One of the biggest games of the NFL season so far is between the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions in their Week 9 contest. Currently, the Lions are the No. 1 seed in the NFC with a 6-1 record. The Packers are not far behind, sitting at 6-2.
This will mark the second NFC North matchup for both teams. Coincidentally, both Green Bay and Detroit have already squared off against the Vikings. While the Packers lost that game, the Lions emerged from Minnesota victorious.
Can Detroit extend their division lead, or can Green Bay take over top spot in the North?
Key Players for the Packers
Yet another week of wondering which quarterback will suit up for the Packers. This time, a groin injury leaves Jordan Love‘s Week 9 status in question.
Malik Willis took over after Love left the Week 8 game. He already had two starts earlier this season, but this was impressive nonetheless. Willis went 4-of-5 with a passing touchdown. Most importantly, he led a game-winning field goal drive, demonstrating his clutch factor.
In both previous starts, Green Bay got early leads and were able to play from ahead most of the time. This most recent game showcases Willis’ ability to lead the two-minute offense. That may be needed against the Lions.
What the Packers also need is a resurgence from Jayden Reed. The team’s target leader only had nine total opportunities (targets and carries) in the past two contests combined. Before that, Reed has averaged 7.2 opportunities per game. A return to form would certainly help Green Bay.
At basically the halfway mark, the defensive contributions of three rookies are notable. Both Javon Bullard and Evan Williams have been fantastic in this five defensive back base.
While they have moved around, Bullard has become the Packers’ primary nickel corner, while Williams fills a more traditional safety role. Both have excellent football IQ, beyond their years in fact. These guys do not play like rookies.
One other rookie contributing is linebacker Edgerrin Cooper. However, he has come on more slowly. Looking at Cooper’s snap counts, he has only hit 50 percent of defensive plays these past three weeks.
Alignment issues have been the biggest reasons why the coaching staff was hesitant to trust Cooper in a full-time role. But even in limited snaps, his play-making instincts stand out. If Cooper continues to impress, this expanded role could become permanent.
Key Players for the Lions
Jared Goff may be playing the best football of his career right now. Over the past five games, the Lions quarterback has completed 88 of his 106 pass attempts. That is a completion rate of 83 percent.
The culminating point of this streak is a Detroit victory in Week 4. During that contest, Goff was 18-for-18, giving him a completion rate of 100 percent. This set an NFL record for most pass attempts in a perfect game.
Arguably, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown has the most impact on that elevated completion percentage. As consistent as they come in the game today, St. Brown is excellent at catching the football and creating extra yards. His career catch rate of 74 percent is impressive, but St. Brown has taken it to the next level in 2024 with a career-high 78 percent.
In addition to their passing prowess, the Lions can also run the ball with great success. This is truly a balanced offense. Goff and St. Brown command the passing attack, but the ground game is also excellent. Led by the two-headed monster of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, this running back duo is the perfect complement to an explosive aerial attack.
The backs also complement each other well. Gibbs is a dynamic athlete who can break off big plays at any given moment. Meanwhile, Montgomery is a tough runner who can fight through contract and gain extra yards. Both can also catch passes, adding another dimension to this team.
With such an incredible offense, let us not forget that the defense has talented players as well. Right now, the most important facet is right at the heart of the Lions’ defense. The linebacking crops includes two standout players: Alex Anzalone and Jack Campbell. These are tackling machines with decent coverage instincts.
Keys to Win the Game
I’ve said enough about Detroit wide receiver St. Brown. But the truth is, the Packers need to have an answer to stop him. If not, St. Brown could gash Green Bay on big plays consistently.
The first thought is to shadow with best-on-best. But since St. Brown plays primarily in the slot, he may not draw Jaire Alexander as a cover matchup. While he has ventured inside during previous seasons, Alexander is sticking as an outside cornerback in the Jeff Hafley defense.
Instead, it may be the rookie safeties who are tasked with stopping St. Brown. Earlier in the article, both Bullard and Williams were referenced after having such great starts to the season (and their careers). However, St. Brown is a whole new level of receiver. If either rookie has to cover him, it will undoubtably be the toughest test they have yet faced in the NFL.
Winning this Week 9 matchup will give the Packers an early head-to-head victory against the Lions. That would go a long way towards potentially winning the division, and at this rate, getting a first-round post-season bye. However, a loss could put them too far behind Detroit in this tight NFC North race.
It is not an exaggeration to say that this Packers and Lions is the most important game of the season so far. For both these teams.
From a Packers perspective, they must be as perfectly prepared as possible; whether that’s with Love or Willis at quarterback.
