Same-old Detroit? Solid Run Defense Says Differently
The Lions are losers of three straight, but their run defense could give them a good shot to reverse fortunes against Green Bay.
By dnicholson
Green Bay’s long-awaited return to action—still seven days away—will be against an opponent in Detroit with its back up against a wall. Despite an enormous opportunity to seize control of the NFC North after a 3-1 start and significant injuries to quarterbacks of two division rivals, the Lions have held firm to their history of underachievement.
So which Detroit will the ailing-on-the-way-to-healthy Packers see next Monday? It’s hard to say because it’s not easy getting a read on these Lions.
All four of their losses have come against teams with winning records—Atlanta, Carolina, New Orleans and Pittsburgh. Three of those were one-score losses. And for some reason, the Lions are actually better on the road this year than at home.
In a conference where over half of the teams are over .500, Detroit can reaffirm their spot in the playoff hunt with a win against the Packers. And after a chippy home loss to Pittsburgh on Sunday night, they should enter Lambeau Field next week highly motivated.
One major factor that bodes well for Detroit is their run defense, which flexed again on Sunday in limiting LeVeon Bell to just 75 yards on 25 carries. The Lions are fourth in the league in rushing yards and seventh-best in yards per game. Opposing backs are averaging just 3.6 yards a tote and only twice has an opponent gone 20+ yards in a single rush.
Outside of Minnesota, Detroit’s run defense is the best the Packers will have faced this season. The timing doesn’t bode well, considering the lone bright spot of the Packers’ offense since Rodgers went down has been Aaron Jones. The fifth-round rookie back has secured the starting job in short order, showcasing vision, burst, and explosiveness.
The conclusion here is simple: Brett Hundley must play well in order for the Packers to avoid their own three-game skid. A similar, training-wheels-on performance like his starting debut against New Orleans will not cut it.
For all that can be reasonably said about the importance of Green Bay’s defense—and make no mistake, the keys will be slowing down Matthew Stafford and his playmakers—the key to a ‘W’ will rest on Hundley’s arm, not Jones’ legs.
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Comments (14)
Bearmeat
October 30, 2017 at 04:32 pm
Yep. Hundley must play well and our "defense" must get at least 3 stops to win this game, as well as a turnover or two. We must have more than 30 mins TOP.
Frankly, I seriously doubt it will be done. MM has proven us all wrong before. Hope he does again.
TKWorldWide
October 30, 2017 at 07:43 pm
You had me at “defense”.
al bundy
October 30, 2017 at 04:46 pm
Whomever loses the season is pretty much over. Packer d has a lot to do in 7 days. We will also see who hundley is. I hope he can read a defense and not toss picks. Going to be eye opening for sure.
Qoojo
October 30, 2017 at 08:50 pm
I thought the Lions offense looked pretty good last night. I still don't think the packers offense has more than 21-24 points production, and the packers defense isn't going to hold up.
NickPerry
October 30, 2017 at 09:49 pm
The Lions run defense might be better but the Packers RB situation is better than it has been since 2014. Jones sample size may be small but he's shown more than enough to me to feel he can do it again Monday Night. The Packers O-Line is healthy so that will obviously help. With that said McCarthy has got to dust off his creative side if it still exists and help his QB. Rodgers is no longer back there to save his butt , he actually has to design a decent game plan for Monday.
IMO if McCarthy can't get this offense going with a healthy O-Line and the weapons still available then he should be shown the door at the end of the year. Nowhere to hide now McCarthy and EVERYBODY is watching to see if the "Highly Successful Head Coach" can be highly successful without the best QB on the planet.
Dzehren
October 30, 2017 at 10:46 pm
GB has been a throw first team since 1992. It ain’t changing with a new QB. Cmon man. We have a pass pro o-lime built around pocket QB’s.
Johnblood27
October 30, 2017 at 10:49 pm
I have NO faith in Mashed Potato Mike.
If his seeing the door is dependent upon this team looking like an NFL caliber team without AR, he is a dead coach walking.
...and I couldn't be happier.
Lets just hope that TT goes with him and Howdy Doody too if he doesn't like it.
I am so done with these clowns .
Dzehren
October 30, 2017 at 11:04 pm
Remember 2013 QB carousel post AROD collarbone?
Seneca Wallace blew- graham Harrel was worse- scott Tolzien was bad. Vince Young and BJ Coleman sucked too- Matt Brown didn’t work either.
Matt Flynn was really the only back up who did any thing the failed with Seattle. Tolzien signed w/Colts but failed...
Dzehren
October 30, 2017 at 11:07 pm
Give Brett Hundley 2 more games before we freak out.
Speaking of freaking out- jimmy garropollo just traded to San Fran for 2nd round pick -
Bearmeat
November 01, 2017 at 09:33 am
I'm not surprised. There are not enough quality QBs in the NFL, and the position has a very high threshold on the success or failure of any NFL team.
Jimmy showed he was a competent QB for 4 games. If BH can do that, we can expect much the same. If BH can get this team to 9-7 and in playoff contention, we can expect a 1st rounder.
The offense has to show it can pass the ball though....
Cwilly
October 30, 2017 at 11:07 pm
Just saw every team a “contender making a great trade” but we now have another fulll back to the practice squad. If Hundley doesn’t produce which I hope he does it is the worse sign. I hope we show were more without Rodgers to show this team and management have done somethinhg in the last 7 years.
GBPDAN1
October 31, 2017 at 01:52 am
Lions put up 438 yards passing and almost 500 yards total on one of the best defenses in the NFL Sunday night. What will Capers confused D look like against the Lions?
Can Hundley out score the Lions?
Thegreatreynoldo
October 31, 2017 at 02:39 am
Detroit went 0-5 in the red zone, settling for 5 field goals. Doubt we do as well. How will Capers' D look?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yO2n7QoyieM
Hematite
October 31, 2017 at 07:07 am
I predict the Loins will have a big fourth quarter against our worn out defense and will waltz to a win.