GREEN BAY -- As expected, the scene outside Lambeau Field on Sunday afternoon was a sea of Green Bay Packers fans in their dark green, gold, and white jerseys.
Mixed into that crowd, however, were specks of Honolulu Blue and Silver, as Detroit Lions fans made their presence felt for the Week 1 NFC North clash -- both sides eager to set the tone in the division right out of the gate.
Just across the street at Kroll’s West -- a restaurant known for its butter burgers, cheese tots, and more -- a lively tailgate unfolded with Lions fans mixing and mingling among the rival fan base.
Drew and Jenna Covert, a couple from St. Joseph, were among the eager bunch to see the Lions kick off their season against the Packers.
Jenna, donning a Lions Amon-Ra St. Brown jersey, enthusiastically picked the Lions to emerge victorious.
“I feel strong. They’re going to win. Hands down,” she told MLive. “I think it’s going to be a close game, but I think they’re going to come out ahead.”
Drew, however, was a bit more measured in his take.
“I mean, you got two new coordinators. They’re coming back from a whole lot of injuries, but if anyone can motivate this team, (Lions coach) Dan Campbell can,” he said. “And if it has the talent to win, it’s going to be a really tough, contested game. Two points or less. It’s going to separate the winner. I’m pulling for the Lions. Let’s go.”
Rocking an Aidan Hutchinson jersey that was half Michigan, half Lions, Drew explained what he’s hoping to see in the opener, while Jenna pointed to his jersey and said, “Hutch is back.”
“To really establish the defense. That’s a big question mark right now -- and start to shut down the Packers’ offense and show that we do have a defense,” he said. “You know the offense is going to be there. We can run the ball. We can throw the ball. Jared Goff is playing amazingly. St. Brown, you got (Jahmyr) Gibbs, (David Montgomery) Monty, and the crew. The buy-in is still strong. For me, the question mark is the defense. If they can establish that, we’re going to be in good shape.”
Jay Whitt and Hannah Beats of Grand Rapids, who both picked the Lions to reach the Super Bowl, weren’t as concerned about the coordinator changes as the Coverts. They placed their faith in new offensive coordinator John Morton and new defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard.
“Just high energy with the new coordinators and high scoring,” Whitt said. “We don’t need no Ben Johnson. We don’t need no Aaron Glenn. We’re good.”
For Tom Shreeve of Nunica, walking into Lambeau Field was a bucket list moment. Shreeve, who also has the Lions in the Super Bowl, predicted a 24-14 win for Detroit.
“(Looking) for a good solid offense and our defense to come alive,” Shreeve said.
Not all of the Lions fans in attendance were from Michigan. Trevor, a Texas native who elected not to share his last name, showed off his Lions tattoo along with a Dan Campbell and Jared Goff T-shirt designed after the movie Step Brothers*.*
Trevor predicted a 34-14 Lions win but admitted one concern.
“We’ve got a great team, but we’ve got to worry about Micah Parsons,” Trevor said. “But our team is solid. It’s our year, man.”
Lions fans
Trevor, a Lions fan from Texas, donning the Dan Campbell and Jared Goff shirt.Lions fans
Mike and Tayler Cowell, formerly of Brighton, admitted to some nerves before kickoff.
“I’m a little nervous, a little apprehensive, but I think we’re going to win it,” Mike said.
“First game jitters,” Tayler added.
Mike echoed the same sentiment: “First game of the season. Haven’t seen them play yet.”
Despite their nerves, both predicted a Lions win. Tayler went bold with a 38-14 score, while Mike’s was closer at 24-21.
It remains to be seen who will leave Lambeau victorious, but whether confident or cautious, Lions fans in Green Bay expect to celebrate by day’s end.
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