Monday night football: Packers try to stay afloat against Lions with Brett Hundley

Frank Schwab
·NFL writer

Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers
ESPN
Monday, 8:30 p.m. ET

The Green Bay Packers’ first act after Aaron Rodgers’ injury didn’t go too well.

Brett Hundley didn’t come into his first NFL start with high expectations, but the expectations were higher than 87 yards passing, completing 48 percent of his throws and tossing no touchdowns to one interception in a loss to the New Orleans Saints.

The Packers will try again with Hundley on Monday night against the Detroit Lions. Partially because they have no other viable option at quarterback, but also because they still believe in him.

“I think the sample size on Brett Hundley is way too small to come to conclusions about what you think he is as a quarterback,” Packers coach Mike McCarthy said, according to the Packers’ web site. “I’m fortunate to work with him each and every day, I believe in him as a quarterback, I believe in our system.”

Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Hundley is looking for improvements in his second career start. (AP)
Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Hundley is looking for improvements in his second career start. (AP)

There have been many conflicting reports on whether Rodgers can return this season from a broken collarbone. Some say it could happen, some say it ‘s a long shot, but for the conversation to matter the Packers need to win games and stay in the playoff race.

For that to happen, Hundley has to be better. He has played well in the preseason since he was drafted out of UCLA. He has skills. Before this start, Hundley had a bye week to get some extra preparation.

The Packers are 4-3, and Monday night’s game against the 3-4 Lions seems like a turning point. Not just because of the records, but if Hundley looks bad in his second straight home start, this one off a bye week, it would be hard to be optimistic going forward. It’s a big game for the Lions too, because 3-5 isn’t a hole they want to be in halfway through the season.

For the moment, all eyes are on Hundley. His first start didn’t go well. If his second start isn’t much better, the Packers’ once-promising season is in a lot of trouble.

“We have to go out there and win games,” Hundley said, according to Packers.com. “Our season isn’t over. That’s exactly what I mean. We still have everything in front of us. We have a long stretch coming up, but we have to make the most of it. Our expectations are still the same.”

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Frank Schwab is the editor of Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at shutdown.corner@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

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