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Five things to watch as the Lions host Packers; plus prediction

When the NFL schedule makers scheduled the Green Bay Packers at the Lions this week, it could have been a key NFC North matchup. Well after seven games, not so much.

The Packers (3-5) are tied with the Bears in the division while the Lions (1-6) are once again hanging out in the basement.

Detroit traded away tight end T.J. Hockenson this week but they insist winning each week is still the goal. Coach Dan Campbell, whose record is 4-19-1, insists the team is close. And, by the way, he doesn’t believe this team is cursed.

“No, I don’t man. I do not, I can’t go there. I’m not going to allow myself to go there because I just feel like for me as a coach, or for us as players, that’s an excuse,’’ Campbell said. “And I think you create your own vibe, your own mojo, you create your own energy. And I think the more you buy into that, believe that, that’s what you become, so no, I’m not buying that.”

Five things to watch as the Lions host the Packers:

1.Can the defense regroup after a coaching shakeup cost defensive backs coach Aubrey Pleasant his job. The defense is dead last in the NFL ratings. Miami’s TuaTagovailoa had his way with the Lions passing for 382 yards. Not one of his passing attempts was thrown into tight coverage where there was a defender within one yard or less of the receiver at the time of completion on incompletion, according to Zebra Technology. That is one atrocious stat. Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn said the focus is to win now. “I think every decision that’s made is made to win. Period. Some guys might not understand that, but it’s made to win,’’ Glenn said. “If it’s in the future, but every decision’s meant to be made to win right now. I know that’s how I look at it.’’

2. Aaron Rodgers has been inconsistent but he is completing 66.4 percent of his passes and has thrown just four interceptions against 13 touchdowns. He is always dangerous. “Well, they still have that guy (Rodgers), so as long as you have that guy you have a chance,’’ Glenn said.

3. Speaking of quarterbacks, Jared Goff threw three touchdown passes in the first half against the Dolphins, but couldn’t get the offense on track in the second half due to penalties and drops. He never found a rhythm with just three second-half possessions and he said the issues were mostly self-inflicted. “That’s kind of the frustrating part. I wish I could say, ‘Yeah, the defense came out and did something we weren’t expecting and it kind of caught us off guard.’ And that hasn’t been the case,’’ Goff said. “It’s been self-inflicted, and for a variety of reasons, but this past week unfortunately, it was some penalties. I think though, with that being said, how can we – like every team is going to have a bad drive here or there. They’re going to have penalties, they’re going to have turnovers. How do we put it away and move on and get back to what we do quicker the next drive, respond? And I think that’s kind of where the emphasis is put, less on, ‘Hey guys, let’s avoid mistakes,’ more on, ‘Hey, let’s respond after them.’”

4. The offense will regroup in a fashion to make up for the absence of Hockenson who had 26 catches for 395 yards and three touchdowns. Look for tight ends Brock Wright and James Mitchell to be more involved and the wide receivers too. Campbell said he was honest with the team about the trade. “I told them that what I have to judge is, well, where does his production go now? And I have to feel OK with that production going to (WR Amon-Ra) St. Brown, (WR Kalif Raymond) Leaf, (WR Josh) Reynolds, (RB D’Andre) Swift, another carry for (Lions RB) Jamaal (Williams) and the other tight ends. And I feel OK with that,’’ Campbell said.

5. After trading the top tight end and firing an assistant coach, the Lions have to remain focused. Campbell said he was straight with them about Hockenson, calling it a business decision. It was a tough call to fire Pleasant but obviously he thought it was necessary. The organization hasn’t given up for the season even though it may look like it from afar. With straight talk and solid leadership within the team, they have to keep playing like it matters. It will be obvious if they don’t.

INS and OUTS: Injuries continue to be an issue. Four are out: CB Chase Lucas. S Ifeatu Melifonwu, T Matt Nelson and CB A.J. Parker. WR Josh Reynolds (back) is doubtful while LT Taylor Decker (groin), DE Charles Harris (groin), D’Andre Swift (ankle/shoulder) and Brock Wright (concussion protocol) are questionable.

(PREDICTION: Packers 35, Lions 21.)

Lions GM: Hockenson would have been traded even with a 6-1 record

ALLEN PARK — Brad Holmes, the Lions general manager, insisted on Wednesday that he would have traded tight end T.J. Hockenson even if the Lions 1-6 record was reversed.

