The Green Bay Packers travel to Detroit to take on the Lions this week.  It's the first meeting between the two division foes this season so let's take a look at what got both teams to where they are now.

The Past

The Packers lead the all-time series 100-70-7.  The Lions won both meetings last year and notched their second win in three games at Lambeau Field, where they had not won the previous 24 years.  Both games took place after Aaron Rodgers was out with his collarbone injury.

The Lions continue to be, well, the Lions with a few playoff or near playoff seasons mixed in.  Previous head coach Jim Caldwell was recently let go after last season in favor of former Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia.  Lions general manager Bob Quinn has continued trying to add top coaching talent to his organization.

Quinn has also continued to try and bolster his roster with free agent help.  This past offseason, he added some bigger-name veterans such as defensive tackle Sylvester Williams, tight end Luke Willson, running back LaGarrette Blount and cornerback DeShawn Shead and linebacker Devon Kennard.

Creating a pass rush and an ability to stop the run looked to be a focus for the Lions on defense.  On offense, Blount has somewhat rejuvenated the run game and taken some pressure off of the passing attack, which has been a primary focus in Detroit mostly since quarterback Matt Stafford's arrival.

Stafford enters his 10th season in the league and while he's put up some good numbers, the team's success hasn't necessarily followed.  That lack of success is what led to the early retirement of former All-Pro wide receiver Calvin Johnson two years ago.  The offense was up-and-down with Johnson.  Since, it's been more of the same.

On the Packers' side of things, they continue to keep a leg up in this match up as long as quarterback Aaron Rodgers is healthy.  Or relatively healthy.  Rodgers has won his last two starts in Detroit, including the Hail Mary thriller in 2015 and a division-clincher in 2016.

Green Bay added depth to their cornerback group with rookies Jaire Alexander and Josh Jackson.  Both played most of last week's game against the Buffalo Bills with Kevin King out.  The rookies have played well with a few gaffes mixed in, but both have proven an upgrade to what the team had coming into the season. With all three NFC North foes featuring good passing offenses, the secondary continues to be a focus for the Packers.

The Present

Detroit has started out 1-3 with their only win coming against the Patriots.  Talk about quality over quantity, even with the jury out on what New England will be this season.  The Packers improved to 2-1-1 with last week's win and are looking for their first road win.

While the Lions were looking to improve their defense, they have seen mixed results.  They are second in passing defense, allowing just under 172 yards per game but I've never liked yards as the main qualifier in ranking a defense.  When teams are racking up the kind of rushing yards that Lions opponents are, there's not much reason to throw it a ton.

The Lions rank dead last in run defense by a whopping 16 yards per game allowed at 157.8.  For those clamoring for the Packers to run the ball more and to a specific runner, this would be the week to do it.

Statistically speaking, the Packers and Lions are nearly even on the offensive side of the ball.  As mentioned earlier, the quarterback is the biggest difference there along with many other smaller differences that favor the Packers.

Defensively, after last week's shutout, the Packers passing defense now ranks fifth overall in yards surrendered.  This could turn into an old school game on the ground if neither offense can get into a rhythm through the air.

The Future

This isn't any type of must-win for the Packers but it might as well be for Detroit.  Dropping to 1-4 on the season would almost guarantee that they won't make the postseason and changes the complexion of their 2018. 

The Packers need every divisional win they can rack up with a tie on their record.  This week's game is a big one as it's on the road and divisional games are always tough regardless of records.

If the Packers don't come out running Aaron Jones early and often, they simply haven't done any homework.  It appears as though even when expecting the run, Detroit can't stop it.  

Both teams have 13 sacks on the season but we all know the Packers should have at least one more.  They're getting some pressure so I don't expect either team to try and throw it 45 times unless there are a rash of turnovers.

This is setting up as a chess match with short passes and the success of the run game setting up play action and a deep shot or two.  It could end up a very close game.  Either way, I see the Packers coming away with a win and keeping pressure on Minnesota to keep up.