Five Things to Watch with Packers-Lions

Let’s be clear, this game is going to suck. There’s no way around it. This is the most meaningless Packers game in years. Even in 2008, Packers-Lions met in the final game of the year, but Detroit was 0-15. Even in 2006 when Green Bay was 7-8, people wondered if Brett Favre was going to retire after the season. Remember that one? Green Bay wins on primetime, 26-7, and Favre breaks down at the end of the game almost alluding to retirement. You have to go back to 2005 when Green Bay finished 4-12 when a final game had zero meaning. Let’s try to find five things worth caring about.
1. Michael Clark’s emergence
To me, this is the guy worth watching on Sunday afternoon. Michael Clark will be likely getting his first NFL start, and he flashed some big things against Minnesota. It’s likely he’ll have to deal with premier corner Darius Slay in this one, but still, it should be fascinating to see what Clark can do with a full allotment of snaps. A part of me wonders if he could beef up and be a tight end next year.
2. Vince Biegel get a moment or two in this one?
This hasn’t been a great rookie season for Vince Biegel. I feel like the injury held him back, and we know how Dom Capers’ system does not really play well for most rookie players. I’m content with Biegel’s year with expectations that the second year may be much better from him. Hopefully, he gets a couple opportunities to shine in this one. Can’t wait for someone explain to me why Kyler Fackrell played so much this season.
3. Lenzy Pipkins coming on late
We didn’t do star ratings last week (TBD for this week), but if we did, Pipkins would have been one of the higher graded players. He looked very good at the corner spot against Minnesota’s talented wide receivers. Pipkins will likely see Kenny Golladay and other Lions receivers this weekend. I like his toughness out there, and he plays with a reckless nature that I think is missing from some Packers defenders.
4. Brett Hundley’s road success
One of the weirder things of the 2017 season is how Brett Hundley played so much better on the road compared to at Lambeau Field. It’s clear that Lambeau’s boos have him rattled like you wouldn’t believe and playing in front of different colors is a sort of release. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Hundley goes off against what’s been a bad Lions defense of late who doesn’t know if Jim Caldwell will be back.
5. Green Bay’s attitude
We’ll see what Green Bay looks like on Sunday. They were dead to the earth last weekend against Minnesota, but a part of me thinks we’ll see inspired from football from the remaining members of the team. Additionally, I think they don’t want to lose multiple games to the fucking Lions.
Prediction – Packers win 23-14
Charlie.