Full time: (6-5-1) Dallas Cowboys 31-28 Kansas City Chiefs (6-6)
Is Kansas City’s season over? Not quite but one more loss now and that will be close to curtains for the Chiefs. Meanwhile Dak Prescott has just thrown for 328 yards and two touchdowns with a pick for a third win in succession. The Cowboys are right on the bubble now after looking totally cooked earlier in the season.
Right, thanks very much if you have joined for the action today. Goodnight!
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Cowboys 31-28 Chiefs 2:00, 4th quarter
The two-minute warning has sounded. And Dallas have just earned a massive 1st down as it comes. George Pickens is the man on the money again with a 13-yard grab to move the sticks. He has been fantastic in the second half. Victory formation on the way for the Cowboys.
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Cowboys 31-28 Chiefs 2:57, 4th quarter
Another pass interference against the Chiefs. One that Dallas will be truly thankful for. George Pickens lures Jaylen Watson into that as the catch was never likely to be made. Crafty. Meanwhile Tony Romo is predicting a Dallas win if they get a 1st down here. Possible homer-ism coming to the fore from the former Cowboys QB in the final stretch. And they get it after another defensive pass interference penalty. Kansas City have burned all their timeouts now as they stop the clock with Dallas on KC’s 40-yard line.
TOUCHDOWN! Cowboys 31-28 Chiefs 3:27, 4th quarter
Hollywood Brown lives up to his billing with a stunning catch at the back of the end zone. He is falling backwards as he makes the grab and just taps his toes in bounds for the 10-yard score. Clutch.
Cowboys 31-21 Chiefs 3:43, 4th quarter
No one is open for Mahomes. No matter. The magician scrambles for 10 yards to make it 1st and Goal. Incomplete pass brings up the second try.
Cowboys 31-21 Chiefs 3:43, 4th quarter
A big ask for mere mortals maybe. The Cowboys almost sack Mahomes twice as he motors out to the right then throws it to a wide open Xavier Worthy for a 42-yard gain. The Chiefs are in the red zone in the blink of an eye. Unbelievable.
It’s GOOD! Cowboys 31-21 Chiefs 5:16, 4th quarter
Pickens fumbles!!! What are you doing?! There are four Chiefs hovering. None of them react. Turpin jumps on the loose ball. Phew. Brandon Aubrey chips in a 26-yard field goal. Two scores needed from Mahomes now. Big ask.
Cowboys 28-21 Chiefs 6:15, 4th quarter
Dallas are taking over. The defense forces a punt then on the first offensive play on their own 10-yard line they go for a bomb to CeeDee Lamb. Prescott hurls a 51-yarder into Lamb’s lap. No fear there. Prescott then hits Ryan Flournoy for 17 yards up the sideline. Just 15 yards remain.
TOUCHDOWN! Cowboys 28-21 Chiefs 11:15, 4th quarter
The fireworks are flowing again. “Oh my gosh, what a leap!” shouts Jim Nantz as George Pickens hurdles a defender and almost stays on his feet for what would have been a touchdown. Instead the receiver is downed at Kansas City’s six-yard line for a 39-yard gain from Prescott. On 1st and Goal they are driven 10 yards back by a offensive pass interference call then get two yards on a run. Pickens then gratefully gathers 11 yards on a short slant to put them back near the goal line. On 3rd down Prescott dumps it to Williams who walks in. Pickens even makes the toe-tapper for two points. Fantastic drive to retake the lead.
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Cowboys 20-21 Chiefs 14:01, 4th quarter
Kansas City gift Dallas another chunky pass interference penalty to move the chains up to midfield. Javontae Williams then pops a run for 11 yards into KC’s half. Great start for Prescott and company to retake the lead.
Cowboys 20-21 Chiefs 14:51, 4th quarter
The Chiefs opt to go for it again on 4th down. Your mission Mahomes is to find Rashee Rice in the end zone should you choose to accept it. Mahomes wheels out to his left and throws up and above Rice who plucks it out of the air in tight coverage. The tariff of difficulty on that throw and catch was sky high. They pull it off. Pure Mahomes magic.
