Friday open thread: Which Lions player could have a big game vs. Packers?

Going into the 2018 season, many of us—including myself—believed the NFC North was going to be the toughest division in the entire NFL. With Aaron Rodgers returning, the Vikings looking upgraded, the Bears adding some serious defensive weapons and the Lions adding a new coach and a potential newfound running game, each team could make an argument for serious improvement this year.

But it hasn’t turned out that way at all. The Vikings defense isn’t what it used to be, the Lions have stumbled out of the gate, and the Packers offense doesn’t look quite as electric as expected with Rodgers back (albeit with another injury). Let’s just not talk about the Bears for now.

My point is the Packers aren’t quite the feared team that some expected, and that means they’re vulnerable this weekend at Ford Field. So today’s Question of the Day is:

Which Lions player is in for a big game against the Packers?

My answer: I hate to sound like a broken record here, but I’m expecting another big game out of Kerryon Johnson.

Granted, the Packers have a pair of monsters in the middle of the line in Mike Daniels and Kenny Clark, and the Lions will almost certainly be down T.J. Lang, but even so, Green Bay has one of the worst statistical running games, while Kerryon has been amazingly efficient all year. The Packers are allowing 4.5 yards per carry despite facing teams that don’t have particularly good running games. In fact, of all four teams they’ve played none are averaging more than 4.2 YPC on the season. The Lions, on the other hand, are averaging 4.6 YPC.

So the matchup feels right, and the Packers secondary is strong enough to compel Detroit to try and establish the running. The conditions are perfect for another big game for Kerryon... as long as he gets the carries.

Your turn.