Top 3 Key Matchups to Watch: Packers vs. Lions in Week 9

This time of year ten years ago had a totally different look for the Green Bay Packers and Lions Week. In the NFC North this week, there will be a winner. The Packers beat the Jacksonville Jaguars but at a very steep price, as several of its players were injured. Pro bowler top corner Jaire Alexander and the emerging rookie safety Evan Williams both left the game early.

Meanwhile, after leaving in the third quarter, Jordan Love is also questionable as he has an aggravated groin. Although he may be a less mobile option, Love could allow the Packers to have their most effective roster. If Love is sidelined for the game, the Packers will resort to Malik Willis, who has been exceptional every time he suits up for the game in Green Bay.

Willis is 2-0 as a starter this year and had the throw to Jayden Reed, who then caught the ball to set up the game-winning field goal to beat the Jaguars. But Detroit will not blink with who the starting quarterback is or who is out for the Packers on defense.

This is a solid Lions squad, and a well-coached one at that, with a solid defense and offense that just puts up a huge total. It looks very much like this is going to be a must-watch game in Week 9. Maybe that is why Detroit triumphed in four of the last five matches, including the latest one in September this year, while Green Bay has been winning its four previous games. If they want to stay on the winning side and be all headed to the top in division, then these are some of the three clashes that might act as a decider.

Green Bay’s Pass Rush vs QB Jared Goff

Frankly, head coach Matt LaFleur has always liked Goff; the players were teammates in the Los Angeles Rams. On Thursday, LaFleur said he believes Goff is playing the position as well as anybody right now and that’s tough to argue when you look at the numbers. With 1,695 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, and only four interceptions, he leads the league in both completion percentage and passing yardage.

But there is this one weakness that Goff has displayed and that is the propensity to lose 15 times in the last five games. Green Bay’s pass rush has been inconsistent all of this year, and that cannot afford to happen this week as they want to put up a fight against Detroit’s passing game. The ability to target a vulnerable Lions offence line may be the thing.

RB Josh Jacobs vs Detroit’s Run Defense

When Love got carried out in the second half against Jacksonville, it became all Jacobs and her teammates showed. Not even when the Jaguars anticipated the run, as Jacobs remained more than a match for them as he racked up 127 yards on the ground and two TDs.

The Packers’ leadback is fourth in the league in rushing yards but will be going up against the number five run defense in the league this week. And in both games Love has missed this season, the ground game has been able to pick up where the offense left off. That could be a lot tougher to do this week if Love can’t go.

Green Bay’s Run Defense vs RBs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery

It may be impossible to find a better running-back tandem in the NFL than Gibbs and Montgomery. The Lions have the 6th best run offense due to a two-head formation combined that has produced over 1,000 yards and 13 scores in seven games.

A little like Gibbs is the quick runner while Montgomery relies on force, which is pretty effective as a striking duo. While the Packers are not terrible against the run this season, ranking 10th in the league in yards per game, this will be by far their most stiff challenge.