Green Bay Packers (9-3) will face off against the Detroit Lions (11-1) on Thursday at 8:15 p.m. EST, which will be streamed live on Amazon Prime Video. The Lions are favored by 3.5 points according to BetMGM NFL odds, with the Packers currently at 6-6 against the spread and the Lions at 9-3. In their historical rivalry, the Packers hold a record of 106-77-7 over the Lions. Their last encounter saw the Lions triumph 24-14 in Green Bay on November 3.
In the previous week, the Packers claimed a 30-17 victory over the Miami Dolphins, while the Lions narrowly defeated the Chicago Bears 23-20. Offensively, the Packers rank third overall, fifth in rushing, eighth in passing, and eighth in scoring. On defense, they sit at twelfth overall, eighth against the rush, nineteenth in pass defense, and tied for ninth in scoring defense. Meanwhile, the Lions boast the second-best overall offense, ranking fourth in rushing, fifth in passing, and leading the league in scoring. Their defense is tenth overall, with fifth against the run, twenty-fifth in pass defense, and third in scoring defense.
One key player to watch for the Packers is wide receiver Jayden Reed. The Michigan State alumnus recorded five receptions for 113 yards against the Lions last month and had a personal best with two touchdown catches against Miami. He leads the team with 44 receptions and 693 receiving yards, plus has seven total touchdowns, including one through rushing.
For the Lions, safety Brian Branch is a player to keep an eye on. He faced ejection in their last meeting at Green Bay for a helmet-to-helmet hit and was subsequently penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct after making an obscene gesture towards the opposing fans as he left the field.
A crucial matchup will be between Detroit’s rushing attack and Green Bay’s defensive unit. The Lions have running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery combining for 973 rushing yards and 720 rushing yards, respectively, along with a total of 11 touchdowns. The Packers have excelled at stopping the run recently, allowing under 45 yards on the ground in the last two games—a feat they hadn’t accomplished back-to-back since 1995.
In terms of injuries, the Packers are facing challenges with cornerback Jaire Alexander (knee) and linebacker Edgerrin Cooper (hamstring) sidelined for two games. Additionally, wide receiver Romeo Doubs (concussion) was absent last week, and cornerback Corey Ballentine injured his knee in the last game and missed practice on Tuesday. On the Lions’ side, offensive tackle Taylor Decker (shoulder), defensive linemen Josh Paschal (knee) and Levi Onwuzurike (hamstring) are set to miss the game. They are also hoping to get cornerbacks Carlton Davis (knee) and Emmanuel Moseley (hamstring) back after missing last week, while linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez is out for the season with a knee injury.
In historical context, the Lions have enjoyed recent success over the Packers, winning five of their last six matchups, marking their best run against Green Bay since the early 1980s. In their last contest, the Lions managed to score after an interception return and converted key fourth downs into touchdowns, despite being outgained by the Packers.
Statistically, the Packers, Lions, and Vikings are the first trio of teams in a single division to enter Week 14 with at least nine wins since 1985. Green Bay has a streak of five consecutive division road wins, with their last matchup against the Lions on Thanksgiving last year resulting in a 29-22 victory, where quarterback Jordan Love recorded three touchdown passes. Matt LaFleur, the Packers coach, boasts an impressive record early in his coaching career, while the team is set to play its second of four consecutive prime-time games. Both teams will be playing their third game within 12 days.
Love has recently achieved a career-high passer rating and has thrown four touchdowns without an interception over the last two games. Notably, the Packers have scored a significant number of points off turnovers this season. Defensive end Rashan Gary leads the Packers with 4.5 sacks and has previously proven effective against the Lions. Both teams are aiming to improve their postseason standings, with the Lions looking to secure a playoff spot with a victory or tie.
In the realm of fantasy, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown has yet to find the end zone in two games, which is unusual for him. Having recorded nine touchdowns this season, he is still a player to keep in mind, especially considering his strong performance against the Packers the last time they faced each other.
