3 key matchups for Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers Week 9
By Zach Payne
Following another loss that resulted in a trade and a position coach being fired, here are three key matchups for the Detroit Lions in their Week 9 matchup against the Green Bay Packers.
The Detroit Lions have been struggling through the 2022 season, just as they have for several years now. Their latest loss against the Miami Dolphins prompted changes in the form of a coach being fired and T.J. Hockenson being traded. The rebuild has been in full swing for a while now, but the last few weeks have reminded Lions’ fans how far away the organization still is. However, even as a rebuilding team, Detroit still needs to win football games. This week, especially, is a game fans will desperately want to win.
That’s because the Lions’ are welcoming the Green Bay Packers to town. The Packers are stumbling into Detroit with a 3-5 record, having lost four in a row. The losses have been ugly too, as the offense has completely imploded in the second half of games. They are desperately in need of a bounce-back game. Detroit meanwhile, will look to take advantage of their struggling rival.
Here are three key matchups for the Lions against the Packers in Week 9.
Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers: 3 key matchups for Week 9
Matchup 1: Lions LT Taylor Decker vs. Packers EDGE Rashan Gary
Decker has consistently been a quality starter for the Lions in his career at left tackle. However, one thing we’ve seen is that sometimes he’s unable to elevate his play against elite competition. Against Dallas in Week 7, the Cowboys took Micah Parsons and lined him up against Decker several times and found a ton of success. This week Decker will have to face off against another elite pass rusher in Rashan Gary.
Unlike other stars who burst onto the scene, Gary has had a much more subtle and consistent rise as a player. Every year he slowly has been developing and now he’s one of the premier pass rushers in the league.
The Packers are going to gameplan Gary into situations to rush against Decker. Primarily because he’s a more appealing option than Penei Sewell on the other side. So Decker will have a daunting matchup for the second time in three weeks. Hopefully this time he’s able to hold his own more consistently.