Green Bay Packers vs Detroit Lions: 5 matchups to watch

4. Jaire Alexander vs Kenny Golladay

For the better part of the season, the Packers’ top cornerback has been Jaire Alexander. The rookie has played far bigger than his listed size, and he consistently fights hard no matter what matchup is thrown his way. He was bested last week by Jets wideout Robby Anderson, although he was dealing with a groin injury that ultimately caused him to have to leave the game. Assuming he plays, he’ll be looking to bounce back against the second-year standout Kenny Golladay.

Golladay has been up and down this season, but, with Marvin Jones on Injured Reserve and Golden Tate in Philadelphia, this is all his show. He had a few big plays against the Packers in the first matchup, and Pettine will be looking to limit those this time around. Golladay’s size and athleticism make him a tough cover for any corner in the NFL, and it will be even more difficult if Alexander is not at 100 percent.

Alexander likely won’t shadow Golladay because Pettine doesn’t like to wear his corners out with an assignment like that. This isn’t to say that Alexander won’t follow Golladay for much of the game, but, if he isn’t quite 100 percent from that groin injury, there would be no reason for the Packers to push him with that tough matchup. If the Lions are able to reproduce what Anderson did last week, their offense could get humming early.