Lions quarterback Jared Goff leads the NFL in completion percentage (74.1) and yards per attempt (9.0) and has thrown just 13 incompletions in his last 10 touchdown passes four weeks. Can a rainy day at Lambeau Field slow him down? The Lions have yet to play outdoors this season. And for his career, Goff has a passer rating of over 100.0 indoors and an 89.1 passer rating in outdoor games. The forecast for Sunday calls for temperatures in the high 50s and rain in Green Bay. The Packers are hoping the elements can help cool down Goff and the passing game and give an undermanned secondary — Evan Williams is out and Jaire Alexander hasn’t practiced all week — a chance.

The Packers need to win defensively at the line of scrimmage, especially with injuries at the back end. Can Rashan continue to heat up Gary? According to Next Gen Stats, Gary has generated 10 total pressures and five “quick” pressures in the last two weeks (vs. Texans, Jaguars) after struggling to generate consistent pressure earlier this season. Sunday would be the perfect time for a breakout game. The Lions have two outstanding offensive tackles overall and a top offensive line, but Jared Goff is not mobile and was sacked 17 times in 2024. The Packers could use a few drive-killing sacks against Goff on Sunday.

Three of the best running backs in football will be on the field on Sunday. The Lions are powered by David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, who have combined for over 1,000 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns in just seven games this season. They are the top tandem in football – Montgomery is awesome, while Gibbs provides top-notch playmaking and speed. The Packers counter with Josh Jacobs, who picks up yards after contact and forced missed tackles. Can Jacobs help the Packers control the ball and dominate time of possession? Given the expected weather conditions and Jordan Love’s groin injury, the success of both teams’ running games could ultimately determine the winner.

Last year, the Packers turned the ball over twice at home and lost by 14 to the Lions, but then went to Detroit and forced three takeaways in an upset win. Unsurprisingly, the turnover battle will be crucial on Sunday. The Lions are plus-10 in turnovers this year, in part because they rank second behind the Packers in takeaways (15), but also because they only had five giveaways. The Packers can’t give the ball away on Sunday and expect to beat the Lions. Interceptions will be in the spotlight – Jordan Love leads the NFL in interceptions thrown (9), while Packers safety Xavier McKinney (6) and Lions defensive backs Kerby Joseph (5) and Brian Branch (4) are all among the leaders in interceptions to count. Could a pick on Sunday decide the game?

Two of the NFL’s best young tight ends will be on display on Sunday. Tucker Kraft is second in touchdown catches and yards after the catch among tight ends this season, while Sam LaPorta – a Pro Bowler after catching 10 touchdown passes as a rookie – is finding his stride again (touchdowns in two the last three games). 2024. Both Matt LaFleur and Ben Johnson know how to create the right plays to emphasize the tight end, both on the field and in the red zone. Don’t be surprised if Kraft or LaPorta makes a game-changing play on Sunday.

The Lions are a freight train, but the expected weather conditions in Green Bay on Sunday give the Packers – who are dealing with several serious injuries – a real chance to pull off the upset. The Lions are playing outside for the first time this season, and Jared Goff isn’t nearly the same quarterback outside, which may take away from some of the ridiculous offensive efficiency the Lions have achieved this season. Still, this is a tough duel. The Lions have an elite rushing offense, and the playmakers behind them (Kerby Joseph, Brian Branch) cause turnover problems for Jordan Love, who is probably less than 100 percent. Can the Packers get a takeaway or two and win consistently at the line of scrimmage? Matt LaFleur’s team has won in so many different ways this season, and I think the experience of dealing with so much adversity paid off on Sunday. In a sloppy showdown at rainy Lambeau Field, the Packers escape with a big division win before the bye.