The Green Bay Packers (4-2) will attempt to run the win streak to four games and secure an important early season division win when they travel to Ford Field to face the Detroit Lions (3-2) on Sunday afternoon.
The challenge ahead is clear. The Lions rank second in the NFL in points scored per game and are coming off the bye week, providing a big test on the road for Matt LaFleur's team. After sweeping the Lions last season, can the Packers go back to Detroit and win a third game at Ford Field in the last four years?
Five things to watch and a prediction for Packers-Lions in Week 7:
1. Bombs away?
What happens when the NFL's most willing big game hunter in the passing game meets the NFL's worst defense against the deep passing game? Packers quarterback Jordan Love leads the NFL in passing yards on throws of at least 10 yards in the air and 20 yards in the air, and his total would be higher in both categories if not for persistent drops by pass-catchers, especially on deep throws. Despite the drops, Love will like the matchup this week. According to Next Gen Stats, the Lions are giving up most EPA per play on throws of at least 20 air yards down the field, and cornerback D.J. Reed has allowed 286 yards and three touchdowns on throws of at least 10 yards down the field. The return of Brian Branch could help stabilize the Lions pass defense, but he can only do so much for a struggling unit. Expect Christian Watson, Matthew Golden and Tucker Kraft to get a ton of targets down the field on Sunday. If the Packers protect Love, explosive plays are close to guaranteed.
2. Bijan rerun
The last time the Packers faced one of the NFL's elite running backs, Bijan Robinson ran wild on his way to producing over 200 total yards against Jonathan Gannon's defense at Lambeau Field. Sunday's trip to Ford Field provides a redo for the Packers. Jahmyr Gibbs, who became just the fifth player in NFL history with at least 700 scrimmage yards and at least nine touchdowns in the first five games of a season, is an elite playmaker who will put immense stress on every level of the Packers defense. Per Next Gen Stats, Gibbs has forced 45 missed tackles and produced 18 runs of at least 10 yards, and he's punished both light boxes and nickel (5 defensive backs) base packages. To their credit, the Packers have held Gibbs under 70 rushing yards in all six games dating back to 2023.
Matt LaFleur on Gibbs: "You have to do a great job of maintaining your leverage. Everyone has certain leverage points on the play. You cannot relax for one second with this guy. He's capable of reversing field and scoring touchdowns. He has elite change of direction skills. He can stick his foot in the ground, bounce one way. But he also has elite home run speed. And he's a factor out of the backfield. Shoot, he could go line up as a slot receiver for most teams. I just think he's a really dynamic player in this league."
3. Blocking two disruptive rushers
The Packers offensive line has settled in over the three-game win streak, but the pass protection was shaky at times last week, and a matchup with Aidan Hutchinson and Alim McNeil looms large this week. Can the Packers keep the Lions' pair out of Jordan Love's pocket? According to Pro Football Focus, Hutchinson is one of only five edge rushers with at least 30 pressures (32) despite playing in only five games, while McNeil ranks second among all interior defensive linemen with 23 pressures. The Lions have faced a ton of opponent dropbacks, possibly inflating the numbers, but Hutchinson and McNeil can both affect the passing game on any given pass play. Hutchinson rushes from both sides, so he'll get matchups against both Jordan Morgan and Anthony Belton. It's unclear who will play the two guard spots for the Packers, but McNeil will stress the interior. Protection is the No. 1 priority for the Packers most weeks.
4. Can Packers turn over Goff?
Lions quarterback Jared Goff has been excellent through five games, throwing 12 touchdown passes without an interception, and he's been protective of the football when kept clean and under pressure -- a deviation from recent past. Per PFF, Goff doesn't even have a turnover worthy play under pressure this season, and he's one of only four quarterbacks without an interception under pressure in 2026. The Packers, meanwhile, rank first in the NFL in interceptions entering Week 7, but getting one against Goff might be difficult. Jonathan Gannon has done an excellent job of mixing up disguised coverages and blitzes, often flummoxing quarterbacks into mistakes or sacks. Be on the lookout for in-breaking routes; Jared Goff is a willing and productive thrower to the middle of the field, while the Packers have an NFL-high five interceptions on in-breaking routes this season, per Next Gen Stats.
5. Rookies in the spotlight
Four rookies for the Packers could have a big impact on the outcome of Sunday's showdown at Ford Field. Defensively, cornerback Brandon Cisse, defensive tackle Chris McClellan and edge rusher Dani Dennis-Sutton will all play important roles against a high-powered Lions offense, and you can safely bet that the performance of kicker Trey Smack will be a factor in what is likely to be a close, one-score game late. Cisse will get coverage snaps against speedster Jameson Williams. McClellan will play 30 or more snaps and must clog run lanes for Jahmyr Gibbs. Dennis-Sutton is an emerging pass-rusher who must help force Jared Goff into rushed decisions. Indoors in controlled conditions, Smack will have a range out to 60 yards or more, giving the Packers an increased scoring range. But in a potential shootout scenario, he must be perfect on kicks under 45 yards and on extra points, ensuring the Packers leave no points on the field.
Prediction: Packers 30, Lions 27 (4-2)
I went back and forth on this prediction, weighing how well the Packers are playing defensively and the volume of explosive plays produced during the three-game win streak against a rested, talented Lions team featuring legitimate playmakers on both sides and a high-scoring offense. Plus, the impact of the environment inside Ford Field. The difference maker? The troubles of the Lions' defense, especially against the pass. The corners are struggling and Brian Branch isn't going to solve every problem. It's just difficult to envision the Lions being the team to get a stop in a big spot. This is a huge game in terms of early-season playoff positioning, especially considering how good all four teams in the NFC North appear to be at this point, so exiting Ford Field with a win would be huge. I'm expecting a back-and-forth game with plenty of explosive plays on both sides. The guess: the Lions tie it late, but Jordan Love gets into Trey Smack's range and the rookie walks it off for the Packers.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers vs. Lions: 5 things to watch and a prediction for Week 7