Kick-off on the night of Thursday to Friday at 2:15 a.m.
Detroit Lions (11-1) – Green Bay Packers (9-3)
Two of the best teams in the NFC North, and more generally in the NFL, face each other this Thursday evening. A poster of choice for a Thursday Night Football to absolutely follow.
Because the Lions and the Packers are in full swing. Both teams are coming off a Thanksgiving win and are on a hot streak. The Lions are the top seed in the NFC and the Super Bowl favorite, but if they lose this Thursday, their lead in the division will be just one game. For their part, the Packers are firmly anchored in the race for the playoffs, and the NFC North is still within reach. It's time to move up a gear and think bigger.
The Lions, new kings of the North
First in the NFC North and the NFC conference, the Lions are on an incredible 10-game winning streak. As dominant at home as they are away, they boast a solid 5-1 record on home soil this season.
And if the Lions racing car is so well oiled, it is first and foremost because the attack is an incredible engine. The squad led by Jared Goff has averaged 31.9 points per game since the start of the season, no more and no less than the best total in the NFL. As comfortable on the ground as in the air, she has the second average yards gained in the league. Fifth in passing (240.8 yards per game) and fourth on the ground (154.4 per game), she can count on her receivers as well as on her Gibbs/Montgomery duo (or Sonic & Knuckles). And if the playmakers weren't enough, Detroit can always rely on the creativity of Dan Campbell to surprise their opponents…
Defensively and despite an avalanche of injuries (including that of the man who should have become defender of the year), the mechanics are holding up. The Lions are in fact the second team that concedes the fewest points in the NFL, with an average of 16.9 points conceded per game (only the Chargers do better). However, we will note a slight weakness in the air defense, even if safety Brian Branch is keeping an eye on things with already 4 interceptions to his credit.
The Packers aim higher than third place
Only third in the NFC North despite a 9-3 record, the Packers are also in great shape. On a series of three consecutive victories, they have not lost since… Their last clash against the Lions.
And for good reason, the team resembles its evening opponent in many ways. Offensively first, Green Bay also displays a solid average of points per game (26.5), despite the absence of their leader Jordan Love during several games this season. In terms of yards gained per game, the Packers are also in the top 3 in the league to date (just behind…the Lions). An efficiency that the Wisconsin men owe to their star quarterback, but also to a much more efficient ground game this year (see below).
The defense doesn't have any obvious weaknesses either. She's averaging just 20 points and 325.5 yards per game to opponents, which ranks among the top 10 in the country. The squad is nevertheless sensitive to receptions from running backs. It allows the fifth highest number of receiving yards to runners this year (more than 40 yards per game on average). Faced with a Jahmyr Gibbs who has an impressive average of 10 yards per reception, there is potentially cause for concern.
Players to watch: Amon-Ra St. Brown & Josh Jacobs
If offensive weapons are legion in the Motor City, Amon-Ra St. Brown still manages to do well. On his way to a third consecutive season with more than 1,000 yards, and a second with at least 10 touchdowns, the versatile wide receiver leads Detroit in receptions and receiving yards. After an impressive series of 8 games with at least one touchdown scored, he hasn't seen the end zone for three weeks. Facing an opponent he particularly likes, this is a great opportunity to shine again.
Like many other teams, the Packers are at their best when they can dominate the running game. A challenge that will be difficult to take on this Thursday, when we will have to compete against the duo Jahmyr Gibbs/David Montgomery. But, with 5 touchdowns scored in the last 3 games, running back Josh Jacobs proved that he had perfectly digested his move from Las Vegas to Wisconsin. On the verge of surpassing 1,000 rushing yards with 5 games remaining in the season, he represents a reliable option that Green Bay likes to rely on.
The prediction: Detroit Lions
Green Bay should arrive with confidence thanks to its running game led by Josh Jacobs. Jordan Love has also regained his sensations in recent weeks, and the defense is dominant and can turn a match in his favor at any time. That being said, Detroit has the same qualities with a few additional advantages. The contribution of talented players such as Amon-Ra St.-Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs or Sam LaPorta is often decisive in this type of match, and Detroit seems better armed than its opponent from this point of view. Combined with the home advantage, the Lions start with a slight advantage in a match that promises to be tough.
