Fast start key for Packers to win vs. Lions in Week 6

Matt LaFleur’s Green Bay Packers know a thing or two about fast starts. In their first five games, the Packers have outscored their opponents 42-3 in the first quarter.

It’s helped them build winning leads, and is a key reason why they’ve started the season with a 4-1 record. A similar fast start could be just what the Packers need to defeat the Detroit Lions on Monday Night Football.

The Packers’ NFC North opponents will aim to establish the run. According to Team Rankings, Detroit passes on just 54.61 percent of its plays, seventh-lowest in the NFL. They run the ball a lot, and are averaging 30 rushing attempts per game so far this season.

And the Lions will know all too well about the Packers’ struggles to stop the run. Green Bay is allowing 138.2 yards on the ground per game, seventh-most in the NFL. Running backs are averaging 5.2 yards per carry against the Packers, fourth-most.

But just like they did against the Dallas Cowboys last week, the Packers’ best way to stop the run might be with their own performance on offense.

Build a lead. Early.

The Packers were 14-0 up by the end of the first quarter, and that lead extended to 24-0 midway through the third quarter. For most of the second half, the Cowboys had no choice but to move away from the ground game and throw often.

Dak Prescott threw the ball 44 times, and while he did finish with a nice stat line of 463 yards and also had two touchdowns, he also threw three interceptions. The Packers made the Cowboys one-dimensional, and it played into their hands.

Matthew Stafford is talented quarterback and the Lions have plenty of receiving options with Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones and T.J. Hockenson, but the Packers will want to make their offense one-dimensional.

Green Bay’s pass defense has been excellent so far this season, consistently pressuring quarterbacks. Both Preston Smith and Za’Darius Smith are in the top-10 for sacks this season.

The Packers are also tied with the Patriots for first in the NFL in turnover differential. Green Bay’s defense has come away with seven interceptions in five games.

If the game is close and the Lions are able to get their ground game going, it will favor the visiting team. A strong performance by talented running back Kerryon Johnson will create opportunities in the play-action passing game.

The good news is that while the Lions’ defense is talented, this isn’t a team to fear.

Only the Miami Dolphins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers have allowed more passing yards per game than the Lions, who are giving up an average of 280.8 yards through the air per game. Even if Davante Adams isn’t ready to return in this game, that should be help the passing game.

The Lions are also giving up 124.8 rushing yards per game. Former Packer Mike Daniels might not play in the game due to a foot injury. According to Erik Schlitt of Lions Wire, both Daniels and Damon Harrison didn’t practice on Wednesday. Harrison is an excellent run defender.

But we won’t know much until the first injury report is released on Thursday.

What is clear is that the Packers have made fast starts in almost every game this season. Continuing that trend on Monday night will be the best way to defeat the Lions. Limit their ground game by forcing them to pass; it’s in that situation that the Packers’ defense has been at its turnover-forcing best.