(Above Image Credit: The Sporting News)
When: Thursday, Sept. 28th, 8:15 PM EST
Where: Lambeau Field (Green Bay, WI)
Coverage: Prime Video (must have an Amazon Prime account)
The fight to lead the NFC North goes down on Thursday night when the Detroit Lions face the Green Bay Packers.
Broken Bodies in the Lions’ Den
Before Detroit went on to defeat Atlanta last Sunday, they were already short-handed with players due to injuries. C.J. Gardner-Johnson (IR), Kerby Joseph (hip), and Emmanuel Moseley (knee) were out for the defense.
The offense was short as well. Taylor Decker, Halapoulivaati Vaitai, and David Montgomery were also sidelined with unknown injuries. It got worse once the game started kicking off.
First, OT Matt Nelson was carted off the field due to an ankle injury. Then, OT Dan Skipper made 16 snaps before being sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Both men joined the growing list of Lions’ players sidelined with injuries. The list also includes Hendon Hooker, Nate Sudfield, Khalil Dorsey, and many more.
Now, several injured players are listed as “questionable” for Thursday, and there’s no telling if anyone will be healed enough by then.
Hope for the Packers Offense?
The Packers defense might be looking weak, but there is hope and optimism for the offense. Or is there, really?
Reports have surfaced yesterday that members of the team are hoping that WR Christian Watson and RB Aaron Jones will suit up Thursday night. Both players are listed as “questionable” due to hamstring injuries.
Watson missed the first three games of the season, and Jones hasn’t been playing since week one. It’s already bad enough that the Packers defense is hot garbage. The offense may be the best chance they have to get through this game. It would be a miracle if Watson and Jones will be able to pay. If they can’t, however, the Packers are going to need one.
Lions vs. Packers: Final Thoughts and Prediction
This latest chapter in the Lions vs. Packers rivalry will be a test of strength and persistence as both teams are short of players on a certain side.
Offensively, the advantage goes to the Lions. Montgomery might be out for the running backs which means Jahmyr Gibbs will need to step up for the group once again. Jared Goff should also use almost every chance he has to give the ball to Amon-Ra St. Brown. His running game has been on a roll.
Meanwhile, Goff will need to make sure he doesn’t make a mistake that could give Green Bay a chance to get ahead, but I don’t see why that should happen.
The Packers are in dire straits on both sides, but the defense is in the worst position. Now, they could be short of their best players like David Bakhtiari and Jaire Alexander yet again. This means there will be no chance in stopping the Lions’ speedy offense.
Detroit defeated Green Bay in their last three meetings. I can see the streak continuing after Thursday night.
