Lions offense scouting report: Packers must contain Jahmyr Gibbs

The Green Bay Packers got the better of the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field back in Week 1, but quite a bit has changed since then, including impactful injuries for both teams and a change in offensive play caller for Detroit, with head coach Dan Campbell taking the reins.

On the surface, this looks as close of a matchup as possible, with the Lions entering as three-point favorites at home on Thanksgiving, but there is one unignorable difference between the two sides which will likely decide the game.

That difference is how the respective teams defend explosive pass plays, with the Packers ranking second in the NFL and the Lions all the way down in 28th in preventing chunk plays through the air.

Jeff Hafley’s defense is built almost solely upon the idea of preventing big plays, and they have done a masterful job so far, including against Detroit in the last contest, but they will need to bring their A-game once again on Thursday.

Like the Packers and Tucker Kraft, the Lions will be without their dangerous tight end Sam LaPorta likely for the rest of the year, while backup tight end Brock Wright and third receiver Kalif Raymond are also yet to practice this week with a neck and ankle injury respectively.

But between Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams and Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit still has plenty of firepower to deal serious damage.

It will be harder to slow the Lions down on the fast track at Ford Field, and if Quay Walker is unable to play (he has been limited in practice this week), the threat of Gibbs gashing them on the ground becomes more palpable.

Green Bay contained the speedy back in Week 1, holding him to just 19 yards on nine rush attempts, but Gibbs basically beat the Giants by himself last week, rushing for 219 yards.

The Packers’ ability to rally to the ball and tackle extremely well was crucial in stifling the Lions offense earlier this year, and they will need to match that effort on Thursday afternoon.

Williams has kicked into another gear since Campbell took over playcalling and before a quiet game last week, had a combined 273 yards and three touchdowns in the previous three contests.

Javon Bullard has taken an impressive jump in coverage from the slot in his second season, but had arguably his worst game of the year in coverage against St. Brown, who is one of the very best slot receivers in football.

How real is Bullard’s improvement throughout the season? Is it just the result of not being tested by an elite opponent in a while? We will find out on Thursday.

A factor going in Green Bay’s favor is that Detroit is currently pretty banged up on the offensive line.

Left guard Christian Mahogany is out after breaking a bone in his leg earlier this month, with backup Kayode Awosika filling in, while starting center Graham Glasgow has not practiced yet this week with a knee issue. Other projected starters Penei Sewell, Taylor Decker and Tate Ratledge were all limited on Monday and Tuesday with various injuries.

The Packers won the battle up front with the Lions back in Week 1, with Micah Parsons having a huge impact despite only being on the team for a couple of weeks.

Not allowing Jared Goff, who ranks 39th out of 41 qualified quarterbacks in PFF grade when under pressure, to sit back and survey the field will once again be key to defensive success for Green Bay.

This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Lions offense scouting report: Packers must contain Jahmyr Gibbs