Thanksgiving Showdown

[CaliforniaCheez]

What's at stake?

A Lions win means:

The Lions can either be 2 games back of the Packers with 5 games to go plus another shot at the Packers.

Lions maintain top Wild Card team position.

A Lions loss means:
The Lions can be 4 games back of the Packers with 5 games remaining.

Drop into a fight for the #6 seed (The Bears move up this week if they and the Lions lose, Falcons have head to head tiebreaker)

The stakes are high for the Lions.

A Packers Win Means:

The Packers essentially lock up winning their division and extend lead for #1 playoff position by having 2 more conference wins than the 49'ers.

A Packers Loss Means:

If they lose they are still #1 in the conference with tiebreaker over the 49'ers and the chance of a perfect season is over, along with the media "pressure."


I expect a high scoring game. Something like 45-38.
The Packers defense leads the NFL in interceptions. A key INT will be the difference in the game.

[sheepshead]

With Cutler gone, I think we're realistically looking at 1) staying healthy 2) staying healthy 3) staying ahead of the 49ers

[bobblehead]

Bet the over. Could see 100 points in this game. We will have 51 of them.

[vince]

Mark me down as concerned over this game. Detroit got a ton of pressure with their front four last year agiainst this o-line, and the o-line wasn't its sharpest against the Bucs. They aren't practicing in pads this week, so the they'll have a hard time repping the fundamentals they struggled with so they may not be much better next week against a much better d-line.

Combine that with some tough match-ups on the ohter side of the ball with a couple good Detroit TE's vs. a weak linebacking coverage unit and a big physical receiver vs. non-physical perimeter CB's. Football is about match-ups and based on the way the Packers are playing right now, there could be some tough match-ups this week.

Hopefully Rodgers, Jennings and Finley bounce back and make the Lions average defensive backs pay in the dome.

[Pugger]

I think the lack of reps on fundimentals is the main culprit for ALL of our woes on offense AND defense. This is actually a bigger game for the lyins. I just want us to get out of there in one piece with a healthy Rodgers. It will be huge for us to get the win but a loss isn't the end of the world.

[yooperfan]

If Starks is going to be out and Grant can't step it up, I worry the Lions
will be able to T off on the pass rush. Getting out healthy is first concern.....

But crushing the Lions hopes would be best...... after all watching the Lions
lose on Thanksgiving is an American tradition.

[vince]

If Starks is going to be out and Grant can't step it up, I worry the Lions
will be able to T off on the pass rush. Getting out healthy is first concern.....

But crushing the Lions hopes would be best...... after all watching the Lions
lose on Thanksgiving is an American tradition.

Starks' presence may be missed most as an outlet receiver. He's been good lately catching and runnign when Rodgers checks down. Grant has caught the ball pretty well this year in his limited opportunities and maybe Saine gets some opportunities on 3rd down. That's where he seems to be at his best from what I've seen, read and heard about him.

[Brandon494]

With Cutler gone, I think we're realistically looking at 1) staying healthy 2) staying healthy 3) staying ahead of the 49ers

I almost kinda want the 49ers to move above us, I think we match up better with them on the road rather than Green Bay.

[gbgary]

I almost kinda want the 49ers to move above us, I think we match up better with them on the road rather than Green Bay.

i know what you're saying but no. i know we don't want weather affecting our play but if it's in GB it's affecting the other team too. what we need is a blow up roof.

[pbmax]

Listening to Packer fans and columnists, its like the last 20 years never happened.

[Harlan Huckleby]

With Cutler gone, I think we're realistically looking at 1) staying healthy 2) staying healthy 3) staying ahead of the 49ers

I don't care much about staying ahead of 49ers. ya, it would be nice, but not worth getting undies in bundle over a regular season loss or two. No guarantee that San Fran makes it to championship if they are #1 seed. Pack can win in SF if need be, all the more challenge & glory if that's how it plays out.

[denverYooper]

Mark me down as concerned over this game. Detroit got a ton of pressure with their front four last year agiainst this o-line, and the o-line wasn't its sharpest against the Bucs. They aren't practicing in pads this week, so the they'll have a hard time repping the fundamentals they struggled with so they may not be much better next week against a much better d-line.

Combine that with some tough match-ups on the ohter side of the ball with a couple good Detroit TE's vs. a weak linebacking coverage unit and a big physical receiver vs. non-physical perimeter CB's. Football is about match-ups and based on the way the Packers are playing right now, there could be some tough match-ups this week.

Hopefully Rodgers, Jennings and Finley bounce back and make the Lions average defensive backs pay in the dome.

I'm with you on the OL. In particular, the interior guys have struggled some lately. Not a good problem to be shoring up against the Lions.

Finley will be much needed this week. I won't be surprised to see Q get more looks in the passing game and more hurry-up if they need to gas the Lions.

Brad Jones played a little more last week. I hope they're trying to get him a look in coverage because he was decent there pre-injury.

[denverYooper]

I almost kinda want the 49ers to move above us, I think we match up better with them on the road rather than Green Bay.

Not I. I think GB is built to be a better passing team in the cold than anyone who comes in there. Lambeau will be a big advantage once they adjust to the weather.

It's like driving in the snow. The first time, you're tentative and it takes you 20 minutes to make a 5 minute drive to grandpa's. After a couple of trips, though, you're doing donuts in the IGA parking lot and doing 60 up US41, passing the out-of-towners like they were standing still.

[mraynrand]

The ket to the game is the trenches, mostly the Packer O-line. The real concern is that Newhouse routinely directs speed rushers back and behind Rodgers. If Fairley, Suh, and Williams push the center of the line back, the ability of Rodgers to escape/step up and throw is going to be severely limited.

[mraynrand]

Listening to Packer fans and columnists, its like the last 20 years never happened.

Many of us have tried to put the whole F**** thing behind us.