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Cowboys 20-14 Chiefs 0:06, 3rd quarter
Oooooh it is getting nervy out there. Rice makes a short grab. Did he fumble? No, just. The receiver just gets his knee down before letting the ball slip to a Cowboy. 3rd and Goal with three yards to get to take the lead.
Cowboys 20-14 Chiefs 0:46, 3rd quarter
Kansas City need some points. They last scored at the end of the first quarter. Mahomes is doing is best as a 28-yard pass to Rashee Rice and a pass to Kareem Hunt that goes for 22 moves the Chiefs to the Dallas 22-yard line. Mahomes and Rice hook up again to put KC on 1st and Goal.
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It’s GOOD! Cowboys 20-14 Chiefs 4:09, 3rd quarter
Prescott and Lamb fail to connect on 3rd down. Dallas try and draw Kansas City offsides. Try and fail. Brandon Aubrey steps up, nails the 36-yard boot.
TOUCHDOWN overturned! Cowboys 17-14 Chiefs 4:12, 3rd quarter
The Cowboys make it out of their end zone this time. A holding penalty against the Chiefs followed by a 25-yard scamper up the right sideline from KaVontae Turpin moves them to their 40-yard line. The gifts keep on coming as KC next give up 32 yards on a pass interference penalty. The Cowboys have strolled upfield to just 13 yards out as Prescott drops back and hits his safety net for the touchdown! Only Jake Ferguson doesn’t get his right foot down as it gets hooked around a defender’s leg as he falls and his momentum carries him out the back of the end zone before it can come down. The play is overturned into an incompletion. 3rd and 2 on the way.
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Cowboys 17-14 Chiefs 7:12, 3rd quarter
Kansas City go for it on 4th down and convert. Lineman Hunter Nourzad makes his first career catch on 4th and 1. That was bold. Another 3rd down whips around after some short gains on the ground. 4th and 4 is too steep a challenge for Andy Reid. Punt. Another good boot keeps Dallas back on the 10-yard line.
Cowboys 17-14 Chiefs 11:02, 3rd quarter
Kansas City make the punt pay by forcing a three and out. The Chiefs receive the punt from Dallas and will take over at their 37-yard line.
Cowboys 17-14 Chiefs 12:18, 3rd quarter
On 3rd down Mahomes flips it to Hollywood Brown to move the chains but offensive pass interference is called on Xavier Worthy for a pick. Tony Romo is strongly disagreeing, naturally. On 3rd and 16 they can only make 11 back. The Chiefs punt to the three-yard line. What an absolute beauty. Dallas have 97 yards to travel.
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Cowboys 17-14 Chiefs 14:11, 3rd quarter
Kansas City are set to receive. Very little to separate the two teams so far. The Chiefs have excellent field position after a 33-yard return from Brashard Smith. They have it right on the 50-yard line.
Anyone remember Tony Romo being very into Dolly Parton a couple of years ago? That was weird wasn’t it. Bring Dolly back, just maybe keep Tony out of the booth next year. Oh and Post is done. Football resuming shortly.
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Half-time: Cowboys 17-14 Chiefs
Post Malone’s intermission extravaganza is on the way. He performed with Beyonce on Netflix’s the Beyonce Bowl, sorry, half-time of the Christmas Day match between Houston and Baltimore last year. That’s all I have other than I think he has transitioned from rap to country or some sort of hybrid of the two. We shall see.
Cowboys 17-14 Chiefs 0:16, 2nd quarter
On 3rd and very long Mahomes is under extreme pressure and takes a hit. Incomplete pass. Punt.
Cowboys 17-14 Chiefs 0:24, 2nd quarter
Mahomes then scrambles again. Offsetting penalties force a repeat of the down. 2nd and 20: they need about 10 yards for a decent field goal shot. They get about half on a short pass to Xavier Worthy.
Cowboys 17-14 Chiefs 0:46, 2nd quarter
Mahomes scrambles for a crucial 1st down to the Dallas 43-yard line. Five running plays and no passes to get them there. Lots of clock used. Isiah Pacheco catches the first pass but it comes back after a holding penalty. Ouch. 10 yards backwards into their own half.
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Just realised, and I’m going to say better late than never, my email hasn’t been listed above. Well, if you’re enjoying your Thanksgiving, the action today or both … drop me a line at graham.searles@theguardian.com. Who is going to win this one?
