Dissecting Best Individual Matchups to Watch in Green Bay Packers' Week 3 Action

Sunday's game between the 1-1 Green Bay Packers and the 1-1 Detroit Lions at Ford Field will be an important NFC North game, even though it is still early in the 2014 season.

In the eight years that Mike McCarthy has been head coach of the Packers, Green Bay holds a 14-2 advantage in the games played between the two teams. Both of the losses occurred at Ford Field, which includes last year's 40-10 drubbing the Lions gave the Packers.

Both teams have explosive offenses and both teams also have some fine individual talent on defense. The key to the game is how some of the matchups that will take place during the game turn out.

Again, it's early in the 2014 season, but based on team statistics, Detroit seems to hold the edge. The Lions are ranked 10th in total offense in the NFL, while the Packers are ranked just 24th.

That being said, one has to look at the two opponents each team has played. The Lions have played the New York Giants and the Carolina Panthers, while the Packers have played the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks and the New York Jets.

The Jets have the third-ranked defense in the NFL right now, while the Seahawks are ranked 11th. On the other hand, Carolina has the fifth-best defense in the league right now, while the Giants are ranked 16th.

The Packers have not received any favors so far with their schedule in terms of playing top-ranked defenses. The Seahawks were the No. 1 defense in the NFL in 2013, while the Jets were ranked first in all three major categories of defense—total defense, run defense and pass defense—going into their game against the Packers last week.

The trend continues this week, as the Lions have the second-ranked defense in the NFL, while the Packers are ranked 19th.

That is why individual matchups could play a huge role in how the game on Sunday turns out. I want to discuss a few of those matchups.

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One position that could cause problems for the Lions is right tackle. Who starts there is still up in the air. LaAdrian Waddle is questionable (did not practice on Wednesday) due to a calf injury he suffered in Week 1, while current starter Garrett Reynolds struggled against Carolina last week.

The Packers can play a number of people over Reynolds during the course of the game, depending on whether the defense is in its 3-4 alignment or the 4-3. Reynolds could see Clay Matthews matching up against him on one play and then Julius Peppers on the next.

Or Reynolds could be matched up against either Datone Jones or Mike Neal. Look for the Packers to exploit Reynolds as often as they can with various players.

On the offensive line of the Packers, Green Bay has to be aware of the talented tandem of Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley. The Packers have the talent on the inside of their offensive line to keep those two under control, as left guard Josh Sitton is having another fine season, while right guard T.J. Lang has been solid.

Rookie center Corey Linsley has done a nice job at center through two games and has graded out well in both contests.

Defensively, the Packers have to be aware of both wide receiver Calvin Johnson and running back Reggie Bush; the latter can be a dual threat running and catching the ball.

It appears that cornerback Sam Shields will get the assignment to cover Johnson. In his career against the Packers, Johnson has put up excellent numbers, as he has 71 receptions for 1,163 yards and 12 touchdowns in just 12 games.

Somehow the Packers were still able to win 10 of those 12 games, even with those big numbers by Johnson. Shields has to try to keep Megatron's production down somewhat.

Bush had a huge day against the Packers on Thanksgiving, as he rushed for 117 yards and a touchdown, plus caught five passes for 65 more yards.

If inside linebacker Brad Jones is out again this week (did not practice Wednesday) with his quad injury, look for Jamari Lattimore to fill his spot in the base and nickel defensive schemes, while Sam Barrington will be in there in the dime look.

It's imperative that the Packers have their best cover linebacker on Bush on Sunday on passing downs. Not like last year, when the Packers had the slow-footed A.J. Hawk covering Bush on some occasions.

The Packers will also have some opportunities on offense, especially in attacking the nickelback position for the Lions, where Detroit has already had two players go to injured reserve: Bill Bentley (knee) and Nevin Lawson (toe).

The Packers hope to exploit players like Cassius Vaughn and Don Carey at the nickel position, as both Jarrett Boykin and rookie Davante Adams should get plenty of opportunities there at wide receiver.

Carlos Osorio/Associated Press

In addition, it would also be a perfect time for tight end Brandon Bostick to have a big afternoon, as he is practicing without limitations this week.

Like most games, the final result may come down to the play of the quarterbacks. As I wrote recently, Aaron Rodgers has had excellent success against the Lions, where he is 9-1 in his career against Detroit, as he has thrown 19 touchdown passes compared to just five interceptions for 2,559 yards. That adds up to a 111.0 quarterback rating.

Meanwhile, quarterback Matthew Stafford is just 1-6 against the Packers, as he has thrown 13 touchdown passes compared to 14 picks for 2,131 yards. That adds up to a very inconsistent 74.9 quarterback rating.

Bottom line, whoever wins these key matchups will most likely be the victor on Sunday in Motown.