Lions are NFC's best team, and what else we learned in Week 9
FOX Sports' NFL experts identify what we learned about each team from Sunday's games and what it all means going forward.NOVEMBER 4
GREEN BAY PACKERS 6-3 · 3RD IN NFC NORTH
6-3 · 3RD IN NFC NORTH
Next Game at Bears · Sun 6:00PM
GB -5.5 TOTAL 40.5
Christian Watson - Leads Packers in targets Watson recorded three receptions on seven targets for 37 yards in Sunday's 24-14 loss to the Lions. He also caught a two-point conversion.
Impact Watson has seen his involvement in the offense tick up in the last two weeks, earning 13 total targets -- the same number he had across the first six contests of the campaign. He didn't manage to turn that into much production Sunday, and he has just 76 yards combined across the last two weeks. Nevertheless, it's been positive to see Watson get more involved in a crowded Green Bay receiving corps and should see improved production if his opportunity remains stable.
NOVEMBER 4 • ROTOWIRE
Tom Brady: Lions 'absolutely' best in NFC, 'would have loved' to play for Dan Campbell
Are the Lions the best team in the NFC, and would Tom Brady have liked playing for a coach like Dan Campbell? The GOAT didn't hold back afte...NOVEMBER 4
Jayden Reed - Tops 100 yards Reed recorded five receptions on six targets for 113 yards in Sunday's 24-14 loss to the Lions.
Impact The entire Green Bay offense was bogged down by rainy conditions and otherwise sloppy play in the loss, though Reed was a bright spot. He accounted for three of the team's four longest plays from scrimmage with receptions that went for 41, 32 and 28 yards. The end result was his third game this season in which he topped 100 receiving yards, and he continues to perform very efficiently on relatively limited targets.
NOVEMBER 4 • ROTOWIRE
Josh Jacobs - Disappears in second half Jacobs rushed the ball 13 times for 95 yards in Sunday's 24-14 loss to the Packers. He added two receptions on three targets for 13 yards.
Impact Jacobs was the driving force behind the Packers' offense in the first two quarters, as he picked up 89 yards on 10 carries at halftime. He had long gains of 37 and 13 yards, the latter of which came on the team's opening scoring drive. However, he tallied only three carries in the second half as Green Bay attempted to come back from a 17-3 deficit, leading to more involvement for Chris Brooks and Emanuel Wilson. Jacobs remains the clear lead back in the offense, though Sunday's usage was concerning for him if the Packers fall behind in contests moving forward.
NOVEMBER 4 • ROTOWIRE
Jordan Love - Struggles in rainy conditions Love completed 23 of 39 passes for 273 yards, no touchdowns and one interception in Sunday's 24-14 loss to the Lions.
Impact Love played through a groin injury that limited his practice participation throughout the week. At first glance, his stat line appears decent, as he averaged 7.0 yards per attempt and topped 250 passing yards fourth time in seven games. However, he threw a pick-six just before halftime on an ill-advised play and later missed Dontayvion Wicks wide open in the end zone as the Packers tried to make a comeback early in the fourth quarter. Love has now failed to throw a touchdown in consecutive starts as the Packers head into their bye week.
NOVEMBER 4 • ROTOWIRE
Romeo Doubs - Accrues four receptions Sunday Doubs recorded four catches (on five targets) for 28 yards during Sunday's 24-14 loss to the Lions.
Impact QB Jordan Love spread his 39 pass attempts around to nine different Packers, with Christian Watson leading the way with seven targets and Jayden Reed (5-113-0) the only one to have more than four catches and 40 yards. Moreover, Love didn't toss a touchdown for a second game in a row, leaving Doubs stuck on two end-zone visits through eight contests. Green Bay has a Week 10 bye on tap, so Doubs won't see action again until Sunday, Nov. 17 at Chicago.
NOVEMBER 4 • ROTOWIRE
Lions vs. Packers highlights, analysis: Detroit grabs hold of NFC North with 24-14 win
Check out all the highlights from the Lions' win over the Packers at Lambeau Field, as Detroit takes hold of the NFC North.NOVEMBER 4
Kerby Joseph's pick-6 helps Lions beat Packers 24-14 and take command of NFC North
Kerby Joseph scored on a 27-yard interception return and the Detroit Lions converted two fourth downs into touchdowns as they continued one of the best starts in franchise history...NOVEMBER 4 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Colby Wooden - Questionable to return Sunday Wooden (shoulder) is questionable to return to Sunday's contest against the Lions, Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette reports.
Impact Wooden appears to have picked up a shoulder injury in the second half of Sunday's game and his status for the remainder of the contest is now up in the air. In the meantime, Karl Brooks and Tedarrell Slaton are candidates to see an increase in workload at defensive tackle.
