Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions: Lombardiave staffers predict
The Green Bay Packers once again head into the biggest game of the year … this one against the Detroit Lions – a team they have already defeated. But doesn’t that seem like a lifetime ago? While the Packers find themselves just one-half game behind the Lions and Bears in the NFC North Division standings, both are coming off a tough weekend.
The Packers tied the Minnesota Vikings at home and the Lions lost a heartbreaker to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers – also at home.
So, today matches two teams still trying to find themselves. The winner will be in the division driver’s seat. The loser will be looking for answers.
With so much on the line, staffers here at Lombardiave.com attempt to predict today’s game. Take a look, let us know how you feel and enjoy your Thanksgiving and the game.
Darryl Krejci, Staff Writer
Darryl Krejci: Happy Thanksgiving and welcome to Ford Field, where the Lions are known to lose many a Thanksgiving Day game. In fact, I recall how not too long ago many people were calling for Detroit to have this game taken away from them because they could never make it a competitive affair. Well, this Turkey Day is going to be a little different.
With all the struggles that have dogged the Packers the last few weeks, I see this as a very close game. Matt Flynn will start and continue to lead the offense with Eddie Lacy tearing it up between the twenties. Things will slow down in the Red Zone resulting in a low scoring game. The defense will be its usual inconsistent self and not be able to stop the run or tackle. They will do just enough to cause us more indigestion than overeating.
Packers 21 Lions 17
Eric Balkman is our fantasy football guru. Any questions, just ask him.
Eric Balkman: In this Thanksgiving Day matchup that the Packers have dominated over the past several years, it appears this could be the year the Lions finally catch Green Bay at the right time. Aaron Rodgers will not play, and the Pack just can’t seem to get healthy enough to compete. A loss here ensures Green Bay zero wins for the entire month of November.
I expect the Lions to blitz Flynn relentlessly, and unless Mike McCarthy starts to call some screens and draws (something he didn’t do last week), Green Bay is going to get annihilated. Calvin Johnson is going to be big, and I expect Reggie Bush to also have a nice game here. Flynn is good enough to give the Packers a chance to win in the end, but not good enough to actually get the W.
Lions 27 Packers 21
Dan Dahlke, one of our most prolific writers, won’t be sitting along this river bank about about 9:30 a.m. Pacific Time. Right, Dan?
Dan Dahlke: The last time the two teams played the Packers had a healthy Aaron Rodgers, Randall Cobb, and Jermichael Finley on offense, and their defense held a Detroit offense that was missing their top playmaker to nine points. I expect very different results this time around. Flynn and a productive day from Eddie Lacy on the ground will help keep this game competitive, but I have my doubts the Packers will be able to stop the Lions with offensive weapons like Reggie Bush and Megatron on the field.
I say the Packers lose in a close, hard-fought contest on the road.
Green Bay 23 Detroit 27
Luke Hanish has his hat out of mothballs by now.
Luke Hanish: From our Packers family here at lombardiave to yours, merry turkey day! I hope it’s as merry for our beloved Pack, but things look gloomy as of late. A tie was salvaged last week thanks to a somewhat surprising comeback. Let’s give credit where credits due and thank Mr. Flynn for deciding to come back. The offense looked quite anemic for the first half against the Vikes (accept for one rushing TD, that is).
Anyway, as I’ve said since Rodgers went down, for some reason it seems as if the defense went down with him. Our suddenly porous run defense at times looked as if it wasn’t even on the field last week, making even Toby Gerhart look like a pro Bowler. The return of Johnny Jolly should hopefully at least slow down Reggie Bush. The return of Sam Shields should help a thin cornerback unit as well. Getting to Matthew Stafford will more than likely be the key to the game defensively as no one throws the ball as much as he does.
Offensively, Flynn showed he can at least keep us in games and is able to read defenses better than Scott Tolzien. We already know what to expect from Eddie Lacy and the game will be indoors so minus any asthma flare-up he should be able to last the entire game this week. Expect the Lions to come out fast as a home loss to Tampa Bay speaks for itself. I think the Pack needs to put up at least 30 points to win. With that being said I don’t think our defense can keep Detroit from scoring 30. Lions (sadly) in a high scoring affair.
Lions 38 Packers 31
Tim Thomas: The Green Bay Packers have struggled since Aaron Rodgers went down but Matt Flynn showed last week that he might be able to be the backup quarterback Green Bay needs. Flynn will go against a Detroit secondary that is one of the NFL’s worst and will play very well with Jordy Nelson also having a big game.
Eddie Lacy is definitely one of the toughest running backs I’ve ever seen but the Detroit front 7 will give him some issues. Matthew Stafford will bounce back after four interceptions last week and Green Bay’s secondary will be dominated by Stafford and Calvin Johnson. Clay Matthews will put plenty of pressure on Stafford but that won’t slow down the Detroit passing attack that much.
Reggie Bush is similar to Adrian Peterson in one way and that is Bush is very elusive. Bush knows how to break tackles and against a Green Bay defense that struggles to make tackles, Bush could have a huge game. This will be a close game but I hate saying that the Packers will lose to Detroit. This could also be the game that costs Dom Capers his job.
