Packers vs. Lions: Three things to watch in this NFC matchup
Hopefully the Green Bay Packers used their bye week to regroup and game plan for the rest of the season without Aaron Rodgers.
Packers fans will be watching closely as the team returns this week to Lambeau Field on Monday night to take on NFC North rivals, the Detroit Lions.
Last week, the Lions dropped their third consecutive game and sit right behind the Packers with a 3-4 record.
The Packers, of course, are coming off a deflating defeat at the hands of Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints two weeks ago.
Not only were Packers fans excited about seeing quarterback Brett Hundley in his first NFL start, but they were hoping he would put on a good show for the Lambeau Field faithful.
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Such was not the case.
Hundley’s putrid passing statistics were softened only by his ability to run the ball.
As part of his 44 yards rushing, he also scored on a run that, at the time, put Green Bay up by a score of 14-7.
But those were the only positives to take away from that game.
As the Packers have had two weeks to rest and heal, Packers fans also hope the coaching staff has devised a plan that will play to Hundley’s strengths not only this week, but for the remainder of the season.
We still don’t know if Aaron Rodgers will come back this season, but if he doesn’t, Hundley will be under center and the offense has to be designed to put him in positions to succeed
As the Packers prepare for the Lions, we focused in on three things to watch Monday night.
Check them out …
Mike McCarthy’s play-calling
If two weeks ago against the New Orleans Saints was any indication of what the Packers offense will look like the rest of the season, we are in for a rough November and December.
In Brett Hundley’s first career start, the offense compiled 260 total yards and only converted 16 first downs. Hundley completed 12-of-25 passes for 87 yards and one interception.
Despite being in the Packers system for three season, McCarthy coddled Hundley and was ultra-conservative.
Hundley only attempted six passes longer than 10 yards.
McCarthy stressed the rushing attack, but only gave Aaron Jones 17 carries. Hundley rushed for 44 yards and admitted that was the game plan against the Saints.
"“The emphasis was just making plays with my legs today,” Hundley said."
The training wheels need to come off if the Packers want to have any chance at competing the rest of the year. McCarthy is going to have to trust Hundley and let him air the ball out.