The 25-year-old Hockenson was traded to the Vikings for a second-round pick (2023) and a third-rounder (2024) on Tuesday, the NFL trade deadline day.

“This move was not reflective of our record. If our record was reversed and it made sense for us we would have still done it,’’ Holmes said during Wednesday’s practice “It wasn’t anything of that nature, it made sense for us and we’ll move forward with it.’’

Hockenson, a 2019 first-round pick, had 26 catches for 395 yards and three touchdowns in the first seven games.

“I think that we’ve proven that our offense can score a lot of points, I’m sure he was a part of it. But the deal would have made sense, it was not based on record whatsoever,’’ Holmes reiterated. “I think it was a good deal for the future of our team and that’s my job, I’ve always got to have a laser focus on the current and also the future.’’

Holmes said this is not a sign that the team has given up on the season after losing five straight games.

“We’re working hard every single day to win as many games as possible. We’ve still got 10 games left and that’s what we’re working hard to do,’’ Holmes said. “Just because we’re in that phase of rebuilding doesn’t mean we can’t go out and work as hard as we can and win some games.’’

He said it is archaic thinking that trading in the division is a bad thing.

“When we make these kinds of decisions I’m totally at peace. T.J. is a good football player and the next time we play him he’ll still be a good football player, he’ll make a play or make some plays and score a touchdown or whatever he does. The camera will be in my face, I’ll look at it and wave,’’ Holmes said.

Hockenson is in the fourth year of his rookie deal. The Lions picked up his $4.9 million fifth-year option, putting him under contract through 2023. He is eligible for an extension.

Holmes said that many factors went into the trade decision and wo9rking on an extension for Hockenson was just one of them.

The GM also thanked Hockenson for his contributions to the team.

“I want to publicly express my appreciation for everything T.J. did for us. We’ve had a great relationship since I’ve been here. I wish him all the best, besides when we’re playing him, going forward,’’ Holmes said.

(Up next: Packers (3-5) at Lions (1-6) at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 6)

Lions fire DBs coach Aubrey Pleasant

ALLEN PARK — After another subpar defensive performance in the sixth loss of the season on Sunday, the Lions fired defensive backs coach and defensive pass game coordinator Aubrey Pleasant on Monday.

“I think Aubrey is a hell of a coach, I have a ton of respect for him. It was a tough decision but we’re in a production based business and after seven weeks I felt like this change needed to be made,’’ coach Dan Campbell said. “I wish him the best of luck and I appreciate everything — he put his heart and soul into everything he did.’’

He will be replaced by Brian Duker, who has served as the safeties coach. Addison Lynch, who has been the defensive quality control coach, will also be involved.

“Both of those guys will take on a substantial role with the defensive backs. We’ll see where that goes,’’ Campbell said.

Campbell said it wasn’t one particular incident in the 31-27 loss to the Dolphins on Sunday that led to the firing. “It’s all encompassing after seven weeks, it’s where we’re at. There again I think something needed to change,’’ Campbell said.

After the game he blamed the coaches (including himself) and the defensive players for not following the game plan they had drawn up specific to the Dolphins. The Lions gave up 382 passing yards in the loss to Miami.

Detroit’s defense, which gives up 421.3 yards per game, has been the worst in the NFL through the 1-6 start.

Moving forward without Pleasant, Campbell wants to see everyone on the same page. “And if we’re going to get beat it’s because we’re getting outrun or we’re not quite in phase but at least we’re kind of there. We have to cut our mentals (mental mistakes) in half,’’ Campbell said.

Campbell said he thought about the move last night and decided to go with it on Monday morning.

“(Firings are) brutal, they’re the worst, it’s the worst part of this job. He’s got a family. There again he put everything he had into this,’’ Campbell said. “I still believe he’s a helluva coach. Sometimes things just don’t work out. Absolutely, I see him getting another opportunity and continuing to grow and climb again at some point, somewhere.’’

Pleasant was hired as the Lions’ defensive backs coach/pass game coordinator on Jan. 28, 2021.

(Next up: The Lions (1-6) face the Green Bay Packers (3-5) at 1 p.m. on Sunday at Ford Field.)