The Green Bay Packers have their season home opener today at historic Lambeau Field against the Detroit Lions. More about that in a moment. But first, a quick review of last week's game vs. the ViQueens.
Recap of win at Minnesota
The Packers won at Minnesota last weekend 43-34. The final score was closer than the actual tone of the game, which was basically a result of the Packers' defense not closing things out in the 4th quarter: with every Packers' score there seemed to be a subsequent score by the Vikes ... 3 TDs plus 3 consecutive 2-point conversions.
On the field for just 49 defensive plays thanks to the time of possession domination by the Packers' offense, the D seemingly picked up where they left off from the NFC Championship Game vs. the Niners by giving up a ton of rushing yards. One could argue that the second half defensive problems were the result of DT Kenny Clark leaving the game with an injury (and who, by the way, will not see action today). But it just seemed that what was exposed against the Packers in that Championship game was also attacked by Minnesota. We could expect that to continue until the Packers figure out a way to shut down the run.
Having said all that, the Pack came away with a win largely due to — shocking! — the stellar play of QB Aaron Rodgers and WR Davante Adams, who tied the nearly 70-year-old game receptions record (14) of legendary receiver Don Hutson. Rodgers looked in mid-season form. If he keeps this up all season, other teams should be afraid...be very afraid.
But on to today's game against the Lions...
According to the Packers Game Day program, the Pack come into this game on a 6-game regular season win streak going back to last season. The Packers have won 7 straight home openers and since 2007 are 12-1 in their home openers. The Pack also have a 17-3 home opener record vs. the Lions since 2000. As fans will recall, the Packers swept Detroit in 2019, although the 2 games were decided by a total of 4 points. Crikey!
Today, while the Pack will be without RG Lane Taylor who was lost for the season in last week's game and Clark, as mentioned earlier, Detroit will be without three of its starters, including corners Justin Coleman and Desmond Trufant in the defensive backfield. Expect Rodgers and the WR corps to exploit that weakness. If the running game is able to provide balance (and probably, even if it isn't), this should be another game with a solid offensive performance led by the air game.
The defense...ah, the defense. Without Clark in the lineup it's likely that Tyler Lancaster and Kingsley Keke will share time at the position. Montravius Adams might also see action in his return from a toe injury. They and the entire defense will also not want to overlook the return of veteran RB Adrian Peterson who often, in ViQueens colors, literally had a field day when playing at Lambeau. Where the Packers had problems last week was when runs were bounced to the outside. No doubt the Lions will test that early and often. If you don't contain Peterson, and don't pressure QB Matthew Stafford, it could be another close game.
The Prediction
The Packers are favored by 6-1/2 points at the time of this writing. Seems reasonable. We think it will be a game similar to last week where the Packers can get out to an early lead and the defense will allow the Lions to keep hanging around. Still, the Packers have more than Detroit, are at home — albeit without the home crowd advantage — and will win to go to 2-0 in the division.
We're calling it 38-27 Packers.
Go Pack Go!!!