Cowboys 17-14 Chiefs 3:05, 2nd quarter
My Dallas 35-28 Kansas City prediction is looking a touch conservative potentially. Here’s hoping anyway this has been a blast so far.
TOUCHDOWN! Cowboys 17-14 Chiefs 3:10, 2nd quarter
Malik Davis out of a cannon! The running back sprints through the gaping hole blown in the middle of the defense and takes it all the way to the house for the 43-yard touchdown. No 43 for 43, nice.
Cowboys 10-14 Chiefs 4:22, 2nd quarter
Ferguson bails the Cowboys out again on their first set of downs. The tight end catches it short and rumbles up the middle to just crash over the line to gain. His role as the offensive safety net is keeping Dallas moving. Another 3rd down quickly follows and Prescott finds George Pickens up the left sideline for a 12-yard gain. Great route there from Pickens to streak upfield then cut back to find the ball. Dallas at midfield now.
Cowboys 10-14 Chiefs 6:10, 2nd quarter
As always I put the mockers on the team I have just praised. The Chiefs take a 10-yard penalty for offensive holding then Mahomes takes a sack from Jadeveon Clowney! The 32-year-old has still got it. 3rd and 26 and KC dump it short to Rice who can only get 10 yards. Punt. The first of the game.
Meanwhile the report from Green Bay’s 31-24 win over Detroit has landed.
Cowboys 10-14 Chiefs 8:10, 2nd quarter
Mahomes picks the drive up immeditely with a 22-yard strike to Kelce. A 10-yard pass and a short run puts the Chiefs into enemy territory. They are not holding back. Must have been watching Green Bay earlier.
It’s GOOD! Cowboys 10-14 Chiefs 10:22, 2nd quarter
Kansas City force another 3rd down but Ryan Flournoy can’t reach the sticks with a catch and run up the sideline after finding the edge. Brandon Aubrey boots the 49-yard kick through the posts.
Cowboys 7-14 Chiefs 12:29, 2nd quarter
Cowboys drive to midfield. On 3rd down Dak Prescott misses Pickens on the sideline. Now it is Dallas’ time to gamble. It pays off as Prescott finds Jake Ferguson for a 10-yard gain on 4th down. About 40 yards to go for the Cowboys.
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TOUCHDOWN! Cowboys 7-14 Chiefs 15:00, 2nd quarter
KC are leaning on the ground game. It bounces them up to 3rd and Goal. They are averaging 7.3 yards per carry so far. Kareem Hunt takes the handoff but Dallas stuff him at the line of scrimmage. The Chiefs roll the dice on 4th down. Mahomes drops back, tosses it to who else but Travis Kelce in the back of the end zone. The veteran snaffles the two-yard touchdown. Electric first quarter in Dallas.
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TOUCHDOWN! Cowboys 7-7 Chiefs 6:50, 1st quarter
Cee.Dee.Lamb. A choppy possession is driven home on the broad shoulders of their star receiver. Three third downs, three conversions on passes to Lamb, the last of which is a 15-yard strike for the touchdown. Prescott is a master of not flinching in the face of pressure, he showed it there as he held on just long enough for Lamb to get open.
TOUCHDOWN! Cowboys 0-7 Chiefs 13:40, 1st quarter
Kansas City follow up an interception with a touchdown on their second play on offense. An unbelievable start as Jaylen Watson picks off Dak Prescott in the Cowboys’ own half. Two plays later and Rashee Rice scampers 27 yards for the catch and score. Blink and you might have missed that.
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To the victor the spoils.
The trumpet has sounded and Dallas v Kanas City is up next! I have a feeling we are in for another corker. My prediction … Dallas 35-28 Kansas City. Who have you got?
What a thriller. Green Bay did such a great job in shutting down Jahmyr Gibbs and monstering Jared Goff. Detroit were forced to get cute with trick plays and 4th down gambles that they just couldn’t pull off under pressure. All the while Jordan Love was pinging touchdowns left, right and centre to keep up the offense’s end of the bargain. A complete performance from Green Bay. The Lions are 7-5 now while the Packers rise to 8-3, level with Chicago at the top of the NFC North.
