Another season, another sloppy win over the Lions.
The Packers survived their home opener against Detroit, thanks mostly to a spectacular night from Aaron Jones and plenty of incompetence from Dan Campbell's Lions. Further aided by a packed Lambeau Field and electric Monday Night Football environment, it's not surprising that the Packers were able to overcome a 17-14 halftime deficit in feel-good fashion.
On Offense
If you're looking for improvements from Week 1, the offense certainly returned to form against Detroit. Knowing that the talented-but-green offensive line needs time to gel, Matt LaFleur did a much better job getting the ball out of Rodgers' hands quickly, also able to scheme open Jones and tight end Robert Tonyan on more than one occasion. The Packers' ball movement was similar to 2020, a nice balance of run and pass that resulted in long drives and crucial rest for the Green Bay defense.
What remains concerning is the receivers' inability to win one-on-one battles. All night long, wide outs Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb and Marquez Valdes-Scantling struggled to get separation from a below-average Lions secondary. When unable to find Jones or Davante Adams through the air, we've started to see Rodgers force throws into tight windows - something that could get him into trouble versus better defensive backs.
On Defense
Until the Lions found themselves in a second half hole, Joe Barry's defense had few answers for Jared Goff and the Lions offense. Without Za'Darius Smith, the pass rush was almost non-existent, allowing Goff to carve up the pass D early on. Barry's personnel decisions in the secondary were equally as perplexing: he chose to regularly play 6'3" Kevin King in the slot as a part of nickel packages that never really found a way to get the Lions' offense off the field.
Instead, the Packers greatly benefitted from Detroit's self-destruction in the second half, including a number of penalties and turnovers that put the game on ice. Despite being equipped with four former first-round picks, Barry's defense looked nothing close to playoff-caliber against Detroit, with LaFleur having to intervene in the defensive strategy at half.
Given the defense's struggles through two weeks, expect for LaFleur and Barry to come into San Francisco with a different game plan on defense.
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