PLAYER NOTES
–G T.J. Lang is not expected to play Sunday after he suffered a concussion in the first half of the Cowboys game. This is either the fifth or sixth concussion of Lang’s career, and the second in the last 11 months. Kenny Wiggins likely will start in Lang’s place.
–CB Jamal Agnew played his first two offensive snaps of the season last week against Dallas. Agnew, who saw spot duty on offense as a gadget player and decoy last year, carried once on a jet sweep for 17 yards, and motioned for a sweep a second time to draw defenders and open the hole for Kerryon Johnson’s first career touchdown.
–LB Devon Kennard had his fourth sack of the season against the Cowboys. Kennard matched his season total from last year with the New York Giants, and is a half-sack away from tying his career high.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: WR Marvin Jones Jr. Jones has had his way with the Packers since signing with the Lions in 2016. In four games against the Packers over the last two years, Jones has 469 yards and five touchdowns. He’s gotten off to a bit of a slow start this year – his 15 catches rank fourth on the team, behind Golden Tate, Kenny Golladay and running back Theo Riddick – but he’s still the Lions’ top deep threat and he’s facing a Packers team this week that’s already given up 14 passes of 20 yards or more on the season.
GAME PLAN: The Lions beat Tom Brady by controlling the clock and keeping him off the field, nearly doubling up the New England Patriots in time of possession, and that’s a good plan to replicate against Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. The Lions have run the ball well at times with Kerryon Johnson, and against a middle-of-the-pack run defense they should have the opportunity to do so again Sunday. T.J. Lang’s injury could spell trouble for the offensive line, but if the Lions can protect up front, Jones has an advantage over every Packers cornerback downfield.
On defense, the Lions need to keep Aaron Rodgers in the pocket. Rodgers is at his best when he buys time and extends plays, so Devon Kennard, Ziggy Ansah (if he plays) and the Lions’ other edge rushers must hold their rush lanes. The Lions rank last in the NFL in run defense, but if they can stop Jamaal Williams they’ll at least make the Packers one-dimensional. And Justin McCray’s injury should open the door for Da’Shawn Hand to get pressure up the middle.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH
–Lions RG Kenny Wiggins vs. Packers DL Mike Daniels. Wiggins is expected to start at right guard Sunday in place of the injured T.J. Lang, and he’ll have his hands full with one of the better interior defensive linemen in the NFL. Daniels plays over both the right and left guard in the Packers’ scheme, and as good as he is, he’s tough to double-team because of the various blitz packages employed by Packers defensive coordinator Mike Pettine. Wiggins had a mediocre performance filling in for Lang over the final two-plus quarters last week. If he’s not significantly better on Sunday, Matthew Stafford could be in for a long day.
–Packers WR Davante Adams vs. Lions CB Darius Slay. The Lions have no fear playing Slay anywhere or against anyone on the field. He plays right and left corner and occasionally in the slot, and the Lions like to travel him with their opponents’ No. 1 receiver. Adams leads the Packers with 28 receptions, nine more than Geronimo Allison, and Slay called him one of the two best players in the NFL at getting off the line of scrimmage, a football version of Allen Iverson.
