NFL Preview | Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers

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Here is our weekly breakdown of the upcoming Detroit Lions football game. Go ahead and give us your prediction in the comment section.

When the Lions have the ball...

Detroit's passing attack vs. Green Bay's defensive backs

Playing without a starting quarterback and number one wide receiver is difficult. Add that situation on top of having to play in a state where you haven't won in 18 tries and the situation sounds downright dreadful. Daunte Culpepper will have to find a way to make some plays to Bryant Johnson and Dennis Northcutt to take some pressure off the running game. That will be easier said than done against the likes of Charles Woodson and Al Harris. Advantage: Packers

Detroit's running game vs. Green Bay's front seven

Detroit will count on their running game to move the ball and keep the clock running. The Lions don't have the offensive firepower to get into a shootout at Lambeau so ball control will be vital. Green Bay is in year one of a 3-4 defensive scheme, a fact that the Lions may be able to use to their advantage. If the Packers inexperience allows Kevin Smith to get some running room then the Lions should be able to hang around. Advantage: Lions

When the Packers have the ball...

Green Bay's passing attack vs. Detroit's defensive backs

The Lions' lack of talent shows up in a big way in the secondary. Just about everyone in their defensive backfield has been benched at one point in the year, creating a seemingly never ending carousel. Will James stepped up with a huge play with his interception for a touchdown against the Steelers. Other than that, corner play has been mediocre at best. Greg Jennings and Donald Driver present problems for Lions corners and Green Bay has always used their tight ends well. Advantage: Packers

Green Bay's running game vs. Detroit's front seven

Injuries have plagued an already thin Lions defensive line. Sammie Hill, Tommy Hunter and Dwayne White have missed practice all week. Cliff Avril is getting healthier but isn't quite 100% and Grady Jackson is only good for a number of plays a game at this point of his career. DeAndre Levy and Larry Foote have been solid and will need to stuff the run. Even if they do, it may allow the tight ends to run free through the middle of the field. Pick your poison. Advantage: Packers

Bottom line...

I would feel a lot better if the Lions came into this game healthy. I'd have a hard time picking them to do much better but at least there might be a chance of something good happening. I hate to say that Lions fans should give in to expecting losses, but its the reality of their talent situation. Continue to look for signs of improvement and hope that this rebuilding plan is better than the half dozen that preceded it. Green Bay 27, Detroit 14