Game: Detroit Lions @ Green Bay Packers
Time: 8:15 p.m.
Odds: Lions -2, Packers +2
Total: 45.5
Tonight in Green Bay, the Detroit Lions, who are tied with the Packers at the top of the NFC North, renew their rivalry with Green Bay looking for a fourth consecutive win in the series. The last time Green Bay beat the Lions was in Week 2 of the 2021 season. Detroit won three in a row over an Aaron Rodgers-led Packers squad. Now, the Lions are excited to continue the streak against new Packers QB Jordan Love.
In his first home start last week, Love helped the Packers rally from a 17-point deficit entering the fourth quarter to defeat the New Orleans Saints, 18-17. Love didn’t have a great day – 22-of-44 for 259 yards – but he did enough to help the Packers get the win. He scored on a one-yard run and then completed the two-point conversion pass to Samori Toure to cut the Saints lead to 17-11. Then, with 2:56 left in the game, Love hit Romeo Doubs with an 8-yard touchdown pass.
With the short week, some health issues will affect both teams. Taylor Decker, the left tackle for the Lions, intends to try to play on Thursday despite missing the previous two games due to a high ankle sprain. There were four Detroit offensive linemen listed as injured on Monday, including him. Penei Sewell can revert to his regular right tackle position if Decker holds up.
Campbell anticipates improved pass protection in front of Jared Goff and an improved running game even if the front five isn’t complete. Through three games in 2023, Detroit is averaging 3.6 yards per carry, which ranks 24th in the NFL after rushing for 2,179 yards the previous season.
The Packers’ play-action passing attack has been hampered by Green Bay’s struggling ground game. The Packers are averaging 3.43 yards per carry, which ranks 26th in the league. Running back starters David Montgomery of the Lions and the Packers’ Aaron Jones are both listed as questionable for Thursday.
WR Christian Watson and Jones are both expected to play this week. Watson hasn’t played this year despite scoring seven touchdowns as a rookie. In last season’s Week 18 loss to the Lions, he caught five passes for 104 yards. In the two losses to the Lions in 2022, Jones carried the ball 21 times for a total of 73 yards.
The outlook for starting left tackle David Bakhtiari and left guard Elgton Jenkins is less encouraging due to their knee injuries. Jenkins was hurt against Atlanta. Bakhtiari has not played since Week 1, and right tackle David Tom was unable to play last week due to a knee injury.
Goff has been successfully connecting with rookie TE Sam LaPorta behind a shoddy line the last two weeks. He had a 45-yard touchdown pass to LaPorta in Week 3. LaPorta set an NFL record for a tight end with 18 receptions in his first three games. Amon-Ra St. Brown leads the Lions with 21 receptions for 275 yards and one touchdown.
Detroit will surely be aware of Packers OLB Rashan Gary, who received the defensive game ball last week. Gary had 3.0 sacks last week. He recorded five quarterback pressures in 20 pass-rush opportunities.
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