Packers Week 3 Opponent: Can Green Bay stop Lions prolific passing game?

At first glance, the Green Bay Packers‘ divisional game against the Detroit Lions appears to be a huge challenge on the road, especially against Detroit’s high-powered offense and dominant defensive line.

Matthew Stafford is a player on the rise and offensive weapons Calvin Johnson and Reggie Bush are dynamic players that keep defenses on their heels.

Like Green Bay’s past two opponents, Detroit also has plenty of playmakers in their front seven, like defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and linebacker DeAndre Levy.

However, the injury bug has hit Detroit early this season, which could play to the Packers’ advantage. Their top pass rusher Ezekiel Ansah and Pro Bowl defensive tackle Nick Fairley are both listed as questionable. Nickel corner Cassius Vaughn and starting right tackle LaAdrian Waddle have been ruled out, and starting strong safety James Ihedigbo has yet to play a down this season and is doubtful for Sunday’s game.

As of now, the only Packers ruled out are linebackers Andy Mulumba (placed on IR) and Brad Jones. Bryan Bulaga and Casey Hayward are both listed as questionable, but all in all, Green Bay looks better on the injury front, for once.

This could be a divisional matchup in Green Bay’s favor. Here is a quick breakdown of Detroit’s offense. This will be part one of a three-part series on the Packers week three opponent, the Detroit Lions.

Scouting the Detroit Lions

Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson has been a thorn in the side of the Green Bay Packers, though the Packers have had the Lions’ number the past few years. Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports photograph

OFFENSE

After two weeks, the Lions rank tenth in the NFL in offense, averaging 370 yards per game, despite only managing seven points last week in their loss to the Carolina Panthers.

Their passing game is the strength of their team with Matthew Stafford at the helm and Johnson continuing to prove he’s the most dominant wide receiver in the league (13 rec, 247 yards, 2 TDs).

The Lions offense stalled last week despite moving the ball well because of costly turnovers. Currently, they have -1 turnover ratio, and this could be an area Green Bay could exploit on Sunday.

Detroit’s ground game is decent, averaging 73 yards per game, but nowhere near the level of Seattle or the New York Jets. Maybe, this will finally be the week the Packers defense shows they can stop the run.

Quarterback

Stafford is off to a solid year, posting 637 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, and only one interception. His 93.6 passer rating currently ranks him 16th among NFL quarterbacks, and his 61.3 completion percentage is quite a bit lower than his career average.

Stafford has been sacked five times this season and doesn’t play well under pressure. Last season, Stafford’s passer rating plummeted to 52.9 when passing under pressure, according to Pro Football Focus.

With right tackle Waddle already ruled out, backup Garrett Reynolds could struggle in pass protection, especially matched up against Julius Peppers. Reynolds allowed two sacks last week after replacing Waddle in the lineup.

The Packers will try to exploit this weak link on Detroit’s line and get after Stafford to keep him from beating them with his arm.

Running Back

Detroit’s backfield is not quite as imposing as the backfields Green Bay has seen already this season, but starter Joique Bell and change-of-pace back Reggie Bush are still offensive weapons the Packers will have to account for.

Bell is a big ground-and-pound back at 5-foot-11 and 229 pounds but is limited to running between the tackles. However, his physical running style could give the Packers defense some trouble, especially if he breaks cleanly into the second level of the defense.

Bush doesn’t get as many carries as Bell, but he is far more dangerous as a receiver out of the backfield. Bush had 54 receptions for 504 yards last season and could be a major mismatch against Green Bay’s linebackers in the passing game.

The Packers would be wise to use a nickel corner or safety to cover Bush in the open field.

Receiver

Detroit’s passing game begins and ends with stud-receiver Calvin Johnson. He’s hands-down the best receiver in the NFL, and at 6-foot-5, 230 pounds, and top-end speed, he’s a nightmare matchup for even the best defensive backs in the league.

Green Bay’s Sam Shields, who is much smaller (5-11, 190), has played admirably against Johnson the last few matchups, keeping the Detroit receiver from taking over the game despite allowing Johnson to get his catches.

The other receivers on Detroit’s offense don’t scare anybody.

Golden Tate is a solid starter, but he’s not dangerous or imposing by any means. Tramon Williams and Davon House shouldn’t have a problem containing the former Seahawk.

Backups Kevin Ogletree and former Packer Jeremy Ross haven’t done much this season. Ross has the physical tools to be a decent slot receiver, but he’ll do more of his damage as a kick returner.

Detroit has a decent group of tight ends. Starter Brandon Pettigrew has had some good games against the Packers in the past, but there isn’t anything about his game that really jumps out.

Backup Joseph Fauria will be a guy the Packers will have to keep an eye on. At 6-foot0-7 and 267 pounds, Fauria is a major redzone weapon for Detroit. Last year as a rookie, he caught seven touchdowns in the redzone. He’s a guy they like to matchup on the outside against smaller defensive backs.

Rookie first-round pick Eric Ebron is really talented and athletic and could be a big-time player for them in the future.

Offensive Line

Detroit has a really solid interior offensive line with veterans Dominic Raiola (C) and Rob Sims (LG) and youngster Larry Warford (RG). Between the three of them, they only allowed one sack last season and will rarely allow the pocket to collapse.

Detroit’s line is weaker on the outside. Starting left tackle Riley Reiff seems improved going into his third season, but still has a ways to go before he can hold up consistently against the top pass rushers in the league. Last year, he was credited for seven of the 23 sacks allowed.

Second-year right tackle LaAdrain Waddle went out last week with a calf injury and will be replaced by newly acquired Garrett Reynolds. Reynolds allowed four sacks and 22 hurries in ten starts for Atlanta last year, and he struggled last week against Carolina going up against defensive end Charles Johnson.

Both Clay Matthews and Peppers could have big days against Detroit’s tackles. Last year in the teams’ first meeting, both Matthews and Nick Perry burned Reiff on the edge for a sack. In fact, three of Reiff’s seven allowed sacks in 2013 came against Green Bay.

This could be a matchup the Packers defense takes advantage of throughout the game.