It has been a nice start to the season for the Detroit Lions. They are 3-1 and 2-0 in their division. However, the fun probably stops this week. The Lions have to visit Lambeau Field to take on the Green Bay Packers. As you likely know, they have not won at Lambeau since 1991, even though once Matt Flynn started against them. Matt Flynn! This isn't because of some sort of magic properties inherent to Lambeau. It is simply because, since 1991, the Packers have been as good or better than the Lions most years, and winning on the road in the NFL can be tough. Will this be the season Detroit breaks that streak, scoring them a huge divisional win?
Green Bay is coming off a bye, and their record is 1-2, but I would not read too much into that record. They are still a really good team led by the top quarterback in the NFL. If the Lions want to stop the Packers, they need to stop their passing game. The Packers have guys like Randall Cobb and Jordy Nelson that they need to keep in check. I am particularly concerned about who will stop Cobb. I don't see anybody on the Lions matching up well with him.
To make matters worse, Chris Houston and Glover Quin are questionable for this game. If one of them can't play, especially if it is Houston, Detroit's defense is in trouble. Their only hope will be getting to Rodgers, which is definitely possible. Ziggy Ansah, it's all up to you.
If Detroit wants to win this game, they may need to win in a shootout. Offensive firepower must abound. Fortunately, the Lions have the tools to do just that. Calvin Johnson is questionable, but I expect him to play. The Packers have had injury issues in their secondary, which has been part of their slow start. Clay Matthew Jr. may not be able to play, which would help the Lions, although Detroit's pass blocking has been excellent. Megatron is off to a slightly slow start, by his standards, but I expect that to pick up. Maybe this will be the week. The weather shouldn't be too bad in Green Bay yet. Matthew Stafford will need to throw the ball a bit better, but if Reggie Bush can be as good as he has been when healthy this season, that will go a long way.
I'm not calling for the Lions to get blown out or anything. They look like a good team to me so far. However, the Packers are better, and they are getting healthier, and they are at home. Maybe when Green Bay visits Detroit the Lions can score a win. That's not this week though. Final Prediction: Packers 34, Lions 27
