By Moses Joshua 
Detroit’s power-speed backfield is positioned to expose Green Bay’s collapsing run defense in the Thanksgiving spotlight
Green Bay’s Run Defense: A Season-Long Warning Sign
As Detroit prepares to host its traditional Thanksgiving Day showdown, the Lions enter the matchup with a strategic advantage that could dictate the game’s entire identity. While the Packers arrive with urgency—searching for consistency and clinging to playoff hopes—their most glaring flaw remains both unchanged and impossible to ignore: Green Bay’s run defense continues to be the weak link dragging down the entire team.
Throughout the season, the Packers have consistently ranked near the bottom of the league in yards allowed per carry. They’ve struggled at the point of attack, lost control of gap assignments, and repeatedly allowed opposing runners to burst into the second level untouched. Kenny Clark remains a disruptive force, but without reliable support from Green Bay’s rotating defensive linemen and inside linebackers, he’s often left battling alone.
Linebacker Quay Walker’s athleticism is undeniable, yet his inconsistencies in run fits have led to repeated breakdowns. With safeties frequently forced to drop down simply to contain the damage, the defense becomes exposed vertically—compromising their back-end coverage and dragging the entire unit into deeper trouble.
This is precisely the kind of defensive vulnerability that the Detroit Lions are uniquely built to punish.
Detroit’s Backfield Duo: Montgomery’s Power Meets Gibbs’ Explosive Speed
Behind one of the NFL’s most cohesive offensive lines, Detroit has crafted an ideal formula for exploiting Green Bay’s interior issues. The Lions’ commitment to physical, versatile rushing concepts allows them to stress every weak point in the Packers’ front.
David Montgomery’s bruising, downhill running style is built to exploit a defense that struggles to shed blocks and maintain leverage. His ability to run through arm tackles and punish defenders for poor positioning makes him a nightmare matchup for Green Bay’s thin middle.
Then there’s Jahmyr Gibbs—the electric complement to Montgomery. With one-cut acceleration and elite open-field burst, Gibbs thrives when blocking schemes create even the smallest crease. Against a Packers defense frequently out of alignment, his potential for chunk plays is enormous.
Detroit doesn’t merely run the ball—they weaponize it. Inside zone, power counter, jet motion, and shifting personnel packages all contribute to misdirection that forces defenses out of their comfort zone. Against Green Bay, this multidimensional approach could dictate the game before halftime.
Ben Johnson’s Blueprint: How Detroit Can Take Full Control
Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson’s philosophy is built around balance, creativity, and forcing defenses to defend every blade of grass. Against Green Bay, his blueprint naturally becomes even more potent.
By leaning into early-down rushing success, Detroit sets up Jared Goff for comfortable, high-percentage throws off play-action—an area where he has excelled all season. When the Lions generate manageable third downs, it neutralizes Green Bay’s pass rushers. Rashan Gary and Preston Smith are far less dangerous when forced to respect run threats or hesitate against play fakes.
Sustained drives also wear down a Packers front that struggles with rotation depth. By the fourth quarter, Green Bay’s interior defenders have routinely shown fatigue, opening the door for Michigan-style bully ball that Detroit thrives on.
This isn’t just about yardage. It’s about dictating everything—tempo, field position, and game flow. If the Packers fall behind early, their offense risks becoming one-dimensional, putting pressure on Jordan Love to throw into a Lions defense that excels at generating pressure and forcing mistakes in obvious passing situations.
Thanksgiving Outlook: A Clear Advantage Detroit Cannot Waste
The Packers certainly possess playmakers, but their inability to stop the run presents a catastrophic mismatch on a short week. For a Lions team hungry to make a national statement—and maintain command of the NFC North—the opportunity is obvious and perfectly aligned with their identity.
Expect Dan Campbell to send a message early, leaning heavily on Montgomery and Gibbs to impose Detroit’s physicality. Jet sweeps, motion looks, and downhill concepts will test Green Bay’s discipline from the first snap. If the Lions consistently win first down, the Packers defense will be stuck in reaction mode all afternoon.
With high stakes and playoff positioning sharpening every decision, Detroit’s ability to exploit this fatal flaw could define not only Thanksgiving—but the NFC North race heading into December.
Detroit has the path. Now it’s about seizing it.