The Green Bay Packers are 4-2 after securing three straight wins, following a fairly tumultuous start to the season. Last week, the team performed well again, defeating the Dallas Cowboys 23-13, and is now eyeing a heated NFC North rival: the Detroit Lions.
Green Bay will take on the Lions in the first of their two annual meetings. The Packers will travel to Ford Field and try to keep their winning ways alive. Detroit can't afford to lose as both clubs fight to keep pace with the undefeated Minnesota Vikings and the 5-2 Chicago Bears in the division standings.
Ahead of Week 7, we'll look at the biggest things to watch, including the Packers' X factors, what they must do to win and more.
3 things to watch in pivotal Packers vs. Lions NFC North showdown
1. Will the Packers' running game finally show up?
For the first six weeks of the season, the Packers have had pretty much no running game to speak of. MarShawn Lloyd, Kaleb Johnson, Chris Brooks and Pierre Strong Jr. have simply not been able to do much with the opportunities they've been given, and it hasn't been good for Green Bay as a whole. That finally has the chance to change on Sunday, though.
Josh Jacobs, the Packers' workhorse running back, is expected to be back after spending the first six weeks on the Commissioner's Exempt List. In all likelihood, he'll immediately return to the top of the depth chart, and despite his regression last year, he's a far better option than any of the other names mentioned.
2. Packers' linebacker depth (or lack thereof)
The Packers' defense is already going through some issues in terms of depth. Star linebacker Edgerrin Cooper and defensive tackle Javon Hargrave both went out with season-ending Achilles tears over the past three weeks. This week, at practice, captain and starting linebacker Zaire Franklin also suffered an injury when he was kneed in the shin.
While Franklin's injury doesn't seem to be too bad, he's out against the Lions. This leaves Green Bay fairly thin at a key spot on defense. They'll need to once again lean on their secondary, but also rely on guys like Ty'Ron Hopper and Isaiah McDuffie (more on them later) to stop an elite Lions offense.
3. Packers' offensive line
The Packers' offensive line hasn't been as much of an issue recently as it was earlier in the season. However, the Lions boast several high-level talents on defense, specifically along the defensive line. After Green Bay's protection struggled a bit against the Cowboys, it's worth wondering whether they'll switch things up at all.
So far, since signing, veteran guard Kevin Zeitler has yet to slide into the starting lineup. However, this week could be the week, especially as the team is set to face some truly elite talent in the form of Aidan Hutchinson and more.
Biggest X-Factors for the Packers in Week 7
Ty'Ron Hopper and Isaiah McDuffie
As noted above, this week will be a big one for Hopper and McDuffie. Traditionally, the pair hasn't had to be starters or play a full-time allotment of snaps in a game. With both Cooper and Franklin out now, though, Hopper and McDuffie will need to step in and contribute like they haven't been asked to before, and against one of the league's best players.
Lions superstar Jahmyr Gibbs is one of (if not the) best running backs in the sport. After the team already struggled against Atlanta Falcons standout playmaker Bijan Robinson, Gibbs will be another stiff test for the defense, especially Hopper and McDuffie.
Evan Williams
The Packers' secondary will be challenged big time in this one, but Williams specifically will need to be on his 'A' game. Lions quarterback Jared Goff has yet to throw an interception this season and has been surprisingly stellar under pressure, considering that's been a career-long bugaboo.
If the Packers want to win, Williams, who's second on the team in interceptions (two), will need to try to grab another one. He notably picked off Goff in Week 1 last year.
Besides that, Williams will likely draw tough assignments. Whether it be lining up against Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams or Sam LaPorta, any of Detroit's top three pass-catchers present matchup problems.
Josh Jacobs
As noted above, Jacobs' return to the Packers will likely bring some semblance of a running game back to the team. Just how much of a running game will be determined by his physical condition following a prolonged absence, however.
Last year, Jacobs looked like a far cry from his usual self, but was dealing with several injuries, as well. Whether or not he can be back to his old self after six weeks away from the team will remain to be seen.
Packers' keys to winning against the Lions in Week 7
Force mistakes
As we touched on earlier, Goff has been absolutely perfect so far this season and has a clean sheet when it comes to INTs. If the Packers want to win, they'll have to do what they've been doing at a league-high clip: creating mistakes.
The Packers are tied with the Seattle Seahawks for the NFL's most takeaways this season (11). Whether they can add to that tally will have a massive impact on the outcome of the showdown with Detroit.
Keep throwing
The Packers' last three wins have all featured one common thing: they've finally been throwing the ball more. With no running game to speak of, head coach Matt LaFleur has finally leaned on the passing offense, and it's been worth it so far.
With Jacobs back now, it's likely LaFleur will try and get back to his old ways of controlling the game via the run. However, considering how well the passing offense has gone, LaFleur would be well served to keep airing it out.
Keep things clean
While the Packers are taking the ball away, the team has also turned it over a bit as well. Last week, the team was just a Matthew Golden finger-brush away from giving up a pick-six, and the running backs have had some fumbling issues.
Much like it'll be important to disrupt Goff, it'll be equally important to take care of the ball on offense. The Lions are an opportunistic defense and will look for chances to cause chaos that way, too.
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