In the first of three Thanksgiving games, Detroit Lions host a division opponent Green Bay Packers on Thursday afternoon to start the triple header.
Detroit gets a thrilling, too-close-for-comfort overtime win over Giantswho improved his record to 7-4 on the season. Lions trail by one game Bears (yes, really) for first place in NFC Northand they will also be seeking revenge for this game since the Packers destroyed them back in Week 1. The game is part of a tough three-week stretch for the Lions, who play Cowboys And Rams in the two games following this one.
Green Bay also picked up a win last week, improving to 7-3-1 with a comfortable win over Vikings. Green Bay won back-to-back games because it felt a bit awkward in games against Panthers And Eagles a few weeks ago and will surely be looking to deal a blow to the Lions here and push them further back in the division race. The Packers have their own chance to make a statement in the division with games against Detroit and Minnesota and two games against Chicago.
Can the Packers make it three wins in a row or will the Lions finally get back-to-back wins for the first time since early October? We'll find out soon enough. But before we look at the match in detail, let's see how you can watch the game.
Where to watch Lions vs Packers game live
- Date: Thursday 27 November | Time: 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time
- Location: Ford Field (Detroit)
- TV: Fox | Broadcast: Fubo (try it for free)
- Follow: CBS Sports App
- Chances: Lions -2.5, O/U 48.5 through Bookmaker DraftKings
Bet Packers vs. Lions and other Week 13 NFL games on DraftKingswhere new users who win a $5 bet receive $300 in bonus bets and three free months NBA League Pass.
Why the NFL made a change to the Thanksgiving schedule that broke 42 years of Lions tradition.
John Breech
Key storylines
- Game “Revenge”. The Packers completely destroyed the Lions in Week 1. Their defensive front completely dominated the game to the point where the Lions were virtually unable to produce on offense. Micah Parsons played a limited role after missing most of the offseason before being traded to Green Bay, but he was phenomenal in his limited shots. Players like it Lucas Van Ness, Devonte Wyatt and much more came to light, and the subplot was extremely sticky throughout the game. The Lions will certainly want to prove that the game was an aberration, and they have shown all season that they can still be as explosive as any team in the league when they are in the game.
- NFC North standings. Chicago has took first place in the division thanks to a four-game winning streak, but both Green Bay and Detroit trail the Bears. Chicago is 8-3, but the Packers are 7-3-1 and the Lions are 7-4. The Packers currently hold the tiebreaker over the Lions thanks to their head-to-head win, but Detroit could tie the game with a win. The Lions also hold the tiebreaker with the Bears and won't play them again until the final week of the season. The Packers still have to play against Chicago and have two games against the Bears in Weeks 14 and 16. This round-robin game will go a long way in determining the NFC North champion.
- Injuries abound. Both teams were incredibly tired heading into this game, and each team was plagued by multiple injuries. Both teams will be without their star tight end as… Tucker Craft And Sam LaPorta remain on injured reserve. And then Monday's injury report listed an incredible 31 players. That includes the Packers' No. 1 quarterback. Kaysin Nixonpass rusher Lucas Van Ness and interior defensive lineman Carl Brookstogether with the Lions Center Graham Glasgow and safety Kerby Josephneither of whom practiced in any capacity. (Joseph will not play, according to Dan Campbell.) The Packers could bring back one or both players. Josh Jacobs And Jayden Reideach of whom attended limited sessions on Monday, as did Matthew Golden. Marcus Davenportcould have returned to Detroit in the meantime, but the Lions limited a number of other players (including most of their offensive line, as well as Brian Branch And Terrion Arnold) also on Monday.
- History of Thanksgiving. This will be the 23rd time the Lions and Packers have met on Thanksgiving Day. NFL story. (They played every year from 1951 to 1963.) In the Thanksgiving Day series against Green Bay, the Lions are 12-9-1 despite being just 38-45-2 all-time. This will be the 39th time Green Bay has played on Thanksgiving Day, and the Packers are 16-20-2 in those contests. The last time these two teams played on Thanksgiving Day was two years ago, when the Packers won 29-22.
Forecast
Detroit on the fast track at Ford Field is a different team than in the outdoors. That Week 1 game was a long time ago and was played at Lambeau Field. The Lions simply have more explosive playmakers on offense than the Packers, which is why I believe they will score more points – even against Green Bay's defense.
Prediction: Lions 27, Packers 20
