Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers on MNF: Preview and prediction

Both the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers enter Monday Night Football desperately needing a win. This is especially true for the Lions as they are on a three-game losing streak and another loss could be the death knell to a season that started out with high hopes. The Packers are still above .500, but according to sportsbooks such as betMGM, the loss of quarterback Aaron Rodgers has made them a 2-point home underdog – to a Lions team with a losing record

Keys to the Game

Can the Lions stop the Packers’ running game?

The Packers offensive line has played well as a unit running the ball lately. and it may be their best chance with Rookie Brett Hundley starting at quarterback. I expect the Lions to load the box to try to contain Green Bay’s emerging running back Aaron Jones; if the Packers can run the ball, they have a shot to pull this game out. If the Lions to load the box look for the Packers to use more zone read option with Hundley used as a threat to run the ball.

Lions need to pressure Hundley with blitzes

The Saints sat back and forced Hundley to throw into all different kinds of coverages. Injuries on the defensive line will not give the Lions that luxury, they will have to attack Hundley with their linebackers to force the young Quarterback into mistakes.

Packers must pressure Matthew Stafford

The Packers Defensive Backs are not very good, so they need to attack the Detroit offensive line. If the Packers are smart, they’ll focus their attention on beating center Travis Swanson and guard Graham Glasgow rather than T. J. Lang. The pair struggled against Pittsburgh last week while Lang has been his usual consistent self, so they most focus on defeating Swanson and Glasgow. “He’s had one little setback just in terms of dealing with his back but other than that, he’s done a great job for us,” Lions coach Jim Caldwell said.

Prediction

This game will be close for a while as Hundley running the ball out of zone read will take some adjusting to. After the initial adjustment, though, it’s hard to pick the Packers in this game.

Detroit 34, Green Bay 20.

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