Follow the game between the Packers and the Lions on RDS2 and RDS.ca starting at 8 p.m. Thursday.
The Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers, two longtime rivals and title contenders this season, will have a lot to play for when they meet in Detroit on Thursday night.
The Lions (11-1), leaders of the National Association, hope to stay ahead of the Philadelphia Eagles (10-2) for the top of the association and ahead of the Minnesota Vikings (10-2) in first place in the North section.
The Detroit squad could also secure a place in the playoffs by signing an 11th victory in a row, which would break their team record.
“We’re in playoff football right now,” Lions head coach Dan Campbell said. These are things you live for and it prepares you for the playoffs. »
The Packers (9-3) also have a lot to gain, because they could approach the Lions by dividing the honors of their seasonal series.
“This game will be important for us going forward and we will treat it that way,” said Packers safety Xavier McKinney.
The Packers’ ability to slow down the Lions’ ground game could make the difference.
Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, the first teammates in league history to have at least 10 rushing touchdowns in consecutive seasons, averaged more than 140 rushing yards per game.
In their last two games, the Packers held San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey to just 31 yards on 11 carries and allowed just 39 rushing yards to the Miami Dolphins.
It was the first time since 1995, and second time since 1950, that the Packers gave up fewer than 45 yards rushing in back-to-back weeks.
Montgomery carried the ball 17 times for 73 yards and Gibbs had 65 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries against the Packers last month.
“They played Montgomery the whole first half and in the second they played Gibbs,” McKinney recalled. They have a good duo. »
The home advantage has not been one during recent confrontations between the two teams.
The away team has won the last four games, going back to the Lions’ 20-16 victory at Lambeau Field to close the 2022 season, in Aaron Rodgers’ final game with the Packers.
The Green Bay squad has won five straight road games against National Association North Division opponents, including a victory over the Lions on Thanksgiving in 2023.
The two teams will play a third match in 12 days.
“The way the whole organization handled this situation was very impressive,” said Packers defensive lineman Lukas Van Ness, who had at least one sack in each of his last two games.
After this meeting, both teams will take a short break.
The Lions will face the Buffalo Bills, the champions of the Eastern section of the American Association, on December 15. That evening, the Packers will cross swords with the Seattle Seahawks.
