When the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers face off against each other on Sunday, all eyes will be on the trenches. It’s for a good reason. The game will feature two of the best pass rushers in the game in Micah Parsons and Aidan Hutchinson—and those two will often be lined up opposite two of the most talented right tackles in the NFL: Zach Tom and Penei Sewell. That doesn’t even include the intrigue in both teams’ offensive lines, which have gone through some significant changes this offseason.
But as much as I love talking trenches, let’s talk about some of the other key players in this matchup. The Lions boast that their offensive line is the engine that makes their offense go, but a full arsenal of weapons certainly helps, too.
So today’s Question of the Day is:
Which Lions skill position player is key vs. the Packers in Week 1?
My answer: It seems like a foregone conclusion that with the addition of Parsons and the subtraction of nose tackle Kenny Clark, the Lions’ game plan is going to start with the run game—as it typically does. And if that’s the case, my eyes are on Jahmyr Gibbs.
Yes, David Montgomery’s physical style matches up well against a Packers defense that appears to be getting lighter and faster every year, but Gibbs looked electric and, at times, unstoppable in training camp. I believe he’ll firmly establish himself as RB1A to Montgomery’s RB1B. And that’s not even taking into account his expected increased role in the passing game.
Last year, it was a tale of two very different games against the Packers. In Week 9, he had an effective day, rushing for 65 yards and a score in just 11 carries. In the second matchup, he was bottled up for just 43 yards on 15 carries—although he added 30 more yards receiving.
This year, it’s hard to know where the Packers’ run defense will stand. There are a ton of questions about their interior defensive line without Clark, but their second and third levels of the defense are stout against the run. It will be on Gibbs to turn what should be 3-4 yard runs into massive gains, and there are not many backs that are better at doing that than the Lions’ third-year back. I’m expecting a big day from him.
Which Lions skill position player do you think will be key on Sunday? Offer your thoughts in the comment section below.
