Sunday showdown: Packers' ballhawking defense faces Lions' highpowered offense at Lambeau field
Nov 02, 2024
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) The Detroit Lions have a big-time offense.The Green Bay Packers specialize in taking the ball away.The NFLs highest-scoring offense and the league leader in takeaways will face off Sunday when the NFC North-leading Lions (6-1) visit the Packers (6-2).The game features the NFCs two hottest teams, as the Lions have reeled off five consecutive victories while the Packers have won four straight.Its going to be a playoff-type game, Packers running back Josh Jacobs said.The Packers enter this game with an uncertain quarterback situation.Jordan Love left the Packers 30-27 victory at Jacksonville on Sunday in the third quarter with a groin strain and is listed as questionable for this game. He didnt practice Wednesday but worked out on a limited basis Thursday and Friday.Backup quarterback Malik Willis has started two games in Loves place this season, and the Packers won both games. He also threw a 51-yard completion to Jayden Reed in Jacksonville that led to Brandon McManus tiebreaking field goal as time expired.I think we have a pretty good idea of what were going to get no matter whos in there, Lions coach Dan Campbell said. And theyre both very good athletes. They both can run. They both can create issues in the pocket."Green Bay may need to score plenty to keep up with the Lions, who are averaging 33.4 points per game this season. They have averaged 43 points over their past four games.The Lions have been tough to slow down on offense because they are versatile, and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is adept at making in-game changes.Nobody corrects better than us, tight end Sam LaPorta said Johnson tells the team. Nobody adjusts better than us.Detroits high-scoring attack has the Lions off to their fastest start since 1956 when they won seven of their first eight games.That offense will have to be careful against the Packers, who have a league-high 19 takeaways. Green Bays Xavier McKinney has a league-leading six interceptions and seven total takeaways, as he also has recovered a fumble.Turnover talkAlthough the Packers have the most takeaways in the league, the Lions have the better turnover margin.Detroits plus-10 turnover differential puts the Lions in a tie for second in the league, behind only Buffalos plus-11. The Lions have committed just five turnovers this season, while the Packers have 12.Detroits Kerby Joseph has five interceptions to rank second in the league, behind only McKinney. Detroits Brian Branch is tied for third with four interceptions.Secondary concernsGreen Bays secondary could be at less than full strength as it tries containing the Lions.Safety Evan Williams won't play due to a hamstring injury. Cornerback Jaire Alexander, who hurt his knee late in the Jaguars game, didn't practice all week and is listed as questionable.Detroit wont have wide receiver Jameson Williams, who is completing his two-game suspension for violating the NFLs performance-enhancing substance policy.On the runThe Lions averaged 175.5 yards rushing in their two games against the Packers last season and are running effectively again with the tandem of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. Gibbs has rushed for 591 yards and six touchdowns, while Montgomery has run for 415 yards and seven touchdowns.Montgomery rushed for 121 yards and three touchdowns to help the Lions win 34-20 in their previous trip to Green Bay.The Packers actually are gaining slightly more rushing yards per game than the Lions: 156.9-156.7. Jacobs has rushed for 667 yards to rank fourth in the league.Stepping upDetroit has several players on injured reserve and keeps winning.The Lions had two players filling in for defensive end Aidan Hutchinson and linebacker Derrick Barnes on a key play early in last weeks rout against Tennessee.Defensive end Levi Onwuzurike hit Titans quarterback Mason Rudolph as he passed, and linebacker Trevor Nowaske took advantage of the ill-advised throw with an interception.They know that theyre not just there to be a placeholder, Campbell said.Clutch kickersMcManus has been with the Packers for just two games and has kicked a game-winning field goal in the final play of both. He made a 45-yarder as time expired in a 24-22 victory over the Houston Texans and had a tiebreaking 24-yarder to end the Jaguars game.Detroits Jake Bates is a perfect 11 of 11 on field-goal attempts this season. Hes 27 of 28 on extra points.Its about time to watch on your time. Stream local news and weather 24/7 by searching for TMJ4 on your device.Available for download on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and more.Report a typo or error