Green Bay Packers 2020 opponent preview: Detroit Lions
After winning all six games in the division last season, will the Packers’ winning run over the Lions continue in 2020?
The Green Bay Packers did win both games against the Detroit Lions last season, but they were anything but comfortable.
Both home and away, Green Bay needed Allen Lazard to play a big role in a come-from-behind win. In both contests, Mason Crosby booted a walk-off field goal. In total, the Packers led the two games for a combined zero seconds but won both. What a statistic.
Will the Lions be improved in 2020?
Last season
It was a season to forget in Detroit.
The first game set the tone for the season, the Lions throwing away an 18-point lead to tie with the Arizona Cardinals. The Lions won their next two but would throw away huge opportunities to secure consecutive victories over the Kansas City Chiefs and Packers.
The Lions then fell apart, falling to 3-4-1 before a season-ending injury to Matthew Stafford just about ended any remaining hopes of making the playoffs. Without Stafford, Detroit lost its final eight games, falling from a 2-0-1 start to 2019 to a 3-12-1 finish.
When are the games?
The Packers host the Lions in Week 2, on Sunday, Sept. 20 at 12 p.m. CT. They then visit Ford Field in Week 14, on Sunday, Dec. 13 at 12 p.m. CT.
Offseason additions
The coaching staff in Detroit will be under pressure to turn things around from last season. The good news for the Lions is that they look to have put together a solid offseason.
While they did trade away star cornerback Darius Slay, the new starting tandem of Desmond Trufant and first-round pick Jeff Okudah should be a strong one. The Lions made some good additions to the defense in free agency, including Danny Shelton and Reggie Ragland.
Along with drafting Okudah, the Lions strengthened their ground game by selecting D’Andre Swift in the second round, and also strengthened the interior positions of the offensive line later on.
Last meeting with Packers
December 29, 2019: Packers won 23-20 at Ford Field
Player to watch
Jeff Okudah: Okudah could be a star cornerback in the NFL in time, but you can bet Aaron Rodgers will look to test him early on. Especially in Week 2, which will be just Okudah’s second game in the NFL. What a test that is for a rookie defensive back.
Okudah had nine pass defenses and three interceptions in his final year at Ohio State. The Packers will be hoping he doesn’t make a big impact in either of the two games against the Lions this season.