The Detroit Lions are back in primetime on Thursday Night Football as they host Green Bay in a crucial December NFC North matchup. Detroit is looking for the season sweep of the Packers and essentially a three-game lead over them in the division standings with four games remaining by owning the head-to-head tiebreaker.
Here are five things to look out for in tonight's contest:
1. Run game importance
This really applies for both sides of the football for Detroit. The Packers have made a switch to running back Josh Jacobs being the focal point of their offense and that's made them much more explosive and opened things up for the passing game. Jacobs ranks third in the NFL in rushing yards (987) and has posted 100-plus scrimmage yards in each of Green Bay's last five games. The Lions come into today ranked fifth in run defense (93.5).
In wins over San Francisco and Miami the last two weeks, Green Bay's defense allowed a total of 83 rushing yards combined. The Lions have the No. 5 rushing offense in the NFL (148.5). Detroit prides itself on being a physical football team and they'll be looking to control both lines of scrimmage tonight.
View photos of Detroit Lions players' cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative, presented by Comerica.
Cleats belonging to Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) photographed at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on November 19, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Cleats belonging to Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) photographed at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on November 19, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Cleats belonging to Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) photographed at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on November 19, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Cleats belonging to Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) photographed at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on November 19, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Cleats belonging to Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch (32) photographed at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on November 19, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Cleats belonging to Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch (32) photographed at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on November 19, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Cleats belonging to Detroit Lions safety Brandon Joseph (12) photographed at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on November 19, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Cleats belonging to Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (89) photographed at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on November 19, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Cleats belonging to Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (89) photographed at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on November 19, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Cleats belonging to Detroit Lions defensive lineman Brodric Martin (96) photographed at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on November 19, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Cleats belonging to Detroit Lions tackle Dan Skipper (70) photographed at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on November 19, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Cleats belonging to Detroit Lions tackle Dan Skipper (70) photographed at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on November 19, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Cleats belonging to Detroit Lions defensive lineman DJ Reader (98) photographed at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on November 19, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Cleats belonging to Detroit Lions cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (15) photographed at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on November 19, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Cleats belonging to Detroit Lions offensive lineman Giovanni Manu (59) photographed at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on November 19, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Cleats belonging to Detroit Lions defensive lineman Isaac Ukwu (45) photographed at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on November 19, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Cleats belonging to Detroit Lions defensive lineman Isaac Ukwu (45) photographed at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on November 19, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Cleats belonging to Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell (46) photographed at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on November 19, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Cleats belonging to Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell (46) photographed at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on November 19, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Cleats belonging to Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3) photographed at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on November 19, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Cleats belonging to Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3) photographed at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on November 19, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) photographed at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on November 19, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Cleats belonging to Detroit Lions defensive lineman John Cominsky (79) photographed at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on November 19, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Cleats belonging to Detroit Lions defensive lineman Josh Paschal (93) photographed at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on November 19, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Cleats belonging to Detroit Lions guard Kayode Awosika (74) photographed at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on November 19, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Cleats belonging to Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) photographed at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on November 19, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Cleats belonging to Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) photographed at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on November 19, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Cleats belonging to Detroit Lions linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (44) photographed at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on November 19, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Cleats belonging to Detroit Lions linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (44) photographed at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on November 19, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Cleats belonging to Detroit Lions cornerback Morice Norris (40) photographed at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on November 19, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Cleats belonging to Detroit Lions tight end Shane Zylstra (84) photographed at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on November 19, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Cleats belonging to Detroit Lions tight end Shane Zylstra (84) photographed at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on November 19, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Cleats belonging to Detroit Lions tackle Taylor Decker (68) photographed at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on November 19, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Cleats belonging to Detroit Lions tackle Taylor Decker (68) photographed at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on November 19, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Cleats belonging to Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0) photographed at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on November 19, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Cleats belonging to Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0) photographed at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on November 19, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Cleats belonging to Detroit Lions wide receiver Tom Kennedy (85) photographed at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on November 19, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
2. Takeaway streak
The Lions are plus-eight in turnover differential this season with 19 takeaways but haven't generated a turnover in two straight games. It's something Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn said has been an emphasis for his unit this week.
"I think we've talked about this before, they come in bunches and we have to get ready to start that streak again, especially against this team," Glenn said. "We've got to limit their possessions as much as we can because of how explosive they are on offense. So, we talked about that early in the week of making sure that we get back on that hot streak and our guys look forward to doing that."
Green Bay has thrown 11 interceptions on the season with 14 total giveaways.
3. Fighting through injury
The Lions have suffered a number of injuries defensively but continue to get solid play out of that unit. That's a credit to the players who have taken on bigger roles and to Glenn for putting players in the right positions to make plays.
The injuries have mostly affected Detroit's depth on defense, but how well acclimated will some of their new depth players be, especially upfront, when the Lions rotate them in? Can they avoid any drop-off against a really explosive Packers offense?
4. Red zone
When the Lions have struggled offensively this year it's usually coincided with them not taking advantage of their trips to the red zone. We saw it against Tampa Bay earlier in the year (1-for-7) and last week vs. Chicago (2-for-5, plus a turnover) when they had a chance to make an early lead much more significant had they turned short field goals into touchdowns.
Defensively, Detroit will be tasked with keeping a much improved Packers red-zone offense out of the end zone. After ranking 29th in red-zone offense the first half of the year, Green Bay has converted 11 of their last 15 red zone trips to touchdowns and have jumped 11 spots in the rankings.
5. Finding the end zone
For the first time all season, neither Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery or Amon-Ra St. Brown found the end zone for the Lions in their win vs. Chicago on Thanksgiving. Tight end Sam LaPorta accounted for both of Detroit's touchdowns vs. the Bears.
Gibbs, Montgomery and St. Brown have all produced at least 800 scrimmage yards and nine touchdowns on the season. All three have scored touchdowns in the same game eight times this season. Detroit is 8-0 in the contests. Can that terrific trio find themselves in the end zone once again tonight?
