Packers coach Matt LaFleur talks injuries and prep work for the Lions
Coach Matt LaFleur said the Packers are in good health and feeling confident heading into Thursday’s game with the Lions.
GREEN BAY – The Green Bay Packers (9-3) get another shot at one of the league’s best teams when they face the Detroit Lions (11-1) Thursday night at Ford Field in Detroit.
Despite battling injuries, the Lions continue to find ways to win. The Packers took them on once already this season, but lost, 24-14, at Lambeau Field on Nov. 3.
With Detroit’s success this season, we asked Packers fans this question of the week:
The Detroit Lions are one of the best teams in the NFL. If you’re the Packers, what is the key(s) to beating them?
Here’s a selection of fans’ answers (responses have been lightly edited for clarity):
Jon Berk: Pressure on (Lions quarterback Jared) Goff and no pressure on (Packers quarterback Jordan) Love.
Tosafish: Win at the line of scrimmage.
Eric Schuler: 200 yards rushing.
Mike Troestler: Stopping the run.
TJ Naleid: Run the ball, run the ball and don’t lose the ball!
Tim O’Connor: Stopping Detroit’s running game, putting them in long-distance third downs. On offense, score touchdowns when in the red zone. In the last game against them, the Packers moved the ball up and down the field but failed in the red zone. Then, of course, the obvious — win the turnover battle.
Basch: Stop the run.
Trent: Score in the red zone.
Brett Jacob Bauer: Sacking the quarterback to create turnovers.
Dennis Carpenter: Protect Jordan Love. Feed Josh Jacobs.
Jim Wayer: Limit turnovers, pressure Goff into throwing interceptions. Establish a running game to open up play-action, get ahead on scoreboard and stay there!
Gordon Konietzki: Discipline, concentration for the entire game and not be intimidated. They have enough talent to win.
Michael Sligh: Playing a sound, mistake-free, physical discipline game, minimizing turnovers, penalties and drops. By playing a clean game, they can beat the Lions.
John Knudson: Zero turnovers and elimination of penalties.
Marc D.: Put your foot on their throat and do no let up once during the game.
Ken C.: Covering receivers for three seconds so pass-rush can get to Goff. In particular, this means the linebackers have to cover (wide receiver) Amon-Ra (St. Brown) and safeties cover (tight end Sam) LaPorta. That will be hard.
Joe: Showing up to play!
Terry Nilles: Run the ball and the clock. Score touchdowns in the red zone. Get some defensive stops.
Jeff Delvaux: The key is time of possession with Jacobs, and get the ball in (Jayden) Reed’s and (Tucker) Kraft’s hands. Win the turnover battle and finally less than five combined pre-snap penalties. Can we hold the Lions under 30? I think that’s what we’ll need to win.
Paul Krueger: As for beating the Lions, it is simple. Own the line of scrimmage. Detroit’s offense is stupid-talented so, if the Packers don’t pressure Goff, it’ll be a long game on D. Packers should be able to run the ball against that banged-up defense. If the line continues to give Love time, he should flourish. I’m betting the over.
Dylan Cash: Stopping Jared Goff from getting into his groove. If the Packers are able to contain Goff and the Detroit offense, then they have a chance at winning. The Packers can’t let Goff adjust to their defense because, once he does, the game is already over. Also not letting the crowd get in their heads.
Skip Wright: Pressure, hurry and hit Goff.
Dan C.: Offense: Establish the run and stay with it, and ball security from Love. Running the ball keeps Detroit’s offense off the field. Defense: No missed tackles, limit penalties, Jaire (Alexander) on Amon-Ra (St. Brown).
Scott: Stopping the run.
Mike Larkin: Need to pressure/blitz Goff more. He is more prone to mistakes when harassed.
Donny: Pressure Goff, stop the run and run the ball.
James Miller: No turnovers, stop the run, rush the passer.
Gayland Crain: Put pressure on Goff.
Tim H.: Take an early lead and force the Lions to throw and become one-dimensional.
Joe: Play solid football, meaning no turnovers, no stupid penalties like encroachment and no prevent defense.
Tony M.: Don’t make dumb mistakes. They are better as a whole. The last game showed me that. If they do their jobs, they will win. My prediction: Packers 41, Lions 28.
Mike M.: We have to eliminate the mistakes we had in the first game. No stupid penalties. Win the turnover margin. Catch the ball.
Clint: Stop the run. No turnovers.
Eric: Stick to the game plan and strengths of the team. I saw a weak Lions team almost lose to a struggling (Chicago) Bears team. The Lions also struggled against Houston. I think the win is there for the taking and the Packers usually play well in Detroit.
D.E. Farah: Takeaways and no turnovers.
Larry: Defense.
M-WR: Packers run the ball enough to keep them honest, setting up play-action, but take advantage of the Lions’ depleted DL and lower ranking against the pass, with no turnovers for GB but one for the Lions.
Dylan M.: Great defense and a great running game since the Lions’ D-line is depleted.
Jeff Czerwonka: Don’t turn the ball over!
Nate Kiesow: Get pressure in Goff’s face on defense. Control the clock and bully them on offense. They want to be the bully; bullies don’t like it when you punch them in the mouth.
R.J. Donovan: Avoid the penalties, drops and turnovers we had to watch in the rain on Nov. 3. No mistakes.
Mike Myszka: Quick pressure on Goff, controlling time of possession.
Tim K.: Hit hard! They are bullies.
Jim: Jordan Love taking the check-downs and keeping the chains moving. Eliminating pre-snap penalties on defense.
Doug Jacobs: No turnovers, convert third downs, keep penalties down.
Tom L.: Love on-target with throws.
Erik E.: Stick with the run game though all four quarters and play Jaire Alexander opposite the Lions’ best receiver.
Bob Fuerst: Keep mistakes to a minimum and win or tie the running game battle.
J. Payson: 1) Eliminate costly mistakes. 2) Win in the trenches both offensively and defensively. We must protect J. Love in passing situations as well as create open running lanes for Jacobs. Defensively, gap discipline to slow the run and we must create pressure on Goff. 3) Win the turnover battle. 4) Be aggressive and consistent. If we get ahead in this game, our team cannot afford to ease up. 5) Our LBSs/DBs must be aware of where St. Brown is at all times and should ideally blanket him in coverage.
Mark Peterson: Stop making stupid mistakes.
Jack Chitwood: Stop run, make Goff pass, intercept.
Scootzee: Be as physical as possible within the rules.
John Stelzer: Run the ball effectively, which will limit Detroit possessions.
Patrick C.: Make Jared Goff win the game from the pocket and pressure him. In other words, contain the Lions’ running game.
AtTheMurph: Run the ball, stop their run and win the turnover battle.
John N.: Running game and short passes to extend the offense.
Timothy B.: Do not turn the ball over, limit penalties and break tendencies on offense.
David Levy: Getting a early lead and then stopping the run.
Joe: Run the ball, stop the run. Tighten up the soft middle on defense and tackle.
