This will be longer on questions than on game day analysis. The Packers need to get back on track, and fast.

Its been a disappointing and sorry start for the Packers. The Bears game was promising; the Bengals seem to be a team just knows how to win; the Rams are headed for 0-16, and the Vikings game was just painful. Literally so for Rodgrs. Now, as the natives get restless, and there is rebellion in the air, its time to right this ship. What better way to do that than by getting the Lions, at home, after a bye week? This should be just the prescription to help the Packers get back on track.

So, what to expect? I thought Grant was running hard, particularly in the Vikings game. Really. Eleven carries, over 50 yards? Do the math. I'm hoping to see this again. Will Clifton be able to come back this week? I'd be very happy to see that, also. I expect Rodgers to do fine, and for the (sometimes very) offensive line to be able to block the Lions rushing attack (not awful- call them run of the mill). I'm hoping Jennings can have a good game, and that Finley also breaks out. IF the OL can hold out against the Lions rush, this could be the kind of offensive performance we've been expecting since the pre-season. Will the Packers show discipline on the field, and avoid those stupid penalties that keep on killing drives?

Defensively, its time to get back to aggressive blitzes and stunts. Keep Culpepper, most likely the starter, and wondering where the Packers are going to attack from next. What does that leave for Culpepper? Not much. He could short passes to RB's or TE's, so the Packers are going to have to be mindful of that. Also remember, Culpepper is fumble prone. Get him in compromising situations in the backfield, and he could well give the Packers advantageous field position at least once. Also, the Packers need to prevent this syndrome of giving up first downs on third and long. Time to finish the series and get off the field, instead of giving the offense a new lease on life. With Calvin Johnson probably sitting on the sidelines, the Lions most potent weapon is missing.

OK- this seems to be the perfect antidote to what is ailing the Packers: being home; having an off week to heal and get themselves together; MM and TT starting to feel some fan heat; an opponent that has won one game. The Packers should be spoiling for a fight. So, what is there to worry about? That the Packers for some strange reason, thinking about the list above, will be overconfident. That they'll let the Lions hang around (after all, remember the first game between the Lions and Packers last year- it took two defensive TD's and ARod's late heroics to pull out a high scoring win). So, which Packers team will show up? The team that dominated the exhibition season and gave the Bears all they could handle- or the team that allowed Favre to embarrass them on Monday night?

Can Rodgers learn to throw the ball away, or go for "dump offs"? Will Capers finally open up the playbook and become more aggressive? Will the OL be able to hold off the Lions pass rush? Will Grant again run with authority and confidence?

We'll see. I believe the Packers will win, but it won't be a rout. Somewhere in the area of 24-14.

I, for one, have been impressed with the turnaround that the Lions have managed. I know 1-4 is abysmal, but considering the shocking lack of talent on that team last year, the team they have assembled right now has got to be an encouraging sign for Lions fans.
So far I've been impressed with Schwartz as a coach and even more so with the "Big Three" the Lions have brewing with Stafford, Smith, and Calvin. The problem they have is a lack of bodies on the O-Line and D-Line. On the perimeter they have plenty of solid, competent players.
That said, I'm more worried about being at the Lions on a short week for Thanksgiving then hosting them after a bye. Especially in light of the injuries to the aforementioned Stafford and CJ.
I think it's a coming out party for the Packers offense in this game, but I also think the Lions will make the Packers work for it, like they've made the Steelers, Vikings, and Bears. I'm thinking it's similar to the Rams game with the Packers playing with the lead the whole way through, the Lions making a little noise in the third quarter, before the Pack pull away.
Green Bay: 33
Detroit: 17

I also agree with the "on any given Sunday..." sentiment (except when it comes to the Rams, or Raiders). However. I am really worried about overconfidence. It led to a shootout in the first Lions game last year, and only some defensive heroics helped pull out a win. However, this week, apparently Stafford and Johnson will be out. Yes, they are promising. And I do remember when the Lions were really lions- when they were a team to be reckoned with, and not one to be snickered at. Thanks a lot, Matt Millen. Very good player, very good commentator, terrible GM.

I most want to see the defense notch it up and get aggressive. Either the blitzes they are running aren't getting home or they are just not running as much and going conservative. We need a good and consistent pass rush. If we had that with Favre you know he would have thrown some of those bonehead throws.

I don't know what else to say about this game, other than the Packers need to, and should, win this game easily. They're coming off a bye, the Lions defense is horrible, we're playing at home...after a tough loss to MN. Season is pretty much over if they lose.

Now you went and done it. All the optometrists are gonna be all over you for not seeing positive thoughts.

I agree, if THE PACKERS lose, the only thing left will be hope, and not much.

THE PACKERS need to control this game on both sides of the ball and for most of the game. That would give them a huge lift and The Lions look like the purrfect offering.

We will know on Sunday.......

Hopefully Barnett's trip to Vegas this past week cleared his head to get going against the Lions......

I just really hope the team doesn't think that the Lions will be a pushover. They'll come to play and if the Packers players don't do the same, they'll lose.

