It’s been one month since the Detroit Lions invaded Green Bay and beat the Packers, 24-14, back in Week 9. The Lions surged to a 24-3 lead and carried a 24-6 margin into the final four minutes before the Packers tacked on some garbage-time points to make the score look more respectable.
The rematch comes in Ford Field on Thursday night. It’s a huge game in the NFC North, with the 9-3 Packers still very much in the hunt if they can get the road win. The 11-1 Lions clinch a postseason berth with a home victory, and the season sweep over the Packers would go a long way toward defending Detroit’s 2023 division title.
Neither team has lost since that meeting on November 4th, though both have had some changes. In conjunction with Zach Kruse of Packers Wire, we went over what’s different about the Lions and Packers since that Week 9 matchup.
Packers Wire
The Packers are playing some of their best football of the year, especially over the last two games. Jordan Love has back-to-back games without a turnover, Josh Jacobs has back-to-back games breaking 12 or more tackles, the offense is finally converting red-zone trips into touchdowns and the defense has held back-to-back teams under 50 yards rushing and is tackling well at every level. Even the special teams has been a positive — a recovered fumble off a punt set up a touchdown last week. It’s possible the Packers will get back cornerback Jaire Alexander for Thursday night, too.
Although the Packers needed something close to a miracle to escape Chicago with a win a couple weeks ago, the Lions know a little something about miracle escapes against the Bears. More than anything, the Packers are playing a much more physical brand of football as of late. Also, Love looks completely recovered from knee and groin injuries, which limited his mobility in the first meeting.
The Packers are healthy and improving, although playing a third game in 12 days will test their mental and physical toughness. — Zach Kruse
Lions Wire
The Lions keep adding injuries on defense, but they keep acclimating to the adversity. Za’Darius Smith has been outstanding since joining the Lions, creating a lot of pressure and bringing infectious energy. The defensive interior, Alim McNeill and DJ Reader, have collectively taken a step up. Reader just had his first 2-sack game since 2018, while McNeill continues to play at a Pro Bowl-worthy level. Injury fill-ins like Al-Quadin Muhammad, Ezekiel Turner and David Long have proven capable.
The Lions offense has cooled a bit, with some of that owing to injuries to Taylor Decker at left tackle. Jared Goff remains very sharp, and Tim Patrick has become more integral to the passing offense. Blitzing Goff is asking for him to show why he’s an MVP candidate, but defenses that can create pressure with rushing only four have been thorny for Ben Johnson’s creative scheme. That showed against the Colts and Bears, and the pass protection hasn’t been up to earlier standards–including All-Pro Penei Sewell at right tackle.
The Lions aren’t getting as many explosive plays from the passing game, but the 1-2 rushing attack of Sonic and Knuckles, aka Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, is still consistently gashing opposing defenses. — Jeff Risdon
