Packers looking to extend Lions’ woes in Wisconsin

fpadmin | 09/30/2013

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Green Bay has won 22 straight over Detroit dating back to Dec. 15, 1991
By CHRIS HAVEL
For more than two decades, the Green Bay Packers haven’t played so much as owned the Detroit Lions in Wisconsin.
The Packers (1-2) have won 22 straight home games against the often lackluster Lions (3-1) since Dec. 15, 1991. I believe Bobby Layne was the Lions’ starting quarterback that day, or was it Bobby Douglass?
It’s been so long the Scott Mitchells and Erik Kramers run together.
As dreadful as the Lions’ losing streak is in Wisconsin, it guarantees very little, if anything, when Detroit and Green Bay kick off Sunday’s noon game at Lambeau Field.
This isn’t the same Detroit Lions’ squad that frequently relies on inability, ineptitude or a combination thereof to lose here. This is a Lions’ squad, led by Reggie Bush’s feet and Ndamukong Suh’s suspensions, that prefers to hit first and ask questions later. Bush rolled up 173 yards in the win over the Bears, and Suh played relentlessly.
The Lions are playing in the image of head coach Jim Schwartz. They are playing aggressive if not reckless football that lacks discipline but makes up for it with intimidation. At least so far this season anyway. Neither the Packers nor the Lions care to hear about the past. Green Bay knows this isn’t a Lions’ team lacking ability, while Detroit realizes that the Packers – at 1-2 coming out of the bye week – can’t afford to lose.
In fact, this is as close to a must-win situation as the Packers are likely to face until December, if it matters then. It is difficult to know just how good the Packers truly are this season. They lose at San Francisco, which is understandable, except the 49ers promptly lose two straight in awful fashion. The Packers blow a 30-14 lead at Cincinnati, which is tough to forgive, especially when the Bengals follow it up with an even more unforgivable 17-6 loss at home to the Cleveland Browns.
Meantime, the Lions take care of business and the Bears with a 40-32 victory over Chicago Sunday at Ford Field. In London, the Minnesota Vikings fended off the winless Pittsburgh Steelers 34-27 to go to 1-3. The NFC North is a two-team fight between the Bears and Lions unless the Packers kick in the door with a win against Detroit on Sunday.
To do that, the Packers’ defense is going to have to play its best game of the season. The Lions’ offense is no joke with Bush doing a far imitation of Barry Sanders, and Matthew Stafford making enough throws to Calvin Johnson and Co. to keep defenses on their heels.
The Packers need all hands on deck. Morgan Burnett and Casey Hayward are going to be needed in the secondary, especially if Clay Matthews’ hamstring flares up.
“It’s great to have weapons at your disposal,” Stafford said after defeating the Bears. “Our offensive line is playing great. They’re opening holes in the running game and those guys are doing what they do. The more we can do that (run), the better we’re going to be.”
Stafford routinely plays some of his poorest football against the Packers. Much of that is because his counterpart, Aaron Rodgers, often puts Detroit in a double-digit hole. That is going to be the Packers’ formula for success again Sunday against Detroit. Meantime, the Lions aim to run against the Packers’ nickel defense.
“We definitely felt like that was an area we could take advantage of,” Bush said of the Bears’ game. “When we had (Chicago) in nickel – their nickel personnel – and there’s six guys in the box, we’ve got to take advantage of that.”
It will be up to the Packers’ defense to keep the explosive Bush and Co. from opening an early lead. Then, if everything goes to plan, the Green Bay defense will be asked to close out the game. If the Packers intend to win the NFC North the first step is a win against the Detroit Lions on Sunday. Anything less is unacceptable at this point.

Chris Havel is a national best-selling author and his latest book is Lombardi: An Illustrated Life. Havel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4-6 p.m. CDT on WDUZ FM 107.5 The Fan, or on AM-1400, as well as Fan Internet Radio (www.thefan1075.com). Havel also hosts Event USA’ MVP Parties the evening before home games.

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Kudos to Amy for making sure that the tickets to the tailgate party were waiting for me at the reception desk! Your personal phone call and text messages went above and beyond customer satisfaction! I can't wait for the 2024 season, rest assured that my go-to Packer's game supplier will be Event USA for a long time.
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-Jean-Pierre Mallette, Montréal, Canada

"Thank you so much Cathy, greatly appreciate your help. As always, EventUSA has been awesome to deal with in booking the Lodge Kohler package for the Tampa Bay Game, particularly for me traveling from Sydney, Australia, it takes the stress out of the booking process. "

-Kayle

"Good Morning, Nicole - Everything you did turned out great. The seats were great. Access to the air conditioned club lounge was great. Lots of Packers fans in the club lounge and overall at the stadium. The tailgate party at the fancy restaurant in the hotel was fabulous. The servers just kept on bringing out different sliders and desserts. Good thing that I got in a 30-minute run along the river in the morning. So, thank you! You may be speaking with me in November if I can work out getting up to Green Bay for a game. It's been too long since my last time. One of the best aspects of this weekend was interacting with so many people from Wisconsin and learning their personal stories of things Packers. And we even met a couple from St. Petersburg, Florida (my home county) and were able to tell them about the Varsity Club tavern and Packers bar in Clearwater where Mark Murphy's mother is in attendance -- very nice lady whose retirement home is in Clearwater, which borders my little city of Dunedin. Pre-COVID, I always went to the Varsity when the Packers games weren't televised locally -- lots of Wisconsin natives there, too + they serve brats and sauerkraut during Packers games. I'm glad that you are working for Event USA. "

