6. The Packers traded Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kenny Clark and two first-round picks in the next two drafts to acquire Parsons. What might the loss of Clark mean for Green Bay’s run defense?
“Whoever is up there we expect the same,” linebacker Edgerrin Cooper said. “He was a great player too for us but it’s next person up. It’s the business, so we just have to do what we do.”
The Packers’ run defense was one of just seven defenses to allow on average less than 100 yards per game rushing last season. They were top 10 in 10-yard and 20-yard rushes allowed. How will losing one of the best run stoppers in the game affect Green Bay’s run defense Sunday?
7. Speaking of stopping the run, what is the key for Green Bay to limit Lions’ third-year running back Jahymr Gibbs?
“He’s a tough player,” Cooper said. “But we got some tough players too. We are just going to do what we do and be physical.”
LaFleur said the challenge with Detroit’s run game is just the totality of it from the backs to the offensive line to the receivers blocking. He said it’s going to take all 11 players on defense to do their part to limit Detroit’s rushing attack Sunday.
8. The Packers faced the Lions in Week 9 and Week 14 last year, which means they didn’t see edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson.
What kind of difference does Hutchinson being back in the lineup make for Detroit’s defense?
“A lot. You’re talking about one of the premier players in the National Football League,” LaFleur said of Hutchinson. “Just going through and watching all his tape from last season, we didn’t see him at all. I mean, the guy is a game wrecker, and it shows up all over the tape in both the run game and the pass game. I think that’s pretty special to have a guy that’s capable of doing that.
9. LaFleur also talked about the challenge of playing third-down defense against the Lions.
“It’s been a challenge because they’ve been willing to run the football in those situations in the past,” he said. “You have to be ready to defend all four downs. Third down sometimes you have treat it like second down depending on the situation.”
Detroit ranked fourth in the NFL last season converting on third down 47.6 percent of the time.
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