Packers Beat the 'boys in Big D
It's always a pleasure to beat the Cowboys, especially in Dallas. Something QB Aaron Rodgers has been pretty good at over time. Last weekend was no different. Racing off to a fast start, with RB Aaron Jones turning in his best game of the young season if not one of his best as a Packer, and the defense holding Ezekiel Elliot in check and generating turnovers. The 'boys made a late run and it got a bit concerning there for a while (admit it), until a late fourth quarter field goal attempt "doink" off the upright really put an end to Dallas' comeback dreams. Final score: 34-24. Sweet.
This was game we and many others thought the Packers would drop. So glad we were wrong as that win left the Pack at 4-1 and atop the NFC North Division.
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| QB Aaron Rodgers and head coach Matt LaFleur are still working on their new relationship. But at 4-1, it seems to be working just fine. (Photo JSOnline,com) |
The Lions Visit Lambeau Tonight
Once upon a time, Detroit couldn't buy a win in Wisconsin. Was years...decades...centuries...something like that before they finally pulled one out. But the Lions have now won four straight (home and away) against Green Bay, including the two games last year by a combined score of 62-23. Now, to be fair, within this four-game streak Rodgers was injured and out of the game for either all or part of the game in two of them and in a third K Mason Crosby uncharacteristically missed 5 field goal attempts. Really, what are the odds of that?
The Lions are 2-1-1. Packers head coach Matt LaFleur says they are one of the scariest teams he's seen on tape. They are, to our view, hard to figure out. They tied the Cardinals in the first game of the season, barely beat the Chargers, just sneaked by the Eagles in Philly (the same Eagles, as you know, who handed the Packers their lone loss on home turf), and then narrowly lost to the very good Kansas City Chiefs. Now, factor in that the Lions have had 2 weeks to prepare for this game against Green Bay and this game is no gimmee, that's for sure.
Detroit has a defense-oriented head coach that concentrates on stopping the run. Expect that to be the formula again. With WR Davante Adams still sidelined with turf toe, other receivers are going to have to step up. Adams was out last week, too, and Rodgers only completed 4 passes to his wide receivers. Whether that was due to their failure to get open or good coverage...? Fortunately, Rodgers was able to work his tight ends and backs in the passing game. Not big yards, and not even a TD pass if memory serves, but effective. And if the Pack needs to do that again, so be it. As Rodgers said after the game, "It's about the Ws" not the stats. The Packers will be without one of their tight ends tonight, though. Robert Tonyan, who sustained a hip injury in last week's game, is out for tonight.
If the Packers can do what they've done so far this season, getting out to a fast start and a big lead, have the defense put pressure on Lions QB Matthew Stafford to generate a turnover or two, have JK Scott boom his field-position-changing punts, it all should be enough to carry the day. If.
The Prediction
The Packers are favored by 4 points in this game. There will be a Fall evening low of about 34 degrees. Good NFC North football weather. The Lions, unfortunately, have experienced recent success against the Packers which will make them a confident team coming in. The division lead is on the line.
We're calling this one Packers 31 - Lions 24.
Go Pack Go!!!
