5 keys to the Packers’ Week 9 win over the Lions

The Green Bay Packers host the NFC North leader Detroit Lions on Sunday at Lambeau Field. The Packers have won four games in a row and are 6-2, but the Lions have won five games in a row and currently lead the division at 6-1. The winner on Sunday will take control of the NFC North entering Week 10.

Matt LaFleur’s team will wear retro uniforms on Sunday and may need a retro-style performance to defeat the powerful Lions at Lambeau Field.

Here are five keys to the Packers’ Week 9 win over the Lions:

Hold, protect the ball

With an injured starting quarterback and rain in the forecast, the Packers must find ways to keep the run game moving and avoid turnovers. Winning possession and battling turnovers will be vital. The Packers need to keep the Lions’ offense from getting explosive down the field and not giving the Lions short giveaway fields. Consider this: When the Lions win the turnover battle this season, they are 3-0 with an average margin of victory of nearly 30 points. This could be a game where the Packers have to have zero turnovers on offense and still make 1-2 tackles on defense to win. It’s worth noting that the team that won the turnover battle won both games last season, including leading the Packers 3-0 in turnovers in the Thanksgiving Day win at Ford Field.

Fighting the rebound

The Packers defense should bounce back after arguably the team’s worst tackling performance of the season in Jacksonville. The upcoming test is not easy. David Montgomery and Jameer Gibbs are a dynamic running back duo, while Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta can create big plays after the catch. The Lions are going to run the football and are consistently finding additions to Ben Johnson’s scheme. The key to Jeff Hafley’s defense will be tackling and limiting explosive plays. The Packers need to force Jared Goff to plan long, methodical drives, especially if the weather is bad. Explosive plays are the backbone of Detroit’s No. 1 scoring offense, but good tackling on Sunday could limit the damage.

To blitz or not to blitz

Jared Goff and the Lions have been one of the best passing blitz teams this season. Goff is averaging 12.2 yards per attempt on blitzes, and according to Next Gen Stats, he completed his passes perfectly last week despite the added pressure. The Packers struggled to get pressure on the quarterback with just four rushers, but blitzing—especially with second-level linebackers—was Jeff Hafley’s best way to disrupt quarterbacks, especially on the money. Keep a close eye on the line of scrimmage on Sunday. Can the Packers apply pressure with the four, or will Hafley have to risk giving up big plays by sending in extra pressure? With Jaire Alexander and Evan Williams battling injuries in the secondary, the Packers’ defensive front should dominate.

Third down

The Lions are the No. 1 ranked defense in the NFL, giving up third place this season. The Packers are ranked eighth. This has to do with control of the football: which team can consistently convert third downs? Not having to face Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson (injured reserve) is a boost for the Packers because he can spoil plays in obvious passing situations. But the Lions have two tight ends in the secondary (Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph), so the Packers need to stay on schedule and be able to play in important spots on offense. On defense, pressure will be critical if the player is down to third. Goff has already been sacked nine times this season after missing third.

Stay tuned for special offers

Jared Goff currently leads the NFL in completion percentage and yards per attempt, but offensive coordinator Ben Johnson will call the gadget play once or twice a game in the passing game. Amon-Ra St. Brown and David Montgomery have both. abandoned touchdown passes this season and even punter Jack Fox has a pass attempt. Caliph Raymond, who returned the ball for a touchdown last week, can be a dangerous player in gadget games. The Lions force the team to defend a lot of different things. It may be more difficult to pull off a tricky play against a division rival, but the Packers should keep a close eye on specials in the Lions playbook. Making even one successful trick can change the game on Sunday.