Bill Huber covers the Green Bay Packers for Packers OnSI. He recently answered five questions from the OnSI Lions to preview Sunday’s game at Lambeau Field between the Detroit Lions and the Green Bay Packers.

Were there any notable differences between the team’s offensive style with Jordan Love and Malik Willis at center? What challenges could Willis offer to the Lions defense, if he starts?

Bill Huber: Yeah, without a doubt, which I guess could work to Green Bay’s advantage if there’s any doubt as we get further into the week of practice.

With Willis, the Packers are an attack first. Against the Colts in Week 2, Josh Jacobs carried the ball 32 times. He recovered the ball 13 times in less than a half Sunday in Jacksonville after Love was out with a groin injury. This is a clichéd but true offensive attack that involves passing the ball to keep the offense in good deep and wide situations and establishing easier passes.

These easier passes are often bootlegs with Willis. Willis is a superb athlete and threw the ball with great accuracy, so these plays work to Green Bay’s advantage and put the defense in trouble. Against the Jaguars, Travon Walker had a sack and Willis just froze it before taking off for 20. On the next play, Jacobs broke two tackles and scored a 38-yard touchdown.

With Loveit’s the pass-first approach we’ve seen for years with Aaron Rodgers and Love. The running game sets up the pass, just like with Willis, but there’s a lot more dropback to take advantage of Love’s skills and receiver talent.

Which of the Packers’ young receivers poses the biggest threat to the Lions secondary on Sunday?

Huber: Jayden Reed is perhaps the best player on the offense, and I think Reed vs. Amik Robertson would be a matchup the Packers would want to take advantage of.

Reed is a superb player. He leads the team with 31 receptions, 507 yards and a 16.4 average and is third with three touchdowns. He runs the entire route tree at receiver and frequently lines up in the backfield for handoffs and screens. He’s not the stereotypical slot receiver who throws the ball and lets it run.

He is so good that his mere presence keeps defenders busy. There were several snaps in which he was part of a two-man tandem in the backfield. Reed ignites for a pass, which sucks the defense his way, only for it to be a handoff to the other in the opposite direction.

He’d be the first to tell you he’s missed too many passes, but he’s a threat down the field or after the catch.

The Packers made several notable offseason additions in free agency. Which of these newcomers has had the biggest impact in 2024?

Huber: Xavier McKinney has six interceptions in eight games. The Packers had seven interceptions all last season. So to say he changed the defense might be the understatement of the century.

It’s not just that he catches passes left and right. He played excellent coverage; it’s not like he’s moving around and looking for interceptions. He is also an excellent tackler at this position and a great leader. When McKinney speak, people listen. Those “people” include the two rookie safeties, Javon Bullard and Evan Williams, who play a lot of snaps.

What are the 1-2 key games that could decide Sunday’s game?

Huber: Green Bay’s defensive front has been hot and cold. The Packers had eight sacks against Tennessee and spent the afternoon facing CJ Stroud of the Texans. Other games, the group is MIA. Against the Jaguars, the Packers only had one sack. With plenty of time to throw it, Trevor Lawrence surpassed 300 passing yards. Lawrence is a good player but he’s no Jared Goff.

Stay with the defense, which will stop Amon-Ra St. Brown? Cornerback Jaire Alexander injured his knee on the final defensive snap against the Jaguars. He is a top player. According to PFF, he has allowed a catch in each of the last three games. He allowed 2 passing yards against the Jaguars; everywhere else it was carnage. My guess is Alexander will be questionable for Sunday and maybe even a mid-match decision.

The Packers need to be able to pass the ball with Jacobs. Whether it’s Willis or Love hobbled, the Packers can’t afford to live on third and eighth.

Who wins and why?

Huber: I share an office with Rob Demovsky of ESPN and Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. Before last year’s rematch at Ford Field, I told Schneidman something about it: “These teams could play 100 times and the Lions could win 99.” Or maybe I said 100.

Whatever the number, the Lions are really good and I don’t know if the Packers are strong enough to hold up against Detroit’s offensive line and powerful running back.

Well, I was obviously wrong, which Matt has reminded me many times over the past 11 months. The point remains, however. I think Detroit is the better team and they would win most games, and they would definitely win a high percentage of games with Jordan Love stuck in the pocket with a groin injury.

I will take Detroit to cover the spread… with the following caveat: I would probably be broke if I bet on games.