Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers: SLR Staff Predictions
By Zac Snyder
It’s week three of the 2014 NFL season and the Detroit Lions are set to host the Green Bay Packers. Here is what the SideLion Report sees for today’s big NFC North showdown.
Braden Shackelford – The Lions are coming off a loss where they turned the ball over three times and beat themselves – something they vowed to correct this season. This could be a very big game for the Jim Caldwell era and in terms of momentum moving forward as the Lions desperately need to prove that they are capable of correcting their mistakes.
I think the Lions correct their mistakes and play a solid game overall, but do I really think they can beat the Packers with all the injuries they’ve suffered in the secondary? That’s asking a lot. The Lions only chance in this game is to stop the run on defense and bring consistent pressure on Aaron Rodgers.
The Lions may not win, but don’t hit the panic button just yet. Packers win 35-31
Alex Reno – The Packers are 9-0 against the Lions in games that Aaron Rodgers has started and finished. Those are numbers I wouldn’t want to bet against, and while this matchup may be closer than it’s ever been talent-wise, I just have a bad feeling about this game. The Lions will need to put pressure on Aaron Rodgers and they’re pretty banged up across the defensive line. I predict the Lions will lose 27-24 to the Cheeseheads and Nate Freese shanks a game tying field goal which seals his fate as a free agent.
Max DeMara – If this game were being played at Lambeau Field, the Lions would be in big trouble from the get-go. It’s not, and the Packers have quietly looked like one of the more shaky teams in the league even at 1-1. Detroit finds a way to expose some flaws and wins a divisional shootout behind a huge offensive output and a late defensive stand. Detroit 31, Green Bay 24
Darin Ackerman – The Lions’ injury report for this week’s matchup against the Packers is rather disheartening. With Ansah, Fairley, and George Johnson listed as questionable; Ihedigbo and Owens as doubtful; Travis Lewis, Vaughn, and Waddle as out – there isn’t much left to work with. A weak secondary looking even weaker, despite bringing up Seisay from the practice squad, it’s hard to imagine the Lions being able to put a stop to a high-caliber QB like Aaron Rodgers. The only shot the Lions have to win it is if Stafford is on target. The Lions faithful will be hoping and praying that he is. Prediction: Green Bay 28, Detroit 21.
Zac Snyder – There is a tendency to exaggerate the blemishes we see in our own teams while glossing over the blemishes of teams we see less frequently. Yes, the Lions are thin at cornerback as Aaron Rodgers comes to town, but the Packers have plenty of issues of their own. Only the Jacksonville Jaguars have allowed more sacks through two games than the Green Bay Packers – an area the Lions will need to exploit to hold down the Packers passing offense. Lions 27, Packers 23.