The primetime showdown between the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions is the first game and might be the best game of Week 14 of the 2024 season. The highly anticipated rematch — the Lions beat the Packers at Lambeau Field in early November — is a huge game in the NFC North, which has three teams with at least nine wins coming out of Week 13.
Both the Packers and Lions scored wins on Thanksgiving Day to set up this showdown at Ford Field.
Here’s a closer look at the Lions in Week 14:
Last week (Win, 23-20 over Bears)
The Lions scored four times in the first half and held a 16-0 advantage after two quarters but needed a wild ending to escape with a three-point win over Caleb Williams and the reeling Bears. Jared Goff was efficient, completing 21 passes for 221 yards, two scores and zero interceptions, Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery combined for 228 total yards, Sam LaPorta caught both of Goff’s touchdown passes and former Packer Za’Darius Smith had 1.5 sacks. But Jake Bates missed a field goal, Gibbs lost a fumble and Williams threw three second-half touchdown passes to get the Bears back in the game. Down three, the Bears drove into field goal territory but had one of the NFL’s biggest clock management gaffes to end the contest without as much as a field goal attempt. The Lions were outscored 20-7 in the second half but held on to improve to 11-1.
Quarterback play
Since throwing an incredible five interceptions on Nov. 10, Jared Goff has thrown six touchdown passes and zero picks in the last three games, all wins. He was perfect — at least by passer rating terms — in a blowout win over the Jaguars but hasn’t been as deadly efficient in the last two games. Goff is accurate and generally gets the ball out on time. He doesn’t attack aggressively downfield — by PFF’s measure, Goff has 10 “big-time throws” and 13 “turnover-worthy plays” this season. Therein lies the key for the Packers. Can Jeff Hafley’s defense confuse or pressure Goff into a few mistakes? He played a clean game in the first meeting.
Line of scrimmage
When everyone is healthy, the Lions have one of the best offensive lines in football. Left tackle Taylor Decker is dealing with an injury and missed last week, so his status for Thursday is up in the air. Dan Skipper played left tackle against the Bears. By PFF grade, the Lions rank 15th in pass-blocking grade and third in run-blocking grade. It all starts up front for the Lions on offense. Aidan Hutchinson, John Cominsky and Marcus Davenport are all on injured reserve, which is why the Lions went out and added former Packer Za’Darius Smith at the trade deadline. He has 17 pressures in three games in Detroit. Alim McNeil plays like a young Kenny Clark — he has 39 pressures. DJ Reader produced two sacks last week. The Lions are giving up 4.4 yards per carry this season, but no team has faced fewer rush attempts. The Lions win a lot of football games up front along the line of scrimmage.
Turnovers
The Lions have only turned the ball over in six of 12 games this season. Jared Goff had one nightmare performance — throwing five picks in a win over the Texans. And he hasn’t protected the football perfectly this season, so the Packers must capitalize if Goff presents an opportunity on Thursday. He turned the ball over multiple times in the meeting at Ford Field last season. The Lions defense has 19 takeaways, creating a plus-8 turnover margin. In 11 games, the Lions have won the turnover battle five times. When the Lions don’t turn the ball over this season, they are averaging 40.2 points per game.
Injury situation
The Lions will be without Aidan Hutchinson, Alex Anzalone, Derrick Barnes, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Kalif Raymond, Ennis Rakestraw, Ifeatu Melifonwu, John Cominsky, Malcolm Rodriguez, Marcus Davenport and Mekhi Wingo, who are all on injured reserve. Carlton Davis, Taylor Decker, Levi Onwuzurike and Josh Pascal are all dealing with injuries and have uncertain statuses for Thursday. The Lions are beat up — no doubt about it. They will be without key pieces in the rematch, but Dan Campbell’s team has already proven — over and over — that they can overcome.
Players to know
WR Amon-Ra St. Brown: He caught all seven of his targets and scored a fourth-down touchdown against the Packers in November. St. Brown is catching 83 percent of targets and has nine scores this season.
TE Sam LaPorta: His catches and receiving yards are down, but LaPorta has a touchdown catch in three of the last five games. If nothing else, he is a dangerous red-zone weapon.
S Kerby Joseph: His pick-six in the first meeting turned the game. The playmaking safety is currently tied with Xavier McKinney for the NFL lead in interceptions (7).
DL Alim McNeil: He’s one of the NFL’s better interior pass-rushers. The Packers have to keep him blocked or he’ll wreck the game.
WR Jameson Williams: The speedster missed the first meeting. He has a catch of at least 20 yards in seven games this season, and the Lions have given him at least one carry in seven games.
