After reviving their season with three straight wins, including back-to-back victories at Lambeau Field, the Green Bay Packers will go back on the road to play the Detroit Lions at Ford Field in Sunday's featured late afternoon game. Matt LaFleur's team swept the Lions last season, including a dramatic win in Detroit on Thanksgiving Day. Can the Packers keep the win streak going on the road against the high-scoring Lions, who are coming off the bye week?
Here's a closer look at the Lions entering Week 7:
Last week
Dan Campbell's team is coming out of the bye week following a 3-2 start during the first five games. The Lions cruised past the Arizona Cardinals, 45-21, in Week 5. Entering Week 7, the Lions rank second in the NFL in points per game (32.8) and
30th in points per game allowed (29.8). Against the Cardinals, the Lions fell behind 7-0 but then scored 31 straight points, and Detroit led 45-14 deep into the fourth quarter. Jared Goff threw three touchdown passes, Jahmyr Gibbs ran for 151 yards and two scores, Jameson Williams caught two touchdown passes, the Lions converted all four fourth down opportunities, and the defense sacked Jacoby Brissett five times.
Newcomers
The Lions offensive line features two new starters: veteran Juice Scruggs at center, and rookie first-round pick Blake Miller at right tackle. Both have been good to start 2026. On the defensive side, the Lions added edge rusher DJ Wonnum, safeties Chuck Clark and Christian Izien and slot cornerback Roger McCreary, while rookie draft picks Skyler Gill-Howard, Derrick Moore and Keith Abney are all playing roles.
Quarterback play
Veteran Jared Goff is having an excellent season through five games. He's completed 67.0 percent of passes, averaged 7.8 yards per pass and thrown 12 touchdown passes without an interception -- good for a passer rating of 111.3. Goff is the only quarterback in football with six or more touchdown passes and no interceptions to start 2026. He's throwing the ball further down field this season, with an average depth of target at 8.8 yards -- almost two full yards further than last season. Goff has been sacked 11 times and had eight passes batted down, but he's been good against pressure this season, completing 50 percent of his passes and averaging 7.1 yards per attempt without a "turnover worthy play" when pressured.
Injury situation
Two injury situations to watch for the Lions this week: defensive back Brian Branch and center Cade Mays are both expected back from injured reserve. Safety Kerby Joseph is on the PUP list and won't play, and cornerback Avonte Maddox, running back Isiah Pacheco, offensive lineman Ben Bartch and linebackers Devin White and Damone Clark are among those on injured reserve. Cornerback Rock-Ya Sin didn't play in Week 4 due to a hamstring injury. Check the first injury reports coming out later Wednesday.
Players to know
Edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson: A certified game-wrecker, Hutchinson has 32 pressures, 4.0 sacks and 11 quarterback hits in five games. Teams are throwing the ball a lot on the Lions, giving him plenty of pass-rushing reps, but Hutchinson is still consistently affecting quarterbacks. Can Jordan Morgan and Anthony Belton keep him out of the backfield?
RB Jahmyr Gibbs: One of the truly elite running backs. Gibbs has forced an incredible 32 missed tackles in five games. He's also created 18 runs of at least 10 yards and caught 27 passes for 243 yards. He's hard to tackle and a dynamic weapon as both a runner and receiver. His nine touchdowns (in four games) lead all NFL players.
TE Sam LaPorta: He has bounced back from an injury-plagued 2025 season with a terrific start to 2026, catching 27 passes for 316 yards and three scores. Jared Goff has a 139.1 passer rating when targeting him this season. The Packers will likely utilize their three safeties to cover LaPorta on Sunday.
DL Alim McNeil: His 23 pressures rank second among interior defensive linemen despite playing in only five games. He's been excellent in obvious passing situations, registering an 18.1 pass-rush win rate. McNeil will provide a big test for a shaky Packers interior offensive line.
CB D.J. Reed: Detroit's No. 1 corner has allowed 291 receiving yards on 17 catches into his coverage this season. Quarterbacks have a passer rating of 124.4 when targeting him in 2026. Overall, the Lions are really struggling at corner to start the season.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers vs. Lions: 5 things to know about Green Bay's Week 7 opponent
