NFL Week 13: Packers vs. Lions Thanksgiving Day Preview & Prediction

Before having a quick look at the Turkey Day extravaganza in Detroit, let's have a brief look back at this past Sunday's beat down of the ViQueens at Lambeau Field. The synopsis: the Packers won in dominating fashion behind a run-centric offense led by backup RB Emanuel Wilson, a pound-the-first-year-starting-quarterback defense, and a game-changing special teams play that turned the game on its head.

Do we need to say anything further? You know about all these things already if you are a Packers fan. And if you are reading this blog, you definitely are!

For the second week in a row, we also had the margin of victory correct, albeit again with a difference of 7 points on either end of the prediction, 23-6 final vs. the 30-13 prediction. Not bad.

Will we see a similar game plan offensively on Thursday? We hope not, frankly. Defensively, we'll definitely take the sacks, pressures and turnover the Packers generated. And if we can get a special teams play that turns the game, well, that would be just fine, as well. Because we expect this to be a close one. Let's take a look.

Packers fans hope to see QB Jordan Love successfully opening

up the passing game today vs. the Lions.

(Photo via the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

The Preview

Let's begin with the Packers having RB Josh Jacobs return to the backfield. They rested him vs. Minnesota to give him a few extra days to get healthy for this Detroit game, with a longer break afterward to recover before the next game against Da Bearz. Of course, Wilson proved on Sunday that he can carry the full load once again if Jacobs is limited. We expect a mix of Jacobs and Wilson depending upon the flow and needs of the game, with head coach Matt LaFleur hopefully scheming and maximizing the strengths of each.

While not having their full complement of receivers available (see the injury report below), there will be enough to give Detroit problems. This assumes, of course, that the Pack's offensive line is stout enough to not only have the running game be effective but to also protect Jordan Love. Recall that Love has a left shoulder separation, according to reports, from taking that unnecessary hit on a scramble a couple weeks ago. He didn't even do handoffs using the left hand during Sunday's game, opting for doing it all with his right hand only. Now, as the game evolved, the bulk of the offense wound up featuring the running game. LaFleur actually said for the first time ever that he called the same running play five times in a row because Minnesota just couldn't stop it (Lombardi would have loved that!).

Against the Lions, however, the air attack will need to ramp up considerably. With WR Christian Watson now seemingly stepping into that Receiver 1 role since coming back from his ACL injury, both downfield and in other patterns, this helps open the door for other receivers, as well. And keep in mind, too, that Jacobs is also a very capable receiver and perhaps an even better run-after-the-catch threat that can be used out of the backfield. Yes, TE Tucker Kraft is not returning this season, and TE Luke Musgrave hasn't taken advantage of his opportunities, with the other tight ends appearing to be used more in recent weeks.

Along the offensive line, it appears that rookie and second round draft pick Anthony Belton may have beaten out Jordan Morgan for the right guard spot. After a bit of rotation in the first half on Sunday, Belton was at the spot the entire second half and did a very good job moving people off the line, opening holes for Wilson, and usually giving Love enough time to execute the limited passing plays that were called. We'd expect to see him start at the position today.

Defensively, the Packers will just need to keep doing what they've been doing, i.e., get after the quarterback. Lions QB Jared Goff, statistically, is very good when he is not under pressure but is, statistically, not so great when he is pressured. If the Packers can do against Detroit what they did against Minnesota they will go a long way to increasing the chances for a Packers win. 

One of the facets of the Packers defense, however, that still needs tightening up — in Week 13! — is the run defense. Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs has been having a good season overall. You don't want to let him have explosive runs for big yardage, take the pressure off Goff and help the Lions control the time of possession. If the Packers come out the way they did in Week 1 against this same team, the result should also be the same.

Packers who are out for the today game include DL Karl Brooks, WR Jayden Reed (darn it!), DE Lukas Van Ness (again) and WR Savion Williams. Players currently listed as questionable include WR Matthew Golden, CB Nate Hobbs, CB Keisean Nixon, and LB Quay Walker. The Lions will also be missing some players, especially along the offensive line which should open up plenty of opportunities for DE Micah Parsons et al to get after Goff.

If the defense can contain Gibbs and get after Goff ... game, set, match.

The Prediction

The Lions are 2-1/2 point favorites at the time of this writing and according to one metric have about a 54 percent chance of beating the Packers. Really.

Yes, we, too, figure this will be a tight and close game...perhaps another one of those where the last team to possess the ball will win...or not. Hope not. But with the Pack sitting at 7-3-1 and the Lions at 7-4, it is a toss up. Either the Packers will be in first place (assuming Da Bearz lose on Friday to the Eagles) or in third in the NFC North depending upon the outcome of this game. We prefer first place, don't you?

While most pundits are giving this one to the Lions, we're calling this one Packers 24 - Lions 23.

Go Pack Go!!!

