Green Bay will take on the Detroit Lions in the second week of the 2021 NFL season. Packers fans, players, and coaches alike are undoubtedly hoping this will be a bounce-back game after the team’s embarrassing performance against the Saints.
From game information to statistics to interesting match-ups to watch, here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming contest.
Game Details
The Packers and Lions will face off on September 20th at 7:15PM CST, a primetime Monday Night Football showdown.
With the game being hosted at Lambeau, the Green-and-Gold will have home field advantage. This is important as traditionally, the Packers play better at home than they do on the road.
ESPN will broadcast the match-up nationally. You can also stream it live or listen on the radio.
Recap: What Happened Last Week?
Both Green Bay and Detroit enter this game with the same record: 0-1. Funnily enough, the same can be said for Minnesota and Chicago. Evidently, last week was not a good showing for the NFC North!
Despite scoring as many or more points than 26 of the league’s 31 other teams, Detroit lost to the 49ers. The Lions nearly pulled off a miraculous 28-point second-half comeback, but fell just short, 41-33.
Quarterback Jared Goff played well in his first outing with his new team. He completed 66.7% of his passes, throwing for 338 yards and three touchdowns, as well as a pick-six. Although Detroit’s offense fired on all cylinders during week one, their defense struggled to make stops. The Lions gave up 442 yards, allowing San Francisco to score 41 points – more than any other team.
As for the Packers... well, I think we all remember what happened. The Saints absolutely destroyed us, 38-3. Green Bay looked extremely rusty – lost, even – on both sides of the ball. The defense surrendered five touchdowns and 322 yards, while the offense mustered only a field goal and converted just once on third down.
Three Match-Ups to Keep an Eye On
#1: Aaron Rodgers vs. Jared Goff
If last week’s game against New Orleans proved anything, it’s that we can never assume the more renowned, statistically sound – in other words, “better” – quarterback will dominate a match-up.
Aaron Rodgers, the reigning MVP, threw zero touchdowns and two interceptions in one of his worst-ever career outings. Jameis Winston, considered a “bust” by many, looked mightily impressive, tossing five TDs and never turning the ball over.
With that being said, we can’t look past Jared Goff and just presume Rodgers will outplay him. Goff is talented and he has proven success on the field. It’ll be very interesting to see how both QBs perform after disappointing week one outcomes.
#2: Aaron Jones vs. Jamaal Williams
Monday night will mark the first time Jamaal Williams plays against his former team turned division rival. Packers faithful might find it difficult to root against the goofy, endearing running back – a fan-favorite who danced his way into all our hearts.
Williams was released by Green Bay in March after the team re-signed Aaron Jones to a blockbuster four-year, $48 million deal. He was picked up by the Lions soon afterward.
In his opening game with Detroit, Williams ran for 110 yards on 17 carries, along with a touchdown. Compare that to Jones, who managed a mere nine rushing yards on five touches versus the Saints.
After spending years together in the Packers’ backfield, Williams and Jones will now be competitors rather than teammates. It should be fun to watch and see which one of these guys will literally out-run the other.
#3: Packers Offense vs. Lions Defense
No one struggled more during their week one contests than these two squads. Green Bay’s offense scored the fewest points (3) and Detroit’s defense gave up the most points (41) of any other team. That should make for quite a curious match-up.
Looking Ahead
All in all, this week’s game against the Lions is simply a must-win. The Packers cannot afford to start the season 0-2 by notching another loss, especially against a divisional opponent.
Green Bay has to put the Saints disaster behind them and turn things around, fast. And what better place to start than by beating the Lions?
I think I speak for all Packers fans when I say we’re hoping for a much-improved performance. Although, when you think about it, could they really get any worse? We can only go up from here!
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