3 Keys for the Packers against the Detroit Lions
Andrew Garda breaks down three keys to a Packers win over the Detroit Lions.
By andrewgarda
If you had said to anyone that two games into the season, the Green Bay Packers would be 1-1 and coming off a loss to a Minnesota Vikings team without Teddy Bridgewater and Adrian Peterson, it might have been suggested you cut back on the Wisco Disco.
That’s where we stand, though, and a few of the problems factor into this week’s key battles which all take place on the offensive side of things.
Aaron Rodgers vs…..himself?
It’s honestly hard to pinpoint exactly what’s up with Rodgers, but something is. He took too many sacks against the Vikings and isn’t being as careful with the ball as he should be, though he only lost one of three fumbles during that game.
The receivers seem to not be where he wants them to be far too frequently, and when they are a surprising amount of passes are lacking the sharpness we’ve come to expect from Rodgers.
That doesn’t seem to be due to the quality of the defense—though certainly the Vikings feature a very good unit—as much as it appears to be something going on with Rodgers himself.
I assume he shakes it off, and quite likely against a secondary which has averaged 296.0 net passing yards allowed per game this season, with the second-most passing scores given up at six. If you’re going to get right, here’s your chance.
Packers receivers vs. Lions secondary
Speaking of which, the receivers need to be a little sharper in their game.
You can excuse Jordy Nelson, given the rust he is still trying to knock off, but Randall Cobb hasn’t looked good and has no such excuses. The same with Davante Adams, who has been inconsistent enough to trigger migraines across Wisconsin. One minute, Adams is making a tremendous play, the next he’s drawing a flag or dropping a ball.
The Lions secondary isn’t good and, as mentioned above, allows a lot of pass yards and scores.
Can this group take advantage of it? Prior to last season’s injury-palooza, you would have answered yes – enthusiastically.
Now? A hesitant “maybe” with scattered “ughs” included.
This is a defense the Packers should tear to shreds but between the issues around Rodgers and the problems with the receivers, this could end up closer than it should be.
Eddie Lacy vs Lions DL
Part of the solution might be to commit to Eddie Lacy, who has not carried the ball more than 14 times in a game so far this season. Consequently, the Packers are not taking advantage of the 4.3 yards per carry he brings to the table.
Detroit’s rush defense averages 110.5 yards allowed per game but they have yet to allow a rushing touchdown. I think that changes this week, but in order to do that, the Packers need to run Lacy more than 12-14 times. As it is, Lacy should be able to run well between the 20s—the question is whether he can pound it in against a stubborn goal line defense.
Comments (25)
NickPerry
September 23, 2016 at 06:26 am
Nice job Andrew. I always bring up the stat when Lacy runs the ball 18 times he gains over 85 yards. McCarthy split the carries last week with Starks and there was just no reason, at least one we know of. If Lacy was having asthma problems then obviously he can'y play those snaps. But Starks seems every bit of his 30 years old this year, at least through the first 2 weeks.
Like to see Rodgers just take what the defense is giving him. Remember the times when a 6 or 7 yard pass would gain 20 or 25 yards. YAC has always been a huge part of the Packers Offense. Throw the ball to those open WR's and let them do the rest.
Because the Packers don't have a RB with speed, shiftiness, but still have a little strength, put Montgomery in the spot you normally use Cobb in the backfield. They started with it last season a few times and it just makes sense to try and use Montgomery in some way on the field. The dude it built like a brick s***house, give it a try. It's not like Cobb is ripping off 10 yard runs or catching passes out of the formation. Just another chance to get a play maker like Monty on the field WITH Cobb and Nelson.
I think it all comes together this weekend and the Packers hang 40. Don't CARE it's the Lions, don't CARE if they suck, only CARE about building some confidence and this might be the game to start building some.
dobber
September 23, 2016 at 07:13 am
"Part of the solution might be to commit to Eddie Lacy, who has not carried the ball more than 14 times in a game so far this season. "
It was understandable when he didn't get a ton of carries against Jax in the heat, but last week, in a close game where your defense is down its top CB and eventually its best NT, it was almost surreal...