Hopefully he learned a new dance. His old one is, well. old. I do expect The Pack to bounce back in a big way.

I have the Pack picked as my lock of the week. If they don't win I'm going to be busting some heads.

Thanks to Jermichael running his mouth (again), the Pack will look like tools if they drop this game:

From jermichaelf88:
@Jupiter_crunch bye week. Next is lion should trash them.

http://twitter.com/jermichaelf88

I thought I heard today that the Packers were 13 1/2 point favorites. That can't be right.

It's true. Biggest spread for the Packers since November 1998 I believe.

That's crazy. I'm not a ledgie by any means, but I can't give these Packers that much respect. The Lions have been playing teams tough. Even without Calvin Johnson (and that's no certainty), I've got to think that's a little high.

I've actually thought about putting big money on the points this week. No way the Packers cover.

Some of the immaturity on this team is embarrassing.

I think they cover the spread. Stafford and Johnson are both expected to be out, and Kevin Smith is having a lousy season.

If those guys are out, can you name anyone else on that offense? I think Pettigrew is out, too, but I'm not sure.

I have it down as:

45-10 Packers

Rodgers: 19-28, 342, 4TD's
Grant: 15-77, 1TD
Al Harris, INT for a TD

I don't think the Lions have enough on the defensive side to cause us any problems, which should give Rodgers all day to pick them apart.

Our OL will only really show it's true colors when we face the better teams.

If the Packers arent up for this game then its on McCarthy. I dont think the Lions have won in GB since 92.

Actually 91 I believe. 18 straight home games.

I thought the same with the Badgers facing Ohio State. When I saw the line moved out to 16, I thought no way Ohio State covers that....

As we know, Vegas sets the line to equal the action on both sides. Obviously they are afraid of setting it too low and thus having too big a bet on the Lions. No one would want to be in that position.

Lions have not looked bad at times this year. I will be very disheartened if GB loses this game, but would also be shocked. I already am a bit worried about the Thanksgiving game, Lions always seem to make it too close for comfort at Ford field.

Weird stuff can happen on Thanksgiving, I'll give you that one, but pound for pound I don't see any reason to lose sleep heading into this weekend.

What I am wonderin is why Finley wrote this on his twitter. "Mami looking pretty good." Does he mean SB??? He really should stay more quiet.

I've never seen any Twitter post that has increased my estimation of the author's intelligence.

Einstein could look stupid on Twitter. "Yo man figurd out e=mc2. Suck it Heisenburg."

I don't follow twitter, was he commenting on Monday night's game where Miami beat the Jets?





Great post!

I don't think that Detroit will be a push-over by any stretch of the imagination. They may have lost a lot of games, but they have played tough and have given every team that they have played, a run for their money. They are playing with a chip on their shoulder.

I want to see the Pack coming out with a fire in their bellies. Show themselves what they can do. I wish that MM and Capers would throw caution to the wind. Play very aggressive on both sides of the ball. I would rather go down fighting then trying not to lose.

Maybe Aaron should grow his beard out again. He was right on target with his execusion in the pre-season.

This may be the key to the season, actually. Everything went downhill after he shaved the beard off and sported that ridiculous mustache against the Titans in that last preseason game.

The more I think about it, the more I think that line makes sense. We have every advantage here. Home field, 2 weeks to prepare, 2 weeks to get healthy, they come off a difficult game against Pittsburgh, their star WR is banged up. If we don't win this one by a couple TDs it will be pretty disappointing.

I have been thinking this all season. He just seems like a little preppy all trimmed up, lost confindence and wide-eyed. We need the scruffiness back.

Let's put it this way, if GB does not win the next two games, the season is over.

If you look at the Lions, Matt Millen should be in jail for what he did to that team. Their roster is just a mess. Its a toss up as to who was the worst GM in the NFL over the last few years: Davis or Millen.

Why they have not replaced Backus at LT is a mystery. Backus should be moved either to RT or LG. The rest of their OL is mediocre--or worse-- except for Godser C.

They have no real complement to Calvin Johnson in the receiving corps. And they drafted a good blocking TE who has no real breakaway speed. Kevin Smith is a decent RB who cannot do much because of the OL in front of him.

On the DL they have a couple of injuries, but even with those guys its not a good DL at all. At LB they have Ernie Sims, a hit or miss blow up guy. Plus L. Foote. And a couple of enticing prospects like Dizon. This may be their most solid position. Which means average.

The secondary is poor. When you have to play people like M. Manuel and Anthony Henry in coverage, you are asking for it. Plus they are starting a rookie at FS in Delmas.

Like I said, what Millen did to this team was a disgrace. And the fact that the Fords let him do it and renewed his contract and made him the highest paid GM in the NFL is even worse. The guy should have never lasted out his first deal. If you look at his drafts, its almost an object lesson in how not to do it. To draft four wide outs number one in something like six years is just nutty. We got Driver at number seven and Jennings at number two.

IF GB cannot win this game at home, well, I don't want to think about it.

Skyshadow - That was hilarious. Made me laugh out loud, but when I showed my kids, they looked at me with a pittying look...

