Green Bay Packers v. Detroit Lions: 5 Burning Questions for Week 2

Can the Green Bay Packers limit the big play?

As much improved as the Packer defense was in 2019, the big play still reared it’s ugly head far too often. They gave up 15 plays of 40 yards or more, which tied for the second-most in the NFL, and they gave up the 11th most plays of at least 20 yards.

With Matt Stafford at the helm, this is an explosive Lions’ offense that loves to take their shots downfield. Last season – and keep in mind that Stafford missed about half the season – Detroit had the fifth most plays of over 40 yards and the sixth most plays of over 20 yards. In fact, two of Stafford’s three biggest plays in 2019 came against Green Bay, with 66 and 58-yard completions in their Week 6 matchup.

Making this Detroit offense work their way down the field is going to be a major key for this Packer defense.

Will the TEs be involved in the passing game?

We know the tight ends are going to play a much bigger role in the LaFleur offense than what they did under Coach Mike McCarthy and we saw that last Sunday with the Packers running 22 plays from 12 – one RB, two TEs – personnel.

However, while the Green Bay tight ends were very involved blockers, we didn’t see much of them in the passing game. Josiah Deguara would record the only reception for this group, and looking ahead to Week 2, my expectation is that we see a bigger impact from them in the passing game. But at this point, that remains to be seen.

Bonus: WIll the Packers lead at all during regulation?

Now, I say this jokingly, kind of. Despite going 2-0 against Detroit last season, the Packers didn’t lead for one second during regulation as each game ended with a Mason Crosby game-winner. The odds are that yes, Green Bay will hold the lead at some point, but we would have thought that last year as well. Let’s hope that the Packers take an early and commanding lead and don’t look back.