PACKERS WIN!
Lions 24-31 Packers, full time
On 3rd and 3 the pass is INCOMPLETE! Huge play from Brian Branch to knock the pass down. It was in Watson’s hands and he punched it out from behind. Packers are going for it. Really?! Timeout. The offense is staying on the field though. This is very brave. Tom Brady thinks the Pack should punt. They go for it … Love drops back, lofts it up to Wicks … who goes up and makes the grab with Branch all over his back. 1st down and the Lions have no timeouts. What a catch. Game over. PACKERS WIN!
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Lions 24-31 Packers 2:00, 4th quarter
Packers happy to run the ball back-to-back to drain the clock. Huge 3rd and 3 on the way. Game is on the line.
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Lions 24-31 Packers 2:38, 4th quarter
Detroit keep Josh Jacobs in check after two carries and bring up 3rd and 5. Whaddya got Lions?! The crowd are trying their best to knock Love off his spot. Easy completion on the right sideline to Christian Watson. Green Bay’s quarterback has been sublime today, easily his best game of the season when it matters most against a division rival. Love is 17/28 for 218 yards, four touchdowns and no picks. Nails.
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It’s GOOD! Lions 24-31 Packers 2:59, 4th quarter
Detroit make it a one-score game with a 31-yard field goal from Jake Bates. Can the Lions come up with another three and out to give Goff a shot to tie it up?
Lions 21-31 Packers 3:15, 4th quarter
Micah Parsons. Oh my god. He drills Goff with the mother of all hits on 3rd down. Nine yard loss. 4th and Goal from a mile out now. BOOM! Goff didn’t see that coming at all. Brutal.
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Lions 21-31 Packers 3:30, 4th quarter
Green Bay blitz on 3rd down. Goff rips it as soon as humanly possible and finds Gibbs to make it 1st and Goal. Montgomery takes the direct snap and guns a pass through the back of the end zone. Wow. Ballsy.
Lions 21-31 Packers 5:23, 4th quarter
Green Bay sack Goff for a second time this drive. Punt incoming. Hold up! The Packers are burned by an illegal contact penalty that gifts Detroit a 1st down. Drive continues at their own 40-yard line. Goff drops back then finds Jameson Williams wide open in the centre of the field. The receiver burns up the left sideline for 44-yard gain. Only 15 yards to go.
These John Madden montages are just fantastic. The best to ever do it. Sort of made to look even better when Tom Brady nasally bursts in after the reel stops.
Lions 21-31 Packers 9:15, 4th quarter
Lions fans can thank me for that massive jinx on Green Bay. On 3rd down Amik Robertson is all over Christian Watson but the flag does not appear. Lucky. Three and out. Green Bay’s first punt since the first quarter.
Lions 21-31 Packers 10:50, 4th quarter
Green Bay can get close to ending this one with a touchdown now. And it is very likely to come. The Packers have four touchdowns on their last four possessions not including the 25 seconds of possession they had before the half. Detroit’s defense have to make a play.
Lions 21-31 Packers 10:50, 4th quarter
Detroit keep plugging away converting another 3rd down then another comes up on Green Bay’s 20-yard line but Gibbs goes absolutely nowhere. The Packers run stopping has been fantastic today. Detroit go for it again on 4th down. Jameson Williams is wide open on the line to gain, the throw is off the mark on the receiver’s back hip. He reaches back gets his hands to the ball as he races in the opposite direction but Williams can’t hold on. Turnover on downs. Technically a drop but Goff will want that play back desperately.
Lions 21-31 Packers 0:15, 3rd quarter
They wipe their brow with a sigh as Gibbs moves the chains. He races out to the left, makes a man miss, gathers 12 yards. 1st down on Green Bay’s 40-yard line.
Lions 21-31 Packers 1:04, 3rd quarter
Detroit’s response gets off to an iffy start as Montgomery tries to flip the ball back to Goff on a trick play but the quarterback drops it. He recovers but the Lions lose 15 yards. Gibbs sprints in to recover all of the lost yards. That was a lot of work just to bring up 3rd and 5.
