Rodgers and Stafford headed into opposite directions lately
The game will be televised by CBS with kickoff set for 8:25 p.m. (ET).
Football fans are in for an intriguing and important game on Thursday night, certainly one that wouldn’t have been predicted to be so a few weeks ago. The Lions have won three straight games, a streak that began at Lambeau Field with the team’s first win in the state of Wisconsin since 1991.
Matt Stafford has looked much better since Detroit fired offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi.
Seattle (6-5) at Minnesota (8-3): The Seahawks won a big game last week against the Steelers to keep their playoff hopes alive while Minnesota dispatched the hapless Falcons. There has to be some serious soul searching going on inside the Green Bay Packers’ locker room, and we asked our writers four questions to break it all down.
According to numerous reports comings out of Green Bay, compiled over at PackersNews.com, this is a must-win game for Aaron Rodgers and his team. With Bennett expected to return after missing the Packers game with a rib injury, the Bears will have their starting skill position lineup intact. Newton has thrown for 2,466 yards with 20 touchdowns and nine interceptions to go with another 427 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on the ground. To be playoff contenders, the Packers must start firing on all cylinders.
The connection between Johnson and quarterback Matthew Stafford was at its best in the 45-14 win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Thanksgiving, with the duo combining for three touchdowns. The loss to Detroit was the third in a row for the Packers, who appeared to get back on track with a 30-13 romp at division-leading Minnesota in Week 11.
The Lions play the St. Louis Rams next week.
Two very disappointing teams, but Miami is healthier. Matthew Stafford completed 27 of 38 passes for 337 yards and five touchdowns to lead the Lions.
In the end, I’m not convinced the Packers can solve all of their offensive issues in one night.
The Packers enter Thursday night one game behind the Vikings in the NFC North. Mason Crosby hits the game-winning field goal with under two minutes left.
However, as mentioned previously, with Adams struggling recently and shutdown cornerback Darius Slay potentially shadowing Jones, Rodgers may look to Cobb and tight end Richard Rodgers to move the chains through the air in this contest. Something is wrong with the offense. It will be interesting to see if the Lions deploy the same strategy again this time around, but the Green Bay receivers must be ready for it and able to win their matchups.
After a 6-0 start, the Packers are just 1-4 in their last five games, including that shock loss at home against this Lions team.
The pass rush has been a problem in the latter half of the season for the Packers. Under McCarthy, the Packers have lost three consecutive times in an opposing stadium only once. Scores won’t be easy to come by against a Panthers defense that ranks second overall. Meanwhile Tennessee has been losing but playing hard, and because of that I think they finally get that elusive first home win of the season. They get after the quarterback and they stop the run.