NOW THE SEASON CAN START

Packers Face Lions in Key Early Matchup

The schedule maker in the NFL must have had a very boring off season. With the preseason games being reduced to the level of little more than a 4 game money grab the real season begins this week. With so much time devoted to the preseason teams are loathe to trot out the Aaron Rodgers and Jordy Nelsons of the game to risk an injury that could potentially sideline them for the year. The regulars have roughly two games of full speed full contact to get their bodies ready for the grind if a long year.

And now, in only the 3^rd week of the new season, The Packers face their 3 NFC North foes in consecutive weeks. The NFL: has deliberately put some marquee games on the dockets this week to sustain fan interest. While losing a late season divisional battle is lost on this scheduling format what cannot be lost is the importance placed on these very early contests.

The Pack motors into Detroit to face the improving Lions this week in their annual slugfest. Last year the Lions feasted on Green Bay for Thanksgiving in a 40—10 embarrassing rout of a game. Matt Flynn played gamely but was no match for Matthew Stafford and Calvin (Megatron) Johnson.

But what a difference a year can make. Flynn is still with Green Bay but the 1^st team will now have Aaron Rodgers at the helm. Rodgers is the guy the Lions will be hunting in this week. Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley don’t want to wait until November to get a taste either. Curiously after the Lions blew the Packers out last year both teams suddenly went polar opposite in direction as the Lions sunk like a stone, losing their last 7 games while Green Bay made a mad dash for the finish to steal the division at 8-7-1. The Lions penchant for un disciplined play and untimely penalties sunk their hopes, so much so that fiery coach Jim Schwartz was given his walking papers at the end of the miserable season.

In come the cool, calm and collected Jim Caldwell, and offensive tactician whose even keeled demeanor is hoped to be a steadying influence on the pride of young Lions. Caldwell had a stint in Indy previously and inherits a team long on potential but short on results. The Lions have made exactly one appearance in the post season tournament under Schwartz’ watch and have flirted with the ‘surprise team’ label and have frankly worn it out.

There is a maddening array of talent on Detroit’s team. Johnson is a 6’5” nightmare of a matchup who will be covered by Sam Shields and Tramon Williams. As Shields has said …tackling (Johnson) is almost impossible because of his (240 lb.) size. If you hit him high you bounce off…” Tramon Williams added “…if you go low he can run right over you and he has one of the strongest stiff arms in (the NFL)…"

RB Reggie Bush had field day last year and if the Packers are not ready for his running it could be a long day. Bush has finally found a home in Detroit after being taken #2 overall by New Orleans. After a somewhat suspect beginning Bush then played well but hardly at a #2 level in Miami and now has found his stride in Detroit. Containing the explosive Bush and limiting his big plays will be a strong key to trying to stifle Stafford. When Bush isn’t in the game Joique Bell has become a more than reliable #2 coming off the bench. His combination of power and explosiveness provides the Lions little drop-off when Bush exits.

Matthew Stafford has battled shoulder injuries throughout his career and now goes head-to-head with not only the best QB in the division but arguably in the league in Rodgers. Stafford has a good arm but also has a tendency to drop his arm and sling the ball almost side armed at times, especially when he is being harassed. His low angle of delivery also makes picks more possible. The Packers and DC Dom Capers are well aware of not only Stafford’s abilities but his shortcomings as well.

The Packers got their first pick of the year when Williams grabbed a Geno Smith flutterball after he was decked by rising beast Mike Daniels. Packer Nation and probably very quietly the Packers coaching staff as well are eager for a safety to make such a play to end the endless commentary about how long it has been since a safety had an interception in Green Bay.

The Lions are sporting a new, aggressive look to their defense. Longtime hard hitting S Louis Delmas is gone and now patrolling centerfield in Miami. The backside of the Detroit D is young and very inexperienced. If the Lions have a defensive weakness it will be in the corners and safeties and will try to compensate with a fierce pass rush, an area where they are truly deep. Suh and vastly improved newcomer Ziggy Ansah now anchor the front four. But Nick Fairley’s weight and conditioning are causes for concern. OLB DeAndre Levy is one of the Lions young rising stars and plays like his hair is on fire. With MLB Stephen Tulloch the Lions are as good as any team in their front 7.

Caldwell has all but stated the Lions will attempt to contain the NFL’s leading receiver in Jordy Nelson with double teams. Nelson has had a monster start to the year already and his body-contorting ability to snag throws is among the best in the NFL. It will be up to a combination of Rodgers’ passing and RB Eddie Lacy’s running to keep the Lions honest.

Lacy has not had much of an impact this year. He left the Seattle game early with a concussion as the Jets bottled up the run while forgetting how to play pass defense. Lacy needs touches and many of them to help take the load off Rodgers.

The Lions will have to contend with Rodgers and his ability to check off at the line. If the Lions do, in fact, double Nelson look for Randall Cobb to be the beneficiary of some open space. The Pack has gotten by so far without employing the tight end position, and if there was ever a game where Jermichael Finley is missed it is in a game such as this. Now the question becomes will rookie Richard Rodgers get a shot here? Or will Andrew Quarless be looked at as a target?

Rookie W Davante Adams showed some flashes of what he could do last week with 5 receptions for 50 yards. Look to see him get more playing time and if this becomes another shootout the kid could end up being the difference. If Rodgers has time and Nelson is doubled someone has to be open – the Lions simply cannot duble everyone. Giving Rodgers a few more reliable outlets is not a pleasant thought for Caldwell and Co. Adams and Richard Rodgers just might see more than their fair share of balls in this one as the youngster will steadily improve throughout the season.

The defense has had a sluggish start but is showing signs of developing. After 6 awful quarters in the first two games the D finally rose in the second half last week to stifle the Jets. Green
Bay spotted Gang Green a 21 – 3 lead only to grab the game away from New York, a win that was greatly aided by the Jets propensity for shooting themselves in the foot repeatedly. The Lions possess that self-same ability but know they need to cut down on the foolish penalties that keep them mired in the sub .500 department.

LB Andy Mulumba was lost to a knee injury last week and Brad Jones has not yet practiced so Jamari Lattimore will see much of the field. This opens the door for Sam Barrington or Nate Palmer or rookie Carl Bradford to show what they can do. CB Casey Hayward tweaked a glute and could be hampered. Newcomer Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is showing rapid improvement every week and will have to keep the needle pointing up as he will no doubt be tested by Stafford and Megatron. Could it be Ha Ha that gets the last laugh and the first pick?

The Packers defense is a subtle work-in-progress that will improve as the season goes along. LB’s Nick Perry and Mike Neal will see more of the DE position and don’t be shocked to see Julius Peppers with his hand back on the turf. Capers has moved Clay Matthews all over the field and has had him playing both sides, as a pass rusher, dropping into coverage and as an inside LB. Now that the first two games are under their belts the Packers defense has to show some forward improvement and this is just such a game for them to do just that.

While the air battle will be a fierce this one comes down to ball control and rushing. Lacy is due a big breakout game and could be the bell cow here. Lacy’s relentless pounding should have a positive effect as it wears the Lion interior down opening up the airways for Rodgers. Lacy didn’t see much of the ball last week as the Jet and the scoreboard conspired against him. Rodgers will feed Lacy a lot. By the time the second half rolls around the play action will crush any hope the Lions have of staying with the Pack.

This is no revenge game nor will it be a blowout. But the Packers D will rise and Lacy will be a beast. Stafford will toss a couple of picks as the Packers get the first laugh as Ha Ha has a memorable day.

 

 

  GREEN BAY 34   

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Detroit 16