The Packers Can Put the Lions in the Rearview Mirror with a Win on Thanksgiving
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| Photo Credit: Evan Siegle, packers.com The Packers have a chance to really solidify themselves in the race for the NFC North on Thanksgiving against the Detroit Lions. The Lions have been the kings of the North the past few seasons and in dominant fashion. With a win on Thursday, the Packers would improve to 3 and 0 in the NFC North while the Lions would fall to 1 and 3. The Packers win against the Vikings on Sunday was the first game in a while where they took control and never looked back. It may have been more of a conservative approach from the Packers offense considering Jordan Love’s injury and Josh Jacobs also not playing. The defense was in control the entire game as the Packers built their lead slowly. Love him or hate him, Matt LaFleur definitely had Thursday’s game against the Lions in mind.
Both the Packers and the Lions are on short weeks with an earlier start time than normal for a Thursday football game. It should also be noted the Lions are coming off a matchup that went to overtime where their defense was on the field for 82 total snaps. The Packers defense on the other hand was on the field against the Vikings for only 44 snaps. If one thing is for certain, it is this. The Packers offense is going to need more than 23 points to beat this Lions team. Although they have had their struggles and the Packers defense has been lights out, the offense needs to be complementary. Tempo is this offense’s best friend and Jordan Love has the elite ability to move down the field and find rhythm. The Packers may have to do just that against a Lions secondary that is going to be missing star safety Kerby Joseph in this one. It all comes down to the Packers' offensive line and they may have just found something in rookie Anthony Belton who played a ton of quality snaps at guard against a Vikings defense that brought pressure on almost every pass attempt Jordan Love had.
One piece of the Packers offense who has been as important as anyone is Christian Watson. Watson has been pivotal since returning from injury, not just as a downfield threat but also in the intermediate passing game. It is going to be interesting going forward with the return of Jayden Reed and also Matthew Golden in this passing game. As we have seen so far this season Matt LaFleur has still been hesitant to give Love the keys to the offense. Defensively, there is not much you can say is wrong other than the run defense. Early in the Vikings game, the Packers defense had a little trouble with Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason. Isaiah McDuffie deserves major props for stepping up in this game that Quay Walker didn't play in. The defense never let things get out of control and ended this game with two interceptions and five sacks. Micah Parsons has been incredible and could be in for another big day against a Lions offensive line that has had its struggles recently and also dealt with injuries.
This matchup against the Lions presents a far more difficult task of stopping the run against the duo of Sonic and Knuckles (Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery). It should be noted that in week one, the defense locked down the run, only allowing 44 rushing yards between both Gibbs and Montgomery. The Packers defense also held the Lions offense to six points before a garbage time touchdown to Isaac TeSlaa with 55 seconds left to make the final score 27-13. The big question mark for the defense is Keisean Nixon who left the Vikings game with a stinger. If Nixon is not ready to go, we will be seeing Kamal Hadden make his first career start against his hometown team on Thursday.
On Sunday against the Vikings, we finally saw a healthy Brandon McManus go five for five on extra points and field goals. McManus has been dealing with a quad injury and it was good to see him put together a complete game after the Packers paid him this offseason. The special teams also made a huge play against the Vikings, recovering a muffed punt to set the team up for one of two Emmanuel Wilson touchdowns. Overall, this is a game both of these teams are going to be up for, regardless of it being a short week. The Lions are desperate to win a division game and get back in the playoff race while the Packers are trying to clinch the NFC North for the first time since 2021. It is all going to come down to whether or not the Packers offense can move the ball consistently and score. The defense has given them chances every week to run away with games and it is time for them to start playing their best football.
The conservative style of play needs to stop. It is time to give Jordan Love the ball and let it rip. The Packers should have a chip on their shoulder in this game. Nobody has taken them seriously after weeks one and two this season and a dominant win against the Lions would do wonders for the confidence of this team going forward. Not only would they be setting the Lions back even further, but they would inch even closer to a home playoff game and a possible run to the Super Bowl. Yes, that is right, this team can win a Super Bowl. It is time to let it rip. Real Packer Fans Know🧀 |
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