In NFL Week 4, the Detroit Lions vs Green Bay Packers game started strong for Green Bay. Rudy Ford intercepted a Jared Goff pass on the first possession and Anders Carlson knocked through a field goal to give the Packers an early lead. Immediately after that, the Lions took control for the rest of the game, easily winning the Lions vs Packers Thursday Night Football matchup.
While this matchup was a tough one for the Packers on a short week, their first-half performance was one of the worst halves they’ve played in a long time, including last week’s against the Saints. With the Packers sitting at 2-2 and plenty of time off before their next game, Green Bay will have plenty of time to shore up some issues.
Packers Looked Like a Mess in Loss to the Lions | Lions vs Packers Recap
Packers’ Offensive Line is a Massive Problem
To be fair to the Packers, they were missing three offensive linemen coming into the game. With that being said, the Packers kept 11 offensive linemen on their original roster to have depth. It is questionable to keep 11 offensive linemen if some of them, like Royce Newman, look like they don’t even belong on a football field.
The Detroit Lions have a good defensive line, but it is far from the best in the NFL. With Matt LaFleur’s offense relying on the running game, they need the offensive line to play much better if they want to be able to run a serviceable offense this year. The line has been a problem for the first couple of weeks and it doesn’t look to be getting any better.
Offensive Grade: B-
Packers’ Run Defense Continues to Struggle
It’s been pretty easy for teams to put up points against the Packers for the past decade. Just run the ball and don’t give up on it. The Detroit Lions did just that, and the Packers couldn’t do anything to stop them. Sure, the Lions have a great offensive line, but it was clear what the Lions wanted to do from the jump. Giving up almost 150 rushing yards in the first half alone is just not good enough.
Green Bay can invest as many first-round picks as they want in this defense. At the end of the day, if they can’t stop the run, it won’t matter. Defensive coordinator Joe Barry clearly can’t stop the run no matter who they match up against. Expect plenty of other teams to expose the weak rush defense moving forward this season.
Defensive Grade: C-
Green Bay Packers vs Las Vegas Raiders Preview
The Packers now go back on the road to the west coast where they will face the Las Vegas Raiders. Green Bay will get over a week off, with the game taking place on Monday. The Raiders have struggled offensively early on and have yet to score 20 points heading into Week 4.
Vegas’ offense could have a different look against the Packers at quarterback, with Jimmy Garoppolo struggling early this season. Brian Hoyer is a solid backup quarterback, but it’s clear that the Packers would rather see him than Garoppolo. Packers fans should be able to take over Allegiant Stadium, but they won’t be able to stop Josh Jacobs on the ground.
Prediction: Raiders 22, Packers 20
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