ALLEN PARK >> Perhaps Matthew Stafford said it best. If he had been told before the season started the Lions would have a chance to win the NFC North in the final game he would have taken it, hands down.
After 15 games it all comes down to Sunday night at Ford Field when the Lions host the Green Bay Packers. Both own 9-6 records, but the Packers have the tie-breaker since they beat Detroit in Week 3.
Coach Jim Caldwell, who has taught his players to focus on each week, does not think they will get too caught up in the event – Sunday night football with the NFL nation watching.
“I think it’s a situation that you have to embrace, I don’t think there’s any question about that, which I’ve kind of made certain that we told our guys, you’ve got to embrace it. I mean it’s a great opportunity,” Caldwell said. “You’ve got to be looking forward to it, it’s got to be an exciting time, not only for our fan base but also for the guys that are participating in the ballgame and I do not think, and it hasn’t been to this point, that our guys have ever been distracted from the main sense of what happens between those white lines are the most important things.”
Five things the Lions must do to beat the Packers:
1. Do not turn the ball over. No interceptions, no lost fumbles. Zero. None. Stafford has four interceptions in the last three games. He blames them on bad decisions not on his dislocated finger. Stafford threw one interception in the Week 3 34-27 loss to the Packers at Lambeau.
2. Run the ball. And, by the way, give it to Zach Zenner who is the best running back in a Lions’ uniform at this point. (Theo Riddick remains out). “I mean he’s a guy that when he gets the ball he’s going to take the run into the correct hole and the correct read and finish. He’s a big dude. He finishes downhill,” Stafford said. “That first 20-yarder he had, or whatever it was, he was pulling people at the end and moving the pile. So he’s done a really nice job for us, kind of been a jack of all trades for us and stepped in.” Not only do they need to run the ball to make the pass game effective, but running takes time off the clock and keeps Aaron Rodgers and his offense off the field.
3. The defense must play more like it did in the first half on Monday in Dallas and forget the awfulness of the second half. Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said in the second half they didn’t tackle well (which has been one of their strengths) and did not prevent big plays. “Again, as always, it starts here. So I look at what I do, what I called, how I called it and we’ll get it fixed. Last week’s last week,” Austin said on Thursday. Darius Slay should return. He will provide a huge boost as long as the hamstring does not slow him down. He needs his speed.
4. Aaron Rodgers does not rattle easily. That’s what makes him Aaron Rodgers. Still, the Lions have to get a pass rush on the Packers veteran quarterback. Defensive end Ziggy Ansah has stepped up in recent weeks since his wonky ankle has gotten stronger. “Like it always is with (Rodgers), it’s a chess match. You’ve got to pick your times and pick your spots when you’re able to get after him, and do the best you can to keep him in the pocket,” Austin said. “Really the biggest thing is the loose plays because you’re going to have them. You’ve got to be able to cover the guys on the loose plays when he slides up in the pocket, slides out of the pocket. We’ve got to be able to match up and make sure those don’t become giant plays.”
5. Feed off energy from the crowd. Revel in the moment of a big game at Ford Field. “I believe it’s always great to play at home. There’s no question about that. Like I said, it’s going to be a great atmosphere. You don’t get this opportunity very often. The last time you know obviously, when we were ready to battle this team it was away from home,” Caldwell said. “So yeah, it’s always a little bit of comfort level, but ask me if it makes a difference. If you don’t play well in between those lines it doesn’t make any difference where you are. But I do think that without question, rather than a Monday night game and traveling, it’s certainly a lot better being home.”
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