TOUCHDOWN! Lions 21-31 Packers 1:40, 3rd quarter
Wicks dives for the pylon and the score! The receiver is having the game of his career in the biggest of spots on Thanksgiving. He darts out left on the goalline and flings himself after making the grab to make sure he gets home for his second touchdown. And that is Love’s fourth touchdown pass, his most in a game this season. Detroit just can’t lay on a glove on Green Bay’s aerial attack.
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Lions 21-24 Packers 2:03, 3rd quarter
Huge let off for the Packers as Romeo Doubs fumbles on the five-yard line but the ball pops up and straight into the arms of Quay Walker. That is followed by a KILLER penalty for Detroit. They get called for a face mask on 3rd down when Love had just thrown it away. That should have been a field goal for Green Bay, now they are 1st & Goal.
Lions 21-24 Packers 5:43, 3rd quarter
The Love/Wicks connection just keeps firing for Green Bay. The throw is perfect up the seam, not a defender in sight, the catch is made for an easy 30 yard gain. The Packers are 25 yards away from touchdown number four … just like that. Detroit would be thrilled if they can force a field goal.
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TOUCHDOWN! Lions 21-24 Packers 7:25, 3rd quarter
Instant response for Detroit! And it comes as the Lions take Gibbs out of the fold. The drive is built from Goff breaking off the longest run of the game for Detroit with a 24-yard scamper. Next Montgomery rumbles for a 13-yard gain on a short pass then 14 yards straight ahead on the ground. Goff surveys the field and keeps scanning then hits a wide open Isaac TeSlaa who drops into the end zone with hands clamped around the ball. A 17-yard score for the rookie tight end. Game on.
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TOUCHDOWN! Lions 14-24 Packers 10:31, 3rd quarter
Nightmare restart for Detroit. Green Bay stay aggressive behind Jordan Love’s big arm that has been so accurate today and it comes up huge! The quarterback drops a dime into Christian Watson’s lap and the receiver walks into the end zone for the 51-yard score. Oh there was a running play too before that for no gain. Matt LeFleur took the hint. Explosive touchdown that really puts the pressure on Detroit now.
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Lions 14-17 Packers 11:05, 3rd quarter
Green Bay’s defense start as they finished on working against Gibbs. They force a turnover on downs after stuffing the running back on successive downs forcing losses of one and two yards. You have to admire Detroit’s faith in their star man but he is essentially the only piece that hasn’t been working so far. Strange to go to him twice. Packers take over at midfield.
As all great artistes do to the huge hit that they hate playing but have to begrudgingly, Jack White absolutely murders the riff of Seven nation army. Reminds me of seeing the Pixies this year and Black Francis (no relation) clearly bored out of his mind butchering their big tunes with bizarre fresh takes on choruses and famous lines. Second half on the way.
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And out of nowhere Eminem rises out of Jack White’s stage. Hmmm. If the hometown hero is performing as a surprise guest, could he not just have done the whole show? I guess not. Seven nation army incoming!! Take cover.
Half-time: Lions 14-17 Packers
While Tom Brady fakes excitement for Jack White we can rest up after a breathless end to the half. That first quarter had me worried we were in for a stinker after a field goal and three punts in succession. Thankfully the second delivered the goods with Green Bay and Detroit trading touchdown, touchdown, touchdown, touchdown. BOOM!
TOUCHDOWN! Lions 14-17 Packers 0:25, 2nd quarter
“How did he do that?!” wails Kevin Burkhardt in the booth. No idea but the Lions are laughing after Jameson Williams spins out of a tackle for a 22-yard touchdown. The receiver converts a short pass to the left that looked to be going nowhere into a huge score for the Lions. Detroit have adjusted very well to the early loss of St Brown after struggling a little just after the injury. But who wouldn’t struggle to adapt to losing one of the most effective receivers in the league?
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Lions 7-17 Packers 0:52, 2nd quarter
The Lions move to midfield after a punishing run up the middle from Montgomery. What has Dan Campbell got in his bag of tricks? Detroit would love another touchdown as they will receive the kick after half-time. As I type that Jameson Williams catches a 26-yard strike. Wise to get the speedster involved with only 52 seconds now and 30 yards to go.
