The Green Bay Packers hope to be better prepared for their rematch with the Detroit Lions on Thursday night. This will be the third game between the teams in 11 days, and each team had a victory last Thursday on Thanksgiving Day.
The Packers got the job done against the Miami Dolphins, defeating an unlikely AFC opponent at an emotional Lambeau Field game 30-17. Meanwhile, the Lions also escaped with a narrow 23-20 Turkey Day victory over the Chicago Bears.
The last time these two teams faced each other, Detroit jumped out to a 24-3 lead that Green Bay was unable to overcome. Fortunately, heading into the Week 14 rematch, the Packers are expected to be much healthier and playing their best football.
On the other hand, the Lions have continued unabated since Week 2, sitting at 11-1 and still in control of the NFC North. A win for the Packers on Thursday will facilitate them get back into the race, but to do so they will need to overcome these three key matchups.
Packers win with Lukas Van Ness and Lions lieutenant Dan Skipper
With Taylor Decker’s status uncertain with a knee injury, the Lions could be without left tackle for the second straight week. Skipper did well to protect Jared Goff in Decker’s absence. According to Pro Football Focus, the 6-10, 330-pound former undrafted free agent allowed zero sacks, one quarterback hit and three hurries last week. This week he must try to sluggish down the red-hot Van Ness, who has recorded two sacks and five pressures in the last two weeks. During the first match, Van Ness had only one pressure in 12 quick passes, but now he will face a much more favorable match.
Packers Defense vs. Lions RBs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery
Overall, Green Bay’s defense performed well in the first meeting, holding Detroit to only 17 points and limiting Goff to just 145 yards over the top. But when it came time to stop the Lions’ two-man running back, the Packers struggled to contain Gibbs and Montgomery, who combined for 172 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown. In last week’s win over the Bears, Detroit focused on the running game, with Gibbs and Montgomery combining for 175 of the team’s 194 rushing yards. Green Bay will need to have a much better game plan to disrupt arguably the best running back tandem in the NFL.
Packers WR Jayden Reed vs. Lions CB Amik Robertson
Detroit had difficulty covering Reed in the first matchup, allowing the second-year receiver to complete five passes for 113 yards. Reed had been dismantling defenses all season and Robertson was vulnerable to attacks from opposing forwards. According to PFF, he gave up 433 receiving yards and 60.3 percent of receptions against coverage in 2024. When they faced each other earlier in the season, Roberston only allowed one catch to Reed, a 41-yard TD just before halftime. If Reed can replicate his performance from the first game while also scoring two touchdowns against Miami, the Packers should be in a good position offensively.