My vote is for the filthy porn stache. That thing was SWEET.

...actually, as Phishstar pointed out, after he went to the stache they lost against the Titans, so I'll change my vote to the beard. That stache was still sweet though.

Getting ready to head out the door for the game. Yes, I like to get there early.

NO PITY FOR THE KITTIES IS THE WEEKS MANTRA.

We should win this game easily, but Detroit has improved. Look for them to be a player in a few years. Looks like Barnum & Bailey is no longer managing the team.


GO PACK!

"The Pack will look like tools if they drop this game" at home game to the kitties regardless of what Jermichael or Woodson say - this is a game they should/must win.

I wonder if you reserve the same ire for Woodson's comments said to the mainstream media with Detroit reporters in the room

"I feel like we're a better team than Detroit and I think that most of the guys, if not all, feel the same way. So, yeah, we feel like we're supposed to win the game."

"Whether it's the next 3 out of 4 or 4 out of 4, we feel like we're supposed to win these games so going in this week we're going in with the expectation that we're going to win this game."

Finley and Woodson are correct and should not hold their powder before, during or after this game. Green Bay has more talent and is a better team. If they lose heads should roll.

I agree with the Finley and Woodson comments. This team needs to develop confidence again. A bit of a chip on their shoulder if you will. I think this could be a game to get back on track in a big way. Pack by 3 touchdowns.

This team needs to build confidence? I have a novel idea for that - win some games.

Check the standings.
we're 2-2.

The teams we lost to a a combined 9-1.
(7-1 excluding our games)

I have a novel idea -
the sky is not falling!!

Go Pack!!

That's not "winning" - that's breaking even.

This team hasn't had a 3-game win streak since Week 12 of 2007. I'm tired of hearing about swagger and confidence. Build your swagger and confidence the way real teams do - by winning, not talking.

This game is a gimme for the Packers. If they lost this game, well then someone needs to go. (MM,TT...)

Here' s your post -



The Packers have "won some games".

If you meant something else,
please try to say it more clearly.
We're not mind readers.
(although some here act as though they are)

Go Pack!!

Oh stop nitpicking. You got the point. Quit arguing over minutiae.

Include the playoff upset at Lambeau after the 2004 season, (the final straw in Sherman losing the GM job), Daunte Culpepper's numbers against the Packers in his past six games against Green Bay are pretty spectacular. -- where Daunte has 18 TDs and no interceptions -- 3/0 per game average.

Even Daunte admits that it is relatively meaningless:

"That really doesn't mean anything, either. It's all about the now."

But it is something Packer coaches, players and fans would be wise to remember as they wax on about GB's impressive past performances in recent years over the Lions.




.

Culpepper has had success against the Packers in the past but is he the same QB today? I've heard he isn't as nimble of foot as he once was and his O line is shakier than ours...

And the offense he had back with MIN was a little better than the Lions one now. By little, I mean A LOT.

Oh my- when someone's name is a Monty Python reference, and can remember "porn stashes" (thank you John Holmes), I know I have found a kindred soul.

By the way, this is not a come-on. I am very happily married to the inimitable Mrs. ricky, thank you. I just really appreciated your post. Though I think that the "Holy Grail" was funnier than "Life of Brian".

15-1 in 98 as I recall. Oh man were them some sad Viking fans when they lost in the playoffs that year.

Of course Daunte is not the same but here is what one of the Steelers coaches said after last weeks game:

"He played well against us. He played better than we thought he would. He hasn't played a lot. Been out of football. The guy still can run. He was overweight a year ago. His knee is healed. If he gets outside, he can hurt you. You've got to worry about this guy."



Yes it certainly was a much better offense with far more playmakers - no doubt. But I think it is worthy of remembering that Daunte turned down an offer from Green Bay last year to come play for the Packers Daunte rejects Pack LINK



Of course the games in the 90's have nothing to do with how Daunte performed the last 6 times he faced the Packers since he faced them twice a year through 2005 (three times in '04)

And as I wrote in my post -- Even Daunte admits that it is relatively meaningless: "That really doesn't mean anything, either. It's all about the now."

More recent, yet ultimately still in the "It's all about the now" category: Aaron Rodgers is 2-0 against the kitties while putting up spectacular numbers: 45-for-69 for 636 yards, six touchdowns, no interceptions and a 123.8 rating. Which of course is why the Lions have prioritized stopping Rodgers as job number 1 heading into Lambeau today.

BTW MODS I am not sure why my little filler on Daunte was merged into the offical game day thread (I posted it a couple of days ago and it is in the right forum. Note there are are other threads (appropriately so) in the Next Opponent Game Day Forum that are NOT merged. Not a big deal, but I think sometimes merging too much limits discussion. Not a big deal, rather just a comment to consider.

Donald Driver will set the all time Packer reception record today. What a great accomplishment. His first game in '99 was against Detroit. Time flies.

Win or lose, at least this week we can escape from the announcers saying "Brett Favre" over and over like some deranged mantra.

Kick off time! The Pack's winning streak starts today