Like most Packers’ fans, I have enjoyed watching Green Bay continue a win streak that started toward the tail end of last season and, as expected, they enter their Thanksgiving Day divisional match up against the Detroit Lions still undefeated.
However, after the Packers’ 35-26 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at home, some fans (and many media members) are in full panic mode this week both because of a defense that gave up 455 yards and an offense that, at times at least, seemed to be a bit off.
I’m not one of those fans.
One of the downsides of being as good as the Packers have been this season is it is possible to play well but look terrible because you aren’t playing as well as you did in other games. I consider Sunday’s game one of those. The Packers played a division rival Monday night and had to prepare for a Buccaneers team on a short week while, in the back of their heads, thinking about another divisional match up four days later. Despite this, I don’t think they had as terrible of a game as people think.
OK, the defense did give up a lot of yards. But, they got the turnovers when it counted and, other than that one drive in the second quarter that saw Tampa Bay score in two plays, the Buccaneers had to work for their points.
As for the Packers offense, Aaron Rodgers had one interception (his fourth this year) but still threw for three scores, had a passer rating of 112.3 and completed nearly 70 percent of his passes. It just seemed worse than it was because he has set the bar so high this year.
It is also worth mentioning that the Buccaneers never led the game or even tied it up.
That’s why I’m not as concerned as some other fans when it comes to this week’s match up against the Detroit Lions. The Lions have improved from a season ago and will have home field advantage; something that means even more when it is such a short week. But, I think the Packers are still able to overcome them.
I have some concerns about Green Bay’s pass defense against Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson; especially since Kevin Smith seems to have given them a complimentary running game again. But, Stafford is far from perfect this year and I think the Packers’ veteran secondary will bait him into some bad throws and prevent him from keeping up with Rodgers.
Also of concern is the injury to running back James Starks, who has been the team’s go-to back and may or may not be able to play because of a knee sprain. However, one thing fans sometimes forget is Ryan Grant is a former 1500-yard back who always seems to do better the more carries he gets. And, because of Starks getting most of the carries early on, he will have fresh legs if he takes over the bulk of the work. He might not be as explosive as Starks. But, I think he’ll get the job done just enough to keep Green Bay’s offense from being one-dimensional.
It’ll be a shoot out but, much like Sunday’s game, unless they score first, I don’t see Detroit leading at any point.
Packers 45 – Lions 38
Other Predictions:
The Miami Dolphins will beat the Dallas Cowboys
The San Francisco 49ers will beat the Baltimore Ravens
The Houston Texans will beat the Jacksonville Jaguars
The Cincinnati Bengals will beat the Cleveland Browns
The Atlanta Falcons will beat the Minnesota Vikings
The Arizona Cardinals will beat the St. Louis Rams
The Carolina Panthers will beat the Indianapolis Colts
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will beat the Tennessee Titans
The Oakland Raiders will beat the Chicago Bears
The Washington Redskins will beat the Seattle Seahawks
The Denver Broncos will beat the San Diego Chargers
The Philadelphia Eagles will beat the New England Patriots
The Pittsburgh Steelers will beat the Kansas City Chiefs
The New Orleans Saints will beat the New York Giants
My overall record: 108-52 (.675)