5 Things To Watch For In Week 12 – Packers v. Lions
The Packers are coming off of an impressive win against the Los Angeles Chargers last week. They will face off against the Detroit Lions this coming week. Here are five things to watch for.
How Does The Offense Respond?
Jordan Love is coming off of his best passing game stat wise and the offense was rolling. With key injuries to Aaron Jones (knee), Luke Musgrave (lacerated kidney), and Emanuel Wilson (shoulder), the offense will look to get AJ Dillon, Patrick Taylor, and James Robinson going in the run game in order for the offense to open up the playcalling again this week. Using speed over the middle proved to be successful last week, so hopefully that will be in Matt LaFleur’s cards again this week. Other notable questionable players for the offense are Jayden Reed, and Dontayvion Wicks. Reed will play, but Wicks (concussion) is questionable as of now. It will be key to spread the ball around again this week against a Lions defense that has been giving up a decent amount of yardage recently.
Can Tucker Kraft Step Up?
Tucker Kraft showed some flashes last week including a nice run after the catch. With Luke Musgrave heading to injured reserve, Kraft and Ben Sims are the two in the tight end room looking to make up for Musgrave’s production, as Deguara is doubtful for the Lions game. Kraft, who had two receptions for thirty-two yards last week will look to keep that rolling and see what he can do with more reps in the pass game. With Musgrave on injured reserve, that means he will be out a minimum of four games.
Can The Defense Control The Line Of Scrimmage?
The defense was able to limit the rushing game of the Chargers and force a turnover last week after the Steelers ran all over them the week prior. This week against the Lions, they’ll face one of the top offensive lines in the league as well as rookie running back, Jahmyr Gibbs. They will be looking for Rashan Gary and the rest of the defensive front to step up and win the line of scrimmage as much as possible. It will be a must this week to slow down the Detroit offense, and after a strong showing against the Chargers, the defense will once again look to stack momentum.
Can The Secondary Confuse Goff?
Jared Goff is coming off of a three interception game this past week against the Bears, and the Packer defense will look to take advantage of that. While the secondary is depleted, they have stepped up more than you can ask for and will look to continue their good play this week. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta, and Jameson Williams headline the receiving weapons for the Lions, and if the Packers can limit the Lions, looking for those three will be important.
Can Special Teams Bounce Back?
Anders Carlson has either missed an extra point, or had it blocked in back to back games. If the Packers are getting extra points blocked continiously, it will eventually come back to bite them again. One clean up will be to completely seal off the edge and allow a clean lane for Carlson to kick. Once that lane is there though, Carlson will need to be able to make the kick as well. Special teams has to clean up their extra points and field goals coming into this game, because in order to win, they’ll need to maximize their points.