Quay Walker proves why the Packers can get revenge on the Lions

What a difference two games can make.

It wasn't long ago that Green Bay Packers fans called for the team to bench Quay Walker. It made sense. Walker looked lost in run defense, missed too many tackles, and had far too many negative plays.

Not anymore. Walker has played at an All-Pro level in the Packers' wins over the San Francisco 49ers and Miami Dolphins, which is an ominous sign for the rest of the NFC North. If Walker has finally reached his potential in a new-look Packers scheme that should play to his strengths, look out.

"Quay's been playing his best ball," said head coach Matt LaFleur. "I don't think that anybody would dispute that. He's got a better feel for what we're asking him to do."

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In the span of five days, Walker made 17 tackles, four tackles for loss, one sack, and two pass breakups. He made a handful of game-changing plays against the Dolphins, including a fourth-down sack on Tua Tagovailoa that shut down a drive that had reached the Packers' 1-yard line.

Quay Walker is figuring it out at just the right time for the Packers

The Packers get a rematch with the Detroit Lions on Thursday Night Football next week. Detroit has won 10 in a row but came close to losing at home to the Chicago Bears on Thanksgiving. With injuries piling up on both sides of the ball, the Packers may get the Lions at the right time.

If Walker continues to build momentum, the sky is the limit for Green Bay in this game.

Jared Goff went after Walker in the first meeting between the two teams, completing six of seven targets in his coverage. Walker also struggled to get off blocks and make positive plays in run defense. Everything has changed over the past two weeks, with Walker finally showing the consistency and playmaking ability the Packers expected to see from him.

To have any shot of upsetting the Lions, the Packers will need their linebackers to make an impact. They must be quick to react against the run and limit gains by the unstoppable duo of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, while also preventing big plays through the air in the middle of the field.

In Week 9, 11 of Goff's 22 passes went to the middle of the field, where he completed nine for 62 yards. Walker's improved play can help take that away.

Walker is providing big-time plays as a pass-rusher. Per PFF, he has made six pressures and one sack over the past two games. The Bears generated interior pressure on Goff on Thanksgiving, and it helped them limit the league's best offense to just 23 points.

It's too early to believe Walker has finally reached his potential. He still has a lot to prove.

However, Walker is playing arguably the best football of his career, and if he can take this into Week 14, the Packers will have a chance to upset the Lions and blow the NFC North race wide open.

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