Green Bay Packers @ Detroit Lions Thanksgiving Day Football Preview

November 25th, 2009 7:39 pm
by Big Dog

Thanksgiving isn’t a holiday that traditionally brings a lot of thankfulness to Detroit. They’ve lost their last few national appearances by wide margins and it’s a tough task again for them this week.

Green Bay Packers

Detroit’s pass defense is not doing the team any favours and it’s pretty reasonable to expect that Green Bay will be able to open up the field and let Rodgers put up some good numbers. If the Packers O-Line can get it together then Green Bay’s passing game should spread the Lions defense and create room for Grant when he’s needed.

Green Bay’s run defense is setting a standard. They haven’t let any rusher gain 100 yards since week 3, and they’ve faced the Vikings twice in that time. Detroit have struggled to put together a real ground game, often defaulting to the screen which can be effective but isn’t really the same thing.

What they’re thankful for: That they’re playing Detroit.

Detroit Lions

There’s a good chance that Detroit will struggle to live up to offensive expectations against Green Bay’s defensive backs. This will be especially true if Stafford really doesn’t play. If that happens then Culpepper will be required to manage the clock and minimise risks.

The Lions’ run defense is marginally better than their pass defense, and this week they’re helped by the fact that Ryan Grant isn’t the most electrifying running back in the league. Mostly this contest will come down to the battle at the line. If Detroit’s D-Line can gain dominance against the Packers O-Line then they’re in with a chance. Of course, this also depends on the line not making any embarrassing mistakes.

What they’re thankful for: That turkey, stuffing and beer will render most of their fans numb to the result.

Prediction

It seems pretty clear that Green Bay have the advantage in this holiday showdown. Packers 31 – 17

Posted in Aaron Rodgers, Analysis, Daunte Culpepper, Detroit Lions, Game, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, NFL, NFL Franchises/Teams, NFL Game Previews, NFL Players, NFL Thanksgiving Day Football, NFL on television, NFL schedule | No Comments »

Green Bay Packers @ Minnesota Vikings – Week 4 Monday Night Football Preview

October 5th, 2009 8:16 am
by Big Dog

Monday Night Football is brewing up a storm tonight as the Vikings play host to the Green Bay Packers. It should be a fierce battle as the Vikings finally get to experience what it feels like to face the Packers with Brett Favre on their side.

Green Bay Packers

With Chad Clifton questionable for the game, and with the Vikings currently sitting as the 4th most aggressive defense in the league, Rodgers is really going to need to step up his game and improve his passing percentage. He’s done well to avoid giving the ball away so far this season, but he has to make some plays if the Packers are to have any hopes of the win here. A lot of defensive attention will be paid by the Packers to Favre, but in all honesty that’s a simple distraction and Mike McCarthy will surely be doing his best to instead try to contain the Vikings running game, while maintaining reasonable coverage. It’s an easier task than it sounds because while the Vikings can definitely run the football, Favre is still playing like he thinks he’s a kid, taking chances and making throws. If the Pack’s want to win this one, they’re going to need to play more like Brett would.

Minnesota Vikings

I’ve heard tell that “Favring” is a new verb, meaning to retire and then comeback, retire and then comeback. While there’s little doubt that Brett Favre has toyed with football fans everywhere in his off-season flip-flopping, there’s also clearly no question that he’s come to Minnesota to really play football. He’s not riding Peterson’s hard running path to glory, instead working the pocket and making plays to ensure that the Vikings really do have a balanced attack. He’s only given away one interception so far this season and the Vikings defense have been crushingly effective. If they can take advantage of key matchups at the line, expect the Vikings pass rush to become intimately familiar with Aaron Rodgers.

Prediction

There’s a lot at stake for both teams in tonight’s game. Pride, divisional standing, history, personal scores – all of these come into play. At the end of the day, right now the Vikings seem to have a more cohesive football team as a whole and better options to take the win at home. I’m going Vikings 24 – 21

Posted in Aaron Rodgers, Adrian Peterson, Analysis, Brett Favre, Game, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Monday Night Football, NFL, NFL Coaches, NFL Franchises/Teams, NFL Game Previews, NFL Players, NFL on television, NFL schedule, Week 4 Instant Analysis | 2 Comments »