Packers Face Big Challenge Sunday Against Detroit

Week 7 of the NFL season has arrived, and the Packers will face a big challenge on Sunday against Detroit. In one of the toughest divisions in the NFL, the NFC North, there is little room for error.

A win Sunday would move the Packers to 5-2 and drop the Lions to 3-3. The Packers are on their way to the toughest part of the schedule, with Detroit, Carolina, New England, Minnesota, LA Rams, New Orleans and Buffalo on the menu.

That’s far from a walk in the park. Additionally, given that the NFC North is extremely competitive, and arguably the hardest division in the NFL, the Packers have little room for error.

The Lions possess one of the best offenses in the league. From a solid starting quarterback in Jared Goff, to an elite running back in Jahmyr Gibbs, to a balanced wide receiver core in Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, this will be a test for Green Bay.

It is encouraging given how well the Packers defense handled the Cowboys offense last week. Defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon did a tremendous job of creating opportunities for the defense to rattle quarterback Dak Prescott.

Even more impressive, the Packers defense contained wide receivers CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. The biggest challenge on Sunday in Detroit will come from containing Jahymr Gibbs, if that’s even possible.

Gibbs currently has 504 rushing yards on the season and 243 receiving yards. Additionally, Gibbs is averaging 4.8 yards per carry and has scored seven rushing touchdowns so far this season.

Jonathan Gannon had this to say about the Lions, “…They’ve got good players, they collectively play well together, they communicate, they never bust, their protection scheme is on point. And then they can run it to win and they can throw it to win.”

Last season, the Packers managed to sweep Detroit. This season, they face the same team but without some of their key defensive players. The absence of Edgerrin Cooper and Micah Parsons will be felt.

Additionally, Packers linebacker Zaire Franklin has been ruled out, leaving Isaiah McDuffie and Tyron Hopper as the starting two. That’s not exactly ideal against an offense as strong as the Lions.

So, how can the Packers win? Well, allow Jordan Love to play his game for one. The offense has to stay in the game the entire four quarters. That’s only possible if the game goes through him. The defense? Let’s just hope Jonathan Gannon has another outstanding week coaching the defense.

The run game also has the opportunity to turn the corner with the return of Josh Jacobs. The Packers are missing some key players but with a complete game, they have a shot.