#451 Packers Unscripted: The lowdown on Motown

to talk about the opponents. So let's focus this episode on the Detroit Lions, who are to one and one. They've played one fewer game then the Packers coming off their bye week now, and I don't know what you think. To me, the Detroit Lions in twenty nineteen are the quintessential NFL team in that you look at their record, you look at their games, they could very easily be four and oh. They also very easily could be oh and four. I mean they've they've played close, tight football

games all the way along. They blew a lead and got a tie, they caught a couple of breaks to win a couple of close games. Then they had some breaks go against them in losing a close game at home to a good Kansas City team. The bottom line is there to one and one after four games, and they are right in the mix in the NFC North and this is a big division game here coming up at Lambo. Yeah. It's a great point you make, Mike.

It's similar to my fantasy football team right now. I could be four and one, but instead I'm two and three because I lost by one or point zero point one two weeks ago, and then I lost by seven rushing yards last week. We could talk about that on a different episode. But the end of the day, this is what the league's all about. Though, right before, Oh, you could be going for split the difference or two

one and one. Here's the thing where I'm kind of torn on Detroit right now because when you cover the NFL long enough, and you probably got to this point three or four years ago, when when looking at the Lions, it seems like there's been so many like resurgences of the Lions and it doesn't stick. It's you know, it's the roller coaster. Yeah, well, I think that's part of it.

They the years that they have made the postseason, they haven't been able to win a postseason game and really establish anything, and then the next year they can't get back to the playoffs to try to build on what they did. So you're right, it is it is an instance of Okay, here come the Lions, but then it's it's one good year and then they're kind of retooling again.

So as much as I want to say, you know, Daryl Bevil seems to be the right fit for this team and for Matthew Stafford, I said the same thing about Jim Bob Couer when he replaced Lombardi a number of years ago. Yeah, that's where things that's where things were headed. You thought you thought Couder was going to be the guy that to stick around for a while. Yeah. So I mean, this is the situation now where I just look at it for what it is. They were at home against one of the best teams in football

in Kansas City, and they played him tough. They got Carrie on Johnson going. I think kenned out. Galaday is a emerging, you know, star in this league, and he seems to have that rapport with Matthew Stafford. Stafford's playing well and on schedule, but the biggest thing that's jumping off the page is just the way that Detroit's defense has probably played a little bit better than I expected

them to early on. I mean, they've invested heavily into their defensive front um, and you know, they're probably the sack numbers aren't exactly where they want them to be yet with Trey Flowers and some of those players, but they can pressure the quarterback in when you look at it, you know, I wouldn't say their defense is as good

as as Chicago. I wouldn't say their offense on papers as good as what Green Bay could potentially be, but they're doing just enough of the right things to be in a position where they're contending here for the top of the division. Well, it strikes me as a team that is getting comfortable. I'm not sure if that's the right word, but get getting comfortable, getting accustomed to the type of team Matt Patricia wants in his second year as the head coach, coming over from the New England Patriots.

And I still say, you know, it starts with Stafford here, and when you look at what he's done through the first four games, he's got a triple digit passer rating, he's he's up over a hundred UM. And the thing that sticks out to me when you look at, Okay, what is their offense doing right, It's that through four games, Stafford has only been sacked seven times, which would actually put him on pace to be sacked the fewest times

in about the last six years. UM. When you look at his career numbers and how things have gone year by year for the Lions. So nothing overly flashy or

explosive necessarily on offense. I think Kenny Golladay's twelve point eight yards per catch as their number one wide receiver, I think that's a really misleading number going into this game against the Packers because with the big plays the Packers gave up last week against the Cowboys, and with the challenge that Gala Day presents and how Stafford does like to send him down the field, I think I think they're going to test the Packers in that respect

on Monday, absolutely, Mike, and they're gonna look at that film and what Dallas did with Marie Cooper and even to some extent, Michael Gallup, and they're gonna want to, you know, really stress them in that capacity. We're gonna

have to see exactly where the week takes them. With with t J. Hockenson coming on the bye week, he appears to be okay, you know, after having a you know, pretty scary concussion there right before in that game against Kansas City, So seeing exactly you know what his you know, potential impact could be. And they also signed Jesse James in the off season, so I mean that's another guy too that they've built up their resources and their weapons for Matthew Stafford, and Stafford I think is having a

