NFL Predictions: Week 3 Picks and Hot Takes
By Joe Wedra
Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers, 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, FOX
How does one figure out what Green Bay is as a football team? We know they’re good, but just how good? It’s one of life’s great unknowns.
On paper, you’d imagine the Packers, at-least on offense, should be one of the most potent attacks in the league. All was set for a perfect Sunday night victory against Minnesota, until Sam Bradford walked into his new home in Minnesota and simply out-played Aaron Rodgers. It wasn’t the fault of the Packers defense, nor any other reality – Rodgers, the freaky QB that we’ve come to know, got outplayed. And just like that, panic mode sets in within the national media headlines. So, where do we go now?
That answer is simple: nowhere. The Packers are a very good football team. Luckily, the next test features Detroit in the confines of Lambeau Field, a matchup that by all means is a slam dunk. Ameer Abdullah is out for the season, the Lions defense is exploitable, and Mike McCarthy and his staff know the Lions inside and out. Opposed to labeling this one a trap game, which would admittedly be fair, this one should be thought of as more of a tune-up for the guys in green and gold.
Sure, it’s dangerous to already give them the win days in advance, but is there any other way this one could go? Despite the shaky threat of Stafford gaining momentum in the passing game, there isn’t much of a conversation here.
Green Bay should score, take advantage of a weaker Detroit defense and play stout enough football to improve to 2-1 on the year. If that doesn’t happen … well, then we can talk about spiraling into super crazy panic mode in Wisconsin.
There’s always the possibility of Stafford putting up that 400-yard, air-it-out-and-pray-for-a-catch type of game, but taking Detroit for that purpose alone wouldn’t be wise.
Packers find rhythm on offense, defeat Lions, 27-17.