2018 NFL Week 5: Packers vs. Lions Preview & Prediction

That was a nice shutout last weekend of a Buffalo team that just the week before had whomped the Minnesota ViQueens, wasn't it, Packers fans? You bet. 22-0 is nothing to sneeze at, even while QB Aaron Rodgers wasn't happy with the offensive performance and made that feeling known. He and head coach Mike McCarthy are, though, according to the latter, both on the same page. Good to know.

That will be important in today's game against the Lions in Detroit because the receiving game may be, how shall we say, challenged. That's because WR Randall Cobb and Geronimo Allison are out and Davante Adams is questionable in reality if not officially. As such, rookies Marquez Valdes-Scantling, J’Mon Moore and Equanimious St. Brown will have to step up. If that becomes shaky, the Packers running game will need to step up the pace. RB Aaron Jones -- who needs and deserves the ball more -- along with Jamaal Williams and Ty Montgomery can fill the bill. If McCarthy lets the running game get more reps, that is. The offense will always run through Rodgers, of course, as it should. But if the receiving corps is shorthanded today, let's hope the rushing attack gets its fair share of play calls.

The Packers defense needs to get to Lions QB Matthew Stafford
today just as it has done in the past.
(Photo: USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)

Defensively, we saw a more aggressive scheme -- or at least, performance -- last week than in prior weeks. Let's hope that approach and energy continues today. The Packers will need to get pressure on Lions QB Matthew Stafford because if given too much time he will pick apart a defense. Under pressure, he'll give you an opportunity for turnovers. The Pack will need at least one today to help make the difference. The Lions may have only won one game so far -- against the Patriots...go figure -- but they are an explosive team. You really don't know what to expect. But with the Packers at 2-1-1, we can really say pretty much the same about them right now, particularly with the injury situation.

The Prediction

The Packers are favored by 1 point at the time of this writing with the over-under at 51 points, so the oddsmakers are expecting a high-scoring and close game. We do, too.

We're calling it Packers 27 - Lions 24.

Go Pack Go!!!