Packers vs. Lions: Tale of the tape for Week 6 matchup

Special teams

Packers

The special teams for the Packers has been getting better. They didn’t give up a big return last week as they had in previous weeks. This is a big deal because with the talent on defense, making the opponent go the length of the field is huge. It’s when the opponent gets good field position to start their possession that the defense tends to give up points.

JK Scott has been a weapon this year. He has been able to flip the field on a regular basis. Scott is averaging 48.3 yards per punt, tied for fourth in the NFL. He has also pinned the opponent inside their own 20-yard line 12 times already this season and has only two touchbacks. He is absolutely a weapon.

Mason Crosby has been reliable again this season. He has had eight field goal opportunities and has converted on seven of those, missing a kick from beyond 40 yards.

Lions

Lions punter Sam Martin, on the other hand, has been struggling a little more this season. He is averaging just under 44 yards per punt, which puts him at 33rd in the NFL. He has put the opponent inside their own 20-yard line eight times, good for 16th.

Kicker Matt Prater has been one of the better kickers in the league for years. He has a big leg and can hit field goals from 50-plus yards. On the season, he is 7-of-9, including made kicks from 50 yards or more. He has also missed an extra point this year.

With Mason Crosby’s reliability and JK Scott’s ability to flip the field, I think Green Bay’s special teams has the edge in this game.

Advantage: Packers

Overall, I think these two teams are actually pretty closely matched and it should be a good game, but I think the Packers are just a little better in every phase of the game right now.