3 players who must step up for Packers to avoid disaster vs. Lions

Royce Newman

If you are nervous about Royce Newman starting, believe me, you are not alone. Newman has stepped in for Elgton Jenkins at left guard, and the results have gone as badly as expected.

Newman has struggled in pass protection and run blocking and can't stop getting penalties. After repeatedly drawing flags in the preseason, Newman wasted no time in causing a false start against the New Orleans Saints last week.

But here we are. With injuries across the offensive line, the Packers need Newman to step up.

Star pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson will test Newman. The Lions move him around to find the perfect matchups, and they are fully aware of Newman's struggles. Expect to see Hutchinson lined up across from Newman early and often on Thursday night. If Newman can't hold his own, it could become a long evening for the Packers offense.

Hutchinson has two sacks and four QB hits in the Lions' opening three contests, and he can completely ruin the Packers' offensive game plan if they can't slow him down.

Green Bay could turn to second-year Sean Rhyan if Newman gets off to a rocky start, but the Packers really need a solid performance from their third-year offensive lineman.

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