Xavier McKinney and the Green Bay Packers are set to host the Detroit Lions in Week 9. Both teams have arguably played the best football in the NFC, and this could be a preview of this season’s NFC Championship Game.
The Lions are coming off a 52-14 win against the Tennessee Titans and have often blown out their opponents this year. Detroit is also famous for running trick plays to embarrass other teams further, and McKinney is not a fan of that.
Xavier McKinney Faces Backlash From Lions Fans
McKinney spoke to the media before the Lions game, and he talked about how the Lions “like to embarrass people.” The 26-year-old safety said that the Packers and his teammates do not take that lightly, hinting at a tense game.
The Lions fans on social media did not like McKinney’s comments and called out him for being salty about their team.
omg cry harder!
— cam 🏹 (@toothbrushsong) November 1, 2024
“We had our backups in the 4th Q!!! The [Dallas Cowboys] deserved it, and the Titans kept giving us the ball!!,” said one Lions fan in defense of his team.
“I really didn’t think people were this soft in the NFL,” added another fan.
Generations of lions fans only know misery and embarrassment. Many of us are in our 30-40s (not old enough to remember Barry much) and are watching our team on a championship run for the first time EVER.
So yes, if we run up scoreboard on teams who previously hurt us, so be it!
— Matt (@dynastygirldad) November 1, 2024
“It’s ridiculous. For the longest time, the Packers as an organization and the rest of the NFL have notoriously done nothing except actually embarrass the Lions,” wrote another fan.
“Damn, I didn’t realize McKinney was so sensitive,” added a fan.
They shouldn’t blow out teams by 38!
They shouldn’t attempt trick plays when ahead!!
They shouldn’t use games to show future opponents odd looks for future deception!!!
MOM!!!
MOM!!!They aren’t playing fair!!! https://t.co/KKZEzjEmSu pic.twitter.com/NSAQn3Zg27
— Detroit Deadpool (@DetroitDeadpool) November 1, 2024
The Lions are currently the best-scoring team in the NFL, averaging 33.4 points per game. Their quarterback, Jared Goff, is an MVP candidate, and he is also helped by the best running back duo in the league, David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs.
Detroit scored 53 points last week, and Goff only threw for 85 yards. This shows that the reigning NFC North champions can blow out other teams without even needing their quarterback to play at a high level.
The Lions’ defense is allowing an average of 19.1 points per game this year. The team has not looked back, even after losing Aidan Hutchinson to a season-ending injury, and is determined to win the first Super Bowl in the franchise’s history. The upcoming game against the Packers will be a real litmus test for the Lions, as a win against the archrivals will go a long way in boosting their confidence for the rest of the season.
McKinney Has Caught the Most Interceptions This Season
McKinney signed a four-year, $67 million contract with the Packers in the free agency this year. He has been a valuable addition to the team and has caught the most interceptions (six) in the league this season through eight weeks.
In eight games, McKinney has recorded 26 solo tackles, 10 assists, two tackles for loss, seven pass deflections, and one hit on the quarterback.
The Packers are currently 6-2 on the season, and although they have an explosive offense, their defense has been a big reason for their success. Green Bay is allowing 21.3 points and giving up 347.3 yards of total offense per game this season. They also lead the league in takeaways with 19 and are four ahead of the Lions, who are in second place with 15.
The Packers’ new defensive coordinator, Jeff Hafley, has done a great job with the team. It will be interesting to see whether his defense can stop the NFL’s best offense on Sunday.