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Wednesday, September 15
Updated: September 16, 2:00 PM ET
 
Baxter Bits: Green Bay vs. Detroit

By Russell S. Baxter
Special to ESPN.com

Green Bay heads to Detroit this weekend as these traditional combatants square off for the 140th time (including playoffs) and the 15th time since 1993.

The Packers own the overall edge in the series standings (72-60-7) and have dominated as of late, prevailing in 11 of the last 16 meetings (including NFC First Round playoff wins in 1993 and '94) dating back to 1992.

Last season, these clubs split their season series for the second straight year and the fifth time in six years. On opening day at Lambeau Field (Week 1), Packers QB Brett Favre threw for 277 yards and a pair of scores and the Green Bay defense (32-yard fumble return by SS LeRoy Butler) and special teams (100-yard kickoff return by since-departed WR Roell Preston) found their way to the end zone as well as the Pack outlasted the Lions, 38-19.

Six weeks later on a Thursday evening (ESPN) at the Silverdome (Week 7), the Packers jumped out to a 10-0 first-quarter lead, but Lions QB Charlie Batch would finish the evening with a pair of touchdown passes and since-departed RB Barry Sanders added 155 yards rushing and a score as Detroit managed a 27-20 triumph.

Including playoffs, Packers are just 2-5 in their last 7 appearances at the Silverdome dating back to 1993.

Numbers: Since 1995 (75 games, including playoffs), Packers QB Brett Favre is 56-19, throwing for 139 touchdowns and just 45 interceptions in his 56 wins compared to 28 scores and 31 interceptions in 19 losses. Favre has thrown for 19,106 yards in those 75 games. In his last 18 games (including playoffs) dating back to '97, Packers RB Dorsey Levens has carried 370 times for 1,487 yards and 9 touchdowns, plus caught 76 passes for 557 yards and 3 touchdowns. Including playoffs, Packers WR Antonio Freeman has scored at least 1 touchdown in 5 straight games dating back to '98.

Including playoffs, the Lions have allowed 206 points in 15 victories (17 or fewer points in 11 of those wins) and 518 points in 19 losses dating back to '97. The Lions have forced 32 turnovers in 15 wins, 18 takeaways in 19 losses dating back to '97, including playoffs.

Things To Look For: An emotional Brett Favre gave it his all in last week's comeback against Oakland and now heads to the hostile Silverdome, which has never been kind to the Packers. And Bobby Ross' team proved last week that life without Barry Sanders (and later, Herman Moore) may not be so horrible after all. It's imperative that Green Bay's offensive line play better than it did against the Raiders.

Etc.: The Packers have won four straight games dating back to '98. Since 1992 (including playoffs), the Packers are 12-26 on artificial turf (7 of those losses at Dallas, six of those losses at Minnesota, 5 of those losses at Detroit). However, three of those victories came at New Orleans, including Super Bowl XXXI. Since 1992 (including playoffs), the Packers are 40-19 record vs. NFC Central rivals (including 3-0 in playoffs). The Packers were just 4-4 vs. divisional rivals in 1998, this after going a combined 15-2 (including playoffs) vs. NFC Central rivals in 1996 (7-1) and '97 (8-1). Since 1997 (including playoffs), the Lions are 15-19 under head coach Bobby Ross, including 10-7 vs. NFC Central rivals...




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