Who would’ve thought that last year’s 4-12 Lion’s would be leading the division heading into week 5 while Green Bay and Minnesota each sit with one win a piece? Week 5 proves to be a thrilling one as the Lions have a good shot at putting a little distance between themselves and the rest of the division. Week 5 sees the Lions travel to Lambeau Field to face the well-rested Packers coming off their bye week.

This is a big game for a number of reasons: Green Bay has to avoid falling to 1-3 and Detroit has a chance to jump out to a 3-0 start in divisional play. The Lions are coming off a big win against Chicago in which the Suh led defense forced 4 turnovers. Suh and the defensive line had a great day coming away with 3 sacks and one defensive touchdown. The recipe for success will once again be the play of their front seven when they face Green Bay. Suh and Fairley will have to be stout and find a way to pressure Rodgers up the middle. In addition to putting pressure on Rodgers and the passing game, Detroit will have to find an answer for Green Bay’s new found run game. Green Bay is currently averaging 128.0 ypg on the ground and will look to once again control the line of scrimmage against a strong Detroit defensive line.

Rodgers will be looking to rebound after his lackluster performance against the Bengals in which he threw two picks in a rather forgettable performance. I expect McCarthy will be using a lot of 3 & 5 step drops and some timely screens in an effort to neutralize the Detroit pass rush. I’ll be expecting Gunther Cunningham to counter with a mix of coverages on the back end and throw a good number of blitz looks and line stunts at Rodgers (Factoid – Cunningham was born in Munich, Germany in 1946). If Rodgers is able to get comfortable in the pocket it will be a long day for Detroit.

Detroit has lost 21 straight games in Wisconsin, the last win in America’s Dairyland coming on Dec. 15th of 1991. Reggie Bush and Megatron will be looking to change that. When it comes time to stopping Detroit’s aerial attack, Green Bay’s secondary and linebackers are only as good as their pass rush (Clay Matthews). If Matthews and the D-line are able to consistently get pressure on Stafford then life in the Green Bay defensive backfield will be that much easier … but then there’s Reggie Bush. Bush is averaging 5.3 ypc on 48 attempts but his real value comes in the passing game. Bush has racked up 179 yards on 11 receptions and the Detroit offense will continue to find creative ways to get Bush in the open field against the Green Bay defense. I wouldn’t be surprised if this game turns into a shootout …

Final thoughts:

Brandon Pettigrew needs to have a solid day and take attention off of Johnson and Bush

Stafford needs to protect the ball and know when to throw it away

Detroit needs to establish the run, GB is only giving up 93.3 yards per contest on the ground

Detroit is giving up 110.8 ypg on the ground | Starks, Lacy, and Franklin all listed as questionable per ESPN (Lacy was a ‘full-go’ at Monday’s practice, however)

Rodgers is very unforgiving to opposing defenses after coming off a loss

Finley is doubtful for Green Bay (Concussion)

Green Bay leads the all-time series: 93-65-7

Weather looks to be in the mid 50’s with minimal chance of rain and 10-15 mph winds (good day for football)

Prediction

Green Bay 34, Detroit 28 – Too much Rodgers and too much time to prepare