Packers @ Lions Game Overview

Detroit's annual Thanksgiving Day home game will likely come down to whether its explosive offense can solve Green Bay's stout defense.

The pivotal NFC North showdown will have major postseason implications for both teams. Playing on a holiday with a national audience adds to the intrigue.

"Big-time opponent, really good team, division game, Thanksgiving, first game on," Lions coach Dan Campbell said. "You couldn't ask for anything better."

Right now, Campbell's team doesn't even hold a wild-card spot despite a 7-4 record. It trails the first-place Chicago Bears by a game in the division with the Packers (7-3-1) sandwiched between them.

Green Bay's defense held visiting Detroit to 246 yards in a season-opening 27-13 Packers victory.

Detroit barely escaped against the two-win New York Giants on Sunday, rallying for a 34-27 overtime victory. Jahmyr Gibbs had 264 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns, including a 69-yard scoring run in overtime.

Campbell hopes to use that game as a springboard for a strong finish.

"I just think when you're able to come back and win a game in that fashion, it speaks volumes of your team and where you're at," Campbell said. "I think it's good for you to get those. You need one or two of those a year because you're always tested. Every team gets tested. Those are tough. You're down two scores in the fourth. To be able to do what we had to do in all three phases, I do think it can pay dividends for you."

Jared Goff is averaging 261.2 yards passing in home games with 12 touchdowns and three interceptions. Counterpart Jordan Love, who is playing with a separated left (non-throwing) shoulder, hasn't reached the 200-yard passing mark in his last three games and four of his past six.

Love threw for 188 yards in the Packers' opening-night win over the Lions with two touchdowns. Now, he'll have to face Detroit in a hostile environment.

"It's always a test," Love said. "Obviously, playing them -- it's always a great environment, a very loud environment. We've been there before and we know what it's about. Communication has got to be on point."

The Packers haven't allowed more than 20 points in any of the last four games and they enter on a two-game winning streak. They manhandled Minnesota 23-6 on Sunday, holding the Vikings to 145 total yards while collecting five sacks and forcing three turnovers.

"Coming off two wins is great -- it's always going to build confidence," Love said. "Two weeks that we did what we needed to do. We know what we've got in front of us ... but with the level we're at, we're in a great spot."

With Josh Jacobs sidelined by a knee injury for Green Bay, Emanuel Wilson rushed for a career-high 107 yards and two scores against the Vikings. Jacobs was limited in practice on Wednesday and does not have a playing designation for Thursday.

"We'll just see how he's feeling on game day," coach Matt LaFleur said of Jacobs..

Defensive tackle Karl Brooks (ankle), defensive end Lukas Van Ness (foot), receiver Jayden Reed (foot/shoulder) and kick returner Savion Williams (foot) were ruled out by the Packers. Listed as questionable are cornerbacks Nate Hobbs (knee) and Keisean Nixon (neck), linebacker Quay Walker (neck) and receiver Matthew Golden (wrist).

Detroit safety Kerby Joseph (knee) and center Graham Glasgow (knee) were among five players ruled out for the contest. The others are edge rusher Josh Paschal (back), returner/receiver Kalif Raymond (ankle) and tight end Brock Wright (neck).

Tackles Taylor Decker (shoulder) and Penei Sewell (ankle), guard Tate Ratledge (knee), receiver Isaac TeSlaa (hand), running back Sione Vaki (ankle/thumb) and cornerback Terrion Arnold (concussion) are listed as questionable. Detroit also activated defensive end Marcus Davenport (shoulder) from injured reserve and offensive lineman Miles Frazier (knee) from the physically unable to perform list on Wednesday and listed both as questionable.

Four-time Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow is coming out of retirement and rejoining the Lions but it isn't yet clear when he'll be ready to play.

The Lions snapped a seven-game Thanksgiving Day losing streak last season by defeating the Bears 23-20. Green Bay will be making its third straight Thanksgiving appearance. It defeated the Lions in 2023 and downed Miami last year on the holiday.

--Field Level Media