Green Bay Packers look to tame the Lions: What to watch for
The Green Bay Packers (13-3) get set to conclude their regular season with a final trip to Detriot to take on the Lions Sunday.
Let’s take a look at three things to watch for on Sunday when the Green Bay Packers travel to Detriot to take on the Lions.
Jordan Love will more than likely see extended playing time.
How long will we see the starters?
With the number one seed already clinched, it is unsure how long or which starters will play. However, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was adamant he wanted to play. Either way, prepare to watch Love see plenty of action on Sunday in Detriot.
The last time we witnessed Love was in week 17 against the Vikings with the game already in hand, and before that was in Week 9 when he made his first career start after Rodgers tested positive for COVID and missed the game.
It’s an excellent opportunity to see what the former first-round pick has, especially with a whole week to prepare for this week’s opponent. Keep in mind that when Love enters the game, most starters will likely be pulled, and he will be playing with backups and practice squad guys.
If Love is to be a starter in this league soon, Sunday could be a big step for him in the right direction. Keep a big eye on how he performs.
Can the special teams continue their success?
For most of the season, the special teams unit has looked shaky but, as of late, has turned it around overall. Will we see that continue?
Finishing the season and getting right at a critical time is essential for this unit, especially when the road to a Super Bowl is set to travel through the frozen tundra. Sunday will be played indoors in Detriot and should give the unit plenty of reps to right their wrongs and get ready for the elements at Lambeau for the playoffs.
Watch for the punting unit on both sides. Can punter Corey Bojorquez have a bounce-back game after his struggles in week 17 in the elements at Lambeau? And who will be returning kicks for the Packers?
Can the Packers slow down Amon-Ra St. Brown?
It’s been another tough year in Detriot, but possibly the lone bright spot has been the emergence of fourth-round rookie wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.
Going into Sunday, St. Brown is only 15 yards away from breaking former receiver Roy Williams’ rookie record in receiving yards.
Again, we are unsure if and how long the starters will play, but the goal for the Packers remains as it always does–win the game. How will they defend St. Brown? Who will get the assignment? Will we see a rookie clash between St. Brown and Eric Stokes? It’s something fun to keep an eye on.
BONUS: What to watch for
Can this Green Bay Packers offense, who will presumably have most of their starters playing in the first quarter, get off to faster starts? It’s been an issue all season, and it’s something they need to fix.
The Bottom line
The biggest thing to watch this week is the injury report and making sure this Super Bowl contending team escapes without any significant setbacks. The Lions are a team playing for their own pride, on their own turf, and in front of their fans. They will come out ready to play, I can assure you of that. The Packers, however, are a much more talented and better coached team. It just all really depends on who plays and for how long.
The recipe for a Green Bay Packers win is as simple as it has ever been–come out healthy. That’s it.