The Green Bay Packers kick off the 2025 season with a tough matchup against their division rival Detroit Lions. Both teams have strong rosters and are looking to make a statement in the NFC North right away. Today we dive into the 3 key matchups in Green Bay vs Detroit.
Zach Tom vs Aidan Hutchinson
The first of 3 key matchups in Green Bay vs Detroit is Zach Tom vs Aidan Hutchinson. Green Bay recently made Zach Tom one of the highest-paid offensive linemen in league history, signing him to an $88 million dollar contract extension in July. Tom is best known for his run blocking ability, and he only allowed three sacks all season in 2024. He’s a smart player who has an elite athletic profile to match. Aidan Hutchinson will play his first game in nearly a year. The Lions expect big things from the former first round pick, who is in a contract year. The last two times that these players faced off (back in 2023), Tom allowed nine pressures. Hutchinson very well could have led the league in sacks last season if it weren’t for his brutal leg injury, and now he’s set to line up against a right tackle who is eager to prove that he’s worth all of that money he was just paid. As football fans we should expect a show to be put on between these two great players.
Micah Parsons & Rashan Gary vs Penei Sewell & Taylor Decker
The second of 3 key matchups in Green Bay vs Detroit is Micah Parsons/Rashan Gary vs Penei Sewell/Taylor Decker. The Packers traded for two-time All-Pro Micah Parsons and paired him with former first round pick Rashan Gary. Depending on which side of the defensive line Parsons/Gary line up on, either Taylor Decker or Penei Sewell will have their work cut out for them in this game.
Parsons has played across from Sewell a few times over the years while he was in Dallas, a true “unstoppable force vs. immovable object” scenario. Sewell, who only allowed one sack last season, is arguably the best right tackle in the league(Honorable Mention – Zach Tom). Parsons plays as a hybrid outside linebacker/defensive end using his 4.39 speed to get leverage on his opponents. While Sewell obviously has the size advantage in this matchup, expect the two to win and lose a lot of reps against each other.
The Packers should consider putting Parsons over Taylor Decker on the blind side. While Decker is still a very good offensive tackle, he is nowhere near the player that Sewell is. He played 200 fewer reps than Sewell in 2024 yet allowed seven more sacks than Sewell did. It should be an exciting matchup watching the Packers new pass rush duo vs the Lions tackles.
Below Acme Packing Company’s own Justis Mosqueda shared a video of Micah Parsons pressures vs Penei Sewell.
Packers Rush Defense vs Lions Rush Offense
Last of our 3 key matchups in Green Bay vs Detroit may be the scariest matchup of the day for the Packers. This might be the one that tilts the furthest in one team’s favor, adding Micah Parsons did come at a cost. The Packers had to move Kenny Clark, who was their best run defender after TJ Slaton defected to Cincinnati in the offseason. Green Bay’s run defense is one giant question mark now coming into the season. Fortunately for Green Bay both teams interior of their lines are relatively new units and come in this game as question marks. The rotation of Wyatt/Wooden/Brooks/Brinson/Stackhouse must come ready to play with arguably the most dynamic running back duo in the NFL coming to town. With a nickname like “Sonic & Knuckles” the Lions know their strength is their physicality and run game, this should be a fun matchup to watch.
Make sure to check out last weeks article: Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers! – https://packerstalk.com/2025/08/29/micah-parsons-to-the-green-bay-packers-2/
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Joseph is an avid Packers fan since the age of five who enjoys giving his opinions on his favorite team! The only time success comes before work is in the dictionary – Vince Lombardi. Go Pack Go!
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