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Aaron Rodgers' Competitiveness Makes Matt Patricia Nervous
The Lions have won the last four games against the rival Green Bay Packers, who currently sit atop the NFC North at 4-1.
In fact, in three of the Lions' last four trips to Lambeau Field, they've left with a victory.
This offseason, the Packers replaced longtime head coach Mike McCarthy with former Los Angeles Rams and Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur.
A major key to LaFleur's success in Green Bay will be meshing with Packers franchise passer Aaron Rodgers. So far, so good on that front. All reports indicate that the two are seeing eye-to-eye and enjoy working with each other.
Lions head man Matt Patricia was asked Wednesday about Rodgers and the confidence he has going into the Lions' Week 6 matchup with the Packers on Monday Night Football.
"Aaron Rodgers is a phenomenal player," Patricia commented. "He has been doing it at a high level for a long time. Someone that can take over a ballgame and completely ruin everything you are trying to do defensively."
Running back Aaron Jones and the steady presence of a ground game for the Packers has made Rodgers arguably tougher to stop, too.
Jones, a third-year back, rushed for 107 yards and four touchdowns this past Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys. It marked the fourth game in a row in which he had at least one TD.
Patricia believes that "Jones and what he has been able to do and the consistency he's been able to show" has been a difference-maker for Rodgers & the Pack on offense.
The Lions outscored the Packers, 62-23, in their two victories against Rodgers & Co. last season. Patricia would like to keep that in the rear-view mirror and focus on the present, though.
Patricia noted, "For us, it is all about this year. It probably makes me more nervous than anything. Just knowing what a competitor he (Rodgers) is. From my standpoint, it is all about trying to prepare and get ready this year. They are in a really good spot. They are operating at a very high level."
