2023 NFL Week 4: Wait, what happened to Week 3? Plus Lions Preview & Prediction

Hello, Packer fans! Well, well, well. Some of you may have been wondering what happened with our preview and prediction for NFL Week 3: the game last Sunday vs. the Saints. Funny story. I was traveling. Attending a high school class reunion, to be exact. One of those major ones. Was so great to be back among old friends. And I do mean old. Crikey! Time marches on. As does the 2023 NFL season.

But the other interesting part of things is that had I had the occasion to post a preview and prediction for that Saints game, you know what? I would have actually predicted a lackluster performance by the Packers for the first 3 quarters of the game leading to them being shut out, but...then rallying for a dramatic 4th quarter comeback to win 18-17. Really. No doubt about it. And if you believe that ... I've got some choice swamp land for sale for you in Florida. (Come to think of it, I wouldn't do that to you; it's Florida. Ewww...)

Anyway, on to the quick turnaround Thursday night game vs. the Lions at Lambeau.

The Preview

The Lions and Packers both come into this game sitting at 2-1 with the early lead of the NFC North in play. Both teams have some young players already making a mark in the NFL and some injuries to key players. The teams seem pretty well matched at this point, but at the time of this writing Detroit is favored by the pundits by either 1 or 1-1/2 points depending upon who you're reading. The over-under is set at around 45.

As Packer fans no doubt recall, the Lions knocked the Pack out of the playoffs at the end of the 2022 regular season by dealing them a loss at home in the final game in an uninspired effort by Green Bay. Detroit had nothing to play for. The Packers did. And Detroit won. Not great. It was former QB Aaron Rodgers' last game as a Packer. And his last pass was an interception. Just like his predecessor, Brett Favre, as a matter of fact. Football weirdness.

The Lions have a rookie running back in Jahmyr Gibbs and rookie tight end Sam LaPorta that can both do damage if given the opportunity to do so. QB Jared Goff has seemingly found himself, so to speak, in Detroit. RB David Montgomery is also supposed to be back for Detroit. The lateral running game — getting the backs to the edge — has been a challenge for the Pack's defense going back to last season. What the Falcons did to the Packers in Week 2 this season is a likely template for other teams wishing to take advantage of the lack-of-edge containment ... at least until the Pack can prove they can consistently hold that edge.

And let's not forget WR Amon-Ra St. Brown. He seems to step up against the Packers. He can be particularly dangerous in the slot, creating coverage challenges for the Packers. Do they put Jaire Alexander on him no matter where he lines up or keep Alexander on the outside only and allow Keisean Nixon to cover St. Brown when in the slot? Will be interesting to see how defensive coordinator Joe Barry decides to arrange the coverage and adjusts throughout the game.

The Packers pass rush will be key. Goff can get the ball out of his hands quickly, and with the Lions' good offensive line, getting to him will be a challenge. But necessary ... or it may be a long night for the Packers' defense.

Packers QB Jordan Love celebrates the team's 18-17 comeback win

vs. the Saints on Sept. 24 at Lambeau Field.

(Photo via SI.com)

On the Packers' side of the ledger, they are coming off an improbable 4th quarter comeback win against the Saints, which should boost their confidence that they can overcome a lot of their own mistakes, in particular, to do what they need to do to win. QB Jordan Love continues to impress and so do his young receivers. The offensive line is banged up, as it has been since the first game. But Love has no problems using his legs if the situation calls for it. What hasn't been impressive so far has been RB A.J. Dillon. With RB Aaron Jones out the last few games with a hamstring issue, Dillon has been called upon to carry the load. As much as fans love Dillon for his love of Green Bay, Door County and Wisconsin, that doesn't gain yards, smash through holes, or move the pile when needed. With word out as we write this that Jones might once again miss action Thursday night, Dillon needs to step up. It is time, as a famous saying goes.

While second-year WR Christian Watson said on Tuesday that he will play Thursday (for the first time this season), he is still listed right now as "questionable" on the injury report. So he is once again an unknown. But his absence through these first three games has provided opportunities for the other young receivers to get time and make plays, in some cases, big plays. So there's that.

We also have to give kudos to rookie kicker Anders Carlson who is perfect with his field goals and PATs so far this season, including from long distance. May it continue thusly.

The Prediction

With all that being said, and considering the short turn-around time for both teams, the injuries, et al, and the home field advantage for the Packers (which the oddsmakers still aren't fully factoring in), we're calling this game Packers 27 - Lions 24.

Go Pack Go!!!