The Detroit Lions have equaled the franchise record for most consecutive victories and stand alone atop the NFC standings.
They still have plenty of obstacles to clear to remain at that perch. Even the NFC North remains up for grabs and they’ll try to create a little more separation when they host the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night.
The Lions (11-1), who have won 10 straight, haven’t been able to shake free from Minnesota (10-2) or Green Bay (9-3). Detroit will host Minnesota, which has won five straight, in the regular-season finale next month.
The Packers have remained in contention by winning seven of their last eight, with the only loss coming at the hands of the Lions. Detroit opened up a 21-point lead early in the third quarter and held on for a 24-14 victory.
Lions coach Dan Campbell says the fun really begins now.
“The best part of all of this — we’re in playoff football right now, that’s where we’re at,” he said. “We’re in December, and our schedule says that. Man, we play tough opponent after tough opponent — we’ve got plenty coming up. So, man, this is the type of stuff that you live for and it’s also the type of stuff that gets you ready for the tournament.
“So, yeah, we’re a resilient bunch and nothing’s going to change that. We’ve just got to worry about the one in front of us.”
Detroit is coming off a 23-20 win over Chicago on Thanksgiving Day in which it nearly blew a 16-point lead. The Bears’ poor clock management cost them an opportunity to send the game into overtime and led to coach Matt Eberflus’ firing.
The Lions have been hit with a wave of injuries, particularly on the defensive side. They signed four players over the past week to fortify their depth.
“I know the elephant in the room is all the injuries that have happened with us on the defensive side,” defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn said. “Our personnel staff does a really good job of acquiring players that fit exactly who we are. I would say this, it’s not the playbook that’s the most important thing for these guys to come in and learn. It’s the style of play that we have and that’s easy to learn.”
Jared Goff has thrown for six touchdowns and zero interceptions in the past three games after tossing five picks against the Houston Texans on Nov. 10.
The Packers also played on Thanksgiving, defeating Miami 30-17. Green Bay opened up a 24-3 halftime lead as Jordan Love threw two touchdown passes to Jayden Reed.
Now the Packers face a Detroit team that has defeated them in five of the last six meetings.
“With most good teams, they play the game the right way,” Green Bay coach Matt LaFleur said. “Certainly, Detroit’s been doing that for a couple years now. That’s who they are and that’s who we are as well. It should be a great game on Thursday night.”
The Packers might have to win via a shootout, considering the Lions are averaging a league-best 31.9 points per game (Green Bay ranks eighth at 26.5). Stopping the running game will be key, according to LaFleur.
“They’re two very dynamic backs. (David) Montgomery, he’s going to beat you up physically and the other guy (Jahmyr Gibbs), you’ve got to try to corral because he can take it the distance,” he said. “Jared (Goff) is playing at an MVP level, so they’ve got a really potent offense.”
Lions offensive tackle Taylor Decker (knee) and three defensive linemen — DJ Reader (shoulder), Josh Paschal (knee) and Levi Onwezurike (hamstring) — didn’t practice on Tuesday.
Offensive guard Elgton Jenkins (knee), Linebacker Edgerrin Cooper (hamstring) and cornerback Corey Ballentine (knee) missed the Packers’ practice.
–Field Level Media
