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Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers: Start Time, TV, Key Match-Ups (VIDEO)

By Nate Williams

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Nov 28, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions running back Joique Bell (35) dives into the end zone for a touchdown during the fourth quarter of a NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers rivalry continues this Sunday, September 21, 2014 at Ford Field in downtown Detroit, Michigan. The game is set to kick off at 1:00 pm/ET on FOX.

The Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers history is a storied one to say the least. Fresh fuel was added to the fire last season when Packers offensive guard, Josh Sitton called Lions defensive tackle, Ndamukong Suh and his cohorts “dirtbags”. The shot at Suh was largely a result of his stomp heard around the world on former Packers lineman Evan Dietrich-Smith.

Though Dietrich-Smith is now with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and both Sitton and Suh have been quiet so far this week, there is a good chance that bad blood still exists between the two. It will be fun to watch them battle in out in the trenches on Sunday.

Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers – Key Match-Ups

Some other key areas to keep an eye on during the division match-up will be the Lions greenery in the secondary. Injuries have plagued and depleted the defensive backfield early on in 2014, however the squad has done a good job considering the circumstances. Sunday will easily be their biggest test thus far when the face Aaron Rodgers, Randle Cobb, and Jordy Nelson.

Nelson caught nine balls for a career-high 209 yards, and scored the winning touchdown on an 80-yard catch-and-run vs. the New York Jets last week. Green Bay is dangerous offensively, can the Lions D hang?

If they want to they have to bring pressure. Detroit has forced 77 negative yards through the first two games, ranking third in the NFL. If they can put pressure on Rodgers, then they can better disrupt the passing game. They have six sacks on the season so far, and they would like to add to that against the Packers’ offensive line.

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For the Lions, Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson, and Golden Tate look to go to work against the Packers’ secondary. So far the offense has put up some big statistics in both games, but that only translated to 7 points against the Panthers. Stafford has 637 total passing yards in two weeks, going 49-80 so far. This week the Lions will also try to establish the run game against Dom Capers 4-3 defense that has seen mixed results so far and ranks 28th in the NFL in points allowed.

Keep an eye on Nate Freese

Also, the Lions situation at kicker is a major concern coming into Sunday. Rookie Nate Freese struggled throughout preseason, yet coach Jim Caldwell and Co. seen enough of some things that they liked to keep the seventh round pick around, naming him the starter going into regular season action. Freese has continued to struggle however, going 2-5 which included missing two very makeable filed goals wide-right in Carolina last week.

Some of you may, or may not remember, but longtime Lions favorite Jason Hanson started his rookie campaign out much the same way, going 3-6 early on in 1992 before reversing his fortunes.

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Detroit Lions place DT Alim McNeill on IR amid flurry of roster moves
Detroit Lions place DT Alim McNeill on IR amid flurry of roster moves /

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    • Can Freese do the same and prove his worth vs. the Packers this week? It may be his last chance to do so.

    While we are only in week 3 of regular season action this week, it is a pivotal week in the NFC North. Entering this weeks action, all four teams find themselves at 1-1. It goes without saying, but division wins are very important. Whomever is able to come out of Sunday’s match-up victorious, will have the upper hand at this point in the year.

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