Is there a better way to kick off Thanksgiving Day than a Green Bay Packers game in the Motor City? I think not. For my family, it means a road trip to my hometown of Milwaukee (Whitefish Bay, to be precise) to spend a couple of days with my mom, brother, and sister’s families and some good friends. Getting set to hit the road as soon as I submit this game preview.
First off, I’m not sure I’m ready for another game just yet. I’d love to revel in that dominant performance at Lambeau for a few more days. But, alas, we must move on, and here come the Detroit Lions, hoping to exact revenge from the season opener, when the Packers blew them off the field.
Strange as it may look to see the Chicago Bears sitting above both teams in the standings, most level-headed football fans understand that the winner of this game will likely be the team to beat in the North.
Both teams are banged up and will be missing key pieces. For the Lions, that means no Sam LaPorta, no Kerby Joseph, and a slew of questionable offensive linemen. For the Pack, Lukas Van Ness, Savion Williams, and Karl Brooks are likely out, and we await word on a bunch of guys, notably Keisean Nixon and Jayden Reed.
The Lions are a strange team to figure out. The offense seems to have regained some of its mojo now that Dan Campbell is calling the plays. With LaPorta out, it’s basically revolving around stars Jahmyr Gibbs and Amon-Ra St. Brown.
Their issue is the state of the offensive line, which hasn’t recovered from center Frank Ragnow‘s retirement in the offseason. Teams are killing them with pressure up the middle — it should give guys like Devonte Wyatt, Colby Wooden, and Warren Brinson a chance to be major factors. Expect to see Micah Parsons lined up over center quite a bit as well.
Green Bay’s defense is one of the best in the league and may get Quay Walker back, a welcome development despite Isaiah McDuffie’s strong game last week. Walker’s speed on a fast track would be huge when it comes to hunting down Gibbs or Jameson Williams. The Pack must be on point in the tackling department — so much of Gibbs’ superpowers come in the open field and after the catch.
Last week, Matt LaFleur knew a conservative approach would be just what the doctor ordered. This week, look for him to open things up quite a bit. Assuming he’s confident in Jordan Love’s ability to deal with his left shoulder injury, this is a defense that will let you take some deep shots. They’ll have most of their secondary back, including corner Quinyon Mitchell, but the team isn’t generating much pressure, other than Aidan Hutchinson. Jameis Winston played catch with WR Wan’Dale Robinson all day last week.
Josh Jacobs made it sound like he’d be back this week, but if he’s not, Emanuel Wilson showed that he’s able to step in and make sure the running game doesn’t miss a beat. But this feels like a week where the passing game shines, led by Love, who has played nearly flawless football in his two Thanksgiving starts.
He was robbed of a turkey leg by the Fox crew after his coming-out party on Thanksgiving Day two years ago. Is this the year we get to see him feast on the post-game show? I think the Packers have a good chance to spring the mild upset — it’s the first time this season they’re not the favorite.
Let’s start with a little history: Detroit snapped a seven-game losing streak on Turkey Day last year when they edged the Chicago Bears, thanks to some ridiculous clock management that got Matt Eberflus fired soon after. They haven’t been at their best on this holiday, despite playing at home and on a short week.
Green Bay’s defense is unlikely to be as dominant against the Lions as they was in the opener, but their relentless pressure will affect Goff, and the takeaways are starting to come in bunches. If Nixon is unable to go, young Kamal Hadden will get another chance to show what he’s got, under much tougher circumstances against Detroit’s potent passing attack.
After watching the Lions struggle at home this season against teams like the Vikings and New York Giants, it’s not hard to see the Packers going in there and taking care of business. The Lions will be super motivated to wipe away memories of the opener, but I just don’t think they’re playing consistently well right now. Not that the Packers are, either, but I’m betting on Love’s Thanksgiving magic, his Toyotathon magic, and in the ever-present magic that is Micah.
Enjoy the holiday; hope you all get to spend it with family and friends!
Packers 27
Lions 24
