GREEN BAY, Wis. – On the one hand, the Green Bay Packers’ pass rush ahead of Sunday’s NFC matchup against the Detroit Lions has been good. They rank eighth in sacks and 13th in sack percentage.

However, the pressure on quarterbacks has made the asphalt hot in July and the frozen tundra cold. Of his 21 sacks, eight came against Tennessee and four against Houston. To keep athletic quarterbacks in the pocket, they rushed the Eagles’ Jalen Hurts, the Colts’ Anthony Richardson and the Cardinals’ Kyler Murray, skewing the overall numbers.

But the Packers only had one sack against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, a game in which they led for most of the day while facing a quarterback, Trevor Lawrence, who is much more dangerous through the air than on the ground.

Green Bay’s pass rush should be at its best against Jared Goff and the Lions on Sunday, especially if the Packers secondary is down a couple of starters.

“Just look at the numbers” coach Matt LaFleur said. “They tell you everything. And then you watch the tape and back it up. So I think he’s doing a great job, he’s a guy that if you give him time, he’ll make you pay. You’re going to find the right guys. If you give him a little light to make the pass, he will take advantage of it.”

Goff could be the NFL MVP if the season ended today. He’s not as attractive as any NFL quarterback. He’s as attractive as any quarterback in NFL history.

Last week, he became the first quarterback in NFL history to complete at least 72.0 percent of his passes with two-plus touchdown passes and a 110-plus passer rating in five consecutive games. During that span, his 83.0 percent completion rate and 146.5 passer rating are NFL records.

For the season, Goff leads the NFL in completion percentage (74.1) and yards per attempt (8.97) and is second in passer rating (115.3; just behind Lamar Jackson’s 115.4).

Really, the only way to counter Goff’s astonishing efficiency is to make him uncomfortable. Although it is easier said than done. With arguably the best right tackle in the NFL (Penei Sewell), one of the best centers (Frank Ragnow), an established left tackle (Taylor Decker) and a pair of veteran guards (Kevin Zeitler and Graham Glasgow), Goff is protected by The Great. Detroit Wall.

According to ESPNthe Lions rank fifth in pass block win rate, while the Packers rank 30th in pass rush win rate.

“I’d like to get better every week,” defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley said. “We need to be better than last week. And I said it last week, regardless of how we played. I know our pass rush has improved and it’s caught a lot of people’s attention and you can see it by the way people try to block us.

“When you combine the pressures that we have, the different looks that we have and the players that we have up front and the ability to press four or send as many as we want, I think they have done a good job with the pressures. and with the bags we have obtained. “Our pressure rates are pretty good and our dismissal rates are pretty good.”

Green Bay’s best pass rusher, Rashan Gary, has just two sacks. He also wasn’t touched: There was an early play against Philadelphia and the right tackle went down against Houston. However, he has been chipped into the sixth highest spot, according to Pro Football Focus.

Gary runs primarily from the left of the defense, which means a matchup against Sewell. According to PFF, he has allowed no sacks this year and only one in the last 36 games dating back to midseason in 2022. Gary could get more one-on-one opportunities than he has all season because the Lions have supreme confidence in Sewell to impose his will. over any defender in the league.

The left side of Detroit’s line is at least a little vulnerable with Decker and Glasgow.

“Their offensive line is probably the best we’ve seen,” Hafley said.

In the first five games, Goff was sacked a total of 11 times. However, against the Vikings and Titans in the last two weeks, Goff went down four times in each. The Tennessee game was a revelation. The Lions won 52-14, so Goff threw only 15 passes but was under pressure on six of his 19 dropbacks.

Of 39 quarterbacks who will face 20 dropbacks under pressure, Goff is second in completion percentage and yards per attempt and sixth in passer rating. However, he turned the ball over twice in each of the last two games.

Green Bay’s only sack last week was the sack/strip of Edgerrin Cooper, which the Packers turned into a critical touchdown.

The Lions, who are No. 1 in the NFL in scoring, expect a bigger challenge this week.

“Jeff Hafley is a great coach,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said. “I think this defense is working. Kenny Clark is an exceptional player. We know about Gary. I can cover all areas. (Safety Xavier) McKinney, (Linebacker) Quay Walker, (Cornerback Jaire) Alexander, they’ve got players and they’re playing hard on defense. So, this is a very good defense.”

More news about the Green Bay Packers

Final Packers-Lions injury report | NFC North Power Ratings and Previews | Packers-Lions: Keys to the game | Xavier McKinney receives the biggest compliment | Josh Myers’ injured wrist | Xavier McKinney wins NFC Defensive Player of the Month award | Malik Willis and Jared Goff are the best QBs in the NFL | Thursday injury reports between Packers and Lions | Packers-Lions game preview | Edgerrin Cooper’s quick feet and violent finishing | “Realistic” that Jordan Love will play | What channel and what to know about GB-DET | In the NFL YES power rankings | Packers-Lions Matchups | Our Consensus on NFL Power Rankings