Calvin Johnson is not Randy Moss. But since joining the Detroit Lions three years ago, he’s been just as effective against the Packers as the former Viking was early in his career.
No Detroit receiver has troubled Green Bay as much as Johnson has since he came out of Georgia Tech as a first-round pick in 2007. His numbers are downright Moss-esque.
Johnson has 26 receptions for 368 yards and five touchdowns in games against the Packers. The next Lion in line doesn’t have even half that many catches, yards or touchdowns.
When it comes to taking on the Packers, no player anywhere has the credentials of Johnson over the last three seasons. The closest is Sidney Rice of the Vikings who has 18 receptions for 219 yards and four touchdowns in his last six games against Green Bay.
Johnson put up his numbers in two fewer games than Rice. An injury to his right knee kept him out of the first meeting between Green Bay and Detroit earlier this season. His status again is in doubt, and he might miss Thursday’s game because of hand and knee injuries.
If Johnson doesn’t play, the Lions lose their biggest receiving threat, one who hauled in a career-best 161 yards receiving in a thrilling 38-37 win over the Browns. Furthermore, the team would be without the only player on its roster who has scored a touchdown against the Packers at Ford Field.
Green Bay first encountered Johnson two Thanksgivings ago. He snagged seven passes for 83 yards and a touchdown in a 37-26 Lions loss.
A month later, he closed out his rookie season with four catches for 54 yards as Detroit fell to Green Bay 34-13.
Last season, he surpassed 100 yards receiving twice against the Packers. He grabbed six passes for 129 yards and two touchdowns in a 48-25 setback in Detroit, then pulled down nine passes for 102 yards and two more scores as the Lions lost their 16th game of the season, 31-21 at Lambeau Field.
Johnson has caught more passes for more touchdowns against the Packers than against any other team. He’s managed 14 more receiving yards in competition with the Vikings, but he’s played them six times.
Only one player in history caught more passes in his first four games against the Packers than Johnson. Jim Phillips of the Rams had 28 in 1958 and 1959.
Even Moss didn’t have as many receptions. Now a Patriot, Moss had 20 catches for 487 yards and six touchdowns in his first four outings against the Packers.
Johnson has received little credit for the work he’s done because the Lions have lost eight straight to the Packers. Had his production come in victory, it’s likely he would have earned greater recognition.
This season, Johnson has been by far Matthew Stafford’s favorite target. The rookie quarterback threw 72 passes in the direction of the 6-foot-5 receiver, completing 38 for 595 yards.
Stafford wasn’t alone in utilizing Johnson. He’s easily the team’s leading receiver of the past three years, catching 165 passes for 2,684 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Regular-season series
♦ Overall: Packers lead 87-64-7.
♦ At Ford Field: Green Bay leads 5-2.
Starting quarterbacks
♦ Packers: Aaron Rodgers (12-14 overall, 3-0 vs. Detroit).
♦ Lions: Daunte Culpepper (41-56, 4-7 vs. Green Bay).
Once a Lion, now a Packer
There are no former Lions on the Packers roster.
Once a Packer, now a Lion
Defensive end Jason Hunter (2006-08), defensive tackle Grady Jackson (2003-05) and safety Marquand Manuel (2006) are former Packers.
Extra point
Phillips also caught more passes in his first five games against Green Bay (33) than any other player. Johnson would need eight receptions to break that record.
