The Detroit Lions have scored more points than any other NFC team. The Green Bay Packers have allowed the second-fewest points among conference teams.
Detroit’s annual Thanksgiving Day home game will likely come down to whether its explosive offense can solve Green Bay’s stout defense.
The pivotal NFC North showdown will have major postseason implications for both teams. Playing on a holiday with a national audience adds to the intrigue.
“Big-time opponent, really good team, division game, Thanksgiving, first game on,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said. “You couldn’t ask for anything better.”
Right now, Campbell’s team doesn’t even hold a wild-card spot despite a 7-4 record. It trails the first-place Chicago Bears by a game in the division with the Packers (7-3-1) sandwiched between them.
Green Bay’s defense held visiting Detroit to 246 yards in a season-opening 27-13 Packers victory.
Detroit barely escaped against the two-win New York Giants on Sunday, rallying for a 34-27 overtime victory. Jahmyr Gibbs had 264 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns, including a 69-yard scoring run in overtime.
Campbell hopes to use that game as a springboard for a strong finish.
“I just think when you’re able to come back and win a game in that fashion, it speaks volumes of your team and where you’re at,” Campbell said. “I think it’s good for you to get those. You need one or two of those a year because you’re always tested. Every team gets tested. Those are tough. You’re down two scores in the fourth. To be able to do what we had to do in all three phases, I do think it can pay dividends for you.”
Jared Goff is averaging 261.2 yards passing in home games with 12 touchdowns and three interceptions. Counterpart Jordan Love, who is playing with a separated left (non-throwing) shoulder, hasn’t reached the 200-yard passing mark in his last three games and four of his past six.
Love threw for 188 yards in the Packers’ opening-night win over the Lions with two touchdowns. Now, he’ll have to face Detroit in a hostile environment.
“It’s always a test,” Love said. “Obviously, playing them — it’s always a great environment, a very loud environment. We’ve been there before and we know what it’s about. Communication has got to be on point.”
The Packers haven’t allowed more than 20 points in any of the last four games and they enter on a two-game winning streak. They manhandled Minnesota 23-6 on Sunday, holding the Vikings to 145 total yards while collecting five sacks and forcing three turnovers.
“Coming off two wins is great — it’s always going to build confidence,” Love said. “Two weeks that we did what we needed to do. We know what we’ve got in front of us … but with the level we’re at, we’re in a great spot.”
With Josh Jacobs sidelined by a knee injury for Green Bay, Emanuel Wilson rushed for a career-high 107 yards and two scores against the Vikings. Jacobs is questionable for Thursday.
“We’ll just see how he’s feeling on game day,” coach Matt LaFleur said.
Defensive linemen Karl Brooks (ankle) and Lukas Van Ness (foot) missed Tuesday’s practice, as did kick returner Savion Williams (foot).
Detroit safety Kerby Joseph (knee) won’t play on Thursday. Center Graham Glasgow (knee), tight end Brock Wright (neck) and wide receiver Kalif Raymond (ankle) missed Tuesday’s practice.
The Lions snapped a seven-game Thanksgiving Day losing streak last season by defeating the Bears 23-20. Green Bay will be making its third straight Thanksgiving appearance. It defeated the Lions in 2023 and downed Miami last year on the holiday.
