Pernell McPhee reignites Bears-Packers rivalry with comments

These two teams have been going at it since 1930, and they will renew their rivalry on Thursday Night Football. That means the Bears are one game behind them and the Seattle Seahawks for the final Wild Card spot in the NFC. Green Bay is coming off of a disappointing loss to the Chicago Bears while Detroit will look to build off of their blowout win over the Eagles on Thanksgiving.

Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson is reportedly expected to play Thursday against the Green Bay Packers, and kicker Matt Prater is also expected to suit up Thursday night. Rodgers, however, is going into a matchup where the visiting team is 1-5 SU and ATS in the last six games. “There were a few plays here and there that, had the result been different, the result of the game would’ve been different”, Packers play-caller Tom Clements said of the team’s offense in general and its passing game in particular. Running back Eddie Lacy has been a disappointment this year as well.

With Jones added to the mix, the Packers have so many outside pass-rushing options, they can even afford to give veteran Julius Peppers a rare day off from practice on Monday.

If recent form is any indication, Detroit should be the favorite in this game.

And the starting point against the run is up front, where linemen Mike Daniels and B.J. Raji provide stout and often disruptive presences. The Dallas Cowboys, Oakland Raiders, Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings are sitting ahead on the schedule, waiting to put the Packers’ playoff hopes on hold for 2015.

An improbable victory at Green Bay in Week 11 has given the Detroit Lions life.

STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES -Lions have won three of four in series for first time since October 15, 1998-Oct. Matthew Stafford is completing 64.9 percent of his passes for 2,944 yards, 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. The Lions absolutely destroyed the Eagles in this game, 45-14. “They’re putting a lot of pressure on quarterbacks, and they’re doing a great job stopping the run”. When we went to Green Bay past year on the first possession they probably ran the ball right down our throats 60 or 70 yards (actually 59). And the Lions are at home.

The Lions play the St. Louis Rams next week. The game will be played at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. “I think you have to be realistic about the time frame these guys are going through”.

This is a tough one.

On a roll: Tracy Porter has been playing at a Pro Bowl level the past several weeks and had his best game of the season in Green Bay. The Packers have looked very good defensively, so I expect them to continue this trend. I do understand that’s what separates good teams from bad teams, but the Bears are climbing into the “good” team range.