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Looking ahead to Lions' next opponent: Green Bay Packers

A look at the Green Bay Packers, which will play host to the Detroit Lions in Week 5 of the season.

Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Next up for the Detroit Lions is a road game against the Green Bay Packers in Week 5. Here's an early look at the Packers:

Green Bay Packers (1-2)

Schedule so far

Week 1 - at 49ers - lost, 34-28
Week 2 - vs. Redskins - won, 38-20
Week 3 - at Bengals - lost, 34-30

Reason for optimism

The Packers allowed a total of 967 yards passing in the first three weeks of the season (with yards lost on sacks not subtracted). Colin Kaepernick threw for an astounding 412 yards in Week 1, Robert Griffin III went for 320 yards in Week 2 and Andy Dalton had 235 yards in Week 3. Granted, RGIII was in comeback mode for most of that Week 2 game, but that doesn't change the fact that opposing quarterbacks have had success moving the ball through the air against the Packers. Currently, Green Bay is 28th in the NFL in yards passing allowed per game.

Reason for pessimism

Much like the losing streak at Washington, you'll hear this next stat plenty this week: The Lions haven't won at the Packers since 1991. They've dropped 22 road games in a row against the Packers, and Lambeau Field has really been a house of horrors for the Lions over the last two decades. Detroit was able to snap that road losing streak to the Redskins in Week 3, but ending their losing streak in Wisconsin seems like an even tougher challenge.

Storyline to watch

The Packers are in the unusual position of being in third place in the NFC North. A loss on Sunday would drop them into a tie for last place with the Minnesota Vikings, and a 1-3 start certainly would not go over well in Green Bay. On the flip side, a win over the Lions could help the Packers gets their season back on track coming out of their bye week. A lot could be riding on Sunday's game for the Packers.

Additional info

For more on the Packers, check out Acme Packing Company.

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