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DETROIT — The longstanding rivalry between Detroit and Green Bay is set to intensify as they clash this Thursday evening in Detroit, with significant implications for both teams. The Lions, currently leading the NFC with an 11-1 record, are determined to maintain their edge over the Philadelphia Eagles (10-2) and the Minnesota Vikings (10-2) in pursuit of the best conference record.
Moreover, a victory for Detroit would mark their 11th consecutive win, solidifying their place in the playoffs and establishing a new franchise record. “We’re in playoff football right now,” remarked Lions head coach Dan Campbell. “This is the type of stuff that you live for and it’s also the type of stuff that gets you ready for the tournament.”
On the other side, the Packers (9-3) have considerable stakes as well, as a win would narrow the gap to just one game behind the Lions in the race for the NFC North title. The team is labeled as 3.5-point underdogs by BetMGM, but they are eager to even the seasonal series.
“This game is going to be important for us moving forward toward the end of this thing, and we’re going to treat it as such,” stated Packers safety Xavier McKinney.
When it comes to the game strategy, stopping Detroit’s rushing attack could be crucial for Green Bay’s success. Running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery have made NFL history as the first teammates to score at least 10 rushing touchdowns in consecutive seasons, averaging over 140 rushing yards per game combined.
The Packers showcased their defensive mettle in recent weeks, successfully limiting opponents’ star running backs. They kept San Francisco’s Christian McCaffrey to just 31 yards on 11 carries and restricted Miami to 39 rushing yards. This performance marked the first time since 1995, and only the second since 1950, that they have conceded fewer than 45 rushing yards in consecutive games.
In their previous meeting last month, Montgomery registered 73 rushing yards on 17 carries, while Gibbs contributed with 65 yards and a touchdown. “They played Montgomery the whole first half and then the second half they came with Gibbs,” McKinney recalled. “They got a good 1-2 punch.”
Interestingly, the home-field advantage has not favored either team in this rivalry lately, with the road team winning the last four matchups. This trend dates back to Detroit’s final regular-season game of 2022 when they defeated the Packers in a closely contested 20-16 game at Lambeau Field. The Packers also have a strong record of five straight NFC North road victories, including a Thanksgiving win at Detroit last year.
In terms of defensive playmakers, both McKinney and Lions safety Kerby Joseph lead the league with seven interceptions each. Joseph notably had a pick-six in the last encounter against Green Bay and has intercepted four passes in his four games against them. “He’s a ballhawk,” commented Packers quarterback Jordan Love. “He’s going to make the plays when the ball’s in the air, so he’s definitely a guy you’ve got to know where he’s at.”
In a recent press conference, Coach Campbell expressed surprise upon learning that Gibbs had shared some team strategies on social media. “I’d rather our stuff not be out there,” he commented. Green Bay’s Coach Matt LaFleur echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing confidentiality in team strategies but downplaying the impact of exposure, stating, “Guys understand that nobody wants their information out there for the whole world to see, so we try to keep everything in-house here. But I don’t think it’s like the end of the world, either.”
Both teams will also face the challenge of playing their third game within 12 days. “How the whole organization has handled this has been really impressive,” remarked Packers defensive lineman Lukas Van Ness, who has been effective with a sack in each of his last two games. After this pivotal matchup, each squad will enjoy a break, with the Lions hosting the AFC East champion Buffalo Bills on December 5 and the Packers visiting Seattle later that evening.
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