Packers vs. Lions: Preview, Prediction

The Green Bay Packers arrive in Detroit on Thanksgiving riding a two-game winning streak and leaning on a defense that hasn’t allowed more than 20 points in a month. They dominated the Lions in the season opener, have held eight opponents under 20 this season, and enter Thursday with a chance to tighten their grip on second place in the NFC North.

But this time, Detroit is positioned to flip the script.

The Lions return home after an uneven yet gutsy overtime win against the Giants, a performance that once again highlighted the resilience that’s defined the Dan Campbell era. And while injuries have piled up — from Sam LaPorta to Kerby Joseph to Graham Glasgow — Detroit still has the most dynamic player in the matchup: Jahmyr Gibbs.

Gibbs is coming off a career-best 219 rushing yards and three touchdowns and has become the engine of the Lions’ offense. When Detroit gets him going, everything else opens up. Even against Green Bay’s stiff run defense, the Lions can dictate tempo by feeding Gibbs early, pairing him with David Montgomery, and using the ground game to keep the Packers’ pass rush honest.

The return of Frank Ragnow gives Detroit’s offensive line a critical boost, helping stabilize protection for Jared Goff — who still has enough weapons to stress a Green Bay secondary dealing with its own injuries. On the other side, Aidan Hutchinson and the Lions’ front should pressure Jordan Love and make it difficult for Green Bay to sustain drives, especially if Josh Jacobs remains sidelined.

The Packers will keep this close — their defense almost guarantees that — but the Lions have the more explosive playmaker in Gibbs, the momentum of a home holiday crowd and the toughness to deliver in late-game situations.

Prediction: Lions 27, Packers 23

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