Detroit Lions: 3 key matchups for the Week 2 versus Packers
By Tejas Bedi
Here are three key matchups that the Detroit Lions will need to win to upset the Packers and get the bad taste of last week out of their mouth.
The Detroit Lions kicked off their season with a heartbreaking loss to the Chicago Bears after blowing a 17 point fourth-quarter lead. Despite the discouraging loss, there is still a lot of time for the Lions to turn the season around.
It will not be easy with a matchup against Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. Take a look at the three key matchups that the Lions will need to win to come out on top against the Packers.
Matchup #1: Jamie Collins v.s. Aaron Jones
Jamie Collins will need to stay in the game in order for this to be a match up, but assuming no boneheaded mistakes, he will likely be tasked with stopping Aaron Jones. Aside from Davante Adams, Jones is the premier weapon for the Packers in both the run and pass game.
More from Detroit Lions
- Lions vs. Bears Week 14 Opening Odds Disrespect Detroit
- Signing This Former Pro-Bowl CB Would Be Huge Mistake for Lions
- Forecasting the Rest of This Lions Season (Score Predictions)
- Lions Get Exciting Injury Update on Rookie QB Hendon Hooker
- Betting Preview: Best Bets for Lions vs. Packers Thanksgiving Day Game
On the other hand, Collins is easily the best linebacker in pass coverage on the Lions.
If Collins successfully limits Jones, it will remove one of Rodgers’s safety valves, who is a key cog to the Packers offense.
This is the first matchup the Lions will need to win to succeed against the Packers; up next, first-round pick Jeff Okudah could get his first shot.
Among 66 off-ball linebackers who saw at least 30 targets in coverage, Jamie Collins allowed a passer rating of just 55.0, the only LB to allow under a 73.0 passer rating.
— PFF NE Patriots (@PFF_Patriots) February 27, 2020
Will Collins be back with the #Patriots in 2020?https://t.co/NbZifNVlbc pic.twitter.com/qq3oxVPEie
Matchup #2: Jeff Okudah/Amani Oruwariye v.s. Allen Lazard
Davante Adams is one of the best receivers in the leagues, and would be hard for any corner to stop in one on one coverage. The Lions would be wise to always have safety help on whoever is tasked with covering the elite receiver.
This will force the other corner to be on an island verse Allen Lazard, the Packer’s number two receiver. Lazard is not an elite receiver by any means, but he was able to capitalize on all the attention placed on Adams in Week 1 with a solid performance.
With Desmond Trufant out, Okudah will likely be making his first start in the NFL. Either he or Oruwariye will need to play good coverage on Lazard, allowing Tracy Walker and Duron Harmon to help on Adams.
Matchup #3: Lions Tackles v.s. Preston Smith and Za’Darius Smith
The Lions offense played pretty well against the talented Bears defense. The offensive line performed exceptionally well, limiting a pass rush featuring Akeim Hicks and Khalil Mack to just one sack.
The line is facing another talented pass rush of Preston Smith and Za’Darius Smith. The duo combined for 25.5 sacks in 2019 and should be a force for the next few years (Pro Football Reference).
Taylor Decker and either Tyrell Crosby or Halapoulivaati Vaitai need to play well to give the offense a chance to function. If they can hold up against the Smith duo, Matthew Stafford and the rest of the offense could have success attacking an average Packer secondary.
Taylor Decker, who the Lions signed to a big extension recently, has done a good job on Khalil Mack so far. pic.twitter.com/grtoU5JC2p
— Barroom Network - Aldo Gandia (@BarroomNetwork) September 13, 2020
The Lions have a tall task against a talented Packers team coming off a big win over the Vikings.
Related Story. Detroit Lions 2020 Week 2: Learning more about the Green Bay Packers. light
If Jamie Collins and the corners are able to limit Aaron Jones and Allen Lazard, and the offensive line is able to limit the pass-rushing duo, the Detroit Lions should have a pretty good chance to get a victory in Lambeau.