By Blessing 
The Detroit Lions enter the week with one major edge: they have scored more points than any other NFC team. Their Thanksgiving opponent, the Green Bay Packers, counter with a defense that has allowed the second-fewest points in the conference. The matchup is shaping up to be a classic clash of strengths, with Detroit’s explosive offense trying to break through Green Bay’s sturdy defense.
Detroit’s annual Thanksgiving Day game always carries excitement, but this year’s meeting is especially important. Both teams are fighting for postseason position, and the national spotlight adds to the drama.
“Big-time opponent, really good team, division game, Thanksgiving, first game on,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said. “You couldn’t ask for anything better.”
Despite a 7-4 record, Detroit is outside of the wild-card picture. They trail the Chicago Bears by a game, with Green Bay (7-3-1) sitting between them in the standings. Green Bay also won the season opener, holding Detroit to 246 yards in a 27-13 victory.
Detroit needed overtime to defeat the two-win New York Giants on Sunday, 34-27. Jahmyr Gibbs delivered 264 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns, including a 69-yard game-winning run.
Campbell hopes the dramatic comeback strengthens his team.
“I just think when you’re able to come back and win a game in that fashion, it speaks volumes of your team,” Campbell said. “You need one or two of those a year because you’re always 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.”
Jared Goff has been strong at home, averaging 261.2 passing yards with 12 touchdowns and three interceptions. Jordan Love, playing through a separated non-throwing shoulder, hasn’t reached 200 passing yards in three straight games and four of his last six.
Love threw for 188 yards and two touchdowns in the opener and now returns to Detroit’s loud environment.
“It’s always a test,” Love said. “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.”
Green Bay’s defense has been excellent recently, giving up fewer than 20 points in four straight games. The Packers are on a two-game winning streak after dominating Minnesota 23-6 with five sacks and three forced 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.”
With Josh Jacobs sidelined by a knee injury, Emanuel Wilson rushed for 107 yards and two scores. Jacobs is questionable for Thursday.
“We’ll just see how he’s feeling on game day,” coach Matt LaFleur said.
Injuries remain an issue. Green Bay defensive linemen Karl Brooks and Lukas Van Ness missed Tuesday’s practice, as did returner Savion Williams. For Detroit, safety Kerby Joseph is out, while Graham Glasgow, Brock Wright, and Kalif Raymond also missed practice.
Detroit ended a seven-game Thanksgiving losing streak last year by beating the Bears. Green Bay will appear on the holiday for the third straight season after defeating Detroit in 2023 and Miami in 2024.
Both teams understand that a win on Thursday could shift the momentum of the division race. For Detroit, protecting home field has become a priority, and the energy of the Thanksgiving crowd often brings out their best football. Green Bay, meanwhile, views this as another chance to reinforce its defensive identity. With playoff stakes rising, neither side can afford a misstep. The atmosphere will only heighten the intensity further.