NickPerry
September 23, 2016 at 07:53 am
"in a close game where your defense is down its top CB and eventually its best NT, it was almost surreal..."
It really was wasn't it? Lacy is a typical "Big Power Back" where the more you feed him the ball, the more yards he'll gain. Obviously that would go without saying if he's getting more carries, but the Packers are 15-4-1 in games Lacy has had at least 17 carries in his carrer. All but one of those losses I believe were in 2013 AFTER Rodgers was injured with the broken Collarbone. I believe the Packers are 10-1 in 2014 & 15 when he gets 17 carries. That's a really telling stat IMO.
It's absolutely mind boggling to me when Lacy is averaging 4.27 yards McCarthy isn't feeding him the ball, especially when your QB is averaging 5.9 yards per completion which by the way in the second worst in the NFL behind only.... Blane Gabbert who is averaging 5.8
RCPackerFan
September 23, 2016 at 07:21 am
I agree with pretty much everything you have said.
Rodgers needs to get into a rhythm. I think McCarthy needs to get him some easy passes early to get him into a groove.
The biggest thing is that McCarthy needs to open the playbook more. One thing I have been hearing is the Packers have to play certain personnel because of what the defense is doing. How about changing your personnel to make the defense have to adjust to what the offense is doing?
The offense has struggled and just hasn't been in sync since defenses started playing them differently last year. Now is the time to start tweaking the offense to try and jump start it.
I really hope the offense gets back on track this week.
But here is a question.
Is it better for them to get the offense rolling this week and feeling good about themselves during the bye week? Or is it better of them to struggle and make them look to change things during the bye week?
lebowski
September 23, 2016 at 07:41 am
They had an entire offseason to come up with ways to bring the offense out its funk and nothing's changed, not sure one bye week is going to make any difference.
RCPackerFan
September 23, 2016 at 07:56 am
I would have thought we would have seen some different things the first 2 games but we haven't...
Thats why apart of me thinks that it maybe better for the team in the long run to struggle against detroit and make them realize they have to make some changes.
SpudRapids
September 23, 2016 at 04:06 pm
Yeah but it's not like they can actually do anything if the offseason because of the CBA
croatpackfan
September 23, 2016 at 08:29 am
People, it is not play book where problems lies. Whatever ply you will give to Aaron today it is problem will he be able to complete it. It is not play calling, it is QB execution in question. It is problem inside Aaron's head, not on his body! Lets hope they solve that issue, play will be OK...
Gianich
September 23, 2016 at 08:39 am
"It's not the play calling" as Eddie Lacy averages over 4 yards per carry yet sits on the bench with only 13 carries per game....No not at all the playcalling... smh
croatpackfan
September 23, 2016 at 09:10 am
"The biggest thing is that McCarthy needs to open the playbook more. ..." I was refering to this sentence. I agree that Eddie should get more carries, but we do not know why he is kept on side. Maybe they want to save him for late season and, hopefully, post season...
RCPackerFan
September 23, 2016 at 09:37 am
I view play calling differently and honestly we have no clue what is called and what is changed by Rodgers.
What I'm talking about is more of game management and game planning. Not actually individual play calls. Game management is changing personnel and formations more.
There isn't enough use of the players that are on the sidelines. Running the same offense 70% of the time is way to much. There isn't enough use of players like Abbrederis had 20 snaps in 2 games. Montgomery 11 in 1, and 0 in another. Davis didn't play in the first and had 5 in the other. Combined they had 36 snaps in 2 games. Also Ripkowski had 2 snaps in the last game. That isn't enough.
I agree Rodgers has not played well. But when the offense is struggling, you have to find things that work. Changing personnel is one way to do so.
Rodgers is not playing his best. A lot of it is timing. The timing is off right now and he isn't in sync with the OL and WR's.
But even if he plays well it doesn't take away that the offense needs to be more versatile. They need to get more players involved and to be less predictable.
McCarthy has to do a lot better!
croatpackfan
September 24, 2016 at 04:20 am
Well, with this explanation it sounds differently, I admit. That is something else. Can we say, not open the book, but go to fundamentals. If passing game do not work, go back to running, slants, shallow passes etc. It is not opening the play book. it is backing to the basics... And I agree with that!
