Packers vs. Lions: 6 Key Players Not Named Aaron Rodgers or Calvin Johnson

When the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions meet up this Thanksgiving, there will be a tendency to keep an eye on the big-names stars of the matchup: Aaron Rodgers, Calvin Johnson, Matthew Stafford, Ndamukong Suh, Charles Woodson and so on.

While those players are certainly going to be huge factors in this game, it's sometimes easy to forget that there is much more to football than the stars.

Football is the consummate team sport, which means every player down to the the backup long-snapper matters.

Here are a few players from both teams that may not be receiving a lot of attention, but they certainly will play key roles in this game:

6. Erik Walden, LB, Green Bay Packers

With injuries hitting the Packers defense for the second straight year, linebacker Erik Walden has had to step into more and more big-time situations.

He may not be the most consistent player, but he has incredible athletic abilities and raw football instincts.

Last weekend against the Buccaneers he came up with seven tackles and a sack, and I expect much of the same from him against the Lions.

The Packers are going to want to stop the Lions running game and force them into throwing situations, which would allow them to get after quarterback Matthew Stafford and rough him up.

Walden will be integral to both of those goals.

6. Stephen Tulloch, LB, Detroit Lions

If the Lions want to even think about beating the Packers, they are going to have to try to find a way to slow down Aaron Rodgers.

It may not be possible to stop him, but they can definitely try to trip him up a bit.

Tulloch has three sacks and two interceptions on the season, and he's going to have to have to add to either or both of those stats against the Packers.

The only to stop Rodgers is to either take the ball away from him, which has only happened four times this season, or put him on his back.

He won't stop himself; he's far too good to make those kind of mistakes in this kind of game.

Tulloch is going to have to have a huge game.

4. Ryan Grant, RB, Green Bay Packers

Kareem Copeland of the Green Bay Press Gazette is reporting that Packers running back James Starks will be a game-time decision after suffering a sprained knee against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

While Ryan Grant is listed as the starter, there is no doubt that Starks has been the more productive of the two backs in 2011.

With Starks questionable, Grant's role in the offense is definitely going to increase.

The Lions are giving up 134.7 yards per game on the ground, so if the Packers are smart they will try to expose Detroit's biggest defensive weakness.

Grant has struggled in 2011, but perhaps he will be able to find the end zone for the first time this season.

We all know the Packers can win without running the ball, but it would definitely help in this game.

3. Kevin Smith, RB, Detroit Lions

The big question coming into this game is whether or not Kevin Smith can be a legitimate starter for the Detroit Lions.

With Jahvid Best out dealing with a concussion, the Lions struggled moving the ball on the ground, which in turn allowed defenses to really get after Matthew Stafford.

Smith came in last week against the Carolina Panthers out of free agency and ripped off a career-high 140 yards with two touchdowns.

The Packers have a fresh reel of tape on him though, and it did come against the Carolina Panthers.

Green Bay just gave up 107 yards last week to LeGarrette Blount though, so they are vulnerable. 

If the Lions can control the running game, they can control the tempo of the game and therefore keeping Rodgers on the sidelines.

2. Titus Young, WR, Detroit Lions

Titus Young is becoming a dangerous weapon for Matthew Stafford, especially as he continues to grow and get used to the speed of the NFL.

He's compiled 28 receptions, 363 yards and two touchdowns so far in his rookie season, and I expect those numbers to increase this Thanksgiving.

The Packers linebackers have a very hard time sticking with speedy receivers in the slot, so Young is going to have mismatches all game.

1. Randall Cobb, WR, Green Bay Packers

Randall Cobb is a playmaker, and that's probably the best way to describe him.

While he does see the field on offense, with 15 receptions for 234 yards and a touchdown, his biggest impact comes on special teams.

He's been absolutely explosive this year returning kicks, and many are starting to label him as the next Devin Hester.

He's taken one punt and one kick return to the house in 2011 and has a grand total of 908 return yards.

Cobb will be extremely dangerous indoors and on turf at Ford Field, and he has the ability to set up an already great offense with good field position.