Jordan Love’s downfield passing has powered the Green Bay Packers’ three-game winning streak, and the Detroit Lions enter Sunday’s home matchup knowing they must contain one of the NFL’s most aggressive aerial attacks.
Love’s vertical game meets a vulnerable Detroit secondary
Love has been at his best when pushing the ball beyond the short areas of the field. He leads the NFL with 988 passing yards on throws traveling at least 10 yards in the air, completing 37 of 75 attempts with six touchdowns, one interception and a 116.4 passer rating on those plays.
- Love has attempted an NFL-high 32 passes of 20 or more air yards.
- Detroit has surrendered a 128.7 passer rating on throws of 10-plus air yards, ranking 31st in the league.
- The Lions are allowing an NFL-worst 297.4 passing yards per game.
- Dropped passes have kept Love’s deep-ball production from being even larger.
Lions coach Dan Campbell identified Love as the central problem his defense must solve at Ford Field.
“Love is what makes their offense go,” Campbell said. “He is the secret sauce. Christian Watson and Matthew Golden are dangerous downfield players, and he gives them chances every week.”
Watson and Golden give Green Bay rare production
Watson and Golden have been difficult to cover during Green Bay’s early-season surge. The Packers are the first team since the 2022 Miami Dolphins to have two receivers reach 500 receiving yards through their first six games. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle were the Miami pair to do it.
The 2026 Packers are also the franchise’s first club since 2016 to have multiple players record multiple games with at least 100 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown in the same season. Jordy Nelson and Davante Adams last accomplished that combination for Green Bay.
The contrast with last season is stark: Watson and Romeo Doubs were Green Bay’s only two players to finish 2025 with at least 500 receiving yards.
Campbell sees matchup problems across the Packers offense
Campbell said Green Bay’s receivers create problems not only because of their ability to locate the football, but because they have the speed to separate and Love consistently places the ball in position for them to finish plays.
“They can run, they can track the ball, and their quarterback throws a pretty ball,” Campbell said. “About half of those shots become either defensive pass interference or catches. That is explosive offense.”
Detroit’s concern extends beyond Watson and Golden. Campbell noted that dedicating coverage resources to stop the deep throws could open room for tight end Tucker Kraft underneath and for Green Bay’s running backs.
- Extra help over the top could limit Detroit’s ability to handle Kraft in the middle of the field.
- Attention on the Packers’ receivers can create opportunities for the backs.
- Campbell said the Lions must be prepared to make difficult coverage choices against the full offense.
“You have to pick your poison at times,” Campbell said.
Lions seek a response in Sunday’s division game
Detroit’s defense showed improvement in its most recent game against Arizona, but the Packers present a much different test with a quarterback thriving on explosive plays and an offense that has minimized recent mistakes.
Campbell said the Lions cannot expect to erase every Green Bay gain. Instead, he wants Detroit’s offense to keep pace and his defense to capitalize if turnover chances arrive.
“They are going to make plays,” Campbell said. “It is about us making more. When an opportunity swings our way, we have to take advantage of it.”
The Packers swept the 2025 season series after Detroit won both meetings in 2024. The latest chapter arrives Sunday in Detroit, with Love’s deep passing attack facing a Lions defense desperate to prevent another explosive afternoon.
