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Green Bay Packers v. Lions: 7 Big Questions for Week 2 Matchup

By Paul Bretl

Sep 12, 2021; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur looks onto the field during the first quart against the New Orleans Saints at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 12, 2021; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur looks onto the field during the first quart against the New Orleans Saints at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Green Bay Packers
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – SEPTEMBER 12: T.J. Hockenson #88 of the Detroit Lions scores a touchdown past Jaquiski Tartt #3 if the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter at Ford Field on September 12, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Can the defense slow Swift, Williams, and Hockenson?

Naturally, there was quite a bit of excitement surrounding this new Green Bay Packers defense entering Week 1. Unfortunately, it looked quite a bit like what we saw under Mike Pettine. The defensive front struggled to stop the run; the Packers were soft in coverage too frequently once again — we will get to that soon — and there were also blown coverages, as players just didn’t appear to be on the same page in this new system.

This week against the Lions, there are three players that Green Bay will have to stop–D’Andre Swift, Jamaal Williams, and TJ Hockenson. Swift and Williams averaged 4.8 yards on the ground against San Francisco and also hauled in a combined 121 receiving yards on 16 receptions. Hockenson would go on to catch eight passes for 97 yards.

The Lions don’t really have any major threats at receiver, so if the Packers can slow these three — or at least contain them — Detroit is going to have an awfully difficult time moving the ball.

How many rushing attempts do Jones and Dillon see?

I hope the answer to this question is a lot. As I wrote recently, the Green Bay Packers ditched the running game way too soon against New Orleans, and that is just not a recipe for success for this offense.

light. Related Story. Green Bay Packers Need to Get Back to Running the Ball vs. Lions

The good news is that they are going up against a Detroit team that has struggled to stop the run. Last season, the Green Bay Packers would gain 259 rushing yards against the Lions in Week 2 and 120 yards in Week 14. This past Sunday, the Niner running backs ran for 127 yards and averaged 5.7 yards per carry.

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