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Lions 7-17 Packers 2:00, 2nd quarter
The opening play for Detroit before the two-minute bell shows what the Packers are doing well so far on defense. Gibbs gets the handoff and shows a lot of willing but gets absolutely no where fast despite breaking at least three tackles. Almost half-time and the back has eight carries for 32 yards at four yards a pop. That is a significant downgrade on Gibbs’ average of over eight yards per carry at home across this season.
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TOUCHDOWN! Lions 7-17 Packers 2:02, 2nd quarter
Aidan Hutchinson saves a touchdown but the Packers prevail! The pass rusher catches Love as he sprints to the goalline to bring up 4th down. Green Bay just call a timeout before taking a penalty to move them back into field goal territory. Dan Campbell is not amused thinking they didn’t call it in time. 4th and 1 about two yards out. Romeo Doubs runs out to the left and Love finds him with ease for the two-yard score. That is two touchdowns on 4th down plays for the Pack. Bold!
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Lions 7-10 Packers 3:02, 2nd quarter
Green Bay keep pushing the ball downfield aggressively. Love hits Luke Musgrave for a 23-yard gain into the red zone. Matt LaFleur is possibly coaching Green Bay with the knowledge Detroit score heavily. Working well so far.
Lions 7-10 Packers 5:02, 2nd quarter
Green Bay are chugging up to midfield rather nicely. Lots of little dink and dunk passes keeping Love clean so far. Well that is until he fumbles a handoff then throws an uncatchable wobbler to bring up 3rd down. The crowd is doing its best to drown Love out but he drops back and powers a fastball at Wicks for a chunky 18-yard gain. On the Lions 35-yard line now.
Jack White formerly of the White Stripes is serving up the half-time show in Detroit. Nice.
TOUCHDOWN! Lions 7-10 Packers 7:54, 2nd quarter
Detroit hit back! David Montgomery gets all three goal to go touches and finishes the drive off with a three-yard score off a direct snap. Solid playcalling from Dan Campbell to forget finesse and bulldoze through Green Bay.
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Lions 0-10 Packers 9:22, 2nd quarter
Tom Kennedy! Who?! Who cares. Kennedy fills in for St Brown incredibly well with a 23-yard catch in the middle of the field. Detroit at 1st & goal now.
Lions 0-10 Packers 12:20, 2nd quarter
Jared Goff completes a pass! The quarterback was shut out in the first quarter for the first time in his career. Lions are at midfield until they race on to Green Bay’s 30-yard line thanks to a 18-yard sprint from Gibbs. He is just so fast no one could get near him.
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TOUCHDOWN! Lions 0-10 Packers 14:19, 2nd quarter
Green Bay are knocking on the red zone but Detroit hold firm and force the 4th done. The Packers go for it all. Love throws a beauty into the end zone which Dontayvion Wicks just hangs on to after taking a huge hit for the 22-yard score. High risk and high reward for Love and his offense.
Meanwhile the commentary team absolutely botched that play. They seemed to believe the it was going to be overturned due to Wicks’s foot going out of bounds. When the touchdown was confirmed, and the decision was explained, Kevin Burkhardt’s reaction was “correct call” or something of the like. B-b-b but you just said you thought it wasn’t a touchdown! Make up your mind, Kev.
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Sky Sports may be regretting the odd decision to broadcast this encounter from an empty AT&T Stadium as the Cowboys test their incredibly loud PA system while Neil Reynolds and company attempt to chop up the action from Ford Field. No idea what Jason Bell said there. Ah well.
Lions 0-3 Packers 1:37, 1st quarter
St Brown is officially questionable to return for Detroit. They could certainly do with him out there with the offense struggling to overcome Green Bay’s mighty pass rush. Meanwhile Josh Jacobs delivers with a 29-yard dash across midfield to Detroit’s 40-yard line.
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Lions 0-3 Packers 4:01, 1st quarter
That sack Goff didn’t take on 3rd down in the previous drive, he just took it on this one. Green Bay’s defensive line is dominating so far. Micah Parsons and Kingsley Enagbare share the QB takedown. Punt.
