Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions Preview: Are These Cats Better Than 2-10?

The Green Bay Packers (8-4) travel to Detroit this weekend to take on the 2-10 Lions, and that six-win disparity you see in the teams' overall records would make it seem that a blowout is in order on Sunday. 

But is that really the case for these two long-time NFC North rivals?

Last Week Tells the Story

To get a grasp on that question, let's break down how the two teams fared last week. Because as the old NFL saying goes, "you're only as good as your last game." 

The Packers played host to the San Francisco 49ers, and despite starting slowly, throttled the Niners 34-16. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw for 298 yards and three touchdowns, and James Starks' NFL debut was deemed a success after rushing for 73 yards on 18 carries.

It was a game the Packers were favored to win, and while the performance wasn't perfect, it's hard to complain with an 18 point win during December in the NFL. 

The Lions, on other hand, couldn't hold off the division leading Chicago Bears at home. Detroit led by as much as six in the second half but let Chicago score the final 10 points of the game to lose 24-20. 

There was a questionable penalty called on the Lions late that helped the Bears score the game-winning touchdown, but it was clear that Detroit struggled to close this game down the stretch. 

And to be quite honest, that last line is pretty much all you need to know about the Detroit Lions' 2010 season so far. 

The Lions have lost seven games this season by only one score, and in many cases, they've let leads slip away in the fourth quarter.

Here's their long list of close calls this season:

It started in Week 1 when Calvin Johnson "dropped" the game-winning touchdown pass with under 30 seconds left, and the Bears snuck by 19-14.

Then there was three-point loss at home to Michael Vick and NFC East-leading Philadelphia Eagles a week later.

In Week 4, they scored the most points anyone has scored against the Packers all season but still lost by two at Lambeau Field.

They led the now 8-4 Giants in the fourth quarter on the road but ended up losing 28-20 in Week 6. 

The Jets escaped the Lions' upset bid in overtime three weeks later with a 23-20 win. 

Buffalo secured their first win of the season by stopping the Lions' two-point conversion attempt in the final minute and won 14-12. 

And finally, we have last week's tank-job in the fourth quarter against the Bears. 

A few of those games were against some of the NFL's best teams, but it's painfully obvious the Lions struggle to close out football games—in fact, that list reminds me a whole lot of the 2008 Packers and their late game woes.

But what are we to make of these Lions? Is Sunday set up for a blowout or another close call for Detroit?

The Offensive Talent Is There, Somewhat

One thing to take away from the Lions' close losses is they have talent at some of the necessary skill positions to compete with the Packers. 

Receiver Calvin Johnson leads a talented receiving core, and there's no doubt he's been a Packers' killer his entire career Detroit.

In fact, Johnson has caught twice as many touchdowns in his career against the Packers (eight) than the next closest team (Minnesota, four). In six total games against Green Bay, Johnson has 34 catches and 464 yards—also career bests against any team. 

It'd be hard to bet against another good game from Johnson against the Packers, especially with Charles Woodson spraining his ankle in practice Wednesday. 

However, don't sleep on the rest of the Lions' passcatchers either. Second-year tight end Brandon Pettigrew has caught 60 passes already this season, and Nate Burleson has contributed another 43 receptions and four touchdowns. 

Add in Tony Scheffler's 34 catches with rookie Jahvid Best and his 50 catches out of the back field, and the Lions have the talent on the outside to put pressure on the Packers' defense. 

To be fair, the Lions have already shown the Packers that their passing game can be effective against Green Bay. Detroit racked up well over 300 yards passing in their Week 4 loss. 

However, because both Matthew Stafford and Shaun Hill are injured, Drew Stanton will be taking the snaps Sunday. Stanton has been serviceable, but he's a clear downgrade from Stafford and even from the surprising Hill. 

The Lions' offensive line is still a mess, and that leaves their running game as a serious question as well. I really like Best, and he's a threat to take it the distance every time he touches it, but that line doesn't do him any favors. 

Overall, it's an offense that's close to becoming really good. Stafford being out really hurts their progression as a unit, but they've shown throughout the year they can play with even the best defenses.

The Defensive Line is Talented, but That's About it

If there is one way to slow down Aaron Rodgers, it has to be with consistent pressure from the defense's front four. Sending blitzers or dropping seven and eight into coverage has proven to be a sure-fire way to get your defensive backs lit up by Rodgers and the Packers' offense.

The Lions, however, might just have the talent to put the kind of necessary heat on Rodgers.

Even with Kyle Vanden Bosch being put on injured reserve this week, the Lions' defensive line consists of former Packer Corey Williams, rookie Ndamukong Suh, and emerging defensive end Cliff Avril. 

Williams has been solid all season, and that's allowed Suh and Avril to take full advantage. Combined, the two have 15 sacks this season, and they'll be a handful for the Packers' offensive line. 

However, the compliments about the Lions' defense ends there. The linebackers are no-namers if you don't include the aging and unproductive Julian Peterson, and not much needs to be said about the secondary. 

The Lions' leader in interceptions, Alphonso Smith, was put on IR this week, and that's probably a blessing for Detroit. If you watched the Thanksgiving game, you know exactly why. 

The defensive line has the ability to cause the Packers' problems if the offensive line doesn't play well, but that's about the only hope for the Lions' defense. If Rodgers is protected Sunday, look out.

Conclusion and Prediction

While the Lions are 2-10, it's clear to me they are much better than that record indicates. A couple breaks here and there, and the Lions could easily be flirting with .500. 

With that said, the Packers are clearly still the better team in this game. Like I said last week, if the Packers play as well as they're capable of, they should be flying home to Green Bay with a 9-4 record no problem. 

However, as the Lions have proven, they are a pesky bunch. They've only been blown out in one game (Thanksgiving), and they played the Packers tough back in Week 4. 

A couple things would have to happen in my mind for the Lions to win this game:

1. Drew Stanton would have to play mistake-free football. If he starts turning the ball over, this game will be over in a hurry.
2. The Lions' defensive line would need to dominate the Packers' offensive line. That's still the only way I see this offense being stopped.
3. The Packers' making several special teams blunders. Jordy Nelson fumbled two kickoffs back in Week 4 that kept the Lions in it.
4. Someone other then Calvin Johnson having a big day offensively. He might be a given, but either Best, Pettigrew or Burleson needs to also play a big part in this game.

Those things are possible, especially the special teams part, but that's a lot of things needed to go right in order for the Lions to beat the Packers. 

And while plenty of people are calling for the blowout, I'm thinking the Lions are better then many give them credit for. Detroit will keep it close for most of the game, and they'll give us a few nail-biting moments, but the Packers beat the Lions 35-21.