Prediction: How will the Green Bay Packers fare In 2014?

Nov 28, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions offensive line lines up against Green Bay Packers defensive line during the fourth quarter during a NFL football game on Thanksgiving at Ford Field. Detroit won 40-10. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Week 3: Green Bay Packers @ Detroit Lions

The third game of a torrid opening stretch, the Packers return to the site of their most embarrassing loss last season, where they lost 40-10 in a shellacking to the Lions that probably looked like it killed the year’s playoff hopes. It’s reasonable to expect that loss to have stuck with the players who were involved in it, and maybe even moreso to those who had to sit it out (including Aaron Rodgers).

The Lions, with Jim Caldwell at head coach now, are hoping to improve their discipline issues and capitalize upon the talent they have assimilated on their roster. Stafford has above-average QB potential when he plays his best (though consistency has been an issue). Reggie Bush and Joique Bell form one of the top RB combinations league-wide. The pass-game is headed by Calvin Johnson and has added players such as Golden Tate and Eric Ebron to become even more dangerous. The defense is littered with good/great players and/or those with potential to reach that level, such as Ndamukong Suh, Stephen Tulloch, and DeAndre Levy. Needless to say, it will take some effort to take down such a team.

Defensively, there could be some issues. The Bell-Bush combo could give them fits in trying to stop the run, while despite the secondary being Green Bay’s top defensive strength players like Calvin Johnson have a tendency of transcending any defense you throw at them. The O-line of Detroit, while not thought of as great exactly, is really a decent unit and if they allow Stafford enough time out there will make the only hope for victory fall squarely onto the shoulders of Green Bay’s offense.

Offensively, I would expect Rodgers to come out gunning. While players like Suh are capable of wreaking havoc with their pass-rush, Green Bay has a line that should be able to withstand it enough to consistently throw the ball. They won’t forget to run it either, but with the serious lack of talent in the Lions secondary it seems a smart coach like McCarthy will game-plan to exploit a weakness as major as that.

Accounting for expected improved play by the D-line, along with the motivation team-wide to make up for the embarrassing performance suffered during the last visit, I see what stays as a close contest for most of the day. Big plays from both ends by the respective receiving corps will keep it exciting throughout, with Green Bay eventually pulling away and bringing home a win to extend a great start to the season.

Green Bay 31
Detroit 20