Pride of Detroit
The Detroit Lions are on the road in Week 1, taking on division rival Green Bay Packers to kick off their 2025 season. If the Lions want to get off to a hot start, they’ll need to follow the keys to victory laid out in this week’s Honolulu Blueprint.
“You want to win the first one, right?” Lions coach Dan Campbell said earlier in the week. “You feel like you get off on the right foot, and you get that first win under your belt. I just think that’s big for anybody. For us, you love it. The problem is not getting too excited too early, right now. Division opponent at Lambeau, nationally televised game. We love this stuff, we live for this, so this is good, this is exciting. Listen, any win sets you up for the season, helps you. And that’s really what it’s about.”
For a detailed look at the opposing scheme, make sure you check out our complementary breakdown piece: Lions Week 1 Preview: Breaking down Packers’ offensive and defensive schemes.
Last season, the Packers’ run defense was a strength. On average, they allowed 99.4 rushing yards per game (seventh best in the NFL), but the majority of their tackles were not made by their defensive line. In the middle of their defensive line, Kenny Clark demanded double teams (eighth most among defensive tackles last season), and T.J. Slaton was a space-eating nose tackle. While both Clark and Slaton led the Packers’ interior defensive line in run-stopping tackles, their main role was to occupy offensive linemen so that the second wave of defenders were free to attack open gaps.
This offseason, the Packers made an effort to increase their athleticism on defense, allowing Slaton to walk in free agency, and they recently traded away Clark to the Cowboys. As a result, the Packers are left with three pass rushing defensive tackles. DeVonte Wyatt is stepping into a starting 3-technique role, with Karl Brooks pegged as his backup, and with Clark (who was slated for the nose tackle role) in Dallas, Green Bay is reportedly turning to Corey Wooden, a 278-pound 4i/5-technique, who was originally expected to play the 3-technique.
Needless to say, there isn’t a defensive tackle on the Packers’ roster who currently demands a double team, which will give the Lions options. They can focus their double teams on edge rushers Micah Parsons and Rashan Gary on passing plays. On rushing plays, they can use the extra lineman to create advantages, such as digging the linebackers/safeties out of the second level.
“We’re going to continue to do what [we]’ve been doing,” Lions offensive coordinator John Morton said on Thursday. “So, coming off the ball and running it all starts up front, that’s what we’re going to do. And then we’ll take advantage of however they’re going to play us.”
Look for the Lions to lean on their dynamic duo of Jahmyr...
