Cornerback Amik Robertson expected excitement upon joining the Detroit Lions as a free agent in the offseason.
Now that the excitement follows the surging Lions wherever they go — next stop, a Sunday showdown at NFC North rival Green Bay — he is eager to help division-leading Detroit maintain momentum.
“I’ve never been a part of nothing like this, but like I said, we just got to keep going,” Robertson said. “You know how this league is; they love you when you’re winning and you lose a couple games, it’s whatever. So, we just got to keep going and keep our eyes on the prize.”
Detroit (6-1) and Green Bay (6-2) boast the second- and third-longest winning streaks in the NFL at five and four games, respectively.
With Packers quarterback Jordan Love (groin) considered questionable to play, however, the hosts could face even tougher sledding against the Lions, who are averaging more than 40 points in their past four games.
Although Green Bay has scored at least 24 points in four straight games (including two games in the 30s), Love feels the attack still can hit its stride.
“I don’t think we’ve played our best performance,” said Love, who didn’t practice Wednesday but was back as a limited participant on Thursday and Friday. “So, we’re definitely still trying to hunt for that.”
After struggling against the Packers for several years, the Lions enter Sunday with a 4-2 record against Green Bay under coach Dan Campbell.
Detroit is coming off a 52-14 home rout of the Tennessee Titans in Week 8, fueled by contributions from all three phases. Quarterback Jared Goff passed for three touchdowns (but just 85 yards) and Jahmyr Gibbs rushed for 127 yards and a score to pace the offense, the defense forced four turnovers and Kalif Raymond returned a punt 90 yards for a TD en route to securing NFC special teams player of the week.
Green Bay also has excelled against foes from the AFC South, especially in crunch time. Kicker Brandon McManus, who signed with the Packers in late October, has connected on game-winning kicks as time expired in the past two games, against Houston and at Jacksonville.
Love sustained a groin injury in the first possession against the Jaguars but didn’t leave the game until the fourth quarter. Backup Malik Willis, who started in Weeks 2 and 3 with Love out due to a sprained left knee, steered Green Bay to a 30-27 win.
Aside from Love’s injury, the Packers ruled out safety Evan Williams (hamstring) for Sunday and listed offensive lineman Josh Myers (wrist) as doubtful. Running back Josh Jacobs (ankle) and cornerbacks Jaire Alexander (knee) and Corey Ballentine (ankle) were listed as questionable.
Goff, who rolled his ankle against the Titans, also didn’t practice Wednesday but was a full participant on Thursday and Friday.
The Lions will be missing defensive end Joshua Paschal (illness), defensive tackle Brodric Martin (knee) and linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (ankle). Running back Sione Vaki (knee) and defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo (ankle) were considered doubtful.
Packers rookie linebacker Edgerrin Cooper earned NFC defensive player of the week plaudits against Jacksonville, recording eight tackles, a strip sack and a pass breakup.
Detroit and Green Bay each prevailed on the road in last season’s series. The Lions are aiming for their third straight victory at Lambeau Field. That’s been a notable blip for the Packers, who have won 24 of the past 29 regular-season meetings at Lambeau and hold a 104-76-7 edge in the regular-season series overall.
