RealGM

FIVE THINGS TO WATCH

COVERING CALVIN: Calvin Johnson, the Lions' franchise wide receiver, has 67 receptions for 921 yards, a 13.7-yard average and six touchdowns. His last of three TDs against the Eagles on Thanksgiving came in the left corner with rookie Eric Rowe in tight coverage. "That's as good a throw and catch as I've seen," Eagles coach Chip Kelly said Monday. "I'm not sure there is another receiver in the NFL that could have made the catch because of Calvin's length and his ability to turn his body and go get that. I thought the coverage actually was as tight as it probably could be." Regarding Johnson, who is 30, an NFC personnel director said: "He's not where he was. I think injuries have taken their toll and the age. But he's still the guy you need to double as much as you can because he'll beat you. He still has really good hands, really good ball skills."

HIGH HUSTLE: The Lions' defense was more physical than the Packers' offense in Detroit's 18-16 victory 2 ½ weeks ago. "They're flying to the ball," said James Campen, who coaches the Packers' offensive line. "They do a very good job in pursuit. The last two ballgames have been at home and they've been able to feed off the crowd. They're getting off blocks. Nothing can replace energy and hustle. NFC (North) games are always high energy and physical. They were getting to the ball the last two games. The goal always is to exceed (the opponent). We need to play fundamentally sound and win those battles."

TIGHT COVERAGE: The Lions challenged the Packers' receivers in the first meeting with press-man coverage and one safety deep. Darius Slay covered James Jones, Nevin Lawson covered Davante Adams and Quandre Diggs, who replaced injured Josh Wilson, covered Randall Cobb. "That's the way they played against us the first game," Packers play-caller Tom Clements said. "They may change it up. Obviously, you have to go by what you see on film and anticipate that." Diggs played 42 of the Packers' 87 snaps on Nov. 15 but played 39 of 51 against Oakland and 40 of 59 against Philadelphia. "He's a rookie but he plays hard and plays well just like the rest of their defense," said Clements. "They're good tacklers and play their scheme well."

BIG MAN: NT Haloti Ngata, the former Raven, is coming off one of his better games with a tackle for loss and knockdown of Eagles QB Mark Sanchez. On the knockdown, he ran right over the top of LG Evan Mathis, and he had another pancake of RG Matt Tobin. "He's not an agile, nifty guy but he can dominate the middle of the line," one scout said. "He's not a Pro Bowler but a notch below." Ngata has 17 tackles, one sack and two passes defensed in nine games. "He can turn it on," another scout said. "He's strong still. He's not the athlete he was in his younger years. He's had some injury issues. But he's still a handful inside."

TOP RUSHER: DE Ziggy Ansah has 11 ½ sacks to rank second in the NFL behind Houston's J.J. Watt (13 ½). "He's still more effort than technique but he's a lot better than he was," said one scout. "He's a complete player. Good run player. Good pass rusher. He's around the quarterback a lot." Ansah, the fifth pick in the 2013 draft, has been compared to Minnesota's Everson Griffen, the other leading right end in the NFC North. "I'd take Ansah," the scout said. "Both are great pass rushers and both play the run extremely well, but (Griffen) is on automatic pilot about half the time. If their games progress, Ansah has maybe more of a chance to be in the Hall of Fame than Griffen."

Bob McGinn


VIEWS OF THE GAME

BOB McGINN, Packers beat reporter

The Packers have failed to cover the point spread in five of their last six games. They did cover in Minnesota 11 days ago when their backs were against the wall and the Vikings actually were favored by one point. Green Bay is favored this time; otherwise, the circumstances are similar.

TOM SILVERSTEIN, Packers beat reporter

It's crazy to pick the Packers when their offense is falling apart. My rationale is that they played better when it was a critical division game against Minnesota. They let up the following week and now it's back to situation critical. Packers 27, Lions 21

MICHAEL COHEN, Packers beat reporter

In a division that is suddenly very treacherous, the Packers find a way to cobble together just enough points to topple the Lions. Plenty of Eddie Lacy coupled with a few timely scramble throws by Aaron Rodgers should get the job done. Packers 20, Lions 19

LORI NICKEL, Packers beat reporter

Something is seriously wrong and it looks a lot deeper than simplifying offensive plays or creating positive energy in the secondary. These Packers have been given every benefit of the doubt over the last month and a half but they haven't lived up to expectations. When Aaron Rodgers says he isn't seeing preparedness by his teammates, something needs to change. Lions 19, Packers 17

RICK KLAUER, Packer Plus Editor

After losing four of their last five games, there's no strong reason to pick the Packers. But Green Bay is still the better team. Right? The Packers' troubled offense pulls things together just long enough to secure the victory. Packers 21, Lions 20

WiscoKing13 wrote:Randall being down means more of Hyde getting killed in the slot.

trwi7 wrote:So what's the line even going to be?

Bakhtiari - Sitton - Linsley - Tretter - Barclay?