-- Martin Lawyer, Dunedin, Florida

"Dennis - I was blessed to join Amy and some of your customers at the Morton's tailgate as well as after the game. She does an amazing job for you. Every single customer I met praised Event USA for being able to arrange the hotel and tickets and fabulous tailgate party in such a quick time. Having been to some great tour tailgate parties in Jacksonville and Kansas City and old San Francisco, a lot can be said of the long-term benefit of having really great tailgate parties. Morton's was probably one of the best - amazing food, patio sitting on the riverfront, walk to stadium, open bar!!! It was first class fun!!!"

-Matt

"Hi Amy- Just wanted to say thank you for making Jacksonville happen! We had a wonderful time and looking forward to more Packers games with Event USA in the future! Even though the game was not what we expected- we are packers fans for life-lol! Go pack go!!"

-Julie Mastrianni

"I want to thank Event USA and in particular Amy Flores for the Jacksonville trip. We have used you before and always were very pleased with the packages you have set up and your service. My son who lives in Charleston, SC and myself who lives in Minnesota, decided we needed to do a guys trip and decided to go through your company to see the opener in New Orleans. I initially called and talked with Amy about some questions I had and booked our trip. After itinerary and info was emailed to us, it soon became apparent that the trip to New Orleans wouldn’t happen. In steps Amy, wondering if we would be interested in Dallas if the game was moved there and a package was set up. Then finally the move to Jacksonville and continued communication from Amy on our interest. It was getting late at that point and I was wondering if she would be able to pull off setting up a package in Jacksonville. She did it. We went to Jacksonville and had a great time. The accommodations and the tail gate were fabulous. If only the Packer team we were hoping for had made the trip. Thank you Event USA and in particular Amy Flores."

-Tom Sohrweide, White Bear Lake, MN

"Thank you for all your help. I had a great time at the Packer-Raider game opening day. I have already begun telling interested Packer fans in Sacramento about your service. The next time I come to Green Bay for a game, I’ll be sure to ask for your help. God bless you and God bless the Green Bay Packers."

-Frank Chavez, Sacramento

"I just wanted to say that I had such a great time. The whole weekend was so much fun. I enjoyed the Player Autograph Party and the tailgate party was just the best. After coming from a country that loves soccer, it was nice to mix with people who have the same interests as me. Thank you once again, Green Bay is one very special place."

-Beverley Moore, Lancaster

"My accommodations at the Best Western Midway were excellent. I was picked up at the airport and returned promptly. No problems at all. Your representative at the hotel on game day was very pleasant and helpful. The tailgate party was super, great food, great drinks and lots of fun. Obviously, Lambeau Field and the game itself was great. I will continue to use Event USA in the future, and I will definitely tell anyone who I come across to give you a call. One last thing, the hospitality I experienced in Green Bay was incredible. I have traveled to many places, and I don’t think there are more friendly people than the people of Green Bay. Thank you again and see you next year!"

-David Anastas, Worchester

"My wife and I booked the tour to Tampa. The trip was so well organized from start to finish. It started with the people in the office with their friendly help over the phone, to receiving the tickets in the mail, and meeting the tour guides with their upbeat personalities. Signs guided us in the airport and information was posted in our motel lobbies to keep us posted. Your people had everything in order. Talk about organization, you had it. Event USA made this a most memorable trip. Thanks for all involved."

-Dick Koerner, Neenah

"I wish to convey my sincere thanks and gratitude for providing my husband and I with, what he refers to as the greatest experience of my life, apart from my wedding day."

-Lara and Matt Appleton, Thornhill, Ontario

"Thanks for all your help, the great tickets and service, and the chance to help me make one of my son’s dreams come true, seeing the Packers playing at home in Lambeau Field."

-Sam Jones, Sedalia

"I just want to thank you for the wonderful job your staff did last weekend for the Packers vs. Lions game. This was our first time utilizing your program and we were not disappointed at all. In fact, we can’t wait to schedule and event for next season’s games. From my first experience with your staff placing my order until the very end at checkout of the hotel, everything was perfect. You truly out-do yourselves to please everyone. Thanks again for making our stay in Green Bay one of the best."

-Kim Ewing and Bruce DeMaine, Ann Arbor

"Thanks so much for the best weekend ever! You not only got us in all the Magazines, TV, WWW pages and even the big screen at Lambeau Field, but Disney World on the side? Nice job – You and your family are top notch – we were on the best tour for the Super Bowl! Seeing the Green Bay Packers win back the Lombardi Trophy was a life long dream of this Packer fan, and you all were so dedicated to the job of taking care of us that, like the Packers, we were a winning team! Keep me on your list."

-William D Lorge, Representative to the Wisconsin State Assembly