After a dramatic week three win, the Green Bay Packers are back at Lambeau Field looking to take control of the NFC North with a win over the Detroit Lions and avenge the loss which kept them out of the playoffs a season ago.

Here are five key things to look out for in Green Bay’s first prime time game of the year.

Get Jared Goff off the spot

As the Packers have often found out, Goff is annoyingly efficient when protected. He’s careful with the ball and gives his team a chance to win, as the Lions have in their three previous meetings with the Packers.

Usually operating behind a pristine offensive line, applying pressure to Goff can be a frustrating task, although he will be missing one piece of his protection this week with Halapoulivaati Vaitai out.

Green Bay’s pass rush has been relentless in the early season. If Rashan Gary, coming off a three-sack performance against New Orleans, and the rest of the EDGE group can unsettle Goff or force him to move from the pocket, Detroit’s quarterback will be much less effective.  

Aaron Jones and Christian Watson return

All reports indicate Aaron Jones and Christian Watson will return to the field on Thursday night, with Jones expected to take close to his usual share of snaps and Watson predicted to have a lesser workload.

Jones was the focal point of the Packers week one offense which dominated the Bears, both on the ground and through the air. The Lions have struggled to cover running backs in the passing game, potentially providing a favorable mismatch for Green Bay.

Set to make his 2023 season debut, Watson should add an explosive downfield element which has been so far missing from Matt LaFleur’s offense.

His impact on how opposing defenses have to play the Packers cannot be overstated, and his presence could mean more successfully completed deep passes by Jordan Love, who has found connecting with his receivers downfield a challenge at times.

Luke Musgrave vs Sam LaPorta

It’s the battle of the second-round tight ends this week, as the 34^th overall pick (LaPorta) and the 42^nd (Musgrave) look to make an impact for their respective offenses.

Musgrave has been as advertised in the first three weeks, showing off his elite athleticism and getting open consistently, but has not been targeted as much as he perhaps should.

There is incentive for LaFleur and Love to get Musgrave the ball on Thursday night, as the Lions have given up the most catches (25) and yards (263) to tight ends in the NFL through three games.

LaPorta has already become a feature of the Detroit offense and his production has increased each week, peaking in last week’s 8-catch, 84-yard, one-touchdown performance versus Atlanta.

The question of “which NFC North team picked the better tight end?” will be one to track going forward, and Thursday’s game is the first flashpoint.

Jayden Reed vs Brian Branch

Both the Packers and Lions had multiple second-round picks in the most recent draft, and their second selections will see plenty of each other on the field and specifically, in the slot.

Reed has shown his talent in the early season and has put himself in position to make plays consistently. His only issue has been making tough and contested catches with consistency, a prerequisite to play in the slot.

A player many expected to go in the first round, Branch has hit the ground running in the motor city, housing a pick-six in his first NFL start against the Chiefs. The versatile defensive back is second in coverage grade among rookie cornerbacks.

How long is the leash for Royce Newman?

Filling in for the injured Elgton Jenkins, Newman survived, but didn’t exactly inspire at left guard versus the Saints last week.

At this point, it is clear what Newman is, but Sean Rhyan is the mystery box which the Packers may crack open at some point this season.

Facing a rugged divisional opponent on a short week may not be the moment, but in a season where everything is being evaluated, it would behoove the Packers to see if their former third-round pick Rhyan can cut it if Newman falters.