Keys to the Game: Packers at Lions

Green Bay Packers Touchdowns The Green Bay Packers would have won if they were able to score a touchdown on either of their final two drives against the Minnesota Vikings. Instead, the team was forced to settle for a pair of Mason Crosby field goals and the tie. The Packers also had problems getting touchdowns against the Detroit Lions earlier this season. The Packers will need touchdowns Thursday to beat the Lions at Ford Field. Strike early The Packers would greatly help themselves with a quick start. The Lions, coming off a loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, have confidence issues. If the Packers could take an early lead, it could lead to costly mistakes by Detroit. The Packers, too, need to prove that they can score and keep up with a team with as much talent as the Lions. It’s unlikely the Lions will be held in check the entire game by the Packers’ uneven defense. All the more reason to take an early lead. Detroit Lions Pressure defense The Lions need to put pressure on whomever starts at quarterback for the Packers. Even Scott Tolzien will be able to pick apart the Lions’ secondary if given enough time. With a tough defensive line and an opportunistic linebacking corps, the Lions are capable of forcing opposing quarterbacks into bad decisions. Linebacker DeAndre Levy leads the team in interceptions with five, most of those thanks to pressure up front. No mistakes The Lions are one of the most talented teams in the league on paper. That doesn’t always translate into success on the field. The Lions are prone to making costly mistakes and playing undisciplined football. A clean game will do a lot to beat the hobbled Packers. Letting the talent advantage take care of business should be what the Lions are focused on this week. Must-See Matchup Calvin Johnson vs. Packers secondary The availability of Sam Shields isn’t known, but whomever gets the task of facing Lions receiver Calvin Johnson has his work cut out for him. Johnson leads the league in reception yards and touchdowns. The tall speedy receiver can make defensive backs look foolish. The Packers have had success stopping him in the past, but missing a player like Shields could lead to a major mismatch. Hot Seat Packers quarterback Who will start at quarterback this week for the Packers was a mystery after coach Mike McCarthy refused to name a starter Monday. Scott Tolzien, who started the last two games for the Packers, played poorly against the Vikings and was benched in favor of Matt Flynn. Flynn almost engineered the Packers’ comeback and looked very comfortable running the Packers’ offense. The chances Aaron Rodgers is ready to return from a broken collarbone this week were described by McCarthy as slim to none. Hot Streak Eddie Lacy Rookie running back Eddie Lacy had another standout performance against the Vikings on Sunday. The stout runner sometimes carried defenders while pushing the pile and fighting for that extra yard. Lacy has the most rushing yards in the league (755) over the last seven games. His six rushing touchdowns tie him with Samkon Gado for the team’s rookie record. Lacy is also one 100-yard rushing game and 299 yards away from breaking the franchise rookie records in those categories, both set by running back John Brockington in 1971.