Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions: 5 matchups to watch

1. Packers cornerbacks vs Lions wide receivers

For the past few years, the Lions wide receivers have torched the Packers cornerbacks twice a year, and they have forced Rodgers to come up with comeback after comeback to beat them. This year, with the emergence of Kenny Golladay Jr., they have an even deeper group than they have had in the past. Golden Tate, Golladay and Marvin Jones Jr. represent one of the best receiver trios in the NFL.

Lining up across from them will be the Packers best cornerback group since the earlier part of this decade. Rookie Jaire Alexander has looked like a stud thus far, as he ranks as the 15th best corner in football per Pro Football Focus, and he will be tasked with guarding Tate for the majority of the game. Second-year pro Kevin King is questionable, but, if he can play, he gives this group a significant boost in this matchup.

If they are able to stay tight to their receivers like they have the past few weeks, then this game should be all but over. This has been the Packers greatest weakness, and general manager Brian Gutekunst went to work this offseason to correct it for matchups like this one. Jones and Golladay can go up and get any ball at any time. These young athletic corners should have their hands full this weekend, but they’ve looked up to the task so far this year. It should be fun to watch.