The Detroit Lions are entering Thursday's game against the Green Bay Packers hoping to keep the momentum moving after beating the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 12. The Lions showed a lot of improvement last week and that could continue against a struggling Packers team if the offense can keep moving in the right direction. Calvin Johnson will be critical to that effort and the receiver is expected to be healthy for the game.
According to NFL Media's Albert Breer, Johnson is expected to play in Week 13 after missing practice this week with an ankle injury. The receiver has been banged up for most of the season as this is not the first time he enters a game on the injury report, but Johnson has powered through each week and will need to do so again after he and Matthew Stafford showed plenty of positive momentum last week.
Johnson has been moving in a positive direction over the past six games thanks to new coordinator Jim Bob Cooter. He recorded at least 80 yards of offense during that stretch while his connection with Stafford looking much better. The Lions will need Johnson as Lance Moore is ruled out for the game with an ankle injury. That means Johnson along with Golden Tate are Stafford's top two threats. However, Theo Riddick will be a player to keep an eye on. The running back leads everyone in his position in receiving yards. Riddick has been a breakout star this year with 55 catches for 507 yards and three touchdowns. Riddick is getting more and more looks as a result.
"You want to cut that ball loose as close to when they're making their break as you possibly can," Stafford said, via ESPN.com. "But with him, sometimes you had to wait it out because he was going to make a bunch of them and as long as he's making the correct decision and getting open, that's the biggest thing."
With Ameer Abdullah improving as the team's workhorse running back, Riddick has been the favored change-of-pace back of Joique Bell. Riddick will be critical against the Packers as they aim to stop the run. Feeding both Johnson and Riddick like they did in Week 12 could give the Lions a sweep over their rivals.
