For most of my life, the Packers-Lions rivalry was a one-sided affair. Packers dominated the Lions at home as I never saw them lose at Lambeau Field before a couple of seasons ago with Brett Hundley at quarterback. Packers would drop the occasional game in Detroit. It was never fun. Even though Brett Favre won a playoff game in the Silverdome, he found ways to lose now and again. Who could forget the debacle against Joey Harrington on Thanksgiving? Packers-Lions in the recent years shifted into a much more balanced matchup with the Lions winning the last four games. If Detroit wins tonight, they take control of the NFC North.

Three Storylines I Care About
1. Who becomes the offensive star tonight? – Matt Patricia does a good job, like his former boss Bill Belichick, who loves to take the best player out of the game. Aaron Jones is likely going to be the focal point. Lions do not want Jones to be the superstar tonight like he was in Dallas. Aaron Rodgers will have to find a way to get a couple of his wide receivers involved. They’ve been less than stellar without Davante Adams. There isn’t exactly a player to take advantage of on the Detroit defense. Matt LaFleur and Rodgers will have to get creative tonight produce points.

2. Frustrating Matthew Stafford will be the key to winning tonight – Matthew Stafford is not the turnover machine that he was earlier in his career. That said, he forces passes from time to time especially when he’s frustrated in the pocket. Packers pass rush should be able to get home on Stafford. Yes, the Lions offensive line has improved from a few years past, but it is still an average line at best. Taylor Decker struggled to start the season and my guess is Green Bay attacks from the left side.

3. Can Will Redmond follow up on his great Dallas performance? – Darnell Savage is not going to play tonight with a high ankle sprain. Will Redmond will likely get the start tonight. He played fantastic both in the run game and the passing game. Redmond will get a challenge tonight if T.J. Hockenson suits up from his concussion and if that’s the case, we might see the Redmond we saw against Philadelphia. If you remember, he did not play well in this one. Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert dominated the middle of the field in that game.

Don’t Sleep on Em
Tyler Lancaster – Last game, Green Bay moved Tyler Lancaster to the starting lineup. The Packers run defense was better last week but that is deceiving at best. Dallas trailed all game long, therefore, they had to pass the ball over the field. Lancaster got moved into the starting line in an attempt to shore up their run defense. We didn’t see it, and on the first drive, Elliott made major chunk plays. I believe Lancaster will play a big role in tonight’s game if Kerryon Johnson gets slowed down.

Prediction
I have the Packers winning this game, 27-17 in what I expect to be a defensive struggle for a good part of the game. Packers are going to get some short-field opportunities, and Rodgers will take advantage of leading to another Packers victory where they’re established as the top dog in the NFC North.

Charlie.