good time with it. Marvin Jones has been there for a number of years now. Um you look at you know, Dan Danny Amondola coming in here. You know, Bob Quinn has sort of had you know that bringing a few patriots here and there that they feel like fit the you know, fit the void, and you know, well, we'll

see exactly where that takes him. The thing I'm curious to see though, is that with Green Bay's defense kind of stepping up to the challenge with Zeke Elliott and Zeke's you know, yards per carry were still pretty decent. You know, they got out of their rhythm because they're playing from behind, but you know, for the most part,

they didn't give any big runs up to Zeke Elliott. Well, now you're taking on, you know, Carrie on Johnson, who even though he had a hundred and thirties some yards last week, that was as much as he had had the first three games of the season. They had a really difficult time. I think. I think he's only averaging like three point four yards to carry on the season

so far, which is definitely down there expecting more. And I'm sure from their perspective, what he was able to do against the Chiefs is maybe the breakout moment that that they've been expecting for well, and I think that's one of the reasons they were able to stay up in that game for as long as they did, is that, you know, he had his longest carrying that matchup was fourteen yards, which I think, yeah, that's as longest to

the season at this point. So they were just able to consistently move the chains and then got enough big plays from their receivers in the red zone to make that a really compelled, editive game in which they almost won. But let's be real, Mike, I mean, Carrie on Johnson, the reason that they have dedicated themselves to him and the run game is they have a vision for where they want to take that thing. It's been decades now where you know, the lines just have not been able

to find a consistent run game. They feel like this is the guy that could potentially get them there. But you know, as well as that offensive line has done, you know, with the pass and you know where their weapons are there, Um, it's still been tough sledding for them with the with getting the rushing offense going and seeing how the Packers, you know, we're trying to change their fortunes a little bit in that capacity are able to do so in this game is gonna be something

to watch. Yeah, Well, when you look at the Lions through the first four games, they're just the style of games, the way their games have gone. They've been these games with wild swings of momentum, um turnovers back and forth. I know was a big part of the Kansas City Chiefs game, the fumble that was returned a hundred yards for a touchdown when most of the players on the field thought the play was dead and the Chiefs end

up getting a huge play there. The Lions ran a kickoff back a hundred yards for a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles. That was a big momentum shift in that game. The Chargers when they played them back in Week two, they were missing their kicker. They were trying their punter on field goals. He missed a couple of kicks and then the Chargers had to go for a fourth down late in the game. They've had, they've just had a lot of kind of weird, crazy things that have happened

throughout their games. And you know, they've had their bye week. Now they kind of they kind of get their opportunity to reset and get geared up for a division game on the road at lambeau Field, a place that for about a quarter century they couldn't win in the state of Wisconsin. But the last couple of years now some of the games with Aaron Rodgers being out for different reasons.

But over the last couple of years, the Lions have turned the tide in this rivalry and they they've they've kind of owned Green Bay for the last few seasons. Matt Patricia hasn't lost to the Packers yet. He's four and oh went into this matchup really quickly. I want to touch on this because I don't know we're gonna get a chance to pivot back to a Jamal egg New is one of the top returners in this league.

When you talked about the kickoff return that he had, Packers have had problems and kickoff coverage right now, I mean, make Mason Crosby making sure that they can pin them back as much as they can. It's gonna be critical in this one, but that's what I kind of respect about what Patricia has done. I mean, I think one of the reasons why we talked about the ebb and flow that the lines have kind of experienced over the years. They just haven't been good enough in all three phases.

I mean, you look at the you know, the Jim Schwartzerer, they just weren't disciplined enough. They had really good offensive football schemes. Calvin Johnson was at the peak of his powers, but they just shot themselves in the footway too often. And then Jim Calvill comes in and changes the culture. But then you just didn't have enough explosivity to that offense. And defensively you saw it kind of a road and get a little older um and some decisions they had

to make, some things just didn't work out for them. Well. Now, you're seeing kind of this perfect marriage. I think when you look at all three phases, if you can get Matthew Stafford performing consistently, you know, he has nine touchdowns already in four games. He only had twenty one last year. Um, he's actually I thought this was really interesting too. You talked about the triple digits for a pass rating. He's never had a triple digit passer rating in his NFL