NOVEMBER 3 • ROTOWIRE
Lions safety Brian Branch ejected after helmet-to-helmet hit on Packers' Bo Melton
Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch was ejected Sunday at Green Bay after delivering a helmet-to-helmet hit to Packers receiver Bo MeltonNOVEMBER 3 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Josh Myers - Out Sunday Myers (wrist) will not play in Sunday's game versus the Lions, Mike Spofford of the team's official website reports.
Impact Myers fought through a wrist injury in last week's win over the Jaguars, but he will be unable to do so versus the Lions. In his absence, Elgton Jenkins could potentially shift to center or Jacob Monk would also be a candidate to fill in at center.
NOVEMBER 3 • ROTOWIRE
Corey Ballentine - Gets green light Ballentine (ankle) is good to go for Sunday's game versus the Lions, Mike Spofford of the Packers' official site reports.
Impact Ballentine missed his first game of the year last week against the Jaguars. He could be in for a bigger role than usual with Jaire Alexander (knee) sidelined.
NOVEMBER 3 • ROTOWIRE
Jaire Alexander - Won't face Detroit Alexander (knee) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Lions.
Impact Alexander injured his knee in the fourth quarter of last week's win over the Jaguars and missed practice all week. Eric Stokes and Corey Ballentine should see increased snaps at cornerback against Detroit.
NOVEMBER 3 • ROTOWIRE
Packers QB Jordan Love plays through groin injury against Lions but throws critical pick-6
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love was playing at less than full strength and missing his usual starting centerNOVEMBER 3 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Josh Jacobs - Available in Week 9 Jacobs (ankle) is active for Sunday's game versus the Lions, Mike Spofford of the Packers' official site reports.
Impact Jacobs emerged from the Packers' Week 8 win in Jacksonville with an ankle injury that didn't allow him to practice until Thursday, but he ended Week 9 prep with back-to-back limited sessions before heading into the weekend listed as questionable. With his status confirmed for Sunday's outing, he should be good for his normal 20.1 touches per game.
NOVEMBER 3 • ROTOWIRE
Jordan Love - Active in Week 9 Love (groin) is listed as active Sunday versus the Lions, Mike Spofford of the Packers' official site reports.
Impact One week removed from making an early departure from a Week 8 win at Jacksonville due to a groin strain, Love will suit up and continue to direct the Packers offense after capping Week 9 prep with back-to-back limited practices. He'll be taking on a Detroit defense that has allowed the second-fewest passing touchdowns (six) to opposing quarterbacks in seven games this season.
NOVEMBER 3 • ROTOWIRE
How to Watch Packers vs. Lions: Time, TV Channel and Live Stream – 2024 Week 9
Learn which TV channel or how to live stream the NFL Week 9 Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions game, Sunday, Nov. 3.NOVEMBER 3 • DATA SKRIVE
Josh Jacobs - Likely to suit up Sunday Jacobs, who is officially questionable for Sunday's matchup against Detroit due to an ankle injury, is expected to play, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Impact Jacobs hurt his ankle late in last Sunday's win over Jacksonville and logged a DNP/LP/LP progression in practice this week. He entered the weekend deemed questionable to take the field against Detroit but appears set to try to play through the injury. Jacobs will likely be getting the ball from Jordan Love, who is also expected to play Sunday, per Schefter, despite dealing with a groin injury.
NOVEMBER 3 • ROTOWIRE
Jordan Love - Expected to play Sunday Love (groin) -- who is listed as questionable -- is expected to start Sunday's game against the Lions, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Impact Per Pelissero, Love, who logged limited practices Thursday and Friday, didn't encounter any setbacks or surprises during the week, which puts him on track to face Detroit. Official confirmation of the QB's Week 9 status will arrive when the Packers post their inactives ahead of Sunday's 4:25 ET kickoff, but at this stage it looks like Love will be available.
NOVEMBER 2 • ROTOWIRE
Lions vs. Packers Gameday Trailer | 2024 Week 9
NOVEMBER 2 • YOUTUBE
Lions vs. Packers 2024 Prediction, Odds, Picks - Nov 3
Preview the Week 9 matchup between the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers with predictions, odds, over/under, spread, betting lines and mor...NOVEMBER 2 • DATA SKRIVE
Jaire Alexander - Questionable for Sunday Alexander (knee) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Lions, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.
Impact Alexander was unable to practice all week after sustaining a knee injury in the fourth quarter of the Packers' Week 8 win over the Jaguars. However, Friday's injury report indicates that the veteran corner still has a chance to suit up in Week 9. If Alexander is sidelined Sunday, Eric Stokes and Corey Ballentine (ankle) could see increased work with the Packers' first-team defense.
NOVEMBER 1 • ROTOWIRE
Evan Williams - Won't play in Week 9 Williams (hamstring) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Lions, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.
Impact Williams sustained a hamstring injury in the Packers' Week 8 win over the Jaguars and was unable to practice throughout the week, making it no surprise that he'll be sidelined Sunday. Expect Green Bay to move Javon Bullard from the slot to safety to start alongside Xavier McKinney in Williams' stead.
NOVEMBER 1 • ROTOWIRE
