Our Lions vs. Packers Bold Prediction of the Week? Bad news for Jordan Love.
The Detroit Lions have been on a somewhat lucky streak when it comes to the health of their toughest opponents. The Seahawks, Titans, and Vikings all had injuries along their defensive lines entering their respective matchups. This week the Green Bay Packers are limping into their matchup with the Lions.
Quarterback Jordan Love is dealing with a groin injury that forced him out of his Week 8 game against the Jaguars. He has since strung together two limited practices and is slated to play Sunday against the Lions, barring any surprises. But playing and playing at 100% are two very different things, especially at quarterback. That bodes well for the Lions defense, especially against a young quarterback who’s still prone to mistakes.
Bold prediction of the week: Lions defense forces 2+ interceptions from Jordan Love
The Lions are coming off of one of their worst defensive performances of the season, but the box score wouldn’t tell it. Mason Rudolph and Calvin Ridley picked apart the secondary for a quarter and a half in Week 8 before the Lions defense woke up and shut down the Titans offense. They’ll have to carry that second half momentum into Green Bay against one of the strongest receiving corps they’ve seen all year.
If the Lions can hit the ground running, then expect the secondary to eat. At safety, Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph have combined for nine interceptions on the year and will be looking to add more. As a team, the Lions have had two multi-interception games, and they’ve come in two of their last three games, so expect the momentum to continue.
On the Packers side, things aren’t looking great. Love has the groin injury, but even if he plays, it won’t be perfect. The groin is one of the most important muscles when it comes to generating rotational power through the hips to throw a football. If Love is even partially hesitant, his passes will be just a tad slower, and that’s great news for the Lions safeties to collect interceptions.
To make matters worse for Green Bay, starting center Josh Myers is doubtful with a wrist injury. If he can’t go, then Alim McNeill and the Lions’ interior defensive line will be set up well to have a field day against the inside run. The Lions’ gameplan will be simple: shut down the run, and force an injured Jordan Love to pass.
Even without injury, the Lions defense should be licking their chops. Jordan Love is still a young quarterback making young quarterback mistakes—he has interceptions in all six games he has played in this year, including two multi-interception games. He is currently tied with Patrick Mahomes and Baker Mayfield for the league lead with nine interceptions, despite having played in just six games.
While on paper the Packers are one of the Lions’ toughest matchups yet, the dominos are falling in a way that gives the Lions defense a clear blueprint for success on Sunday. With Love limping into Sunday, the Lions secondary should be playing without any fear. If the Packers are down Josh Myers too, then it’s all systems go for Aaron Glenn to dare Love to throw. At any rate, the Lions secondary should walk away from Green Bay with a handful of interceptions to show for.
