Here we go, Packer fans...the first game in what some are speculating good very well be a Super Bowl year for the Green 'n' Gold.
While we are all on board with that speculation, we also have to remind ourselves it is the first game. A lot of games left. And a team doesn't win or lose the Super Bowl in this game. Still, it can help get you there. Beating a NFC North Division team today would equal the total wins the Packers had within the division all of last season (sorry for the reminder...eeewwww). And beating Detroit would really be a great thing — especially at Lambeau Field — as the Lions have had the Packers number for a few years running now...not great. Time to change that up. What is the likelihood of that? Let's take a closer, albeit brief, look.
For the first time in more than 2 decades, the Packers drafted a wide
receiver — Matthew Golden — in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft
held in Green Bay. While holding the first round jersey #1 here,
Golden will now be wearing #0 — the first ever player to wear
that number as a Packer — after wearing #22 during the preseason.
(Photo via Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
The Preview
Other than the lost of their offensive and defensive coordinators during the offseason (not insignifcant), the Lions coaching staff still has head coach Dan Campbell at the helm. That counts for a great deal as Campbell totally changed the Lions culture when he became head coach. He instilled a smash-mouth approach. Any team playing the Lions better be ready to play a full 60 minutes and match the physicality of Detroit.
The offensive and defensive units retain many of their key players, although the offensive line is a big question mark because of the new folks they have occupying the interior, particularly. Now, QB Jared Goff is a top quarterback...given time in the pocket. He is not mobile. His quarterback rating when under pressure is significantly lower than when given time. He has plenty of weapons, both with his running backs and receivers. So if the Packers don't get frequent pressure on Goff, it could be yet another long day for the Packers defense.
But...this is one of the many reasons the Packers traded for Micah Parsons; they needed to get more pressure on opposing QBs than was the case in recent years. Now, Parsons is not yet in full game shape due to sitting out the preseason and arriving in Green Bay after the trade with a back issue. Still, it would be hard to imagine the Packers sitting Parsons on such a big day. He probably will see a lot of work on third downs, especially. The key to getting to third downs for the Packers defense will be to find a way to replace the traded Kenny Clark in the middle of the D-line so they can stop the run.
Get to Goff, early and often, and the Packers have a great chance to win this game.
As for the Packers, they will need to open some spaces for RB Josh Jacobs so the passing game under QB Jordan Love has a chance to show what it can do. It will be interesting to see what kind of chemistry Love and rookie WR Matthew Golden are able to establish in this and other games going forward. This connection will be a key to the season, we believe. The other question about the receivers, of course, is whether they can actually hang on to the ball; dropped passes were a killer last year. Look for more use of two tight end sets as both Tucker Kraft and a healthy Luke Musgrave can also do damage as receivers, as well as help the running game.
The Prediction
At the time of this writing, the Packers are favored by 1.5 to 2.5 points. The over/under is set at 47.5 to 48.5 points. So, to no one's surprise, it is expected to be a close game. And it could very well be that the team with the ball last wins.
If it comes down to a field goal, we have to like K Brandon McManus who was automatic in training camp and preseason. Special teams typically don't get enough attention especially for the opener, but a play here or there could be the difference. Keep an eye on things here, too.
We're calling it Packers 27 - Lions 24.
Go Pack Go!!!
