***MNF IN THE SWAMP - DET @ GB***

***DETROIT LIONS @ GREEN BAY PACKERS***

Don't look now, but the SwampMan just might be breaking out of this blizzard of a cold streak with a big fat PUSH with a lucky backdoor TD and 2 point conversion last night thanks to the Dolphins! Hahah, just kidding but at this point after two weeks of misery, I'm trying to look on the bright side and remain positive here. So not quite a win, but finally something going in my favor in what feels like forever. Now let's build off that dodged bullet and get a win tonight when the MNF stage hosts a battle in the black and blue division, the NFC North. The 3-4 Detroit Lions head into dreaded Lambeau Field to take on the Green Bay Packers while both teams fight to remain relevant in the playoff picture. Everybody knows of Detroit's woes when playing in Lambeau, where they finally exorcised the winless demon two seasons ago bringing their record to 1-25 on the road Vs. the Packers since 1992. All of those losses were against the great Packer QBs Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers. Therefore, one would think the Lions should surely be able to overcome the Lambeau voodoo without the great Aaron Rodgers playing no? Not so fast my friends.

With Rodgers sidelined with an injury, the Packers will look to a different Brett and Aaron to keep their success at home versus the Lions going. Backup QB Brett Hundley took over the Cheese three weeks ago in Minnesota after Rodgers was crushed by Vikings LB Anthony Barr. Understandably after being randomly thrown into your first NFL action on the road against a rival with a killer defense, Hundley was awful in his relief for Rodgers. He threw three interceptions and the Packers inevitably lost that game. The next week, Head Coach Mike McCarthy and his team did what they could to simplify the game and scheme to get ready for a surging Saints team back in Lambeau. Although looking much better, the Hundley led offense was still fairly anemic through the air and the Pack didn't have enough to outlast the Saints despite having a lead late into the game. The Offensive ran much smoother however, against a Saints defense that has proven to be no joke this season. Rookie RB Aaron Jones has been extremely impressive and a huge surprise ever since taking over for Ty Montgomery. He has put together back to back 100 yard games thus far. Tonight, the Packers should have all five preferred starters back on the Offensive Line for just the second time this season. This is great news for Green Bay as what better way to help the Rookie QB out than with a strong running game. The bye week came at the perfect time for the Packers, allowing them to take a breath and figure out what is the best plan of action moving forward. Supposedly, Aaron Rodgers worked with Hundley all during the bye week to help bring him up to speed and be able to handle more with the offense. From what I've seen so far and based off what I know of the guy from watching him at UCLA, Hundley has the tools and talent to become a true NFL QB one day. Experience and confidence is what is key for him right now, two things that can only get better with more playing time. Now that he has had a taste of what it is like to be under fire at an NFL level versus two great defenses in Minnesota and New Orleans coupled with a bye week to help prepare for tonight, I think we will see his best game versus a Lions defense that is both banged up and has some holes in it.

The Lions defense comes to play and at times has impressed me in certain games this season. However they are banged up and I feel as though this is a bad spot for them, even up against an inexperienced Rookie QB. DE Ezekiel Ansah is not himself and it looks like he may have come back too early after being out with an injury to start the season. There has been no presence of any kind of pass rush as of late and up against a refreshed GB O-Line, I don't think they will be able to get to the mobile Hundley much in this one. After reviewing the game against the Saints, Hundley relied heavily on his legs to ad-lib and make plays when under pressure. He will most likely be doing the same tonight as I am sure McCarthy will utilize his strengths and have him rolling out on bootlegs and such, similar to what Rodgers does. Defensive backs CB Darius Slay and Safety Glover Quinn have been holding things down in the passing game, both with three interceptions a piece up to this point. However I don't think they will have many ball hawking opportunities in the passing game as I expect Hundley to stay with the short dink and dunk passing attack and let his WRs do the rest, who are some of the best when it comes to YAC. On the other side of things there are clearly many issues with this Lions offense. While Stafford looked as crisp as can be last week coming fresh off the bye and throwing all over the Pittsburgh defense, the play-calling was very questionable. Five times, i repeat FIVE times the Lions seemed to have drove the ball into the Redzone only to run the ball into the new Steel Curtain and fail to convert, having to settle for FGs and eventually costing them the game. While I would think the Lions and Offensive Coordinator Jim Bob Cooter will make the necessary adjustments I believe they will be up against a highly motivated and rejuvenated Packers Defensive unit tonight. After a week of rest and preparation, playing on MNF and at home in front of their fans, I like the Packer defense to show up big time in this one. The Lions Offensive Line has been horrendous this season due to many changes and shuffling with injuries. They have been unable to keep Stafford clean and while thriving off the energy of Lambeau tonight, I think LB Clay Matthews and Co. who have been fairly quiet, get to Stafford early here and build on the momentum to help stifle and frustrate the Lions offense. Detroit has zero running game to help create some room for opportunities and the Packers will feast on the pass rush, keeping the Lions out of a rhythm. Also note that the Pack also get Morgan Burnett back as well to help sure up things in the secondary.

Plain and simple, McCarthy off a bye week has proven to be pretty damn good and I give him the edge of Lions Head Coach Jim Caldwell who I am starting to question is the right guy for the job at this point. The pressure is on the Lions here as they are expected to handle business against a backup QB, and I think that works against them given their bad history playing in Lambeau. Even though the importance of this game is the same for the Packers, not many expect them to fair well without Rodgers for most likely the rest of the season. That being said, they are playing hypothetically with nothing to lose tonight, and I expect them to play better because of it. I think the Lions will have to wait until next week when hosting the winless Browns to try and work out some kinks and get back on track. Tonight, I like the Packers to keep their fans hopes alive without their prized starting QB, and continue their homefield dominance over their rival. PACKERS+2.5