GREEN BAY, Wis. – Who will start at quarterback for the Green Bay Packers on Sunday against the Detroit Lions? Can the Packers force the Lions to make mistakes – and take advantage of them? Can they stand up to the power of Detroit’s offensive line?

Here are the keys to the Packers-Lions game.

One: Malik Willis or Jordan Love?

A major point of speculation heading into Sunday’s game is who will be under center for Green Bay at kickoff.

Jordan Love suffered a groin injury during last week’s series opener against the Jaguars and was knocked out early in the third quarter. Malik Willis stepped up and secured the Packers victory, showing his ability to rise to the occasion.

Even though Love practiced Thursday, coach Matt LaFleur said “We’ll see” when asked about Friday. He will likely be questionable on the final injury report.

If Love is out, the Packers have confidence in Willis, who is 2-0 as a starter and picked up the win in relief against the Jaguars.

LaFleur expressed his growing confidence in Willis.

“A lot more. He has a good understanding of what we are trying to accomplish, the techniques and the fundamentals,” LaFleur said. “So I would say a lot more confident. And I think that showed up in the game as well. It’s not like in the game we weren’t going to execute anything that was (in the game plan). Everything we had installed was live. He did a very good job.

Willis, who statistically, he’s the best quarterback in the NFLdownplayed the confidence that comes from victory.

“I don’t think it matters,” he said. “It’s easy to win; It’s easy to lose in this league. It’s just the way things are handled. You just have to be able to be ready when the time comes and work hard every day to improve. I feel like that’s more important than being confident in a few wins. They are different teams. Every team is different and every game is its own game. It doesn’t matter.”

No matter who gets called up on Sunday, the Packers are prepared and have the talent around them to take on the top dog in the division.

Second: Keep Detroit’s offense off the field

The Lions lead the NFL in points per game, averaging an impressive 33.4. Their 43.0 point average over the last four games is the best in franchise history.

In a high-stakes game like this, time of possession could be crucial.

First, the Packers must capitalize on the turnovers generated by their defense. Green Bay is first in the NFL with 19 takeaways and first with 63 points behind turnovers. The Lions, however, only turned the ball over five times, the fourth-fewest total in the league. It will be key for Green Bay to convert takeaways into touchdowns, as they did last week.

Establishing a solid ground game early on will also be vital for the Packers. With Josh Jacobs, they have a tremendous asset. Jacobs ranks fourth in the NFL with 667 rushing yards, although he is 20th in yards per attempt with 4.6. By running the ball effectively, the Packers can control the clock and limit Lions quarterback Jared Goff’s play opportunities.

Additionally, the Packers receivers need to focus on catch safety. This is a significant problem. The Packers dropped 18 passes, according to Pro Football Reference, the third most in the NFL.

These missed opportunities prevent the team from gaining valuable ground and moving the chains, further harming their offensive effectiveness. By focusing on these key areas – capitalizing on turnovers, establishing the run and minimizing dropped passes – the Packers can significantly improve their chances of keeping up with a powerful Lions offense.

Three: Trio of Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Christian Watson

Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs and Jayden Reed form one of the most exciting receiving trios in the NFL, and Tucker Kraft is emerging as one of the best tight ends in the NFL.

Reed leads the Packers with 31 receptions for 507 yards. His 16.4 yard average ranks 12th in the NFL and he has scored four total touchdowns (three receiving, one rushing).

Doubs has 26 catches for 384 yards and two touchdowns, with a career average of 14.8 yards per reception. He has been productive in the three games since the suspension, with two touchdowns against Arizona, eight catches against Houston and a career-high 24.0 yards per catch against Jacksonville.

Watson recorded 13 receptions for 196 yards and two touchdowns in seven games, averaging a notable 15.1 yards per catch.

Kraft ranks 19th among tight ends with 24 catches, but eighth with 342 yards, second with a 14.3 yard average, second with five touchdowns and first with 10.4 yards after catch per catch. The Lions allowed just 210 receiving yards to tight ends, the second-fewest total in the league.

Reed, Doubs and Watson played most of the receiver snaps last week. With Kraft and receiver Dontayvion Wicks, the Packers have the weapons to be competitive.

Four: two NFC players of the month

Goff and Packers safety Xavier McKinney received major accolades for their outstanding performances in October, demonstrating their integral role in their teams’ success.

Goff, honored as NFC Offensive Player of the Month, led the NFL with an impressive 80.0 percent completion rate and 149.8 passer rating. His efficiency placed him among a select group of players in NFL history to achieve a passer rating of 125 or higher in four consecutive games.

With playmakers like Sam LaPorta, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery surrounding him, Goff has helped turn the Lions into an offensive powerhouse.

On the defensive side, McKinney was named NFC Defensive Player of the Month, showing his impact with 19 tackles, three passes defended, two interceptions, a fumble recovery and a sack.

Notably, he was the only player in Weeks 5-8 to record multiple interceptions, a sack, and a fumble recovery. McKinney’s league-leading sixth interception in Week 8 highlights his ability as a playmaker, positioning him as arguably the best safety in the NFL.

“I think it’s well deserved,” LaFleur said. “I think he obviously made a lot of plays and played at a high level, but I also think it’s a credit to his teammates because it’s never a only man.

“Certainly, he did a great job, maximizing opportunities and making important plays for us. Hopefully this will continue. I am convinced that this will be the case. I think he’s a great player and he’s been a great relay for us.

Note: McKinney had an interception in six of eight games. Goff hasn’t thrown an interception since Week 3.

Five: Battle in the Trenches

Both teams’ offensive and defensive fronts will face significant challenges.

Offensively, the Lions excel in both rushing and pass blocking, ranking fourth in rushing win rate and fifth in passing win rate. according to ESPN. This strong performance in the trenches allows them to create opportunities for their playmakers and maintain their drives effectively.

Green Bay’s defense is 20th in stoppage win rate.

“If you can’t stop the race, it’s going to be a long day. Their offensive line is probably the best we’ve seen,” defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley said.

Green Bay’s defense is only 30th in winning rate. Part of this is due to game plans against athletic quarterbacks, but the pass rush was weak against the Jaguars.

Putting pressure on Goff will be key.

“If you give him a flash of light to make the pass, he’s going to take advantage of it,” LaFleur said.

On the other side of the ball, the Packers are 24th in block win rate and 17th in pass win rate. Defensively, the Lions rank 13th in passing win rate and 19th in save rate. To help the Packers in this phase, the Lions lost one of the NFL’s premier defenders, Aidan Hutchinson. Without Hutchinson, their defensive ends have had a sack in the last two games.

Ultimately, the performance of each team’s offensive and defensive fronts will play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the match.

The Lions’ strong blocking skills and the Packers’ need for improvement in both areas will be things to watch to shape the dynamics of this matchup. If the Lions continue to dominate at the line of scrimmage, as they did the last two years in Lambeau, they could leave Green Bay with a sizable lead in the NFC North.

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