It's been an interesting week at 1265 Lombardi Avenue.
In a curious game of "he said" "he said", the coach and quarterback appear back on the same page as they turned the page on another in what's been a series of spats during their 13 year marriage.
Aaron Rodgers said the offense was "terrible" last week despite rolling up 423 yards in a shutout victory. "Championship level defense, non-playoff level offense", he stated and even took a shot at the "plan", meaning Mike McCarthy's game plan.
The coach on Monday acknowledged the frustration of his ultra-competitive quarterback but wasn't about to "referee" words.
By Wednesday, Rodgers admitted discussing the matter with his superior but added, "conflict is good."
Now that it's one, big happy family again, the Packers embark on their first road trip in the NFC North to take on the 1-3 Detroit Lions at Ford Field Sunday.
A little bickering is the least of the team's worries.
On Friday, McCarthy ruled Randall Cobb out for a second straight week after he yanked his hamstring at practice last Thursday. Davante Adams pulled a calf muscle in practice and he might still make the game while the team is only hopeful Geronimo Allison can make it through the concussion protocol before kickoff.
Thin out wide is an understatement. The Packers might be forced to get all three drafted receivers involved against the league's second ranked pass defense.
It's week five so here are a handful of bullet points I'm interested in heading to the Black and Blue showdown against the Silver and Honolulu Blue.
One if by land, two if by air.
If Adams and Allison don't make it, the passing game might be crippled. Oh there's still Jimmy Graham and checkdowns to running backs or maybe even Ty Montgomery can take a few snaps at his old position. This may turn out to be a muscle up afternoon with the Packers pounding the rock. Detroit's run defense ranks dead last in the league, to the tune of 157.8 yards a game. Ezekiel Elliott ripped them apart last week in Dallas and the Packers are coming off their best rushing performance of the season. Jamaal Williams for the tough yards and Aaron Jones for the explosive gains will lessen the pressure on Rodgers to find his three, green amigos downfield.
The Lion sleeps tonight.
Matthew Stafford and the Lions are 6-12 against the Packers since he was the number one, number one pick in 2009. Two of the wins came last year when Rodgers was nursing the cracked collarbone. Stafford has worn out the Pack in some games, putting up 40 in 2013. He's also been generous at times with bad interceptions. He's thrown five in the first four games but his protection has improved. The Packers can't let him sleep well Sunday night.
Turning the corners.
In several of Stafford's biggest games, he's tortured an undermanned Green Bay secondary. With Kevin King returning off a groin pull and Jaire Alexander and Josh Jackson gathering rookie momentum, all mentored by veteran Tramon Williams, the Packers appear more capable to deal with top target Golden Tate, speedy Marvin Jones and promising second year receiver Kenny Golladay. Unlike last week's feeble Buffalo passing game, the Lions will test the corners and we'll find out if they're turning that corner.
Climate control.
I know Mason Crosby envies kickers who play most of their games in climate controlled domes. There's never a breeze, rain, snow or just plain cold to deal with. Rookie punter J.K. Scott will get his first crack at thumping it indoors. How these two match up with Detroit's Sam Martin and Matt Prater in the field position and field goal game will go a long way toward determining the outcome.
The New (England) Detroit.
Matt Patricia is just getting started trying to teach his team the "Patriot" way. From the Do-Your-Job tree of Bill Belichick in Foxboro, Patricia reportedly met with some resistance after years of Jim Caldwell's laid back approach. With only one win to show for the bumpy transition, the Lions are easily the more desperate team heading into the matchup. He played that card very well in Detroit's only win, over Patricia's old boss two weeks ago.
The Pack's first road test failed miserably in Washington and they still don't look anything like a well oiled machine, particularly on offense. The defense is anxious to parlay last week's shutout into another strong effort. I just have a feeling the Lions, at home, will find a way to outscore what could be an undermanned Packer offense.
I like Detroit, 27-24.
