A Look at the Most Recent Packers vs. Lions Matchup

Ladies and gentlemen, we've got a big game coming. The 6-2 Green Bay Packers will face off against the 6-1 Detroit Lions for the first time since their Thanksgiving Day matchup in 2023. This was a game that ended up putting the world on notice: The Packers are young, but they are to be taken seriously. Let's travel back to their November 23, 2023 matchup, and take a look at how various areas of the team performed in Green Bay's 29-22 win over Detroit.

The Passing Situation QB Jordan Love started the game HOT, throwing a 53-yard bomb to WR Christian Watson. In just 2:44 of playtime, Love marched the team all the way to the endzone, ending the drive with a 10-yard TD pass to WR Jayden Reed. He was on absolute fire during the next drive, which also ended in a score (9 yards to TE Tucker Kraft), throwing just one incompletion.

As the game went on, Love's deep pass attempts dwindled, and the team seemed to prefer a dink and dunk approach, but he looked calm and in control the entire time. Up to this point in the season, we hadn't really seen a commanding performance like this from the quarterback. Love finished the game 22/32 for 268 yards, 3 TDs, and no picks or sacks taken. He also received no turkey leg. #NeverForget

The Receiving Situation Leading the way was Christian Watson, who ended the day with 5 catches on 7 targets for 94 yards and a TD. A rookie Malik Heath had the best game of his young career, catching all 4 targets for 46 yards. Jayden Reed had already established himself as one of Love's favorite receivers by this point, and led the team with 8 targets during this game, catching 4 for 34 yards and a score. Other pass catchers included AJ Dillon (38 yards), Romeo Doubs (37 yards), Tucker Kraft (15 yards, 1 TD), and Patrick Taylor (4 yards).

Notably absent was Dontayvion Wicks, who missed the game with a concussion and a knee injury. Not to fret, however, as this was a game in which Love was clearly spreading the, um, the love. In all, seven different players caught a pass from Love (the week before against the Chargers ? 10 players!)

The Ground Situation Aaron Jones missed this game with a knee injury. In his place was AJ Dillon, sprinkled with a little Patrick Taylor, a dash of Jayden Reed, and topped off by a big leggy performance from the man of the day, Jordan Love.

Dillon led the team with 14 carries for 43 yards (3.1 avg). The rest of the runners combined for 8 carries and 66 yards (8.25 avg). One of these carries was a 37-yard gain by Love, which eclipsed any run by his predecessor Aaron Rodgers during his entire time in Green Bay . Love probably could've gone another 5 yards or so on this play, but he was tired of showing off.

The Defensive Situation Jordan Love rightfully deserved a ton of the spotlight for this game, but the defense did what they had to do. Lions QB Jared Goff fumbled three times, and the Packers came up with the ball every single time. One of these fumbles, which came during the Lions' second drive of the game, was recovered by S Jonathan Owens and returned 27 yards for a touchdown, giving the Packers a commanding 20-6 lead.

When the Lions got the ball back for their next drive, Goff promptly fumbled again, this time surrendering the ball to DE Karl Brooks. Goff's final fumble of the game came early in the 4th quarter, when LB Rashan Gary had a strip-sack which he also recovered. Goff and Gary (what a great name for a TV show) got really close this game. The Lions QB was sacked three times, Gary getting credit for all them.

The team was missing CB Jaire Alexander and S Rudy Ford, both out with shoulder injuries, and LB De'Vondre Campbell, who was out with a neck injury. They surrendered 332 passing yards and 140 rushing yards, but at the end of the day, creating and capitalizing off of turnovers came in handy for the Packers.

The Special Teams Situation The Packers punted four times, all of them ending up within the 20-yard line, with Daniel Whelan's longest of the day being 46 yards. K Anders Carlson was 1 of 2 on FG attempts, making a 43-yarder but missing a 63-yard attempt as time ran out before halftime. Carlson was 2 of 3 on XP attempts.

The 2024 Situation Heading into this Week 9 divisional showdown, we're looking at a much different Packers team. The quarterback is the same, but as we know, he's in his Favre era (not derogatory, Matt LaFleur!) Love's recent groin injury is one to watch, as he's been limited all week, and could be a game-time decision.

The RB room has completely transformed with the acquisition of Josh Jacobs, and the losses of Aaron Jones, AJ Dillon, and Patrick Taylor. Jacobs is currently battling an ankle injury, and is questionable . Behind him on the depth chart are Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks, who have a combined 266 yards on the season (which, honestly isn't as bad as I thought it might be?) I'd expect Jayden Reed to be utilized in the run game as well, especially if Jacobs isn't healthy enough to play.

The receiving room is just about the same as they were last year, however this year, they're a ton more experienced, though their hands seem to be much more buttery. If Love plays, he'll likely not be at full strength, and he'll need to get the ball out quickly. It is absolutely imperative that the receivers get open just as quickly.

The defense is perhaps the most drastically different area of the team this year, particularly the safety room. Xavier McKinney is Xavier McKinney. Breakout rookie Evan Williams has already been ruled out, which hurts, but this is a good chance for fellow-rookie Javon Bullard to redeem himself after an awful Week 8 performance against Jacksonville.

LB Quay Walker has cleared concussion protocol after missing the last two weeks, and it'll be interesting to see if the team changes things up at all after two weeks of Edgerrin Cooper and Eric Wilson blacking out and going scorched-earth on opposing defenses. The DB room is also one to keep an eye on, with both Jaire Alexander (knee) and Corey Ballentine (ankle) listed as questionable. Alexander did not practice at all this week, while Ballentine was limited. We're going to be seeing a ton more of Carrington Valentine, Keisean Nixon, and Eric Stokes this week. Are you nervous?

Capping off the new-look Packers: K Brandon McManus, who is coming off of two consecutive weeks with a game-winning FG. I have a feeling we're going to be seeing a lot more of him if the offense is able to get far enough down the field.

The divisional rivals take the stage in Green Bay during Sunday's later slate of games, with a 3:25 local kickoff time. The Lions are currently in first place in the NFC North, however, this would change with a Packers win. Be there or be square.