25-year old WR James Jones has been stepping up for the Packers as of late.  In his last 4 games, Jones has caught 15 passes for 177 yards (11.8 avg) with 2 TD grabs.  For the year, he has played in 11 games and he has caught 22 passes for 337 yards (15.3 avg) with 4 TD grabs.  With Jones finally healthy he gives Aaron Rodgers another weapon to use down the field when he has time to throw the ball.  Jones has played in 37 games in his 3 years with the Packers and he has caught 89 passes for 1,287 yards (14.5 avg) with 7 TD grabs. 

The Packers pretty much handed the Lions their first score of the game and then they took over.  Aaron Rodgers was razor sharp hitting 28 of 39 passes for 348 yards with 3 TD passes and 0 INTs.  Ryan Grant didn’t have his best game as he rushed for 61 yards on 20 carries (3.1 ypc) and he also caught 3 passes for 42 yards (14.0 avg).  Donald Driver was awesome yesterday with 7 catches for 142 yards (20.3 avg) with 1 TD grab.  Greg Jennings pitched in with 4 grabs for 53 yards (13.3 avg) yesterday.  WR James Jones (4 rec, 35 yards) and TE Donald Lee (4 rec, 22 yards) each caught 1 TD pass apiece in this game.  The Packers rolled up 422 yards of total offense (80 rushing, 342 passing) in this game. 

The defense was outstanding for the Packers yesterday in Motown.  LBs A.J. Hawk and Nick Barnett each had 10 tackles and 1 tackle for a loss apiece.  But, it was CB Charles Woodson who really dominated this football game.  He finished up with 7 tackles, 1 tackle for  a loss, he defensed 4 passes, had 1 QB hit, recovered a fumble and he intercepted 2 passes (one of which he returned 38 yards for a TD).  The Lions finished up with 272 total yards on offense (73 rushing, 199 passing) in this game.  The Packers are now 7-4 on the season after this nice road win over the pathetic Lions.

The Packers are finally playing an opponent that won’t beat the hell out of Aaron Rodgers who has been sacked 43 times already this season.  The Lions only have 18 sacks but they should at least attempt to blitz Rodgers because he has time to throw the ball he will torture the Lions’ secondary which is allowing 275.3 yards passing per game and opposing QBs have a 110.3 Rating against them.  Donald Driver and Greg Jennings could both have monster games for the Packers who will likely come out throwing the ball in a attempt to break the Lions’ will tomorrow.  If the Packers jump to a big lead then it will be Ryan Grant time against the Lions’ D which is allowing 116.2 yards rushing per game and 4.5 yards per carry.  Either way the Packers decide to attack the Lions they will probably excel.

The Lions are really banged up on offense with Matt Stafford likely out with a dislocated left shouler and Calvin Johnson gimpy with multiple injuries.  But the Packers also have had injuries hit them as Al Harris and Aaron Kampman are both out for the year.  The Lions will likely come out trying to fight fire with fire in the passing game.  Daunte Culpepper can still be effective if he has time to throw the ball but Lions’ QBs have been sacked 30 times already this year.  Look for Culpepper to go to Johnson a lot if he plays.  If he doesn’t play look for Dennis Northcutt, Bryant Johnson and Brandon Pettigrew to be the favorite targets of Culpepper.  Regardless, Culpepper must be careful when throwing to Charles Woodson’s side of the field.  Kevin Smith will also get his carries but the Packers have a stout run defense allowing only 90.7 yards rushing per game and 3.7 ypc.  Smith is a good receiver out of the backfield and that’s how the Lions might try to get the ball in his hands tomorrow.

PREDICTION:  PACKERS 42, LIONS 20

The Packers have signed 24-year old Josh Bell.  Bell played in 9 games as a rookie last season for the Broncos and he made 34 tackles, 3 tackles for a loss and he defensed 4 passes.  Bell is a tad on the small side at 5′11″, 177 pounds but the Packers need help at cornerback and on special teams so this was a smart signing for them.

The Packers have lost starting CB Al Harris for the rest of the year due to a knee injury.  Harris has played in 10 games this season for the Packers and he has 34 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss, 1 sack, 5 passed defensed and he has 2 interceptions.  Harris is a true lockdown type of corner and the Packers will miss him.  26-year old Tramon Williams will replace Harris in the starting lineup.  Williams has played in all 10 games for the Packers this season and he has 23 tackles, 7 passes defensed and he also has 1 INT (67 yard return).  Unlike the injury to Kampman the Packers do have a decent replacement for Harris.