Packers–Lions pits Green Bay’s deep passing game against Detroit’s pass rush
The Lions’ first division game follows their bye week. Jordan Love brings a big-play passing attack to Ford Field, while Detroit is working key players back into its secondary and awaiting final decisions on two starters.
Green Bay arrives in Detroit at 4–2 after two straight wins. The Lions, 3–2, return from their bye for their first NFC North game of the season. Both have an early stake in a closely contested division, although one October result cannot settle a race with so much of the schedule remaining.
- Competition: NFL, 2026 regular season, Week 7.
- Matchup: Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions.
- Venue: Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan.
- Kickoff: Sunday, October 25, 4:25 p.m. EDT in Detroit (20:25 UTC).
Can Detroit shorten Love’s clock?
The Packers beat Dallas 23–13 in Week 6. According to the NFL’s pregame figures, Love has 1,684 passing yards, 11 touchdown passes and four interceptions through six games. Green Bay’s threat is its ability to gain ground in one play: Christian Watson averages 18.6 yards per catch and Matthew Golden 16.7. Detroit’s own analysis notes how frequently Love tests deep coverage, even when a receiver is closely marked.
The Lions have 20 sacks despite sitting out Week 6. Their front, led by Aidan Hutchinson, can make it harder for Love to wait for Watson or Golden to get downfield. Club writer Tim Twentyman suggested Detroit might mix in more man coverage and argued that its rush must speed up the quarterback’s decisions. That is an assessment of the matchup, not a confirmed call sheet or starting lineup.
The visitors’ protection is another variable. Left guard Aaron Banks is questionable with knee and toe problems; Laken Tomlinson started the previous three games in his place. Green Bay must keep Love upright without removing the routes that make its offense dangerous. Discipline matters, too: the Packers had been called for 57 penalties in six games, according to Detroit’s review entering Week 7.
Gibbs and the middle of Green Bay’s defense
Detroit averages 32.8 points per game, the league’s highest figure on the NFL matchup page. Jared Goff has 12 touchdown passes without an interception in five games. Jahmyr Gibbs has rushed for 504 yards and seven scores. In Detroit’s most recent game, a 45–21 win at Arizona, Gibbs ran for 151 yards and two touchdowns. His speed and receiving ability force Green Bay to account for more than the space between the tackles.
The Packers have ruled out linebacker Zaire Franklin with a shin injury. Coach Matt LaFleur named Isaiah McDuffie, Ty’Ron Hopper and Nick Niemann as alternatives, without committing to a snap distribution. Defensive tackle Jordon Riley is questionable after limited practice work; he would also need to be added to the active roster to play. His possible return could strengthen the interior against Detroit’s running game, but it has not been confirmed.
Green Bay running back Josh Jacobs became eligible to play this week after coming off the NFL commissioner’s exempt list. LaFleur had said Jacobs would practice, while stopping short of guaranteeing an appearance or a workload. Eligibility should not be read as confirmation of his role on Sunday.
For Detroit, safety Brian Branch and center Cade Mays practiced in full this week but remain questionable on Friday’s final report. Rock Ya-Sin finished with a full practice and no game designation. If Branch is available, he could give the Lions another option against Green Bay’s deep throws; Mays’s status bears on the continuity of the line blocking for Gibbs and protecting Goff.
Player availability
Team designations as of Friday, October 23. They can change before kickoff.
Packers
- Zaire Franklin: out — shin.
- Aaron Banks: questionable — knee and toe.
- Benjamin St-Juste: questionable — hamstring.
- Bo Melton: questionable — back.
- Jordon Riley: questionable — Achilles; he must also be added to the active roster.
- Josh Jacobs: eligible to play; his workload has not been confirmed.
Lions
- Brian Branch: questionable — Achilles.
- Cade Mays: questionable — wrist.
- Rock Ya-Sin: no final game designation after full participation Friday.
How to watch Packers–Lions
- Venue: Ford Field, Detroit.
- Date and time: Sunday, October 25, 4:25 p.m. EDT (20:25 UTC).
United States
- TV: FOX in markets assigned the game; check local listings.
- Streaming: NFL+ carries eligible local games live on phones and tablets.
- Out of market: NFL Sunday Ticket, subject to subscription terms.
Australia
- Time: Monday, October 26, 7:25 a.m. AEDT. TV and streaming: a game-specific telecast has not been confirmed by a verified operator listing.
United Kingdom
- Time: Sunday, October 25, 8:25 p.m. GMT. TV and streaming: a game-specific live telecast has not been confirmed by a verified operator listing.
The contest will test how long Love can hold the ball for a downfield throw and how much room Gibbs finds against a Green Bay defense missing a central piece.
