Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers: What to watch for in week 9

The Detroit Lions are trending downwards right as they have to play a rival. Let’s look into some things to key in on for Monday Night Football.

It’s no surprise that the Detroit Lions are currently in a slump. After starting the season 3-1 they’ve blown that lead and are now at 3-4. So I don’t want to call this game a must-win, but it’s kind of a must win. Let’s look into some of the major things to focus on for this game against the Green Bay Packers.

1. Exploiting Brett Hundley

Brett Hundley is not Aaron Rodgers. That’s just a fact. So the Lions shouldn’t have nearly the same amount of trouble with Hundley. Still, it wouldn’t be the first time that a Packers backup roasted the Lions. But the Lions are a much better team than the one that went up against Matt Flynn way back when (still I bet the broadcast brings it up at least twice during the game.)

So this Lions defense needs to make Hundley look like a backup. Glover Quin is arguably the best safety in football right now and I think he’ll be able to force Hundley into a mistake or two. The Lions have been killing it when it comes to turnovers, and I think we see a few on Monday.

2. Breakout Ebron

Eric Ebron was talked about a lot on trade deadline day. But as the deadline passed the only news was that he wasn’t going anywhere. Just prior to the deadline, it seemed as if Ebron was ready to go due to his frustrations. But after the deadline he tweeted this:

So it’ll be interesting to see what Ebron does on Monday. I believe he’s going to have his best game of the season, as he’s now playing for his next contract that will most likely be elsewhere.  Ebron has to deal with a lot including people tweeting at him about his play on a post of his kid. So this game would be a perfect opportunity to shut up the haters.

3. Red Zone Woes

Last week, the Lions were helpless when they got into the red zone. If that poor execution continues there is no way that they can win this game. Jim Bob Cooter has been getting a lot of the flack for this recently, as his play calling is becoming very predictable. If this doesn’t get changed soon the Lions could be making a change at the coordinator position instead.

Next: Lions stock watch is getting Riddickulous

I’ve thought for a while that Matthew Stafford has outdone Cooter. I think that sooner rather than later the Lions realize this and make a switch at the position after another bad showing or two. And maybe that change will boost Stafford to elite status.