Rcariveau
September 23, 2016 at 09:47 am
Ty Montgomery should be the 3rd down back, he is big and fast. GB needs to start using more formations instead of always sending Adams, Cobb and Nelson out. Get Abby in there and Trevor Davis that actually has some speed. Rodgers just needs to start slinging it to some of these young guys, instead of it taking 3 years for him to start trusting them to catch the ball.
Handsback
September 23, 2016 at 07:39 am
I know that the Packers can win by 27 points, but I expect another close game until the 4th qtr. Packers win by 13 pts.
Razer
September 23, 2016 at 07:48 am
I'm waiting for all the Packer chest thumping. At home, against the Lions, one-time Super Bowl winner - what could go wrong?!
The only reason we might be favorites is because of Detroit's injury list. If they brought a healthy D-line and linebackers to the party we would all be asking "what's wrong with our predictable offense". Here are the 3 barometers that I'll be watching.
1. Can the improved Packer defense continue it's stout play against a good Lions offense?
2. Can Aaron play with poise and efficiency against a limping defense?
3. Will we need to make a change at punter?
Let's hope we take advantage of the time and place of this game.
MarkinMadison
September 23, 2016 at 08:14 am
1. Can the Packers secondary sans Sam Shields hold up against a Lions passing attack that now spreads the ball around?
2. Can the Packers thin DL avoid another injury?
3. Can Don Barclay hold up in place of TJ Lang if needed?
al bundy
September 23, 2016 at 08:15 am
I see the pack ekeing out this one. Pack pass defense is almost as bad as the lions. If stafford and the lions could get two quick scores they may have a chance. Otherwise the pack win.
Even so nothing to brag about here. Giants are next and the pack have done poorly against them. Can easily be 2-2 after 4 games. Lots to fix on this team. Mike used pre season poorly.
Razer
September 23, 2016 at 08:41 am
... Giants are next and the pack have done poorly against them.
Not to mention that Ben McAdoo comes from the Packers offense. Since little has changed, the Giants defense should play with good insight and anticipation. We could indeed be 2-2 after 4.
MarkinMadison
September 23, 2016 at 09:49 am
One of my three "bold predictions" for the year was that the Packers would start 2-2 but go on to win the division. Blind luck maybe, but the Packers are 1/3 of the way to making that prediction come true.
mrtundra
September 23, 2016 at 09:50 am
Detroit always plays us tough. As does Minnesota. We cannot afford to lose two division games in a row. What ever is causing our offensive woes had better be straightened out quickly. We need Aaron to throw the ball in rhythm, we need solid play calling, we need Lacy to run like there is no tomorrow and we need our Defense to play well. It's Lions week, folks! It's time we decided to win.
jlc1
September 23, 2016 at 10:30 am
In regards to the Davante Adams penalty cited here I assume it is the pass interference he got against Minnesota. In my opinion that was a good penalty because it looked to me like Rodgers had thrown the pass directly to the defender and Adams simply kept Rodgers' passer rating up by breaking up the play however he could. All of which just underlines your points here, what's up with AR?
Gforcetrivers
September 23, 2016 at 11:28 am
I think if Aaron starts completing passes all will be well again. I cant remember the last deep pass completed. Seems his accuaracy isn't where it should be. Just fix that and D starts backing up Lacy gets holes again.
Colin_C
September 23, 2016 at 01:11 pm
All good points. For me, I really think we need to get our TE's involved more, along with Ty, Abby, and Davis. Since Jordy doesn't seem to be back up to full speed yet, let's cut Davis loose and see what he can do. Also, I'm pretty pumped for Hawkin's (likely) debut.
hybridauth_Facebook_100004084225446
September 23, 2016 at 03:25 pm
Heavy dose of Eddie the pass game will open up more 17 carries isn't enough .........
al bundy
September 23, 2016 at 06:08 pm
Hey, fix whats broken. The pass game needs to get going. A lack of understanding between the receivers, the coaches and rogers exist. Its chaos.
Eddie lacy aint leading this team to victory. If they try and run him as the offense, he will be stopped. It aint like he is going to run away from anyone.