This is it. This is (potentially) for all the marbles. The Detroit Lions are (maybe) in a win-and-you’re-in scenario in Week 18. They win, they’re (possibly) in the playoffs. Lose, and they go home.
They take on the Green Bay Packers in prime time at Lambeau Field, a place that has not been kind to them over the years. Of course, the Packers are also playing for the final playoff spot in the NFC. They’re in (almost) the exact same situation.
This is the most important game this team has played in years. There’s a ton of stakes. Let’s dive into five things to watch ahead of this winner-take-all match-up.
Both teams have grown
These are two different teams than when they met at Ford Field in Week 9. The Packers offense has improved immensely, getting back to the same Packers offense that we’ve been accustomed to seeing. Their pass defense has improved. Their run defense still isn’t great, which we’ll discuss later. The Lions’ defensive turnaround began in that Week 9 game, when they held the Packers to nine points and forced three Aaron Rodgers interceptions. Their offense has gotten healthy, and thus it has performed much better. Both teams are playing their best football at the right time.
Which Lions’ defense will show up?
This might be the thing that determines whether the Lions win or lose. Will the defense look like the defense that allowed 100 yards rushing to Justin Fields in the first quarter a week ago and allowed over 300 yards rushing to Carolina two weeks ago? Or will they look like the team that shut down Fields in quarters 2-4, and allowed virtually nothing to the likes of Dalvin Cook and Saquon Barkley. Green Bay likes to run the ball with Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon. Rodgers is still good, but he’s not as good as he used to be. He’s looked mortal at times this season. We saw it firsthand in Week 9. The Lions need to stop the run in order to win this game.
Found: Lions’ running game
The Lions finally rediscovered their running game against the Bears, rushing for over 250 yards. Jamaal Williams will almost certainly reach 1,000 yards rushing on the season, which would be a first for him. D’Andre Swift looked like his old self again. It was such a welcome sight. The Bears’ defense is bad — like, really bad — but it was still important nonetheless. The Lions will have to do that again in this game. They need to control time of possession and keep the ball out of Aaron Rodgers’ hands. The Packers’ run defense still isn’t good, ranking 26th in the league. Pound the rock.
Empty the playbook
It’s Week 18. The Lions might not be playing for a playoff spot by kickoff. But regardless, throw everything and the kitchen sink at this Packers defense. Whatever trick plays Ben Johnson has up his sleeve, this is the game to use them. They’re going to need every advantage they can get. Get Jameson Williams involved somehow. That reverse they ran with him last week worked to perfection. Get the ball in his hands.
No matter what, just win
The Seahawks play the Rams at 4:25. If they win, they go to the playoffs and the Lions are eliminated. If they lose, the Lions are in with a win. Both the Packers and the Lions are eliminated with a loss. Even if Seattle wins, the Lions should play to win this game. They have a chance to finish with a winning record for the first time since 2017. That’s awfully impressive considering they started the season 1-6 and won just three games a year ago. On top of that, how satisfying would it be to the knock the Packers out of the playoffs and put a sad face on Aaron Rodgers? Playing for a playoff spot would be great, but playing the spoiler role for a hated division rival wouldn’t be a bad consolation.
Matthew Scheidel is a freelance writer.