career for a full season, for a full season, exactly. Yeah, to actually finish the year with it, so, Um, getting him to play at an optimal level and just being consistent enough in defense and special teams, that's what's gonna make this thing a really interesting race to follow in the NFC North because I think you legitimately have four good teams, but not everybody can make the playoffs, and

not everybody can even have a winning record sometimes. So this matchup for the Packers and a lot of players were asked about it in the locker room on Tuesday. To start a season three and oh, to go through the quick slate and get a win over every team in the division right off the bat in the first six weeks, that is exactly how you draw it. Up when you're trying to put together a playoff type team

that can really contend going into January. Yeah. I mean, when you look at it from the big picture perspective, you have to hold serve at home against your division opponents. I mean, right now, what is the difference in the NFC North the fact that the Packers won on the road at Soldier Field. It was back in Week one, but right now, when you look at the first five weeks of the season, that's the game that has tipped

the balance in favor of Green Bay. The Packers can't give up that advantage now by losing a division game at home. This is a huge opportunity for the Lions obviously, to try to tilt things in their direction. And I want to mention this too because last week we we sort of one of the big narratives for that is, Okay, the Dallas clubs haven't really played anybody. You know, they have a good record, but you know when they had their first big tests against New Orleans, that an't rise

to the occasion. Detroit has played good football teams and there to one and one on the other side of it. I mean, you don't do that by accident. The performance they had against Philadelphia, being able to find a way

to win that football game. I thought they really, especially in my particular case, raised a lot of eyebrows when they came out and they picked apart of you know, Chargers team, I think a lot of people are expecting to be one of the best in the a f C, and they were able to hold serve against them as well. And then you know, you look at it, you're within an eyelash year of you know, that game against Arizona

where you're up and then you lose it. So it just a lot of different aspects to this, which I think what makes it a really compelling matchup with the Lions coming back in here and the Packers trying to reverse their fortunes after losing two and straight here now against Detroit at home. Yeah, with regard to Detroit's defense, some injuries they're dealing with their Mike Daniels, the former Packer,

he's been on the injured list. I believe Damon Harrison Snacks Harrison as he's called another guy plugger in the interior that defensive line. He's not healthy at the moment, but it sounds like they are getting cornerback Darius slay Back. I you know, we've talked about him obviously in years passed on the show. I think Darius Slay is a is a premier talent at cornerback in this league. And

he's called big play Slay for a reason. He's one of those guys that even if you feel like maybe you're you know, you're getting the best of him here and there throughout the course of a game, he can jump up and make a play on you in the fourth quarter and and turn the tide. So if Darius slay is back for the Lions, that's a huge boost for that defense. Yeah, he's one of the best in

the entire league. And the Packers see him twice a year. Um, we we're shooting this before practice on Thursday, so we'll have to see, you know, if Davanta Adams if he has a chance this week or not, you know, coming off of his you know, the the ankle injury, their foot injury he's dealing with and some of the other things the Packers are working through. But Slay is such a you know, he's a he's a great phenomenal player.

He's really fun to watch and we've been able to watch him now for a number of years and see him and and how he's developed from just a pure talent to you know, one of the league's all around best cornerbacks. And you know, his role I would even argue has changed here a little bit in the last few years, because for a while, you did have a lot of veterans there. You think of Glover Quinn, the number of years that he ended up playing in Detroit, Um, there were a lot of guys that were the quote

unquote leaders of that defense. We dre Is Slave very simply put is now. I think he's twenty eight years old. He's at the peak of his powers. And you know, as as much as resources they've did, you know, invested in that defensive front, trade Flowers is you know, we talked about Zadarius Smith and Presses Smith. Tradeful hours was right up there with being the pre eminent free agent pass rushers this offseason. Yeah, he was one of the quick signings exactly last on the market. Didn't last on

the market for long. Yeah, And with all those resources they put up front, that's all well and good, and you know, you need to build, you need to marry the two together. But the second area and having Darius slay Is, you know, it's sort of your go to there for a shutdown cornerback is really the identity of this defense and it continues to be. Well, it's a matchup game, West, So I want to ask you before we go here today, what are the individual matchups Packers

defense versus their offense or vice versa. What are the matchups that you're looking at that that intrigue you the most in terms of how they might play out on the field. Aaron Jones seeing exactly you know, you put that on film last week. Two yards of total offense, four touchdowns, seven catches, seventy eight yards or whatever. He had a career day in so many different ways. I'm very interested to see what the plan of attack is

