The Green Bay Packers' current focus is on the Jacksonville Jaguars, but it's hard not to have one eye on a crucial NFC North battle with the Detroit Lions that follows it.
Detroit is the team to beat in the NFC North, and we can all remember what happened the last time Dan Campbell's squad visited Lambeau Field. The Packers suffered a humiliating loss that created questions about the team's direction with Jordan Love. There are no such concerns now, but the Packers know they must beat the Lions at home to have a realistic shot at taking their division title.
The Lions have already lost All-Pro pass-rusher Aidan Hutchinson for the season, but they will now be without one of their breakout stars on offense when they visit Green Bay in Week 9.
Jameson Williams suspension will have a huge impact on Packers-Lions battle in Week 9
According to ESPN's Ed Woodyard, Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams is facing a two-game suspension for violating the NFL's Performance-Enhancing Substances policy.
He will miss the Lions' next two games against the Tennessee Titans and Packers.
It's significant. The NFC North is wide open, with three five-win teams and the Chicago Bears close behind. Williams is enjoying a breakout third season in Detroit, and his absence will have a significant effect on the entire offense.
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Williams has caught 17 passes for 361 yards and three touchdowns in the opening six games, already setting career-highs in receiving yards and touchdowns.
It's not just when he's getting the ball that causes problems for defenses. Due to his game-changing speed, opponents must always respect what Williams can do, even when Jared Goff doesn't throw the ball his way. That opens up opportunities underneath for Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta or Detroit's dominant run game.
The Lions' offense has been close to unstoppable this year. Detroit ranks No. 2 in total yards, No. 3 in passing, No. 4 in rushing, and No. 3 in points.
The Minnesota Vikings' defense has dominated all season and created problems for some of the best offenses in the league, including Green Bay's, but it had no answer for Detroit. Goff only had three incompletions, with the Lions putting up 31 points and 391 yards of offense at U.S. Bank Stadium.
The Lions aren't easy to stop, even without Williams. But losing him is huge. The Packers will need to be at their best defensively, but the challenge becomes far easier without the Lions' former first-round pick on the field.