GREEN
BAY
Jachai
Polite Jersey , Wis. (AP) ¡ª Joe Philbin¡¯s simple, no-nonsense and
consistent approach as interim head coach is rubbing off on the Green Bay
Packers.Winning helps reinforce the message.The Packers are 2-1 under Philbin
going into their season finale against the Detroit Lions, who have stumbled to
the finish line having lost seven of their past nine games.Article continues
below ...Coach Matt Patricia¡¯s job seems safe, though his first year in the
Motor City has definitely been disappointing. With the playoffs out of sight for
each team, the Lions and Packers go into their game at Lambeau Field hoping to
ride a win into the offseason.¡°The time is right now,¡± Patricia said. ¡°That¡¯s
the great part about it, is the time is right now to go out and improve and get
better, and that¡¯s what we have to do.¡±Except that any improvement can¡¯t help
Detroit in the standings this year. The Lions (5-10) were assured of their first
last-place finish since 2012 following a 27-9 loss to Minnesota last week.After
firing Jim Caldwell following a 9-7 record last year, Detroit will finish with a
worse record than in any of Caldwell¡¯s four years leading the club.Asked this
week if he was told by team management if he would return in 2019, Patricia said
that he was ¡°pretty confident. Everything for me right now is just keep moving
forward and getting ready for the game this weekend.¡±While the Packers (6-8-1)
are assured of a second straight losing season, they at least seem to be
rejuvenated since Philbin was promoted from offensive coordinator to interim
head coach following the firing of Mike McCarthy.A 44-38 win in overtime over
the New York Jets finally got the Packers their only road victory of the season.
Players have spoken of their respect for Philbin and their desire to win for
him.¡°It¡¯s relatable
messages
Chuma
Edoga Jersey , it¡¯s talking about his family and talking about things that
are important to him,¡± quarterback Aaron Rodgers said. ¡°And then little nuggets
that we can take with us. Easy connection points, I guess is the best way to put
it.¡±Rodgers has known Philbin for a while, going back to the 2010 season when
the Packers won the Super Bowl with McCarthy as coach and Philbin in his first
stint as offensive coordinator.Philbin has also won over Davante Adams, who was
drafted in 2014 and only started working with Philbin this year.¡°So I think that
he kind of has his head in the right spot, and ¡ he¡¯s really easy to follow,
because you know what you¡¯re going to get every day,¡± Adams said. ¡°You know, he
makes it clear what he expects from you. That¡¯s why I¡¯m a big Joe
advocate.¡±Another win could improve Philbin¡¯s case to stay on after this season.
Team president Mark Murphy has said that he wants to get a chance to see how
Philbin fared over the final four games as Green Bay proceeded with its coaching
search.Other notes and things to watch:RECORD WATCHWith 111 catches, Adams is
two shy of breaking the club record set by Sterling Sharpe in 1993. He¡¯s also
134 yards shy of breaking the single-season mark set by Jordy Nelson (1,519) in
2014. He said that he was optimistic that he would play after missing practice
at midweek with a knee injury.THE END?Lions safety Glover Quin may be playing in
his last NFL game at Green Bay.
Quin
Trevon
Wesco Jersey , who turns 33 next month and has one year left on his
contract, insisted he has not decided whether he wants to play next season. He
considered retiring after last season.Quin has started 147 straight games, the
longest active streak by an NFL safety. Houston drafted Quin in the fourth round
in 2009 out of New Mexico and he signed with the Lions in 2013. Over the past
six seasons, he is the league¡¯s only player with at least 400 tackles, 15
interceptions, 10 tackles for losses and five forced fumbles.LAMBEAU
FINALES?Linebacker Clay Matthews missed practice at midweek with a back injury,
while receiver Randall Cobb sat out while in the concussion protocol. Both
veterans are free agents after this season, meaning they could be playing their
last games at Lambeau as Packers ¡ª if they¡¯re healthy enough to play at all. The
coaching change leaves an extra layer of uncertainty to the offseason.SILVER
LININGDetroit Lions wide receiver Kenny Golladay made the most of the increased
opportunities he had when Golden Tate was traded and when Marvin Jones was
injured. Golladay, the second-year, third-round pick from Northern Illinois, had
70 receptions for
1
Shareef
Miller Jersey ,063 yards and five touchdowns after making 48 catches for
477 yards and three scores as a rookie. Eight percent of his catches gave
Detroit first downs, trailing only Tampa Bay¡¯s Chris Godwin in the
category.GOING STREAKINGThe Lions are going for their first four-game winning
streak in the series against the Packers since the 1982-83 seasons. Detroit is
also trying to win consecutive games at Lambeau for the first time since
1990-91. BALTIMORE RAVENS (10-7)New faces: S Earl Thomas, RB Mark Ingram, WR
Seth Roberts, WR Michael Floyd, CB Justin Bethel, WR Marquise Brown, WR Miles
Boykin, RB Justice Hill, offensive coordinator Greg Roman, GM Eric DeCosta.Key
losses: LB Terrell
Suggs
Zach
Brown Jersey , LB C.J. Mosley, LB Za¡¯Darius Smith, WR John Brown, WR
Michael Crabtree, S Eric Weddle, TE Maxx Williams, GM Ozzie Newsome.Strengths:
NFL¡¯s top-ranked defense remains force, despite loss of Mosley and pass rushers
Suggs and Smith. Patrick Onwuasor appears to be adequate replacement for Mosley
at MLB and defensive coordinator Don Martindale will find way to keep pressure
on opposing quarterback. Best unit is secondary, led by Thomas and featuring CBs
Marlon Humphrey, Brandon Carr and Jimmy Smith.Weaknesses: Offensive line is thin
and lacks star power beyond RG Marshal Yanda and LT Ronnie Stanley. Second-year
tackle Orlando Brown Jr. played well last season, but left guard position is
shaky
Devin
Bush Jersey , and center Matt Skura has started only one season. It¡¯s
paramount for Ravens to protect QB Lamar Jackson, whether he runs or
throws.Fantasy Players To Watch: Jackson. Fleet-footed QB can ring up fantasy
points on ground and through air. He ran for 695 yards and five TDs as rookie
and threw for 1,201 yards and six scores. Jackson is focal point of offense and
its biggest threat to score when Baltimore reaches red zone.Vegas Says: Win
Super Bowl 36-1. Over/under wins 8 1/2.Expectations: Ravens have decent chance
of successfully defending AFC North title and reaching playoffs. For that to
happen, Jackson must be better passer than last year and Ingram needs to ground
out yardage in Roman¡¯s run-oriented attack. Fortunately, if possession stalls
there¡¯s K Justin Tucker to ring up points from 50-55 yards. Defense may not be
No. 1 again, but Martindale will probably keep it at high level.