2024 NFL Week 14: Packers vs. Lions Preview & Prediction

Happy football Thursday once again, Packer fans! Yes, a bit of an oddity to be doing back-to-back Thursday game previews and predictions (last time was 2015). But here we are. Last week was the Thanksgiving evening game, of course, at Lambeau Field vs. the Miami Dolphins. Seems so long ago now, doesn't it? It was a great way to cap off our Turkey Day (plus whomping the Sunday before our heretofore kryptonite by the largest margin ever in the long-standing series against the Niners: 28 points! Holy California roll, Batman!) The post-game six-legged turducken feast, prepared by none other than Packers and NFL Hall of Famer, LeRoy Butler, was presented to QB Jordan Love, RB Josh Jacobs, and LB Isaiah McDuffie. Love received 2 of the legs as Butler reminded the viewing audience that Love was inexplicably stiffed on that front after last year's win at Detroit. It was a beautiful moment, indeed.

Anyway, and not coincidentally, the Packers find themselves back in Detroit tonight to play the Lions at Ford Field. Which leads us to our preview. Let's begin ...

The 2024 Packers will need to replicate the power and passion of the 1964 Green Bay team, epitomized by FB Jim Taylor (airborne!) and QB Bart Starr shown here against the Lions, in order to bring a win over the Lions back to Green Bay tonight.

(Photo via Milwaukee Journal Sentinel archive)

The Preview

In terms of a broad overview, the 9-3 Packers are ascending, the 11-1 Lions — despite the record — seem to be descending a bit. That's a qualified "descending", by the way, in case anyone misunderstands. As the saying goes, sometimes it's not who you play, it's when you play them. For the Packers, they are catching the Lions at the best possible time from their perspective: Detroit is banged up and missing starters, particularly on defense. That's the "descending" part right now. 

Detroit's offense — the highest scoring offense in the league — is mostly in tact ... and must be accounted for, particularly their running backs and receivers. If the Packers defense allow Detroit's running game to take charge, it will likely be a long night. QB Jared Goff is having another great season, and he has great receivers to throw to. When given protection, he is one of the best pocket-passers in the league today. But rattle him and get him out of the pocket, advantage Packers ... that has to be part of the Pack's defensive objectives for this game. Summing up: contain Detroit's running game, cover the receivers (especially over the middle, a-hem), and get pressure on Goff.

The Packers come in probably as healthy as they have been all season, albeit with CB Jaire Alexander (knee), WR Romeo Doubs (concussion), LB Edgerrin Cooper (hamstring), and CB Corey Ballentine (knee) all ruled out for tonight's game. The Packers have seemingly been playing more games without Alexander this season than with him, so the defense has been able to adapt. Better with him than without him, but availability is what it is. And no doubt head coach Matt LaFleur would prefer to be able to game plan with Doubs available in the passing game, but ... not. Thankfully, the Pack's corps of wide receivers is not only deep but good.

The key for the Pack's offense, as it has been increasingly as the season has progressed, is the success of the running game, particularly having RB Josh Jacobs dominate. If he's able to do what he's done over several weeks — say, carrying the ball 20-25 times and rushing for 100 yards or more — that will go a long way to seeing the Pack come away on top tonight. QB Jordan Love will also need time to find his receivers or make quick decisions and take off with the ball if pressured; better the latter than trying to force a throw and generate a turnover. Having no turnovers tonight, and getting a takeaway or two by the defense or special teams, can help secure the win.

The question for the Packers, as it has been most of the season, is what defense will show up tonight. The D has been playing really well, of late, and that trend has to continue tonight. Now, it's well known that Detroit is a physical team. The Packers will need to match that physicality on both sides of the ball. Let Detroit get rolling and it's then probably going to be a shootout type game ... perhaps even one of those last possession type games.

The Prediction

The Lions are 3-1/2 point favorites at the time of this writing with the over-under currently sitting at 51-1/2 points; so the oddsmakers are looking for a lot of offense tonight. The Packers lost the first outing at Lambeau Field, but they are now a more complete team than they were then. The game is indoors, so weather is not a factor. The Lions are wounded, the Packers relatively healthy. The Packers need this win to stay in the hunt for the NFC North title and are looking for revenge for that earlier loss.

