Vin+ 3,121 Posted November 17, 2012 (edited) Though their bye week seemed to come at a good time, the Green Bay Packers are still plenty banged up. Far from full strength despite a week off, the Packers can win a fifth straight game Sunday as it visits the Detroit Lions, who can't afford many more disappointments if they plan on returning to the playoffs. Recent history favors Green Bay, which is 11-1 against the Lions under coach Mike McCarthy. A string of four consecutive wins has the Packers (6-3) within one game of Chicago for first place in the NFC North. They went into the bye after a 31-17 victory over Arizona on Nov. 4, then McCarthy gave the team the entire week off. It was sorely needed, with the likes of Greg Jennings and Charles Woodson already injured, not to mention Clay Matthews, Jordy Nelson and Bryan Bulaga all getting hurt against the Cardinals. While Woodson (collarbone) remains sidelined, Bulaga (hip) became the 11th Packer to be placed on injured reserve Monday. Matthews (hamstring) was ruled out for this game and it does not appear Jennings (groin) will return, though Nelson (ankle) practiced Wednesday and could play. Considering the Packers have already overcome many injuries to bounce back from a 2-3 start, they seem to be in good position to begin the stretch run. Five of their final seven games are against NFC North opponents, with Sunday's game giving them an opportunity for a franchise record ninth straight divisional win. "I like where we're at," said Aaron Rodgers, whose 107.4 passer rating ranks second in the NFL behind Peyton Manning. His 25 touchdown passes are tied with Drew Brees for the league lead. Rodgers is 6-1 against the Lions with 16 passing TDs compared to four interceptions. "We've had some adversity early in the season. We've come together, we've taken some heat and it's brought us closer together," Rodgers said. "We've got a lot of guys who, if we can have back in the mix, we can really take off." A two-game win streak for the Lions (4-5) came to an end Sunday with a 34-24 loss at Minnesota. Detroit can take some comfort in five of its final seven games coming at home, but the list of opponents is less than comfortable: Green Bay twice along with Houston, Indianapolis, Arizona, Atlanta, and Chicago. The only team among that group which doesn't have a winning record is the Cardinals. "We don't have a whole lot of wiggle room for mistakes down the stretch. We have to play our best," coach Jim Schwartz said. "It's life in the NFL. You have to do that all the time." The Lions' defense is ranked 10th in the league at 329.7 yards per game but was awful when it last faced the Packers. Detroit allowed 550 yards in a 45-41 loss to close the 2011 regular season even though Rodgers didn't play. Last Sunday's performance might not give the Lions much confidence. They allowed 171 rushing yards to Adrian Peterson, let Christian Ponder complete 24 of 32 passes and watched Minnesota post its highest point total of the season. Schwartz defended the unit, highlighting the play of tackles Nick Fairley and Ndamukong Suh. "Nick had one of the best games he's played since he's been here, but a lot like the rest of our team, a couple mistakes overshadowed the good things that he did," Schwartz said. "I thought Ndamukong Suh might have played the best game he's played since he's been here." Green Bay could take advantage of a vulnerable run defense after a surprisingly strong showing against Arizona. The Packers ran for 176 yards, their most since netting 202 against Cleveland on Oct. 25, 2009. They had four players - Rodgers, Randall Cobb, James Starks and Alex Green - record at least 25 rushing yards for the first time since 2003. The Lions lead the league with 307.3 passing yards per game, and Calvin Johnson is coming off his finest performance of the season with 12 catches for 207 yards and a touchdown. But they want to buck a trend of slow starts that has forced them to play from behind and rely so much on that passing attack. Detroit's first-half scoring differential is minus-23, tied for 27th. They've tied or trailed entering the final period in all but one game this season, but own a plus-28 advantage in the fourth quarter. Green Bay, which has won 20 of the last 23 meetings with Detroit, is 5-1 after the bye week under McCarthy. Copyright 2012 by STATS LLC and The Associated Press. Edited November 21, 2012 by Vin Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RazorStar 4,025 Posted November 18, 2012 Packers keep the Win train going against the reeling Lions... Megatron is still gonna find a way to have a big day, but it won't be enough. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bay 2,003 Posted November 18, 2012 No more picking the Lions as of now. 28 24 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vin+ 3,121 Posted November 18, 2012 Packers declared OLB Clay Mathews, WR Jarrett Boykin, DB Charles Woodson, CB Sam Shields, LB Terrell Manning, TE Andrew Quarless, and WR Greg Jennings inactive for Week 11 versus the Lions. The Packers are without three of their best players in Matthews, Woodson, and Jennings. Rookie Dezman Moses will start in place of Matthews while defensive rookie of the year candidate Casey Hayward continues to start for Shields at cornerback. Lions declared DT Corey Williams, QB Kellen Moore, DE Ronnell Lewis, S Louis Delmas, OT Corey Hilliard, OT John Fox, and WR Brian Robiskie inactive for Week 11 versus the Packers. Nick Fairley has been playing at a high level as Williams' replacement. Ricardo Silva and Erik Coleman are filling in at safety for Delmas and Amari Spievey. Veteran CB Drayton Florence (forearm) is active for the first time this season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted November 18, 2012 This is gonna be painful to watch yo... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted November 18, 2012 We start the year with Nick Perry and Clay Matthews at OLB... We play the Lions today with Erik Walden and Dezman Moses. Oh lord... Help us. I expect like 300 points to be scored. BEATDOWN IN MOTOWN TODAY Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted November 18, 2012 These 3 and outs... Oh my God... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted November 18, 2012 James Starks is showing a lot of decisiveness in his cuts and powering through tackles. LOVE to see that. Stop dancing, hit your hole, and Starks is a very solid back. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
housemd 338 Posted November 18, 2012 Big play by Megatron for 53 yards.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted November 18, 2012 BIG PLAY!!! SCORE!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
housemd 338 Posted November 18, 2012 Morgan Burnett Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted November 18, 2012 Oh hey!! Another field goal! That's Hanson's 5 millionth of the season. Great way to capitalize. >_> Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted November 18, 2012 I think that gay ass hail mary is the only play in the Lions playbook... The only thing that works anyway. Stafford doesn't even care whats going on coverage wise because megatron is going to catch that 9 times out of 10. It's practically cheating. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted November 18, 2012 Lol. Jermichael Finley is awful, but you can't leave him wide open. Took us long enough to score... LETS GET IT Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
housemd 338 Posted November 18, 2012 TD Mikel LeShoure! 10-7 Lions.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted November 18, 2012 Packers didn't challenge that "catch" by Calvin Johnson on the sideline and it comes back to btie them in the ass. I don't understand why they refuse to cover the best player on the team for the last decade. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted November 18, 2012 Defense, let's get a stop. lol. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
housemd 338 Posted November 18, 2012 Penalties will kill the Lions.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted November 18, 2012 Mike McCarthy takes a penalty and puts us in 1st and 5 instead of 2nd and 2.... Dumb. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted November 18, 2012 OMG!!!! CUT LOGAN!!!! NOW!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted November 18, 2012 Stefan Logan calls fair catch, and before catching the ball, the ref blows the whistle... Logan muffs it. He did recover, but if we would have got that and called it Lions ball because of the whistle, I would have been a bit pissed. Swallow the god damn whistle until he actually makes the catch, bro. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted November 18, 2012 Good run by LeShoure! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Glanvilles Grits 142 Posted November 18, 2012 Leshoure looks better and better every single week, as does the Lions' offensive line. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
