3 NFL Storylines to Watch in Week 9

Lions Can't Afford Another Lambeau Loss

Thanks to some narrow victories and other fortunate events, the Detroit Lions started the season with a 3-1 record. They've since dropped three games in a row and desperately need to pick up a win on the road against the Green Bay Packers in order to stay in the playoff hunt with a .500 record.

Facing the Packers -- particularly at Lambeau Field -- has been a challenge for Matthew Stafford. In 13 career starts, Stafford is 3-10 when facing Green Bay with four losses in his last five chances. Getting one past the Packers right now sans Aaron Rodgers is vitally important to setting up a potential three-game win streak. Once they leave Lambeau, the Lions will host the woeful Cleveland Browns and face an uneven Chicago Bears team on the road. This all works to set up a key Thanksgiving matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, who are currently leading the NFC North with a 6-2 record, which includes a win over the Lions.

Detroit should be able to get things rolling by limiting Green Bay in the run game. Prior to their bye last week, the Packers limited Brett Hundley to just 25 pass attempts that yielded a meager 87 yards. On the ground, they fed rookie Aaron Jones with 17 carries for 131 yards.

That won't be so easy against the Lions, as they rank fourth-best in numberFire's defensive metrics against the run. Last week at Ford Field, they limited Le'Veon Bell to 76 yards on 25 carries, with his longest run checking in at just eight yards. That's even more impressive after losing defensive tackle Haloti Ngata to injured reserve last month. That effort against the Pittsburgh Steelers ended up as a loss, though. Despite Stafford throwing for 423 yards, the Lions were kept out of the end zone and settled for five field goals.

To give themselves a chance at playing some football in January, their trip to Lambeau Field this weekend is very important.