for Detroit and how they defend him. You know, a pretty deep, you know, linebacking corps that they have their you know, Jared Davis is you know, kind of been the guy in the middle of that defense here the

last few seasons. Um, you know, if if you leak him out now and depending on how the Packers want to attack the middle of the field, that's where you know, Aaron Jones, Danny VITALI can be really dynamic, and you know, you wrote about it this week and we've talked about it with you know that the tight end position and some of the production that they're getting there from that spot now with Marcedes Lewis and Jimmy Graham these last

few weeks. I think as long as Davante Adams, whether he plays or not, as long as he's dealing with this foot, you know, turf toe deal, you need to be able to penetrate the middle of the field and challenge defenses there. Aaron Jones is a big part of that.

The tight ends are a big part of it. And seeing exactly how you know, the Lions try to defend that after seeing what basically the Dallas Cowboys did wrong with two premier inside linebackers, is going to be I think one of the biggest keys to victory for either one of these teams, depending on who prevails. Yeah, for me, and an interesting matchup here is Hockinson, the rookie tight end from Iowa the Lions drafted and with the number

eight overall pick. And I remember the stats at draft time and they're not with me right now, but it has been a long time since the tight end, if I recall had been taken that high. I think it's going back to Jeremy Shocky or yeah, something that somebody has. Somebody like that. It had been a while, so they spent a premium draft pick on t J. Hockenson, and so far they certainly like what they've gotten out of him.

And I think this is a really interesting match up here for the Packers because going back two weeks when the Eagles had their running game going and we're kind of staying ahead of the chains and everything offensively, zach Ertz was the guy in the passing game who really hurt the Packers. He was kind of the move the chains guy. You saw Mike Petton try a bunch of different matchups. It wasn't just one guy had responsibility for

Earth's you know, throughout the game. It wasn't with those kind of you know, match and follow type of things, which isn't normally what you do with a tight end. You know, depending on your package and your personnel on the field at a given time, you're going to have different guys matching up with that tight end. And I'm curious to see just who is going to be called upon at various times to try to contain Hockinson on Monday night. So a few things to this one, just

to make sure be my own personal budsman here. It was the highest the tight end been taken since Vernon Davis thousand six. He was taking six overall. Kellen Winzel was in two thousand four, also six, and then you know Eric Ebrint was a guy that they took tenth overall a number of years ago. That's been a big position that they've been trying to build up through various regimes with the Lions, and it does look as you

have a good one in Hockinson. This is what's going to be interesting in terms of how they challenge him, right because you have Darnell Savage dealing with his ankle. So let's say he's either compromise or can't go on this one. Well, then there's probably a little bit more of an emphasis to have Adrian Aame is playing back and maybe not in the box as much as he did the last couple of weeks. So then what's the

chess piece that you move there? I think as long as the packers are dealing with this, you're gonna be seeing them, you know, use more that hybrid dime personnel. But could a guy like Orn Burke's, now that he's back in the rotation, can he help you in coverage in that way? Can you use a guy like Josh Jackson who's been kind of sitting on the bleachers here waiting to get an opportunity to get back in there.

Will Redmond has been thrown in there. The Packers invested resources to the defensive side of the ball, but they also trusted their draft and developed kind of philosophies too with how they handled many of those inside linebacker and safety positions, and they're gonna need those next men up to kind of be there for them regardless of how

this injury report shuffles out. And T. J. Hockinson's a guy that you have to be, you know, aware of at all times because as much as I've said in the past, it's difficult for a rookie to come in and make an immediate impact. Hockinson is one of those guys, And if you follow the lines at all so far this season, the potential threat that he presents in the reds own is something that I think is really going

to stress out a lot of defenses. So, yeah, that's gonna be a big thing that Mike Petton, the training staff, We're gonna have to figure out this week. Who's available, who's up, and how exactly do you go Buck defending him. Yeah. Well, we will get to our keys to victory for this Monday night showdown on tomorrow's show, but for now we will call it a wrap on this edition of Packers Unscripted.

Be sure to follow all of our coverage of the team on Packers dot com, subscribe to us, like us on iTunes and other podcast services, and you can find him on Twitter at west Hot I'm at Mike Spofford at Packers for the team account. Thanks for tuning in, everybody. We'll see you next time.