Packers-Lions: Three Key Matchups

The Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions are 2-1 heading into a massive Thursday night showdown at Lambeau Field. Here are three key matchups for the Packers.

For the first three quarters of the Green Bay Packers’ game against New Orleans on Sunday, it felt like the Saints were crashing a party for which they were not invited.

Jordan Love got a standing ovation before the game started, but there was little else to feel good about for the next 2 hours from a Packers perspective.

Love and the offense couldn’t get out of their own way, and they entered the fourth quarter trailing 17-0.

Then, the switch was flipped.

Love delivered a signature moment, scoring two touchdowns to help lead an 18-point fourth quarter to steal a win.

After the game, Love said the team could not get too high or too low, and that they needed to move forward quickly.

He meant that literally. After an emotional win, the Packers will host the Detroit Lions on Thursday night with first place in the NFC North at stake.

The Lions have won three straight against Green Bay, including last year’s regular-season finale at Lambeau Field that kept the Packers out of the playoffs.

If the Packers are going to flip the script, here are three matchups they will need to win.

Packers vs. Injury Report

This feels like a bit of a cop-out, but it's true. The Packers were playing with their right arm tied behind their back before the game against the Saints even started.

David Bakhtiari, Christian Watson, Aaron Jones and Jaire Alexander were questionable going into the game. All four were ruled out when the inactives list was finalized.

That quartet joined Elgton Jenkins on the sideline, meaning the Packers were without five of their best players.

Zach Tom (knee) and Carrington Valentine (biceps) left Sunday's game, as well.

The injury situation for Thursday night will be tough if the players who missed last week's game are unable to suit up. The situation would get worse if Tom and Valentine are ruled out.

Could the Packers be getting two of their top offensive weapons back? / Jeff Hanisch USA Today

If Tom and Bakhtiari can’t go, the Packers would be starting their third and fourth offensive tackles.

If Valentine and Alexander can't go, the Packers would be out of cornerbacks. Eric Stokes is not eligible to return from the PUP list until after Thursday's game at the earliest. Other than starters Rasul Douglas and Keisean Nixon, the only other cornerbacks are on the practice squad: Corey Ballentine, who played well vs. the Saints, and Kiondre Thomas.

It's hard enough to win in the NFL against good teams. It's even harder without your best players.

The Packers desperately need some of their wounded warriors to return to the field.

The good news is it sounds like some help is on the way.

Romeo Doubs and Jordan Love spoke about Jones as if he was going to play, though coach Matt LaFleur described his feelings as “cautiously optimistic.”

Tom, Watson and Alexander took a step forward with their participation in Tuesday's practice.

A lot can change between now and game time but, for now, the Packers are getting mostly good news on some of their injured stars.

Packers WR Christian Watson vs. the Lions in 2022 :: Photo by Dan Powers/USA Today Sports Images

Offensive Line vs. Aidan Hutchinson

Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson may just end up being a player that tilts the field in his team's favor when he steps onto the field.

When he was at Michigan, he was the leader of a defense that helped the Wolverines end a 10-year drought against the Ohio State Buckeyes. Hutchinson had three sacks against C.J. Stroud that day.

Last year, he was a thorn in the side of the Packers' offense. He had two sacks, a forced fumble and an interception in the two matchups. And that was with Bakhtiari on the field for the majority of both games.

Bakhtiari's status remains unclear for Thursday, but Hutchinson will be out there regardless of who Green Bay has up front.

With Bakhtiari inactive the last two weeks, Rasheed Walker has been solid in pass protection. Cameron Jordan is a stiff test for any offensive lineman. Walker passed that test, but this one might be a bit different.

Through three games, Hutchinson has 19 pressures and two sacks. He's recorded at least six pressures in every game, according to Pro Football Focus.

The Lions move Hutchinson all over the formation, so every player up front could be matched up against him at one point or another.

Look for the Lions to try and get him matched up with Royce Newman if he kicks inside. Starting for Jenkins, Newman struggled on Sunday, giving up four pressures.

Packers Run Game vs. Lions Defense

The Packers' run game has been, in a word, putrid.

The Lions' run defense has been, in a word, excellent.

On paper, it's an example of a stoppable force meeting an unmovable object.

After the Falcons’ Bijan Robinson ran wild against the Packers in Week 2, the Lions held the talented rookie to just 33 rushing yards on 10 carries on Sunday.

"They’re very similar to New Orleans as far as their structure,” offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich said this week. “Their linebackers are very aggressive, and I think they’re very instinctual players. But their interior guys do a really good job, just getting off blocks and things like that. They’re very disruptive.”

The Lions’ interior defensive line is massive. Alim McNeill, Isaiah Buggs and John Cominsky are above-average run defenders. Rangy rookie linebacker Jack Campbell, the 18th pick in the draft, has been excellent against the run, as well.

The Packers' run game has left a lot to be desired. They have yet to have a running back gain more than 55 yards in a game. Their backs are averaging 3.03 yards per carry.

In an offense that wants everything tied to the run game, that's not good enough.

The constant shuffling on the offensive line and in the backfield isn't helping, but they need to be better.

A good performance against one of the better defenses in the league against the run would go a long way toward boosting the confidence of a struggling unit.

More Green Bay Packers News

The #Packers had two first-round picks in 2019. One choice was used on Rashan Gary. The other on Darnell Savage.

Gary was great, per usual, on Sunday. Savage came up big, as well.https://t.co/BW3pKgDNJ6

— Bill Huber (@BillHuberNFL) September 25, 2023

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