Green Bay Packers – Page 17

Five things to watch as Lions face Packers at Lambeau; plus, prediction

ALLEN PARK — For years it was mostly misery when the Lions played the Packers at Lambeau Field. That changed last season. The Lions have won three straight against the Packers.

It’s hard to forget the season-ending Lions’ 20-16 win in Green Bay which knocked the Packers out of the playoffs. Earlier on that Sunday, the Lions playoff hopes had been wrecked.

With that huge nationally televised victory, the Lions went into the offseason on a positive note

“It’s a good win on the road, a division opponent. If you can’t get in, that’s the way you’ve got to end it. You win some games, you find a little bit of a flow, it’s always good to win on the road especially in this division,’’ coach Dan Campbell said on Tuesday. “That’s the extent of it now it’s a new season, we know we can win out there. We’ve done it before but you’ve got to go earn it.’’

In a battle for the lead in the NFC North, both teams go into Thursday night’s game with 2-1 records.

It’s a short turnaround from Sunday to Thursday but, like Campbell said, the Packers are going through the same thing so it’s a level playing field.

Five things to watch:

1. Keep the pass rush working like it did against the Falcons. Don’t expect seven sacks every week, but must get pressure on quarterback Jordan Love. He is not Aaron Rodgers but he’s played well enough to get two wins so far. He’s mobile and has the second-most rushing yards on the team. Love has completed just 53.1 percent of his passes (compared to 69.9 percent for Jared Goff) but has thrown seven touchdowns against just one interception. “I think when everybody’s just doing their part and we’re staying disciplined to our responsibility, then everybody gets to eat,’’ Campbell said. “If we don’t do that and we’re not all totally in tune, it can make it hard. I’d like to believe it is sustainable.’’

2. Shut down the run again. Atlanta, which had averaged 170.5 rushing yards per game in its first two games, was held to 44. While the Packers average just 90.3 rushing yards per game. AJ Dillon and Aaron Jones (if he’s active) must be stopped.

3. If running back David Montgomery (thigh) can’t go, expect more from Jahmyr Gibbs who looked like he was finding his rhythm in the fourth quarter on Sunday. He had four runs for 41 yards in the winning touchdown drive. Gibbs said he’s always confident in running between the tackles (or anywhere) but he looked like he was in more of a groove in the fourth quarter. It’s easy to forget he’s a rookie.

4. The only thing Goff needs to work on is his vertical jump so as not to embarrass himself if he tries the Lambeau Leap like he did last week at Ford Field. Goff has a few hitches in his giddyup but not many. He said the interception he threw last week was his worst pass of his career so don’t expect we’ll see that again. He has formed quite a bond with rookie tight end Sam LaPorta who has 18 catches for 186 yards in three games. He’s second in receptions and yardage behind the consistently consistent Amon-Ra St. Brown.

5. Improving the third-down conversion rate might not be a the top of Dan Campbell’s list but it’s somewhere on it. The Lions offense is converting just 37.5 percent of third downs. They’re almost as effective at fourth downs converting 2 of 6 (33.3 percent).

PREDICTION: Lions 31, Packers 21. Could be a close one but give the Lions an edge due to their defensive play against the Falcons.

Lions face quick turnaround for Thursday game at Green Bay Packers

Offensive line injuries add up; Montgomery day to day

ALLEN PARK — Dan Campbell joked that he got 10-12 hours of sleep on Sunday night after the win over the Falcons.

It’s more likely 3-4 hours —the Lions coach looked a little bleary and sounded somewhat hoarse on Monday — due to the quick-turnaround to play at Green Bay on Thursday in the Lions’ first NFC North game this season.

Usually Mondays are spent going over Sunday’s game, but Campbell said they had a few things to correct and then moved onto the Packers. The team had a meeting and a walk-through Monday and will do the same on Tuesday.

“What we all have to keep in mind really the way we played yesterday collectively is how we have to go in and play this game,’’ Campbell said. “It’s going to take every one of us and man, everybody had to do their part and it’s never about one person. It’s about everybody – coaches, players – in all three phases to win. … We do that i like our chances out there.’’

It’s not just another game it’s a divisional rival in a tough environment. The Packers (2-1) are coming off a 18-17 win over the Saints at Lambeau on Sunday.

“It’ll be a tough environment, it’ll be a special environment,’’ Campbell said. “I think there is always something special about going out to Lambeau. I just told the rookies you’re going to enjoy this, it doesn’t get any better, it will be an outstanding atmosphere.’’

It’s tough to forget the last time the teams met. The Lions went to Green Bay and knocked Aaron Rodgers and the Packers out of the playoffs with a 20-16 win on national TV on Jan. 8. Aidan Hutchinson sacked Rodgers twice and Kerby Joseph intercepted him, his third pick of Rodgers last season. Former Lions RB Jamaal Williams ran in for a pair of touchdowns.

INJURY UPDATE

Detroit’s offensive line has taken a big hit injury wise and it’s unclear who will be available on Thursday night.

Left tackle Taylor Decker (ankle) and guard Halapoulivaati Vaitai (knee) did not play on Sunday and were listed as limited practice on the injury report that was required on Monday even though there was only a walk-through.

On Monday night, Decker said if it is up to him he will play on Thursday. But it’s up to those above him to make the decision.

“There will be some guys that it’ll be hard to get them to the game probably and there will be some other guys that will have a chance, that have played but have been on the injury report,’’ Campbell said.

Backup tackle Matt Nelson, who was injured in Sunday’s win, will require surgery on his ankle. Rookie Colby Sorsdal, who made his NFL debut, got into the game for 36 snaps after tackle Dan Skipper (who went in for Nelson) was injured.

