Green Bay Packers: Aaron Rodgers Always Roars Against the Lions

The last time the Green Bay Packers played in Detroit against the Lions was last Thanksgiving. The result? The Packers were throttled 40-10 that game.

But the Packers played that game without quarterback Aaron Rodgers, as he was out with a fractured clavicle. History shows that had Rodgers played, the Packers would have had a much better chance of winning against the Lions.

Rodgers is 9-1 in his career against Detroit, as he has thrown 19 touchdown passes versus just five interceptions for 2,559 yards. That adds up to a 111.0 quarterback rating.

In the only loss Rodgers suffered against the Lions, No. 12 suffered a concussion in the first half of a 7-3 loss in 2010, which was also played at Ford Field in Detroit.

Rodgers should get some opportunities to have a big game again on Sunday, as the Detroit secondary has some issues, as Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writes.

The Lions certainly have problems at the nickelback position, and that is one area that Rodgers can exploit, especially with the way rookie wide receiver Davante Adams came on last week vs. the Jets, when he had five catches for 50 yards.

It won't be an easy task for Rodgers and the Packers offense to have big success against the defense of the Lions. Detroit is ranked second in the NFL in total defense, which includes being ranked second in run defense and ninth in pass defense.

That being said, Rodgers had a big day last Sunday against the Jets, who came into the game ranked first in all three major categories of defense—total defense, run defense and pass defense.

Rodgers threw three touchdown passes without throwing an interception for 346 yards.

For Rodgers to have success again on Sunday, the Packers offensive line will have to do a solid job against the defensive line of the Lions, which includes the tough tandem of Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley at defensive tackle.

The good news for the Packers is that the interior of their offensive line has played pretty well this season. Left guard Josh Sitton is having another fine season, while right guard T.J. Lang has been steady.

Rookie center Corey Linsley has done a very admirable job so far in 2014. No. 63 will face his biggest test of the season on Sunday.

The Packers also need to generate a good rushing game against the Lions to keep the defense on their toes. Running back Eddie Lacy had a very nice game against the Lions last year in Green Bay (99 yards rushing), but did not have a good game in Detroit (16 yards).

If the offensive line of the Packers can give Rodgers some time, and if the defense of the Lions is kept off-balance, expect Rodgers to have another big day against Detroit.

History says that will probably happen.