It's not who you play, it's when you play them. Yup.

We're calling this game Packers 34 - Lions 30.

Go Pack Go!!!

2024 NFL Week 9: Packers vs. Lions Preview & Prediction

The Lions come to Lambeau.

But first, a quick recap of last weekend's win at Jacksonville. Real quick. Because I was traveling and unable to actually see the game. (I know, I know...) Only heard afterwards that QB Jordan Love left the game with a groin injury and backup extraordinaire Malik Willis stepped in and implemented a game-winning field goal drive in the closing seconds. Kicker Brandon McManus booted his second game-winning field goal since being signed to the Packers a few weeks ago. In other words, a win. And that's what it's all about.

The Packers are now 6-2 and the above-mentioned 6-1 Detroit Lions visit Lambeau Field today with the NFC North lead on the line, as well as potential playoff seedings down the road. Not a disaster if the Pack drops this one. But we all know a win is better than a loss no matter at what point of the season.

A blast from the past: Packers running back Ryan Grant takes it to the Lions in 2007 at Lambeau Field. The Packers won 34-13. The running game will factor strongly into today's game as windy and rainy weather is expected and QB Jordan Love may be limited in his mobility.

(Photo by Rick Wood / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

The Preview

Arguably, the two top teams in the NFC face off at Lambeau Field in Green Bay today for the first of their two divisional games. Both come into this game on winning streaks; the Packers have won four straight games, the Lions five. So something will give there.

Both teams have injuries at key positions. The Lions top defensive player, DE Aidan Hutchinson, is out for the season after suffering a broken leg against Dallas a couple weeks ago. The Packers QB, Jordan Love, after sustaining a sprained MCL in his left knee in the season opener and missing two games, last week sustained a groin injury during the game at Jacksonville and had to be replaced by backup Malik Willis who has done nothing but win in his three appearances for the Pack. Love is listed as questionable and a game-time decision. Also listed as questionable for the Packers are CB Jaire Alexander (knee), RB Josh Jacobs (ankle) and cornerback Corey Ballentine (ankle). C Josh Myers (wrist) is doubtful to play and S Evan Williams (hamstring) is out. Myers being out will require a shift of players along the O-line and that could be of benefit to Detroit.

The Lions have top-level, tough, offensive and defensive units and are a reflection of their head coach, Dan Campbell. They have been putting up points behind QB Jared Goff. Getting pressure on him today will be key to the Packers being in and winning this game. One point of note is that (if memory serves) this is Goff's first outdoor game this season. And the conditions are not going to be conducive (according to weather forecasts) even to a QB such as Love who plays outdoors most of the time. This could also open up opportunities for the Pack's very opportunistic defense to generate a takeaway or two, which could be the difference in today's game. But the Packers defense also needs to be on-guard against the Lions trick plays; no team does them more often — or goes for first downs on fourth downs — like Detroit. Be ready!

Regardless of Love's mobility today, the O-line is going to need to keep him upright and in the pocket so he can make his reads and on-target throws. And if Love can't go today, Willis — and a separate game plan — will have to step up as he has in all three of his prior appearances. That effort, for either quarterback, will be aided greatly by having a balanced run-pass game plan and giving the ball to RB Josh Jacobs to chew up yardage and the clock as often as circumstances allow.

Bottom line is that this game will be a grinder, especially for the Packers. Need to prevent turnovers and generate a takeaway or two. With a bye next weekend, the Pack can leave it all on the field today and have an extra week to get healthy.

The Prediction

At the time of this writing, the Lions are favored by 2-1/2 over the Packers with the over-under set at 45-1/2 points. Both sound about right. And, really, who are we to argue?

We think the weather will hold down scoring a bit, which seems to be factored into the total points for the over-under.

We're calling it Packers 24 - Lions 23.

Go Pack Go!!!