“Sorsdal certainly – Skip went in there and banged away and got an injury. Sorsdale went in and honestly he did a solid job. He went in and filled in admirably. He’ll get better from those reps he took,’’ Campbell said.

Because the Lions are playing on Thursday they were required to publish an injury report even though they just had a walk-through on Monday. Vaitai and Ragnow were listed as out, but it was just considered a rest day for the center.

Those with limited practice: Decker; FB Jason Cabinda (knee); G Jonah Jackson (thigh); S Kerby Joseph (hip) who did not play Sunday; RB David Montgomery (thigh) who was inactive Sunday; and CB Emmanuel Moseley (knee/hamstring) who has not played yet.

Montgomery wants to play but just said he is just taking it day to day.

WILLIAMS REJOINS TEAM

Wide receiver Jameson Williams is halfway through his six-game suspension for gambling. At this point he is allowed in the Lions practice facility and can go to meetings. He is not allowed to practice.

“We’re going to do everything we can,’’ Campbell said. “It’s just good to have him back.”

Williams had a hamstring issue when he left, but Campbell said that is good.

Five reasons why the Lions won a physical battle with the Falcons, 20-6

DETROIT — After a disappointing loss the week before, the Detroit Lions bounced back behind a violent defense and a smooth and rhythmic offense, to beat the Atlanta Falcons, 20-6, at Ford Field on Sunday.

“We played a physical, violent game. Our defense was outstanding. AG (defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn) did a helluva job and we looked like a hungry, hungry team. We looked like a hungry violent defense,’’ coach Dan Campbell said.

That’s his favored style, If not biting kneecaps, at least playing with a violent edge.

“We got takeaways, tackles, TFLs, guys were flying around the football, good coverage and we were around the quarterback a lot. I was proud of those guys,’’ Campbell said.

When they needed it most on offense, quarterback Jared Goff ran in from 3 yards out for a touchdown to give them a 20-3 lead in the fourth quarter.

That was a called play — not a scramble — that Goff performed to perfection.

“Those always are going to mean more to Goff because he still thinks he’s a running quarterback,’’ Campbell said with his tongue planted in his cheek. “He doesn’t want anybody to forget that.’’

Funny stuff, but the touchdown was critical.

Here are five reasons the Lions (2-1) beat the Falcons:

1. The pass rush which seemed anemic (at best) in the loss a week ago, was running at full throttle. They finished with seven sacks by six different guys. Adrian Hutchinson, who hadn’t had a sack in the first two games, downed Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder twice in the fourth quarter. Hutchinson said he needed mental toughness to hang in there on Sunday. Even though he didn’t have a sack yet, he had pressures and Campbell never lost faith. “Any time Hutch rushes I think he’s going to get there, it’s the nature of the way he rushes, he’s high motor, he’s got craft about what he does, he’s not a one-trick pony,’’ Campbell said. “He’s got a couple of different moves and he’s got ability.’’ Others with sacks were rookie Jack Campbell, Charles Harris, Alim McNeill, Derrick Barnes and Benito Jones who got the sack party started.

2. No surprise that Jared Goff played well again, throwing one touchdown pass and running in for the other. He completed 22 of 33 passes for 243 yards. He also threw an interception at the end of the third quarter with the Lions holding onto a 13-3 lead. “That’s about as bad as I’ve thrown a ball in my career, just straight missed him,’’ Goff said. “How do I respond on the next drive, the next play, to be as best as I can. That’s where I think you’re truly judged.’’ In the fourth quarter, on Detroit’s next series, Goff led a seven-play touchdown drive. He responded and it helped seal the win.

3. The Falcons (2-1) averaged 170.5 rushing yards in their first two games. So there was little doubt about their game plan. Except they couldn’t break the Lions’ defense and finished with just 44 rushing yards. Highly touted Bijan Robinson had 10 carries for 33 yards. “I’m surprised they got away from it more. I thought, especially in the second half, get back to, that’s their foundation, that balanced run game,’’ Hutchinson said. “… I thought we did a good job stopping the runs we got, but not the game I expected.’’

4. Rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs got his big chance with David Montgomery sidelined. Gibbs carried 17 times for 80 yards, including four catches for 37 yards in the final touchdown drive. “We also knew it was going to take a while, we had to hang in there, have patience about it. I thought as the game went on, particularly there late, Gibbs started going,’’ Campbell said. “He started to find a little bit of his rhythm. He just needs … When the light really comes on, it’s going to come on. I could feel toward the end a couple of those runs, those back-to-back runs where you feel like here he goes, he’s starting to feel this. He’ll only get better with time and with reps.’’

5. Three more rookies – cornerback Brian Branch, linebacker Jack Campbell and tight end Sam LaPorta – continued to look like NFL playmakers in just their third game. Branch finished with a team-high 11 tackles, three TFLs and two pass defenses. He’s tough and violent, Campbell’s kind of guy. “He’s making big plays in critical moments as opposed to the other way,’’ Campbell said. “The more he plays the better he gets and the more he understands what we’re trying to do with him.’’ It’s kind of the same for LaPorta who has developed trust with Goff. He was wide open on a 45-yard touchdown that gave the LIons a 10-3 edge. “He’s a stud man. He does a great job. We had that play rigged up all week, we knew he liked it, he ran a great route and was able to throw it to him wide open,’’ Goff said. LaPorta is the only rookie tight end in the NFL to catch at least 5 passes in each of his first three games. Campbell had five tackles, one sack, one TFL and one quarterback hit.

NEXT UP: The Lions (2-1) at the Green Bay Packers (2-1) on Thursday, Sept. 28. The Packers edged the Saints, 18-17, on Sunday. It will be the third game in 12 days for both teams.