Packers Versus Lions Road Game Preview | Ticket King Green Bay

The Green Bay Packers entered last week’s game as the double digit favorites as everyone thought it was going to be an easy win. A bad snap between Corey Linsley and Aaron Rodgers on the first play of the game caused a turnover and next thing they knew, the Packers found themselves trailing 21-3. They fought back and won the game 31-24, as Aaron Rodgers bomb to Jordy Nelson late in the third quarter proved to be the game winner. This week, the Packers travel to Detroit to take on the Lions. Here are our thoughts heading into the game.

Can we please have a game that starts smoothly out of the gate? The Packers fell behind early in week one in Seattle and never recovered. Then last week they turned the ball over on the first play of the game. It would be nice this week to see the Packers not make any errors early in the game.

Can Eddie Lacy return to form? Eddie Lacy, the 2013 offensive rookie of the year, hasn’t exactly gotten off to a roaring start. Lacy suffered a concussion in week one against Seattle. He returned to the lineup quickly but was ineffective last Sunday against the Jets. The Packers will need to him to be the running back everyone thinks he can be if they expect to win this game on Sunday in Detroit.

Can some other receiver other than Jordy Nelson please make a big play? So far this season, the Packers passing game has been the Aaron Rodgers and Jordy Nelson show. Randall Cobb has caught a couple of touchdowns, but other than that he has been ineffective himself. The other receivers need to step up to the plate. Cobb, Devonte Adams, Jarrett Boykin, even perhaps Jeff Janis. Someone needs to step up and start making some big plays.

Can the defense finally settle down and have a good game? During the preseason, the Packers defense played much better than it did the last few years. However they have been unable to translate that to the regular season. First there was the debacle in Seattle to begin the season, and then last week they gave up 21 in the first half to the Jets. If you look at that game last week though, you could probably attribute the horrid start to the opening fumble. Had that fumble not occurred that game may have gone much differently. This defense, specifically the secondary, will have their hands full with Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson this week. At the end of the day, we believe the Packers win this game. Final Score: Packers 34, Lions 23.

Donald Driver Comes Out Of Retirement If Every Other Packers Wide Receiver Goes Down

Don’t misinterpret Donald Driver.In case you missed it, Donald Driver said something interesting recently in regards to his retirement. Driver basically said he would be in shape and ready to go this season if the Packers called him. Calm down everyone.

Before you dance in the street and get out your # 80 jerseys, relax. Don’t make a bigger deal out of this than it is. Driver is just simply saying something I’m sure the Packers are already aware of. All he is saying is that he will be ready if the Packers need him, which I think is great on his part, and it shows another example of the team first mentality he has always had, and still carries into his retirement. It’s not like he is saying he will play for any team, he is just simply saying he will be ready of the Packers need him. If he really does this and stays in shape, if they really need him, they can call him. Driver knows the offense so there would be zero learning curve in terms of playbook learning. Getting excited, aren’t you?

Driver's Return Would Require So Many Bad Things To Happen

Now for the bucket of water.There is no chance Driver ever plays again. Let me put it this way, Driver has as much of a chance of playing again as a free agent does of getting offered a contract by Ted Thompson. In other words, not going to happen. The Packers already have five receivers- Jarrett Boykin, Jeremy Ross, Kevin Dorsey, Charles Johnson, and Terrell Sinkfield competing for four spots, two of which are practice squad spots, so a bunch of players would have to get hurt before Thompson calls Driver.Driver had a great career with the Packers. Now it’s time to move on. 

Who Will Be The Packers Fourth Wide Receiver In 2013?

For the last several years, the Green Bay Packers have had the deepest collection of wide receivers in league history. That isn’t the case anymore. Greg Jennings has signed with the Minnesota Vikings, Donald Driver has retired, and Jermichael Finley has regressed. This leaves just Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, and James Jones at the top of the receiver depth chart. Not that the Packers have anything to complain about, as those three are as good as it gets across the league, but the depth isn’t there anymore, at least not for the time being. This leaves an open competition for the 4^th wide receiver slot. Who will win it?

Jarrett Boykin: Boykin is the popular choice amongst the players contending for the 4^th receiver role. Boykin is certainly big enough, as he stands 6’2”, 218 pounds, but he lacks speed. Last year at the NFL combine, Boykin ran a 4.7 in the 40 yard dash. 40 times aren’t the most important measurement at the end of the day, but they are certainly important. The coaches do like Boykin, although personally I can’t figure out why, other than his size.

Jeremy Ross: Late last season, the Packers caught lightening in a bottle with Jeremy Ross, as he stepped in for the injured Randall Cobb and did a great job returning kicks/punts, right up until that crucial drop in San Francisco, which I think cost the Packers the Super Bowl. Ross has a lot of speed, and if he can get over that muffed punt, he can be a great asset to the Packers in the return game, but I don’t think he can be a true pass catcher.

Charles Johnson: Johnson was one of the two late round draft choices the Packers spent on a receiver in April. Johnson, like Boykin, brings size to the table as he stands 6’2”, 215 pounds. Johnson is a raw prospect who could pay dividends down the road for the Packers. If he can improve his route running, Johnson could be the next wide receiver to climb the depth chart to the top in Green Bay. But I’m not sure if he is ready to be the 4^th wide receiver at this point of his career.

Kevin Dorsey: Dorsey is the other of the two late round draft choices the Packers spent on a wide receiver. Dorsey has speed. Oh boy does he have speed. Dorsey has “down field, one catch a game that changes the game” potential written all over him. But, can he overcome his lack of refinement in other areas of his game? Four decent options are listed here. There are pro’s and con’s to each of them. Which one do you think should win the 4^th receiver job?