Information Sourced From: Detroit Lions Official Website, Detroit Lions on X, PFN, FTN, NFL, Pro Football Reference, RAS, ESPN / Sam LaPorta
Lions fans, we are back and out of the Bye week!! This week marks arguably the most important game played by the Detroit Lions this season, given it is their first divisional matchup. With it a lot of questions. Let’s take a look at a few key stats below, and try to look at how things could work out for the Lions this Sunday.
Overall and Offense Comparison
Overall, the Lions and Packers match up more evenly than I had expected before I ran the numbers. The Lions average out on top at overall rank 14, where the Packers rank out at 17. Pretty even overall. However, leaving it at an overall rank would do a great disservice. The offenses tell a story.
The Lions are currently putting up (on average) 394 yards a game, where the Packers are putting up 329 yards per game. The big difference here is the running game. The Lions have been able to effectively run the ball in most of their games, and when they can’t run, they lean into short screen passes. It has been quite effective. The Packers have struggled on the ground, which is attributed to a combination of having one of the worst offensive lines in the league, as well as missing Josh Jacobs.
Josh Jacobs will be the big question. What will he look like, and even if he looks good, how will the blocking look on the offensive line? Will Jacobs have the chemistry he normally would have with Love? Will there be rust, or a complete clean return to the starting lineup.
At the end of the day I think it will be somewhere in the middle, and I think that will even out the Lions and Packers offenses fairly evenly. Thus it will come down to the defensive battle.
Defense
The Lions are allowing over 100 more yards per game to opposing teams that the Packers are on average. The Packers have the edge up here, even if their defense hasn’t been stellar. However, the Lions defense is coming off a game where they increased their man coverage from around 15% of plays to 30% of plays, and the difference was palpable. The Lions will need to step it up in this game to achieve their first division victory of the year.
On the Packers defense, the loss of Javon Hargrave may lead to difficulty in defending the run. The Packers (with Hargrave) were allowing 114 rushing yards on average. Without Hargrave, defending the likes of Gibbs and Vaki could prove more difficult. The Packers passing defense will have its hands full with the Lions offense. However, I think the Lions need to be careful not to underestimate the Packers defense.
Prediction: A Shootout
I have no idea how this is going to play out. The Lions can’t afford to come out slow, the Packers need to keep their momentum they are building. At the end of the day, I am still very suspect over the Lions defense, and expect a good exciting shootout. The question in these games is always the same: who makes the least mistakes, as they will often come out on top.
Injury Report: Lions
The Lions continue to hold up well this year on the injury front. Since the move of a few injuries to Injured Reserve, the injury report is quite light. Given that Rock Ya-Sin has been relegated to relief and special teams duties, even if he can’t go it’s not that big of an issue.
Lions Punt Return Job Settled
After a short period of time, the questions at punt returner have been settled following the season ending injury to punt returners / depth receiver Tom Kennedy. The Lions signed veteran punt returner DeAndre Carter to the active roster today. Carter comes with a wealth of experience both on special teams and in game.
In his 8 years in the NFL Carter has gone 117/171 for 1331 yards and 6 touchdowns. Add on 16 rushes for another 99 yards on the ground, showing a little bit of versatility there. He also boasts 155 punt returns for 1508 yards. His veteran presence will help the Lions special teams situation in this regard.
He also boasts a great athletic profile, per RAS:
With elite speed and athleticism Carter should slot in nicely, and who knows. Perhaps adding a fresh set of legs in the punt return game will help supercharge the offense even more.
Sam LaPorta Comments
If you haven’t seen the Sam LaPorta interview over on Pardon my Take of Barstool Sports, or heard of the ensuing media frenzy you may want to check it out. ESPN has coverage linked at the beginning of the article.
In a nutshell, LaPorta made some poorly timed comments about his contract situation with the Lions. My understanding (from various podcasts and reading), is that the Lions and LaPorta have not been able to come to an agreement due to the question of guaranteed money.
I see both sides of the argument in this situation: the Lions want to ensure Sam’s back is sound and not pay too much guaranteed money to a player who has had a bad disc in his back. Conversely Sam LaPorta wants to do what is in his best interest. I just think it was poorly timed and toned. I would still welcome LaPorta on the team, as I think he is a baller. I am just concerned about his commitment to the Lions personally.
That’s all for this evening folks. More to come, and a return to video content shortly (perhaps as early as tomorrow), depending on how I continue to recover from my medical issues. Stay tuned to Silver & Blues, and as always, Let’s go Lions!