the Lions played mostly cleanly. Last year at Ford Field, the Packers scored three points, including one defensive touchdown. The Lions are averaging over 40.0 points per game off turnovers this season, so ball protection will be key in the rematch. If the Packers play a pristine game and pick up one or two takeaways, they will have a real chance to escape Ford Field with a victory.
Continue breaking pickups
The Packers are starting to impose their will as a physical breaking offensive unit. Will Josh Jacobs, Tucker Kraft and Jayden Reed still be able to handle tackle attempts down the stretch at Ford Field? The Lions are skinny on defense and may lack the physical edge that has fueled the group all season, so the Packers must take the fight directly to the home team on Thursday night. Set the tone early. Both teams have played three games in 12 days, so the more physical team – especially early on – will have a huge advantage.
Attack the left tackle
The Lions are expected to miss Taylor Decker with a knee injury, so the Packers must find a way to attack their backup, which will most likely be Dan Skipper. Will Rashan Gary, Lukas Van Ness and other pass rushers be able to consistently win from the right side? Keeping Jared Goff under pressure is a must. A few early wins with Skipper or left tackle could force the Lions to change their offensive plan. Gary had 2.5 sacks in his last four games, while Van Ness had a sack in consecutive games.
Walker vs. Sonic and Knuckles
Packers linebacker Quay Walker is coming off one of the best two-game stretches of his professional career. Now he will face the best running back duo in football in Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, as well as a active passing attack that will feature pointed quarterback Sam LaPorta. Can Walker continue to play quickly under pressure while still making massive plays in midfield? This will be Walker’s biggest test of the season. If the 2022 first-round pick proves to be a dominant, game-changing player once again on Thursday night, it will officially be a breakout second half of the year for Walker.
Win the red zone
The Packers scored 1-for-4 touchdowns in the red zone in the first game and scored just six points inside the 20 on their first three trips inside the 20. Since the bye, the Packers have come alive in the red zone. The trend must continue Thursday night at Ford Field. The Packers should be able to move the ball against a blown-out defense, but finishing passes with touchdowns will be challenging on the road. Offensively, the Lions had just 2 of 5 touchdowns in the red zone against the Bears, so it’s possible that Detroit’s offense got a little nervous at the 20. The Packers need to capitalize and find an advantage in the red zone.
