Detroit offense vs. Green Bay defense

	LIONS OFFENSE
	Ranking in the NFL:
	Run	25
	Pass	9
	Tot. Yds.	16
	Scoring	9
	Int's allowed	7
	Sacks allowed	30
	PACKERS DEFENSE
	Ranking in the NFL:
	vs. Run	28
	vs. Pass	11
	Total yds. allowed	20
	# of Ints.	18
	# of Sacks	20
	Turnover differential	-7

It is still unclear who will start at QB for the Lions but it appears that backup Gus Frerotte has the best chance. Considering the pressure he was under all afternoon, Frerotte played well (24-39, 375 yds., 2 TD, 0 INT) in his first start last week against the Cardinals. The Lions' offensive line had its worst outing in several games, allowing five sacks against a Cardinals defense that had only 17 in their first eight games.

While Frerotte has filled in admirably, the Lions sorely miss Charlie Batch's ability to elude the rush and get rid of the ball. Frerotte took Detroit out of field goal range on two occasions last week by taking costly sacks. If the offensive line rebounds from last Sunday's disaster, it shouldn't have a tough time in pass protection against a non-existent Packers rush that has registered just 4.5 sacks in the past three games.

Green Bay's defensive line play has been atrocious, recording just one knockdown and one hurry against Dallas. Last week, with the Cowboys keying on SS LeRoy Butler, Defensive Coordinator Emmitt Thomas experimented with some position changes in passing situations. DC Tyrone Williams was moved to free safety, replacing Darren Sharper, who took his spot on the outside. This alignment enabled the Packers to use Sharper's athleticism on the blitz and it resulted in one sack and a couple of pressures.

Lost amidst WR Germaine Crowell's sensational start has been a glaring lack of concentration. Crowell has had far too many drops this season and a fumble in the red-zone last week cost the team points.

RB Greg Hill has played uninspired ball the past two weeks and the Lions need him to get re-energized if they have thoughts of stealing a win in Lambeau. The Packers, who are surrendering 130.3 yards per game on the ground, have been gashed the past three weeks and DT Santana Dotson's return from injury hasn't made an impact-or at least a positive one. Dotson's shoulder injury limits his ability inside, so look for the Lions to focus their running game between the tackles.

Green Bay did an excellent job of shutting down the run in the previous meeting between these two teams, holding the Lions to just 82 yards on 32 carries (2.6 avg.). Hill rushed only three times in that game and his quick burst up the middle could make a difference. Hill's effectiveness usually determines the outcome for Detroit, as he averages 4.6 in Lion victories and just 1.7 in losses. Keep in mind that Hill is a typical turf-back and tends to struggle on grass, averaging 0.7 yards per carry less on the natural surface.

Prior to last Sunday's loss at Arizona, Detroit's run defense was ranked third in the league. However, injuries to RDE Tracy Scroggings and OLB Chris Claiborne created a huge void and made them very susceptible on the weakside. Arizona's Michael Pittman rushed for 133 yards against them last week and Detroit could be in for another long afternoon if someone doesn't step up in place of Scroggins, who is again expected to be out of the lineup.

The Detroit Lions are a team that QB Brett Favre usually struggles against on the road but dominates at home. In 1998, Favre opened the season with a 121.5 passer rating at home against the Lions but he saw that mark drop to 60.2 in the Silverdome. Earlier this year, Favre's rating was 61.8 at Detroit and the Packers hope this venue trend continues on Sunday.

As noted last week, Favre's receivers need to do a better job of catching the ball. WR Corey Bradford let a sure touchdown slip through his hands on the team's second play from scrimmage last week -- one of four drops on the day for the sophomore deep threat. Favre has been erratically spraying the ball the past three weeks and his play likely won't improve until the offensive line does a better job in pass protection. Favre was knocked down nine times last week against Dallas, which far too much considering the Cowboys blitzed less than seven percent of the time.

With Scroggins out, look for the Lions to continue flopping LDE Robert Porcher at both end spots. Porcher was quiet last week until defensive coordinator Larry Peccatiello started using him against rookie LOT L.J. Shelton and the Pro Bowler responded with two second-half sacks. Green Bay OT's Earl Dotson and Ross Verba have been the only consistent blockers in recent weeks but they have also drawn too many penalties that have put the team in poor down-and-distance situations.

The Packers must get WR Antonio Freeman involved early. Freeman has scorched the Lions for 16 receptions, 321 yards and four touchdowns in the last three meetings between these clubs. Look for the Packers to use motion in order to get Freeman matched up against DC Bryant Westbrook, who has struggled badly since returning from injury.