Detroit Lions: Matthew Stafford and Players Who Must Get Better Before Green Bay

Matthew Stafford and the Detroit Lions have some kinks to work out before their Thanksgiving showdown with the Green Bay Packers. The Lions toyed with disaster before defeating the Carolina Panthers in Week 11, 49-35.

Fans were thinking awful thoughts about their beloved Lions before Stafford turned it around in the second half and led his team to victory. The Lions set all sorts of wacky records in Week 11. They were the first NFL team since 1991 to turn the ball over on their first three possessions.

In the end, the Lions were the first team in NFL history to come back three times in one season when down by 17-plus points.

If the Lions get off to another poor start against the Packers, it'll end in certain doom. Aaron Rodgers and company are far too good to make careless mistakes against. Remember, the Lions are the last team to beat the Packers—don't think that Green Bay has forgotten. 

With Week 12 just days away, Stafford and these teammates have to get better before Green Bay. 

Honorable Mention: Jim Schwartz Must Be Prepared for All Situations

Detroit Lions head coach Jim Schwartz must find a way to get his men to play a complete game.

Week 11 against the Carolina Panthers brought another slow start, as the Lions looked terrible. Fans began to question whether quarterback Matthew Stafford's broken finger was too much of a problem. 

Stafford deserves credit for toughing it out and being there for his team, but Schwartz's decision to allow his franchise quarterback to start the game brings some doubt. If Stafford didn't end up with five touchdown tosses, fans would have plenty to gripe about right now.

Just as his team is growing, Schwartz must grow as a coach. At times he looks like a seven-year-old coming off a sugar rush and having a temper tantrum. He has to make adjustments and not get upset when things don't go his way.

As a whole, it's time for the Lions to mature.  

No. 5: Special Teams Have to Make a Positive Impact

The Detroit Lions' special teams were pitiful in Week 11 against the Carolina Panthers. 

After the Lions scored their first touchdown of the game to make it a 10-7 game, the Lions allowed Panthers return man Kealoha Pilares to take the kickoff 101-yards for a touchdown. This put the Panthers up 17-7 and seemed to dash all momentum gained from the touchdown drive.

To make matters worse, Lions return man Stefan Logan thought he could do the same on the Panthers' kickoff, and ran out of bounds at the 14-yard line. 

The Green Bay Packers have a dangerous rookie returner in Randall Cobb, and they can't afford to give the Packers free points. 

On top of everything else, Lions defensive tackle Andre Fluellen was flagged for illegal hands to the face during a punt that gave the Panthers an automatic first down in Week 11.

Again, the longer Aaron Rodgers is on the field, the more points the Packers will score in Week 12. Detroit must be perfect on special teams in order to beat Green Bay on Thanksgiving. 

No. 4: Eric Wright Must Be Perfect

Sure, Detroit Lions' cornerback Eric Wright may have had six tackles and an interception against the Carolina Panthers in Week 11, but he must be better against the Green Bay Packers in Week 12.

Wright's interception came off of a deflection, one play after he missed an interception. He was also flagged multiple times during the game, resulting in automatic first downs for the Panthers. 

Wright faced Panthers receiver Steve Smith in Week 11, and will most likely go up against Packers star receiver Greg Jennings. He must play a mistake-free game on Thanksgiving. 

No. 3: Nate Burleson and Titus Young Must Continue Production

Detroit Lions receivers Nate Burleson and Titus Young played their best game of the season in Week 11 against the Carolina Panthers.

Each man caught a touchdown pass, as they provided needed relief for star receiver Calvin Johnson. The pair combined for nine catches for 77 yards. Together, Burleson and Young must continue to make a positive impact.

Young caught a touchdown, but he also committed a false start penalty, something that has plagued him in his rookie campaign. He also dropped a pass and was flagged for offensive pass interference. Despite his errors, fans have to be excited for his upside. 

In order to beat the Green Bay Packers in Week 12, Burleson and Young have to combine to be the difference in the Lions' passing attack. 

No. 2: Ndamukong Suh Must Be Penalty Free

Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh must play his best game of the season against the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving Day. 

Suh was yet again penalized for illegal hands to the face in Week 11 against the Carolina Panthers. Suh is as aggressive and powerful as they come in the NFL, but he must harness his energy and make the right decisions. 

There's no doubt in one's mind that Suh and the Lions want to punish their NFC North rival in Week 12, but they must play smart. Too many times have Suh and the Lions been penalized for being over-aggressive this season.

The Lions don't stand a chance against the Packers on Thanksgiving if they continuously shoot themselves in the foot. Suh must lead by example the rest of the season.  

No. 1: Matthew Stafford Must Start Strong

Broken finger or not, Matthew Stafford will be taking the snaps for the Detroit Lions against the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving.

Stafford seemed to break out of his recent slump in the second half against the Carolina Panthers in Week 11. He went 28-of-36 for 335 yards and five touchdowns in the game, but also threw two interceptions on the Lions first two possessions. 

Together with head coach Jim Schwartz, the two must be prepared for four quarters of football. The Green Bay Packers are aware of the Lions' tendency of starting poorly, and would like nothing more than to embarrass the Lions at Ford Field on Thanksgiving. 

Stafford and Schwartz must have the team fired up from the get-go. A staggered start from the Lions would be a death sentence against the 10-0 Packers.

It's time for the Lions to make believers out of NFL fans once again. A win against the Packers in Week 12 would do just that.