NFL: Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers - Odds, Prediction & Picks

After a thrilling comeback win against the Bears, the Lions are now 8-2 and take on the Green Bay Packers in a Thanksgiving day matinee at Ford Field at 12:30 p.m. The Packers are 4-6 and are coming off a win over the LA Chargers where new quarterback Jordan Love set a career high for passing yards. Detroit handled the Packers 34-20 in Week 4 in a game that was 27-3 at halftime. It’s the first time the Lions are 8-2 since 1962.

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Lions

The Lions got an incredible confidence boost after scoring 17 points in the final four minutes to beat the Bears last week. QB Jared Goff leads a Lions offense that ranks No. 6 in the NFL in points scored and No. 2 in yards. The Lions defense ranks No. 5 in the NFL against the run. The Lions new “Thunder and Lightning” backfield of David Montgomery and rookie Jahmyr Gibbs continue to lead the way, each has over 500 yards. Gibbs’ 5.2 yards per rush is fourth in the NFL.

Injury Report: The only player to miss practice Monday for the Lions was OL Jonah Jackson. 

Packers

Green Bay earned a solid win over the Chargers, but paid the price losing star running back Aaron Jones to a knee injury. New quarterback Jordan Love had his best game as a pro, throwing for over 300 yards for the first time in his career. Packers defensive end Rashan Gary leads the team with 5.5 sacks. The Lions have beaten the Packers four times in a row. This is the first time they’ve played on Thanksgiving since 2013.

Injury Report: The Packers didn’t practice Monday, but listed 16 players on their official report including DB Jaire Alexander, RB AJ Dillon, LB Rashan Gary , RB Aaron Jones, TE Luke Musgrave and WR Dontayvion Wicks.

The Lions and Packers have played the most times on Thanksgiving than any two NFL teams. 22 times. The Lions are 12-8-1 against the Packers on the holiday.

Lions quarterback Jared Goff is 5-1 all-time in his career against the Packers. He’s 4-1 as a Lion and 1-0 when he was with the Rams.

Five of the last 10 games between the two have been decided by a TD or less. The Packers are 5-5 against the spread this year while the Lions are 7-3.

Yes Detroit football fans, this is really happening. The Lions are 8-2, with the second best record in the NFL and closing in on an NFC North division title. For years, the Lions were the team America was forced to watch on Thanksgiving, now the country will see one of the best teams in the NFL while eating their turkey and gravy.

The short week is always a concern, but the Lions have to be feeling incredible after the way they came back to beat the Bears. It was a game where the offense had to deliver in the final moments and it came through. It was also great play calling by Lions OC Ben Johnson down the stretch. He refused to panic and kept the Bears off-balance by sticking with the running game. Johnson is destined for a head coaching job soon.

Green Bay is in the spoiler role. This is not a good team. Love has been inconsistent and when Jones got hurt against the Chargers that was a huge blow. The Packers secondary isn’t that good, meaning the Lions could have a big day throwing the football.

I know the Lions sort of had a coming out party in the season-opening win over the Chiefs, but now all of America will be tuned in – and if there are any skeptics left, they’ll be turned around. The Lions have a dominating offensive line, a formidable defense and have been (knock wood) relatively healthy. This sets up as a big win for Detroit that will get people talking

Lions +7.5 (-110) | DraftKings