Depleted Green Bay Packers look for fifth straight win when they face Detroit Lions - NFL Preview
A depleted Green Bay Packers side will look to extend their winning streak as they visit division rivals Detroit Lions on Sunday.
The Packers have a brilliant record against Detroit during the tenure of head coach Mike McCarthy with the franchise losing just one and winning 11 games.
However, this will be a much tougher assignment as the Packers are missing out on some of their big name stars due to injuries.
The franchise lost defensive stalwart Clay Matthews, offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga and wide receiver Jordy Nelson to injuries in the week nine game against Arizona Cardinals while they are already missing Charles Woodson and Greg Jennings.
Even though their bye week came at just the right moment, an entire week of rest was not enough for Green Bay to get their players back to fitness with only Nelson expected to play a part against Detroit.
A win over Detroit will set a new franchise record for Green Bay.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has once again recaptured his form as the Packers bounced back from a 2-3 start to the campaign.
Rodgers has been brilliant during the winning streak and is now second behind Peyton Manning with a 107.0 passer rating while his 25 touchdown passes this year are tied with Drew Brees.
Speaking about the franchise’s less than impressive start to the season Rodgers said:
"I like where we're at. We've had some adversity early in the season. We've come together, we've taken some heat and it's brought us closer together. We've got a lot of guys who, if we can have back in the mix, we can really take off."
The Detroit Lions on the other hand continue to struggle after a brilliant 2011-12 campaign.
With a 4-5 record the Lions are bottom of the NFC North and in real danger of missing out on the playoffs.
After a run of two wins the Lions once again tasted defeat when they faced division rivals Minnesota Vikings in week 10.
Detroit’s defence struggled massively and allowed the Vikings to post their highest points total of the season. It will get even tougher against Green Bay.
Head coach Jim Schwartz though stuck by his defence.
He said:
"Nick [Fairley] had one of the best games he's played since he's been here, but a lot like the rest of our team, a couple mistakes overshadowed the good things that he did. I thought Ndamukong Suh might have played the best game he's played since he's been here."
The Lions cannot afford another defeat as their final run of games features some tough opponents.
However, there are some positive signs in offence as star wide receiver Calvin Johnson is getting back to form while the franchise lead the league in passing yards.
It’s going to be a fierce rivalry game at Ford Field on Sunday but you can’t help but see only Green Bay as running out victors.
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