Shawn: Well, we’ve been here before — Thanksgiving Day, big game, at Detroit.
It also seems like every time these two teams play a big score is predicted, and only once in near memory did that big score occur — the final game of 2011. Yeah, Matt Flynn played in that game, but that is one of few similarities. This is a totally different defense the Packers are facing tomorrow.
The Lions have been a favorable matchup with the Packers partially because they lack the big time pass rushers on the outside that seems a prerequisite for stopping an Aaron Rodgers led offense. At the same time, their offense has lacked the physicality that typically gives the Packers problems.
The Lions still have those problems. On the other hand, their defense isn’t the porous unit that injuries reduced it to by the end of 2011 and through most of 2012. Middle linebacker DeAndre Levy is playing his position as well as anyone in the league, and Louis Delmas has finally managed to stay on the field and be the difference-maker that he is while he is out there.
The Lions still have issues at corner, and those corners were much of the problem in their loss to Tampa Bay last week. They should have their hands full against the Packer receivers.
With their big defensive tackles and their sure-tackling linebackers, the Lions don’t necessarily need to stack the box to stop Eddie Lacy. So, that combined with Matt Flynn getting the start likely means that the Lions will play the most straight up defense that the Packers have seen since Aaron Rodgers went down.
On defense, the Packers will need to stop the run well enough to force Matthew Stafford to convert first downs with his arm. Stafford is an explosive quarterback who only lacks the consistency to be an elite player at his position. The Packers have caught him during some of his more scattershot games, and they will hope to again.
The obvious keys to the game will be how well does the Packers’ defense hold up against Calvin Johnson and company, and if they don’t, can Matt Flynn generate enough offense to stay in the game?
Logic would suggest that the Packers should not be able to beat the Lions in Detroit with a backup quarterback. The problem with logic is that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers just did that very thing.
As all Packers fans should know by now, the Packers still control their own destiny. If they win all their games, then they will win the division.
Nothing has been that easy this season. Because of that and because, amazingly, I like the Lions’ defense more than the Packers, I will take the Lions by two scores.
Lions 34, Packers 24
Monty: There’s not a hell of a lot to like about the Green Bay Packers right now.
Every week we hear about improving tackling, stopping the run and creating turnovers. Every week, none of those things happen. That’s left the Packers beat up offense to try to win games and, well, that hasn’t happened for a while either.
If there’s any good news, it’s that it looks like the Packers will be getting some key players back on the field this week. Of course, not THE key player, but something is better than nothing.
Cornerback Sam Shields should return from his hamstring injury and that should help the Packers defend Calvin Johnson. Right tackle Don Barclay should return from his knee injury, which means the truly awful Marshall Newhouse can go back to where he belongs — the bench.
For the Packers to win this game, the formula is simple. They need to control the clock and keep their shitty defense off the field. That means lots of Eddie Lacy, which the Lions will surely be expecting. Of course, the Vikings were expecting it too and they couldn’t do anything to stop Lacy.
The Packers will also need to limit Johnson’s big plays. Remember, he didn’t play in the first matchup of the season between these two teams. The Packers will have no such luck on Thursday.
Unfortunately, the way things are going right now, I have zero faith in the Packers ability to control the clock or stop Megatron.
Lions 24, Packers 17
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In the first matchup with no Megatron and no Nate Burleson, it meant the Packers only had to worry about Reggie Bush and no one else. They will have no such luck tomorrow. I expect Bush to have a huge day but am hoping we can force the Lions to kick multiple field goals.
I love Josh Sitton mouthing off and feel like it may have been a calculated move on the Packers part in hopes that the team might rise up against the scumbags and dirtbags, bond together, and actually play 60 minutes of football.
Will that happen? I don’t know.
What I do know is this Packers team can compete with this Lions team without Rodgers. I believe that, but they have to put four full quarters together in all three phases. This is the type of game where if the Packers can win, it makes the horrible past four games disappear. This game puts us firmly back in control of our destiny. There’s nothing left to play for but THIS game.
Maybe I’m delusional.
Packers 19 Lions 16
I think this will be a classic black n blue division turkey day slobber knocker. Both teams fighting tooth and nail close with no team showing an advantage, until the Packers start pulling away in the 4th quarter, edging out the Lions in a close one 82-3. (Please pass the gravy) :)
Holy shit. Andy picked the Packers while I picked the Lions. The only thing crazier than that would be if Monty had picked the Packers as well.
The Packers are going to win Mr. Don’t ask me how I know this fact. I just do. k? Good. :)
GB 31
DET 31
Another prediction is I’ll probably say fuck, shit, ass, cock during the game.
I think Don won!!!!
Lions have the 28th-ranked pass D and Ziggy Ansah is no slouch, just sayin’. The return of Burleson is, forgive me for thus, nearly as crucial for the Leos as Megatron’s-they now have a third weapon who can make you pay if you focus too much on the other two. The D will have its hands full, thank God Shields is back, let’s hope he doesn’t pull a Hayward, I mean hamstring.
Even with these two pathetic D’s, it’s a critical division game so a low score is wouldn’t be surprising. I see Matty Flynn leading the Pack down the field and getting in the endzone this time, on 4th down with less than a minute
left and the Lions throwing an incomete Hail Mary, batted down by the Doctor if course, as time runs out.
Packers-27 Lions-24
Go, Pack, Go!
I cant see our corners being able to cover calvin, Stafford could wing it into quad coverage and he’d still come down with it. My hope is that the detroit lions pull a detriot lions and shoot themselfs in the foot some how. I’d also kill to just get a lead in this game, i mean we’ve been scrapping from behind for 4 weeks now.
Stafford along with his excellent (and big) receivers, not to mention the explosive Reggie Bush, make for a very potent offense. We don’t have Aaron Rodgers. I’d be very surprised if we win this game and somewhat surprised if we keep it close. I fear a real bummer. Once more: we don’t have Aaron Rodgers.
Mark my word James Jones will lay the shit out on the line today. Dude is not only a great player but an awesome person….watch his interviews on packers.com
Fuck the lions and the coaching staff dicks
Oh Happy Thanksgiving
What a fucking joke of a game
Lions 300 more yards at fucking half
Just pack your fucking jocks up and fly back to greenbay
Fuck they suck should be embarrassed…
31-10 lions
Nailed it….
Though Det is trying hard to give this one away…
prediction : GB gets held to under 100 yds total offense…
Why is Flynn still in….
Tolzien needs to get behind center…
M.m. is a fucking moron stevie wonder could see the plays coming. Ted, mike, and Murphy, all need to go. What’s on m.m. play sheet? The dollar menu from micky ds? As fatqboy mike would say the train has left the station .I think tt, Murphy, and lard ass mike should get on it,and get out of my town
Another embarrassing high profile game….Mark Murphy?..Want to actually address this or just keep thinking everything is fine?…..Can we hear something from you or TT. So we know you at least care or ?
fire capers now before the game is over! where the hell is my beer?
Fucking joke in all aspects of the game. Since we operate in the good ol’ boy management system, there will be no comments by Murphy, or TT and MM will give the same speech he has been giving for the last month. Not a soul will get fired and it will be the same dysfunction again next year. Didn’t the Saints fire their D coordinator and hire Ryan? Seems like that has worked out quite well. Fuck.