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Lions 0-3 Packers 5:12, 1st quarter
St Brown has gone down the tunnel. Big loss for the Lions if he doesn’t come back out. He was actually rolled up on by two of his teammates. Jahmyr Gibbs bursts out on the next play and finds the 1st down.
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Lions 0-3 Packers 6:19, 1st quarter
Oh no more bad luck for the Lions. Amon-Ra St Brown goes down hurt on the first play of the drive. He is staying down holding his leg after being rolled up on from behind. Not good.
Lions 0-3 Packers 7:27, 1st quarter
Green Bay boot it straight back. Terrion Arnold delivers a massive hit on Chris Brooks to end the three-play drive. Boom! Detroit take over with at their 37-yard line after a shifty return from Tom Kennedy.
Lions 0-3 Packers 8:27, 1st quarter
Well that was over quickly. A botched snap, a missed throw and Jared Goff almost taking a huge sack gives the ball straight back to the Packers. Detroit punt.
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It’s GOOD! Lions 0-3 Packers 9:17, 1st quarter
Green Bay start mixing in running back Josh Jacobs and move into Detroit territory with ease. They dial up play action and Love holds on for an age, scans the field … has an open receiver but misses him up the right sideline. That would have been a walk-in touchdown. Tom Brady is hurting in the booth after that one. Love misses another throw to bring up 3rd and 10 and throws it away after Detroit cover his targets up. Brandon McManus bangs it home from 45 yards.
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Lions 0-0 Packers 13:46, 1st quarter
Well so much for being conservative, Jordan Love comes out slinging on Green Bay’s opening drive. The quarterback finds Christian Watson with a 17-yard strike to move the chains toward midfield.
The anthem has been sung, kick-off incoming. Detroit v Green Bay is going to be a fight of contrasting styles. The Lions want to steamroll all comers behind a freewheeling offense, the NFL’s second highest scorers with 326 points. The Packers will be aiming to shut down Jahmyr Gibbs whose immense production from running back has been key for the home team. The Packers are much more content with keeping quarterback Jordan Love’s play conservative to avoid turnovers while leaning on their stingy, aggressive defense led by Micah Parsons to keep them ahead on the scoreboard.
Of course today’s slate has an official title: the John Madden Thanksgiving Celebration. The legendary player, coach and broadcaster, who died in 2021, always brought the holiday spirit with his overflowing warmth and panache whether musing on the low flightpaths of aircraft or pigeons, doling out giant drumsticks to MVPs or breaking down the x’s and o’s of his famous frankenroast: the mighty Turducken.
Now I’m going to be bold and bet no one has dialled up the chicken/duck/turkey heavy personnel formation from their local butcher but if you have a spread to make the great man jealous then drop me a picture and who you think you will be getting a turkey leg later on.
We miss you, John. Boom!
Preamble
Hello and happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrate! I am just going to come out and say it, I am so very thankful for midweek football on at a decent hour in the UK and having the pleasure of bringing it to you, wherever you might be on this beautiful blue marble. I just hope we feast as well on the turf as lots of you will around your tables.
Thanksgiving is all about tradition so our starter is served piping hot from Detroit, as it has been since 1934, and it could be a classic between the (7-4) Lions and the (7-3-1) Green Bay Packers. The records look pretty but they are both still a win behind the Chicago Bears at the NFC North’s summit while Detroit would just miss out on a wildcard as it stands owing to Green Bay’s draw. So victory is the only option, if it wasn’t already, as these great rivals gear up for their 193rd meeting. The Packers hold a significant edge all-time with a 107-78-7 record.
For mains, those (5-5-1) Dallas Cowboys host the (6-5) Kansas City Chiefs in what will be Patrick Mahomes’s Thanksgiving debut. America’s team v the Dynasty. Two heavyweights at times down on their luck this season but still in the hunt for the postseason especially after the thrilling comeback wins they both pulled off last week. The Chiefs knocked off the Colts in overtime as they roared back from 20-9 down in the 4th quarter while the Cowboys said “hold my turkey leg” as they gifted the Eagles a 21-0 lead only to then shut out the Super Bowl champions and win 24-21. Clearly when Dallas and KC are in rhythm they can score in bunches, so, let’s hope the offensive orchestras are in sync from kick-off.
The table is set, bon appétit!
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