Never has a home, prime time game versus the Lions felt so timely.
In Week 1, they were thoroughly embarrassed by the Saints, failing to reach the endzone on offense and allowing 38 points on five Jameis Winston TD passes on D. On Monday night, the Packers will look to avoid a terrifying 0-2 start, which would be their worst beginning to a season with Rodgers as starting quarterback (the last such start came in 2006).
In past years, an early-season meeting with Detroit provided an opportunity to build confidence and get on the right track. Such will be the expectation in this week's game as the Packers enter as heavy favorites. But, will they live up to Vegas' double-digit spread? A lot depends on whether coaching and schematic deficiencies that plagued them during Week 1 can be repaired in just a week.
On Offense
Against the Saints, the Packers failed to establish any kind of rhythm behind a talented yet inexperienced offensive line. The front five will get a significantly easier assignment in the Lions' front seven, which ranked as one of the worst in the league last season. As was the case when the Packers hosted Detroit last season, I expect Matt LaFleur to emphasize Aaron Jones early on, trying to exploit an aging Lions linebacker corps.
The Lions will be without cornerback Jeff Okudah after the 2020 third overall pick suffered a torn Achilles in last week's game. As such, I expect Aaron Rodgers and the passing game to find its form against a Lions pass defense that was torched by Jimmy Garoppolo.
On Defense
In the first home game with a stadium full of fans since January 2020, you can be sure that Lambeau will be loud on Monday night. The hope is that the noise will help disrupt quarterback Jared Goff who, despite struggling in his last visit to Green Bay this past postseason, seemed to play well within Dan Campbell's system last week.
Like New Orleans, the Lions have next to no talent at wide receiver, forcing them to rely on the backfield, scheme and tight end T.J. Hockenson to move the ball on offense. If Packers defensive coordinator Joe Barry continues to employ a bend-don't-break approach, I'm concerned about the potential for Jamaal Williams and the Detroit backfield controlling the tempo of the game, the same way the Saints did last week.
Prediction
The Packers have lots to clean up from Week 1 - but most of the fixes are reliant on better coaching and preparation rather than overcoming talent deficits. While the Packers lost to a less-talented team last week, it would take another level of low energy to stub their toes at home against the Lions.
With the 49ers and Steelers following Detroit on the calendar, the Packers simply can't afford to drop this contest with a division rival on Monday Night Football.
PackerDay Prediction: Packers 34 Lions 26
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