5 keys to the Packers beating the Lions in Week 9

The Green Bay Packers will host the NFC top seed Detroit Lions on Sunday at Lambeau Field. The Packers have won four in a row and are 6-2, while the Lions have won five in a row and currently lead the league with a record of 6-1. The winner on Sunday will take control of the NFC North entering Week 10.

Matt LaFleur’s team will be wearing throwback uniforms on Sunday, and beating the mighty Lions at Lambeau Field may require a throwback performance.

Here are five keys to the Packers beating the Lions in Week 9:

Hold, protect the ball

With an injured quarterback in the forecast and rain expected, the Packers need to find ways to keep their running game hot and avoid turnovers. Winning time of possession and tackling turnovers will be key. The Packers need to keep the Lions’ explosive offense off the field and avoid giving the Lions short fields as gifts. Consider this: When the Lions win turnover battles this season, they are 3-0 with an average margin of nearly 30 points. This could be a game where the Packers need to have no turnovers on offense and 1-2 on defense to win. It’s worth noting that the team that won the turnover battle won both games last season, including a 3-0 margin of turnovers for the Packers in their Thanksgiving victory at Ford Field.

Fighting the rebound

The Packers defense needs to rebuild after arguably the team’s worst performance of the season in Jacksonville. The upcoming test will be difficult. David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs are a dynamic running back duo, while Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta can create great plays after the catch. The Lions will rule the football and consistently implement Ben Johnson’s plan. The key to Jeff Hafley’s defense will be making tackles and limiting explosive plays. The Packers need to force Jared Goff to take long, methodical drives, especially if the weather isn’t cooperating. Explosive plays are the lifeblood of Detroit’s No. 1 team in the scoring rankings, but a good counterattack on Sunday could limit the damage.

To blitz or not to blitz

Jared Goff and the Lions are one of the best blitzing teams this season. Goff is averaging 12.2 yards per rushing attempt, according to Next Gen Stats, and he was great last week completing passes with added pressure. The Packers had a hard time putting pressure on the quarterback with only four rushers, but blitzing — especially with sophomore linebackers — is Jeff Hafley’s best way to disrupt the quarterback, especially when losing money. Keep a close eye on Sunday’s rehearsal line. Will the Packers be able to apply pressure at the four, or will Hafley have to risk giving up big plays, applying additional pressure? Jaire Alexander and Evan Williams are both dealing with injuries in the secondary, so the Packers defense needs to dominate.

Third down

The Lions are the NFL’s No. 1 defense after their third loss this season. The Packers are in 8th place. This has to do with controlling the football – which team can consistently capitalize on third downs? Not having to face Lions pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson (injured reserve) is a boost for the Packers, as he can break plays in obvious passing situations. However, the Lions have two hawks in the secondary (Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph), so the Packers need to meet deadlines and be able to make plays in big moments on offense. Defensively, pressure will be key on third down. Already this season, Goff has been sacked nine times for third downs.

Watch out for promotions

Jared Goff currently leads the NFL in completion percentage and yards per attempt, but offensive coordinator Ben Johnson will run a gadget play once or twice a game in the passing game. Amon-Ra St. Brown and David Montgomery have both thrown touchdown passes this season, and even punter Jack Fox has a pass attempt. Kalif Raymond, who returned a punt for a touchdown last week, could be a dangerous player in the gadget game. The Lions force the team to defend a lot of different things. It may be more difficult to pull off a trick play against a division opponent, but the Packers need to keep an eye out for special situations in the Lions’ playbook. Allowing at least one successful trick could change the fate of Sunday’s match.