ALLEN PARK -- Green Bay’s defense does a great job of keeping everything in front of them and making offenses earn every yard.
The Detroit Lions are well aware of that aspect, struggling to get anything going the last time these two teams met back in Week 1.
Lions quarterback Jared Goff completed 31 passes but for only 225 yards. Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams were held to a combined 14 yards after the catch, and the Lions know they need more of that this time around. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs got a ton of chances as a receiver in the opener, too, but he was bottled up to 31 yards on 10 catches.
When facing this Packers defense, Dan Campbell knows those players and their other playmakers need to add more after the catch and break some tackles. It’s easier said than done, but that’s the reality against this defense.
When looking at the six Packers defensive backs who have played at least seven games, they have allowed only 418 yards after the catch this season. Gibbs ranks fifth in the league with 448 yards after the catch. St. Brown slots ninth with 359, and Williams ranks 34th with 247 of his own -- when including receivers, tight ends and running backs.
“They’re going to force you to be patient,” the Lions coach said. “And really, the teams that have had trouble are the ones that don’t stay patient, and they start trying to do things that get out of the norm. Or that offense takes off on you, and you feel like you’ve got to play catch-up, and you start trying to force the ball down the field.
“And you don’t know when it’s going to be, but you’ve got to be able to hit ... Some of these underneath throws, you’ve got to get some YAC. And that’s what our guys will be charged with. Our players on this team, our playmakers, they’re going to have to put it in their hands, tuck it away and go make something happen and then get ready to get in the huddle and let’s do it again.”
Goff said the Packers do a great job at playing top down and rallying to the ball when throwing underneath. He got a ton of help against the New York Giants this past Sunday, and he was bottled to only four catches for 23 yards back in the opener.
The quarterback knows what the Packers are preaching, and what the Lions are preaching, too. It’s a battle of rallying to the ball for the defense, while knowing his playmakers need to break free.
“You know, they don’t do too much on defense, but they do it well,” St. Brown said. “They got guys that play fast, that understand the defense. You play against a team that knows what they do well, and they do what they do well.”
St. Brown had nine catches for 149 yards and one touchdown against the Giants. Pro Football Focus hasn’t credited him with a drop over the last two games, but there have been missed opportunities and balls sent his way that he usually catches.
The All-Pro wide receiver isn’t dwelling on those; rather just knows not to let it happen again.
“I catch so many balls that for me it’s like you do have a job,” St. Brown said. “(Steph) Curry misses the three. I mean, Curry’s not gonna make every three. He’s one of the best, if not the best, shooter ever. So nothing’s happened.
“Just got to keep going. And at the end of the day, I’m going to catch more like that.”
Williams was held without a catch for the second time this season last week. He was rolling pretty well since Campbell took over calling the offense. The Lions need to continue finding ways to get him the ball, because Williams can break free and take any chance to the house.
He remained himself when speaking with reporters on Thursday, saying he’s glad they got to win and he’s not about to “go acting out over zero catches.”
Goff, St. Brown and Williams are also getting used to playing on Thanksgiving every year. It’s a tough turnaround coming right into another week and game, but it’s a tradition each has embraced.
“Yeah, I’ve enjoyed this tradition, man,” Goff said. “It’s been fun to be a part of now for five years, and being able to get our first win in it last year was awesome.
“And taking that bite of the turkey (after the game), and you want to get that feeling again.”