Lions vs. Packers: Keys to Victory for Both Teams in NFC North Rematch

The Detroit Lions will be out for revenge at Lambeau Field in an NFC North showdown against the division-leading Green Bay Packers on prime time Sunday night.

If the last matchup is any means for measure, this should be another hotly contested clash. In a season seemingly filled with heartbreak, Detroit led at home entering the fourth quarter in Week 11, only to be burned by quarterback Aaron Rodgers and receiver Randall Cobb and lose, 24-20.

With the playoffs no longer a realistic possibility for the Lions after a buzzer-beater loss to Indianapolis this past week, they will hit the road looking to play spoiler to the resurgent Pack, who have won fix of six games.

Here are the keys to victory for each team in what should be a fantastic cap to Sunday's NFL slate at 8:20 p.m. ET.

Keys for Detroit

Give Mikel Leshoure 20 or more touches

In the last meeting, the second-year running back out of Illinois ran for 84 yards on 19 carries and a touchdown. Establishing a running game will be key for the Lions because it will help keep Rodgers and Co. off the field.

Plus, it will open up more downfield opportunities for Matthew Stafford to get the ball to Calvin Johnson. Without Titus Young and Ryan Broyles, there won't be many receivers to draw coverage aside from Johnson.

That makes Leshoure all the more critical to the Lions' success.

Win the turnover battle

This has proven to be the difference—along with untimely penalties—to be the team's downfall in 2012. It was true last time the Lions played the Packers: Stafford threw a pick that M.D. Jennings took 72 yards to the house.

In what wound up being a four-point game, it made all the difference, particularly since Detroit was approaching scoring territory. The Lions had four turnovers in total to just one for the Pack.

Last week's loss to the Colts was the only occasion in which the Lions won the turnover battle and came out on the wrong end—and it took a heroic effort on the final play for the visitors to get it done.

Continue applying pressure to Rodgers

First-round pick Nick Fairley was the X-factor in Week 11, sacking Rodgers twice. The Lions wound up with three sacks total and got pressure on the Green Bay QB all game long.

A similar performance from Fairley would be ideal, but he is still raw and volatile.

Nevertheless, the generation of a pass rush will have to continue on Sunday night. Defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham needs his unit to bounce back from the disappointing Colts loss and come up with an exotic game plan to confuse Rodgers once again.

The Packers made it a point to establish the run in Detroit, handing it off 28 times and throwing 27 passes. If the Lions can jump out to an early lead and force Rodgers into obvious passing situations, the front four can pin their ears back and go after him.

Keys for Green Bay

Get the ball out quickly to playmakers

In order to stymie the rush bearing down on Rodgers, head coach/play-caller Mike McCarthy should get the ball out of his QB's hands quickly. That's the tendency of the West Coast-style offense anyway, but it should be particularly emphasized in this case.

With receivers like Randall Cobb, James Jones and a finally healthy Greg Jennings who had four catches for 46 yards last week, Rodgers can allow them to make something happen after the catch.

Three-step drops, quick slants and a hurry-up tempo to start the game will take the Lions' defensive line out of the game early, and get Rodgers into a rhythm in front of the home crowd.

According to ESPN, cornerbacks Jacob Lacey and Chris Houston are both questionable for Sunday's game, making Detroit's secondary very susceptible in the open field.

Force Stafford's Hand

There aren't many gunslingers in the league like Detroit's signal caller, who is liable to take shots down the field more often than not—even if Johnson is double-covered. 

Thanks to a beat-up receiving corps that also lost Nate Burleson earlier in the year, Stafford has gotten more aggressive. The result: a dip in accuracy, yards per attempt and a worsened touchdown to interception ratio from 2011.

In Week 11, Stafford was 17-of-39 and averaged under seven yards per attempt, throwing two costly interceptions.

A similar performance by him on the road will likely result in a convincing Packers win, but Dom Capers will have to make sure his unit stays on their assignments and plays disciplined. Four of the Lions' 19 first downs last time came as the result of penalties.

Steadiness from Mason Crosby

Yes, the kicker. Crosby has had a rather rough 2012 campaign. He has had at least one miss in each of the last six games, including a 1-of-3 showing in Detroit several weeks ago.

If not for that, the previous meeting between these teams wouldn't have been nearly as stressful for Green Bay. In another game that is likely to be very tight, Crosby must find his mark when called upon. That's been easier said than done lately, but nevertheless very important.

The kicker only has one job, and that's to make kicks. No one will question the phenomenal leg Crosby has. However, his accuracy has suffered this season, as he's made just 15-of-24 overall.

A game-winning kick would be huge for his confidence moving forward, but another letdown may put his job status in jeopardy.