3 Keys to Victory for the Detroit Lions Against the Green Bay Packers

The bye week is officially over, and Lions fans finally get to watch their beloved team play football again. The Detroit Lions will host the Green Bay Packers this Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET at Ford Field for their first divisional matchup of the season.

Detroit has already announced that Brian Branch and Cade Mays will play this week, with Dan Campbell confirming that Mays will start at center. Campbell was also asked about Kerby Joseph, who remains on injured reserve. When asked if he believes Joseph will play at all this season, Campbell responded, “Yes, I do believe he will.”

Those were encouraging words to hear, but at this point, Joseph’s return should be viewed as a potential bonus rather than something Detroit can count on. If the Lions want to take down the Packers, they will need to execute these three keys to victory.

Key 1: Score a Touchdown on the Opening Drive

Detroit has yet to score a touchdown on its opening drive this season and is averaging an astonishingly low 2.3 points in the first quarter. If the Lions want to establish control early against Green Bay, that trend needs to change.

Last season, Detroit opened its campaign at Lambeau Field against the Packers, but it wasn’t until late in the game that the Lions found the end zone. When Green Bay traveled to Detroit for a Thanksgiving Day showdown, the Lions failed to score in the first quarter, including an opening drive three and out.

Detroit cannot afford another slow start against a divisional opponent. The Lions need to set the tone early, put points on the board and avoid giving Green Bay an opportunity to take control of the game. If Detroit wants to have a legitimate shot at winning, it needs to come out firing on all cylinders.

Key 2: Get to the Quarterback

Considering how much Detroit’s secondary has struggled this season, the Lions’ best chance of slowing down Green Bay’s passing attack is to pressure the quarterback.

Before Week 6, Detroit led the NFL in total sacks, with four different pass rushers recording at least three sacks. The defensive line has been one of the team’s biggest strengths, and it will need to deliver another strong performance against a Packers offense capable of creating explosive plays.

Green Bay has two wide receivers who have combined for more than 500 receiving yards apiece and nine touchdowns. Christian Watson and Matthew Golden have both stepped up in big moments, giving the Packers dangerous weapons on the outside.

The duo has also combined for 19 plays of at least 20 yards and 340 yards after the catch this season. With those kinds of numbers, allowing the Packers’ passing attack time to develop could spell trouble for Detroit.

The Lions cannot rely on their secondary to win this matchup on its own. They need their pass rush to disrupt the timing of Green Bay’s offense, force hurried throws and prevent Watson and Golden from making game-changing plays downfield. If Detroit can consistently get pressure on the quarterback, it will give the secondary a much better chance to hold up.

Key 3: Touchdowns, Not Field Goals

This game has the potential to turn into a shootout, and the best way to win one is to finish drives with touchdowns rather than settling for field goals.

The Packers rank fifth in passing yards per game, averaging 269, but score just 21.2 points per game. Despite their ability to move the ball through the air, Green Bay has struggled to consistently turn those yards into points.

The Packers have kicked 10 field goals this season, while Lions kicker Jake Bates has made eight. Four of Bates’ field goals came in a single game against the Carolina Panthers, a contest Detroit ultimately lost in a shootout.

That game serves as a reminder that moving the ball is not enough. The Lions need to capitalize on scoring opportunities, particularly against a divisional opponent that can put points on the board in a hurry.

Field goals can keep a team in the game, but touchdowns are what separate contenders from teams that leave points on the field. If Detroit reaches the red zone, it needs to find ways to finish drives in the end zone rather than settling for three points.

My prediction is that whichever team settles for more field goals will ultimately be the team that loses. Against Green Bay, Detroit cannot afford to leave touchdowns on the table.