Jordan Love, who struggled with mobility on a rainy Lambeau Field due to a groin injury in the previous game against Jacksonville, is now fully healthy. The injury had restricted the Packers’ offense to shotgun and pistol snaps, limiting Love’s ability to extend plays with his legs. With his health restored, Love has begun showing signs of the MVP-level form he exhibited during last season’s Packers’ playoff run. However, this week presents a new challenge for Green Bay’s offense, especially considering their first matchup against Detroit five weeks ago.
Za’Darius Smith, a two-time Pro Bowler previously with the Packers, was traded to the Detroit Lions on deadline day. Since joining the Lions, Smith has made an immediate impact, recording 17 pressures and three sacks in just three games, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF). Known for his versatility, Smith has been moved around by Detroit’s defensive coordinator, Aaron Glenn, to create favorable matchups. Despite this, it’s clear Smith remains an effective pass rusher, and the Packers will need to find a way to neutralize him during Thursday Night Football.
The Packers have the ideal counter to Smith’s pass rush. Although Detroit has faced injuries on its defensive line, including key players like Josh Paschal, DJ Reader, and Levi Onwuzurike, Smith is still the top pass rusher on the team. His main focus in the game will be against Green Bay’s tackles, which actually works in the Packers’ favor. Rasheed Walker and Zach Tom have been outstanding in pass protection this season, with both players allowing minimal pressures and just three sacks combined across the entire year. They are among the top-14 offensive tackles in the league according to PFF’s pass-blocking grades.
As a team, the Packers boast the highest pass-blocking grade in the NFL this season. They have given up just 15 sacks, the second-lowest in the league. Jordan Love, who excels at buying time in the pocket, has only been sacked 10 times himself. With an offensive line performing at such a high level, the Packers have the tools to limit the impact of Smith, even if the Lions’ defensive line struggles with injuries.
If Detroit’s injured players, including Paschal, Reader, and Onwuzurike, are unable to play in Week 14, the Packers’ biggest concerns will likely come from Smith and Alim McNeil. However, Matt LaFleur, Green Bay’s head coach, can adjust the game plan to provide extra protection on Smith’s side of the field if needed, further limiting his effectiveness.
In addition to strong pass protection, the Packers can also use the running game to neutralize Smith’s pass-rush threat. Smith is known for being a more effective pass rusher than a run defender, ranking just 72nd in run defense according to PFF. By running the ball effectively, the Packers can slow down the Lions’ defense and keep Smith from fully engaging in pass-rush situations.
The Packers had success running the ball against the Lions earlier this season at Lambeau Field, averaging six yards per carry. Running back Josh Jacobs had a solid performance, rushing for 95 yards on 13 attempts, averaging 7.3 yards per carry. Although Jacobs wasn’t fully healthy in that game and the Packers fell behind by multiple scores, sticking to a strong running game this week would help open up play-action opportunities. This strategy would limit Smith’s ability to dominate the game and allow Love to operate more effectively under center.
The Packers are aware of Smith’s talent and his potential to disrupt the game, but they also know how to exploit his weaknesses. By focusing on running the ball in his direction and relying on their strong offensive line to protect Love, Green Bay can significantly reduce Smith’s impact and keep their offense moving efficiently.