Lions 28 Packers 24
Tom Mrozla looks nice in his wedding photo, but on game day he looks a lot different.
Tom Mrozla: It’s crunch time and Josh Sitton couldn’t have said it any better. The Lions defense is a bunch of scumbags and dirtbags and I cannot wait for ‘Flynnsanity’ in Detroit. Last week, Flynn accomplished more in one quarter than any other Packer has done in three weeks. I really like that going into the game today. Hopefully Eddie Lacy keeps rolling and our defense stays strong during this must win. Happy Thanksgiving and GO PACK GO!
Packers 34 Lions 31
Kevin Dickens, wide smile and all, is one of our newest staffers.
Kevin Dickens: Thanksgiving is today. And the Detroit Lions are into giving away. With such a defining game on the horizon, win and leave all others behind is the only mentality the Packers should have going forward. Matt Flynn is set to start. With him at helm Green Bay is able to experiment a bit more. Enough to make the Lions squeamish.
This game will be defined in the trenches. I believe Josh Sitton initiated that this week with his statements. The logistics behind such a bold movement come only down to Green Bay running the football effectively and stopping the run completely. The offensive line will be up for the challenge as they continue to build upon last week’s monster effort.
Question is will the defensive front? If a concentrated effort by BJ Raji, Ryan Pickett and company can put together a good 60 minutes, Green Bay will win this contest hands down. Call me a believer folks.
Matt Flynn helps to WIN.
Packers 27 Lions 20
#GoPackGo
Kevin Gibson likes to think positive thoughts, but today it’s difficult to do that …
Kevin Gibson: The Packers’ defense is a true Jekyll and Hyde creature. One never knows, series to series, whether good or bad will step up.
One drive it’s a sack and a stop, and the next, the backup running back looks like Jim Brown. Meanwhile, Aaron Rodgers will be watching this one with a clipboard in his hand. I expect a sloppy, back and forth affair with lots of penalties and likely a few turnovers as well.
In the end, I believe a key turnover will decide it – I’m just not sure at the moment which way it will go. Flip a coin? OK.
Packers 26 Lions 23
When Thomas Marquardt isn’t flying in and out of Phllly he’s watching the Packers.
Tommy Marquardt: I hope my Thanksgiving dinner isn’t ruined this year as it has been in the past. No Rodgers means it’s Flynn again this week. Unfortunately, I had this game down as a probable loss even with ARod in the game.
Megaton was out last time around and Sam Shields was in, if Shields can’t go it will be a long day for the defense. I would like the Packers to keep it close, but they will probably have to score 30+ to win the game. Unless Matt Flynn, circa 2011, shows up (or a lot of luck) I think they fall short and the season will (mercifully) be all but over by the time I serve the bird.
Lions 31 Packers 27
Dave Burdette
David Burdette: It’s Turkey day! I’m just hoping the Packers aren’t the turkeys.
Detroit has not played well recently, dropping 2 straight. But they are still a dangerous team. Stafford will put up huge yards, and Megatron is highly undefendable.
Matt Flynn should get the start versus Detroit, the team he fondly knows as the one he scorched for a big contract. The defense is largely similar, so will we see it again? Doubtful, but Eddie Lacy just might be a difference-maker.
I hate to pick against the Packers, but I’m ever the optimist and I feel they know the season is on the line. Flynn goes for a new paycheck in this one.
Packers 28 Lions 24
Evan Kenney: Packers fans will get to relive ‘Flynnsanity’ when Matt Flynn gets the start against a team he set records against. The secondary will face their toughest test yet in Megatron, but this time the offense (finally) puts up more points than the defense allows.
Packers 27 Lions 24
Patrick Hughes is already bellying up for the next round!
Patrick Hughes: The month of November has wreaked havoc on Packers Nation and my ability to pick a game. Hence I am resigned to do the only logical thing to pick the Thanksgiving Day game against the Lions … Flip a coin, here goes, Tails Never Fails!
The toss … ugh, heads it is. I guess the Packers are going to lose. Note, I do have a faint flicker of hope they can pull this game out. But that might be for selfish reasons rather than rational ones. As always, Go Pack Go!
Lions 28 Packers 21
Ray Rivard on one of his better days.
Ray Rivard: I want so badly to be able to say that the Green Bay Packers will win their first game in November before the month runs out, but I’m really struggling. While I like Matt Flynn, I don’t have much more confidence in him against this ruthless Detroit defense than I would with Scott Tolzien or Aaron Rodgers for that matter.
The Lions have too much firepower on offense against a Packers defense that has seemed lost the past month.
But with all that said, I’m still a homer and feel the Packers just might find some mojo with the likes of Sam Shields, Johnny Jolly and Don Barclay back in the lineup. And with Eddie Lacy carrying the rock, this might come down to a final field goal before it’s all said and done. I just hope it’s Mason Crosby doing the kicking.
Packers 24 Lions 21