Week 14’s Thursday night clash has the potential to bring NFL fans the best game of the season so far. Matt LaFleur, and the 9-3 Green Bay Packers are headed to Detroit to take on Dan Campbell and his 11-1 Detroit Lions at Ford Field on prime-time football.
Campbell’s Lions have looked like the best team in football this season, with a dominant 11-1 record, tied for the best in the NFL, the Lions have also steamrolled their divisional rivals with an undefeated 3-0 record in the NFC North this season. After winning their last 10 straight, Detroit will match up against a Green Bay Packers team with a now-healthy quarterback Jordan Love, who have won 7 of their last 8 games. With their last loss being at home in Lambeau to the Lions themselves.
Easily the best division in football this year, the NFC North consists of three 9-win teams so far, and this Thursday night game will be critical in the final race for the number 1 seed in the division.
3 Matchups to Watch
Quarterback Play:
Jordan Love
After an injury-plagued slow start to the season, Jordan Love has finally found his groove over the last 3 games with a completion percentage of 69%, 698 passing yards, 6 touchdowns, 1 interception, and a passer rating of 120.8. Love will be playing against an injury-plagued Lions defence and may have to do so without one of his top targets, Romeo Doubs, who is listed as questionable for Thursday night with a concussion. If Love can take advantage of opportunities against an injured Lions defence, the Packers have a chance to upset their division rivals.
Goff, who is leading all NFL quarterbacks (with 10 or more games played) in completion percentage, has been playing the best football of his career this season. Goff has shined in Ben Johnnson’s dynamic Detroit offence, with 22 touchdowns, 9 interceptions, a 71.8% completion percentage, and a passer rating of 109. He has not only solidified himself as one of the league’s top quarterbacks of 2024 but has also positioned the Lions as a legitimate Super Bowl contender for the first time in years.
Runningback Matchups:
Josh Jacobs has been the highlight of Green Bay’s offence this year. The off-season acquisition is having a career season in Matt LaFleur’s run-heavy offence. The 26-year-old running back is 4th in the NFL in carries this season and third in the NFL behind only Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry in rushing yards with 987. Jacobs has been unstoppable, he is second in the NFL with 563 yards after contact. Jacobs, who is listed as questionable for Thursday night, would be a huge loss for Green Bay. If he does play, Aaron Glenn and his Detroit defence, who have allowed the 5th fewest rushing yards in 2024 have a tough challenge ahead of them, looking to slow him down on Thursday night.
David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs:
Montgomery and Gibbs have easily been the best 1-2 running back punch in the NFL. Earning the nicknames Sonic and Knuckles, the running backs who have split reps all season are both individually top 10 in rushing touchdowns for 2024. Notching an impressive combined total of 21 touchdowns so far, the speed back (Gibbs) who ranks right behind Jacobs with 973 yards on the season, and power back (Montgomery) take on Jeff Hafley’s defence, which comes into the contest with the 8th fewest rushing yards allowed this season. Hafley and the Packers will have to stop the lethal duo if they want a shot at upsetting the red-hot Lions.
Safety Matchup:
Kerby Joseph and Xavier McKinney
McKinney and Joseph have both solidified themselves as some of the best safeties in the NFL. Both are tied for the league lead in interceptions this season with 7. McKinney, the off-season acquisition for Green Bay, leads the NFL in free safety Pro Bowl votes. Joseph, who picked off Jordan Love in their last matchup, looks to have another outstanding performance, as he did in their previous meeting on the 3rd of November.
Tight End Matchup:
Kraft, the Packers sophomore tight end, is having a breakout year of his own. Kraft has 36 receptions and 480 yards on the season to go along with 6 touchdowns, ranking 3rd amongst all tight ends for receiving touchdowns. Kraft will match up with Lions sophomore Sam LaPorta, who, after having a dominant rookie season, has seemed to come back to earth a bit in his second year with Detroit. LaPorta ranks right behind Kraft with 5 receiving touchdowns on the season, adding on 31 receptions and 391 receiving yards. Fans should watch out for big plays from each second-year tight-end.
Game time: Thursday, December 5th, 8:15pm EST.
Current NFC North Standings
- Detroit Lions 11-1
- Minnesota Vikings 10-2
- Green Bay Packers 9-3
- Chicago Bears 4-8