The primetime showdown between the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions is the first game and could be the best game of Week 14 of the 2024 season. The highly anticipated rematch – the Lions beat the Packers at Lambeau Field in early November – is a big game in the NFC North, where three teams have at least nine wins in Week 13.
Both the Packers and Lions scored victories on Thanksgiving Day, setting up this showdown at Ford Field.
Here's a closer look at the Lions in Week 14:
Last week (win, 23-20 over Bears)
The Lions scored four goals in the first half and had a 16-0 lead after two quarters, but needed a wild finish to escape with a three-point victory over Caleb Williams and the reeling Bears. Jared Goff was efficient, completing 21 passes for 221 yards, two scores and no interceptions, Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery combined for 228 yards, Sam LaPorta caught both of Goff's touchdown passes and former Packer Za'Darius Smith had 1.5 sacks . But Jake Bates missed a field goal, Gibbs lost a fumble and Williams threw three touchdown passes in the second half to get the Bears back into the game. With three putbacks, the Bears moved into field goal territory, but had one of the NFL's biggest timing errors and finished the game without a single field goal attempt. The Lions were down 20-7 in the second half but improved to 11-1.
Quarterback game
Since throwing an incredible five interceptions on November 10th, Jared Goff has thrown six touchdown passes and zero picks in the last three games, all wins. He was perfect – at least in passer rating – in a blowout win over the Jaguars, but hasn't been deadly efficient in the last two games. Goff is precise and generally gets the ball out on time. He doesn't attack aggressively downfield – by PFF's standards, Goff has 10 “big throws” and 13 “turnover-worthy plays” this season. Therein lies the key for the Packers. Can Jeff Hafley's defense confuse Goff or force him into some mistakes? He played a flawless game in the first meeting.
Line of scrimmage
When everyone is healthy, the Lions have one of the best offensive lines in football. Left tackle Taylor Decker is dealing with an injury and missed last week, so his status for Thursday is uncertain. Dan Skipper played left tackle against the Bears. By PFF grade, the Lions rank 15th in pass blocking grade and third in run blocking grade. For the Lions, everything starts on offense. Aidan Hutchinson, John Cominsky and Marcus Davenport are all on injured reserve, which is why the Lions moved out at the trade deadline and added former Packer Za'Darius Smith. He recorded 17 pressures in three games in Detroit. Alim McNeil plays like a young Kenny Clark – he has 39 pressures. DJ Reader produced two sacks last week. The Lions are giving up 4.4 yards per carry this season, but no team has suffered fewer rush attempts. The Lions win a lot of football games at the point along the line of scrimmage.
Sales
The Lions have only turned the ball over in six of 12 games this season. Jared Goff had a nightmarish performance – he threw five picks and won over the Texans. And he hasn't protected the football perfectly this season, so the Packers will have to capitalize if Goff presents an opportunity on Thursday. He turned the ball over several times in the game at Ford Field last season. The Lions defense had 19 takeaways, resulting in a plus-8 turnover margin. In 11 games, the Lions have won the turnover battle five times. When the Lions don't turn the ball over this season, they average 40.2 points per game.
injury situation
The Lions will be without Aidan Hutchinson, Alex Anzalone, Derrick Barnes, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Kalif Raymond, Ennis Rakestraw, Ifeatu Melifonwu, John Cominsky, Malcolm Rodriguez, Marcus Davenport and Mekhi Wingo, all of whom are on injured reserve. Carlton Davis, Taylor Decker, Levi Onwuzurike and Josh Pascal are all dealing with injuries and their status for Thursday is uncertain. The Lions are beaten up – there's no doubt about it. They will be without key players in the rematch, but Dan Campbell's team have already proven on several occasions that they can win.
Players you should know
WR Amon-Ra St. Brown: He caught all seven of his targets and scored a fourth touchdown against the Packers in November. St. Brown is catching 83 percent of shots and has scored nine goals this season.
TE Sam LaPorta: His catches and receiving yards are down, but LaPorta has a touchdown catch in three of the last five games. Last but not least, he is a dangerous weapon in the red zone.
S Kerby Joseph: His pick-six in the first meeting turned the game around. The playmaking safety is currently tied with Xavier McKinney for the NFL lead in interceptions (7).
DL Alim McNeil: He is one of the better interior pass rushers in the nfl. The Packers have to block him or he'll ruin the game.
WR Jameson Williams: The speedster missed the first meeting. He has one catch of at least 20 yards in seven games this season, and the Lions have allowed him to carry at least one run in seven games.