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Green Bay Packers: 3 Players who need to play well to beat Lions in Week 2

By Russell S. Baxter

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 12: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers looks on during the third quarter of a game against the New Orleans Saints at TIAA Bank Field on September 12, 2021 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 12: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers looks on during the third quarter of a game against the New Orleans Saints at TIAA Bank Field on September 12, 2021 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images) /
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GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – NOVEMBER 29: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers greets Preston Smith #91 prior to a game against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field on November 29, 2020 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Bears 45-21. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – NOVEMBER 29: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers greets Preston Smith #91 prior to a game against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field on November 29, 2020 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Bears 45-21. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

2. LOLB Preston Smith

Back in 2019, Packers’ general manager Brian Gutekunst broke tradition of sorts and went on a bit of a spending spree during free agency.

The major additions were safety Adrian Amos (Bears), versatile offensive lineman Billy Turner (Broncos) and a pair of outside linebackers in Za’Darius Smith (Ravens) and Preston Smith (Washington Football Team). Turner was a 16-game starter while the three defensive additions came up big that year in Matt LaFleur’s first season as head coach.

Preston Smith has yet to miss a regular-season or postseason game in what is now his seventh NFL season. But he will be without his bookend partner as Za’Darius Smith will miss the team’s next three games, including the Monday nighter vs. the Lions. He’s been played on injured reserve (via ESPN’s Rob Demovsky). The former Smith has totaled 40.5 sacks in the regular season, 16 QB traps in 33 contests with Green Bay.

More importantly, Preston Smith has five interceptions and four fumble recoveries during his stay in the league. That nose for the football could pay dividends against Lions’ quarterback Jared Goff, who has had problems with ball security in recent seasons and had an interception returned for a score in the Week 1 loss to the 49ers.

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