Acme Packing Company
Hello, Green Bay Packers fans. My name is Erik Schlitt, and I’m the managing editor at Pride of Detroit, Acme Packing Company’s Lions-based brother site at SB Nation. I’ve been covering the Lions for over a decade and am in my eighth credentialed season. SB Nation asked APC and POD to each have a writer from enemy territory get rival fans up to date with where their Thanksgiving opponent stands heading into the big game, and I’ve taken on that responsibility.
In this piece, I’ll do my best to walk you through some of the things the Lions do well, areas where they struggle, as well as any notable changes the Lions have undergone since these two teams met in Week 1. Time permitting, I’ll check in on the comments to attempt to answer any questions you may have.
What does the Lions’ offense do well?
Where does the Lions’ offense struggle?
Injuries of note (starters):
One of the most significant changes the Lions have undergone on offense has been the shift in offensive play-calling duties, as coach Dan Campbell has taken over those responsibilities. In Week 1, the Packers faced the Lions’ new offensive coordinator, John Morton, who hadn’t called plays since 2017 and was very slow to adjust to Green Bay’s defensive strengths.
In the three weeks Campbell has been calling the offense, the Lions have scored 44, 34, and 9 points. Translation: It’s still a work in progress, but no one knows these players better than Campbell, and when he finds something that works, he knows how to lean into it.
Goff is one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the NFL, and tends to play even better at home inside Ford Field. Pressure is his Kryptonite, but he manages it much better on turf than on grass. He isn’t afraid to push the ball downfield, but the majority of his time is spent protecting the ball and finding the open receiver—even if that means checkdowns. Previously against the Packers, Goff has been content to run a death-by-a-thousand-cuts offense, simply getting the ball...
