We used to kid Jason Hanson, a kicker who spent more than 20 years in the NFL but during his entire career, never experienced a victory on Wisconsin soil playing for the Detroit Lions. Detroit's last division championship was in 1993 when they beat the Packers at the Pontiac Silverdome on the final day of the regular season and six days later, in the same building, Mike Holmgren's Packers began their climb to the Super Bowl title three years later by stunning the Lions 28-24 on Sterling Sharpe's TD catch from Brett Favre in the final minute.
Detroit was so shaken by the Packer victory, they would concede games in Milwaukee or Green Bay almost as soon as they flew over Lake Michigan.
Hanson figured it was all him for as soon as he retired, the Lions broke through, winning in Green Bay in 2017, their first at Lambeau in 26 years. Well, they did it again last year, shutting out the Pack in the regular season finale so now Detroit not only believes they can win in Wisconsin, the long division drought might also come to an end.
The Lions come to Green Bay Monday night with a 2-1-1 record and a victory would move them atop the Packers for the division lead. Second year coach Matt Patricia, a Bill Belicheck disciple, has wins over the LA Chargers and Philadelphia Eagles and their only loss was to Kansas City who rallied for the go ahead touchdown in the closing minute. Detroit believes a changing of the guard in the North is at hand.
Can the Packers recapture their masterty over Motown and send a clear message of their own that the Black and Blue still looks up to the green and gold? A Green Bay win would give them a sweep of their division foes in the first three meetings this season.
Time to match it up.
When the Packers have the ball.
Still no Davante Adams, no Bobby Tonyan but Jamaal Williams returns for Matt LaFleur's offense. Detroit's defense, much like New England's desire, is to try and take away what team's do best. WIth a healthy Adams, he would have been the focus. Now it turns to Aaron Jones, coming off his 182 total yard, 4 touchdown effort against the Cowboys. Having Williams back will help cut down the number of touches for Jones and allow the Packers to seek out other winnable matchups. They should find some against a unit giving up 405 yards a game so far this season. Darius Slay can't cover anyone so throwing away from the Pro Bowl corner should get results. Former Packer Mike Daniels will miss a second straight game with a foot injury and that could help the run game find cracks. Look for the Pack to test the coverage of Detroit linebackers against both tight ends and backs coming out.
When the Lions have the ball.
Matthew Stafford and company could always score. They've hit 27 or more in three of their four games. The offense, now coordinated by former Wisconsin Badger quarterback and Seattle OC Darrell Bevell, loves to stretch the field. They'll do it on the perimeter with Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones running go routes. Kerryon Johnson can take wheel routes deep out of the backfield and new tight end, T.J. Hockenson, their top pick from Iowa, can run linebackers down the seam. 6 difference receivers have a catch of at least 30 yards already this season. Detroit is running the ball better but it hasn't been their forte since Barry Sanders retired. Four of their five linemen are draft choices and protection will be tested by MIke Pettine's pressure packages.
The Packers learned a painful lesson against the Eagles two weeks ago. Lapses can be costly, even at home. I don't think it will happen again with a division game against a rival that feels it is ready to pass the Packers by. Not so fast Lions, I like the Pack, 23-17.