2025 NFL Week 10: Packers vs. Eagles Preview & Prediction

First things first: Boy, were we off regarding the Packers game vs. Carolina. Way off. Despite the obviously better talent, the Pack sure underperformed — as they did at Cleveland. Losing to teams you should beat is not a way to demonstrate a team's championship bona fides. Especially leading into a Monday night game against the defending Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles...the team that smacked the Packers down not once but twice last season.

So, why is it that the Packers seem to play down to the level of a supposedly lesser team? Perhaps playing not to lose? Failing to make adjustments? Missed opportunities, lack of turnovers, special teams glitches...? Now, losing emerging star TE Tucker Kraft during the game and, as it turns out, for the rest of the season to a torn ACL, had an impact on a game plan that probably ran a good chunk through him certainly had a negative effect. But, really, scoring a grand total of 23 points combined vs. Cleveland and Carolina? C'mon. This offense should be able to score more than that in one game even in their sleep.

Especially when the defense holds the opposing two teams to a total of 29 points ... although, admittedly, not getting critical late stops as the games wound down and allowing long field goals as the clock runs out ... can't ... do ... that. It's a concerning trend. Getting gutted up the middle is a formula for defeat ... especially against one of the game's top running backs.

The Packers have some issues. One of the surest ways to rectify that situation is to get a statement win at Lambeau Field tonight vs. the Eagles. So let's take a quick look at what we might expect.

This is a scene Packers fans hope to not see often this evening. Philly RB

Saquon Barkley was a killer for the Packers defense last season. He's not

off to the same start as last year, but with a run defense that's been gashed by

lesser rushers, the Pack has to focus on containing him tonight.

(Photo by Bill Streicher Imagn Images)

The Preview

Here we are in Week 10 of the 2025 NFL season and do we really know who this Packers team is? Sure, the record of 5-2-1 puts them at the top of the NFC North (who'da thunk that tie vs. Dallas would come in handy after all???). But other than the first two games where they were proclaimed by fans and national pundits alike as odds-on Super Bowl favorites, what have they shown? Inconsistency. Offensive linemen and coaches admitting that guys are still blocking the wrong guys. Special teams breakdowns. Lack of turnovers by the defense. Key players not being able to stay on the field. Personnel moves on both sides of the ball that now seem questionable at best. A head coach making inexplicable in-game decisions. e.g., going for it on 4th and 8 deep inside the opponent's territory instead of taking a field goal, ultimately being the difference in the game?

OK, so that's a bit of a look back instead of a forward preview, isn't it? Here's what we know going into tonight's game.

First, the Pack's supposedly deep wide receiving corps was down to just two healthy players on the practice field at one point this last week. Tonight, it's likely Matthew Golden and Savion Williams will not play. Of course, Jayden Reed is still out. TE Tucker Kraft (although not technically a wide receiver he sure was often schemed as one) is done for the year. Calling Luke Musgrave ... calling Luke Musgrave! WR Dontayvion Wicks is supposedly back tonight and there is some speculation that Bo Melton — who had been moved to cornerback this season from wide receiver because of the overcrowding at the position — could get some action at receiver tonight ... as well as at corner given Nat Hobbs is out, again. Wouldn't that be something to see?

Apart from the potential lack of receivers tonight, the Packers still haven't got their running game going. Tonight would certainly be a good night to get that in gear. If the Pack can run the ball to set up play-action and keep the Eagles offense on the sidelines that would be to the Pack's favor. And given the predicted weather forecast for this evening, a running game will likely be needed: it is expected to be cold and windy, with kickoff temperatures around 28 F and wind chills around 20 F with winds at 5 to 15 mph. Oh, yeah, there is also a slight chance of snow. So, yes, a Packers running game would be timely.

Now, the Eagles have the defensive script on how to keep the Packers in check given both Cleveland's and Carolina's success: stop Josh Jacobs and Emanuel Wilson and force Jordan Love to throw underneath. That's OK if the chains are moving, but without a running threat that is a death-by-papercuts outcome for the Pack.

On the flip side, the Packers must contain Philly RB Saquon Barkley and if they do that, then also contain QB Jalen Hurts. 

How are you feelin'?

The Prediction

After their earlier season humiliation against the Browns, the Packers came back nicely. Until the game last week vs. the Panthers, that is. We'd like to think that would be the case tonight — getting right again. Losing two in a row at home is not what you need at this stage of the season. The Packers are at the time of this writing a 1-point home favorite. Oy.

Still, given the ongoing issues of consistency the Packers have had — including that of Kicker Brandon McManus in the last two games — and Philly come off their bye week, we find it hard to believe the Packers will take this game. Hope we are wrong. Nothing we want more than a Packers victory against their NFC East nemesis. If they play up to their capability, the Packers can pull it off. Probably another down to the wire game. Let us pray.

We're calling it Packers 20 - Eagles 24.

Go Pack Go!!!