4 Keys for a Lions Victory against the Packers
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The Lions will be looking to extend their four-game winning streak against the Packers when they travel to Lambeau Field for a Monday Night Football showdown with the NFC North-leading Pack (4-1).
Here are the 4 keys to victory:
Keep Matthew Stafford Upright
The Lions' offensive line has performed adequately in terms of keeping Matthew Stafford clean this season, including consecutive games of not allowing a sack.
In Week 4 against the Chiefs, Stafford was pressured more, and the consecutive games streak of not being sacked came to a close.
Per Mike O'Hara of DetroitLions.com, "The Packers are tied for ninth among teams that have played five games with 15 sacks. Preston Smith has 5.5 sacks and Za’Darius Smith has five. Opposing quarterbacks have a composite passer rating of 75.9, fourth-lowest in the league."
It goes without saying that preventing Stafford from further aggravating his hip injury is paramount, not only for the MNF clash but also for the remainder of the 2019 season.
Involve the Running Backs in the Passing Game
Only one team in the NFL throws less to their running backs than the Lions.
Stafford has not thrown a single pass to a Lions running back when the team has been in the red zone.
It is likely that running backs Kerryon Johnson and Ty Johnson can be utilized more in the passing game against the Packers.
The Packers' defense may be caught off guard, if Stafford can find a back out of the backfield when the team is in the red zone.
Throw the Ball Deep
Both the Cowboys and Eagles have had some success passing the ball deep against the Packers' secondary.
The Lions must find ways to keep the Packers' defense honest, if Kerryon Johnson is going to have any room to run.
By throwing the ball deep and executing more big plays, the Lions will be able to keep the Packers on their heels.
The Defensive Line Must Force Pressure and Hurries, and Must Sack Aaron Rodgers
Lions head coach Matt Patricia expressed Friday in his media session that he is seeing improvements in defensive ends Trey Flowers and Romeo Okwara and outside linebacker Devon Kennard.
It will be paramount that the defensive line establishes the proper amount of pressure against the future Hall of Famer in Rodgers.
The pressure may not come in the form of all-out blitzes, so the defensive front must consistently win battles along the line of scrimmage.
If given time, Rodgers will make plays and find his talented wide receiving corps for big gains.
Rodgers can even find room to run for first downs when plays break down, if pressure isn't exerted by the Lions.
Consistent pressure may force the Packers to veer away from their game plan, which could assist the Lions in being able to force turnovers and get off the field on defense.
More: Marvin Jones says he does not view GB as a rivalry game
