Belton seems to bring something to the guard position that reminds me of an early Elgton Jenkins. Didn’t get to see him pass block much, though. How did he look to you, and do you think the rotation at guard is over (or at least, going to be reduced)?
We’ll see. Belton playing the whole second half vs. Minnesota would indicate the coaches are leaning toward him taking over, but that hasn’t been announced or anything. You’re right, he didn’t have to pass block much against the Vikings. It’ll be different tomorrow.
Happy Turkey Family Day, Mike. What are the chances that the D is able to do what they did last week to the Vikings and contain Gibbs?
Just preventing multiple explosives from Gibbs would be a huge accomplishment. He’s a much bigger part of their offense now than he was in Week 1. You can’t look for the defense to do to the Lions what they did to the Vikings. Goff is not McCarthy. Apples and orangutans.
Has Carrington Valentine locked down a corner spot? Can Keisean Nixon go? Is Kamal Hadden a better option at this point than Nate Hobbs, who is recovering from a knee injury?
Nixon is trending in the right direction from what we’ve been told, but we’ll see. Valentine is a full-time player now. I don’t see that changing. If Hobbs is available to provide another depth option along with Hadden that would be a plus, but after about a month off I don’t see Hobbs playing 50 snaps all of a sudden or anything.
Hafley said he wants to get Goff off his spot, whether it takes 4,5, or 6.
Right. That’s what you have to do, and the best way is with interior pressure. Their best pass blockers are the tackles. I could see Micah Parsons attacking the middle a fair amount tomorrow, but the Lions could counter by pitching outside to Gibbs on third down to see if he can break one or at least get close for fourth down, like I said before. It’s a different chess match against this team.
Mike, can you just go ahead and tell us the 48-man roster for tomorrow?
Ha, we will be learning a lot at 10:30 a.m. CT when the inactives are announced.
The good food can wait, right Mike?
I will be looking forward to it, hopefully sitting down to celebrate a victory.
I read on article that said Emanuel Wilson had 100 of his 107 yards after contact, and another said 94. Regardless, that was very impressive.
No doubt. The Packers actually had too many missed blocks against the Vikings, but other players still made things happen. That’s not how you want to live. They still need to play cleaner football. The penalties and drops have subsided, now sharpen up the rest.
What concerns you the most regarding the Packers going into this game?
Gibbs and Hutchinson. Those are the guys who can take over if you let them. The Packers can’t let that happen.
If Kinnard is an extra blocker on running plays, what’s the point of reporting as an eligible receiver all the time when the defense knows he’s not going to catch a pass? Just line up wideouts the normal way?
If you’re lining up in an eligible position with an ineligible number, it’s required to report to the official.
A little nervous about Belton playing in a loud dome. Seem to recall a forgettable game where he had 3 or 4 penalties including pre-snap.
Yeah, that was in Indy during the preseason. What I liked about that whole scenario is the coaches put him right back out there in the second half, he settled down and played well. We learned a lot about Belton that day.
Goff will put the ball up like Winston (NYG) did a few weeks ago. The Secondary (banged up?) needs to take advantage of those opportunities.
I don’t see it that way. I see Goff getting rid of the ball right quick anytime he can. He doesn’t take many sacks. If his early read isn’t there, he’ll find his checkdown and let someone try to find open space. He’s a totally different QB from Winston.
I think the key to the game tomorrow is scoring first. I feel the team that does that will win. I hope that if the packers win the toss they take the ball.
I’m always inclined to defer. But that’s just me.
The Lions aren’t the Vikings but we sure looked like a lot of things got cleaned up Sunday. A wise man once warned us about full consistency but did we really turn a corner or was it more the opponent?
Some of both. The Packers played well, very few mistakes. But the Vikings also aren’t built with a young QB to play from behind, and once that turnover on the punt happened and the Packers punched it in for a 17-6 lead, that game was basically over.
I realize the situation dictated it last week, but would another slower game script benefit the packers? Still not a ton of weapons to throw to IMO
I suspect the Lions will be wanting to control the ball more in this one after their defense was on the field for 77 snaps, including OT, on Sunday.
I am heading to the game from Atlanta. Any insight on the typical Lions crowd vs opposing teams (mostly good natured) fans?
Couldn’t really tell you. I know the Thanksgiving crowd at Ford Field always brings it, though. That city loves the tradition of this game.
When Jacobs is back at full strength, do you expect Wilson to continue to get meaningful snaps?
Mike….I think sometimes fans forget that a team progresses (or regresses) throughout the season. You’ve gotta stack some wins early, but get healthy and be playing your best late. It’s getting to be that time!
Indeed it is. The NFC North is tight. As mentioned previously, the NFC West is loaded too. There’s no cruise control in the ride to a playoff spot.
