Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions: 10 Keys to Thanksgiving Day Clash

Thanksgiving day football has always been a long tradition for the fans of the game.  This year the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions are going head-to-head to see who comes out on top. 

Green Bay has looked unstoppable, boasting an undefeated record and the top QB in the game.

Detroit has been on a mini-skid but they hope to build off their come-from-behind win against the Carolina Panthers last week.

Both of these teams are legitimate threats to win the Lombardi Trophy this year.

The Lions have a ferocious defense, held down by leader Ndamukong Suh. 

The Packers have one of the leagues most explosive offenses, led by the amazing Aaron Rodgers.

This game is a perfect scenario in which an unstoppable force meets an immovable object. 

Who will win?

Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers is playing the best of his career.  The numbers he is putting up are ridiculous and almost inhuman. 

He has thrown for 3,618 yards with 31 touchdowns and only four interceptions.  

Against one of the toughest defenses in the league, it is going to be vital that he maintains this level of play. 

Rodgers will go up against the fifth ranked pass defense, and this will be a great marker of how good the Packers really are.

Ndamukong Suh

Ndamukong Suh is a beast.  His numbers are decent but do not do his overall effectiveness justice.

This season he has totaled three sacks and three tackles for loss. 

Where he does real damage comes from his ability to shift the offense’s focus on him so that the rest of his teammates can do some heavy damage on the rush and cover. 

He has been called a “dirty,” but no one can deny his dominance.

Suh is a talented individual that can singlehandedly stop a play at the line of scrimmage.

Suh will have to have a big game to slow down this Packers offense which has had no problems putting up points this year.

Packers Receivers

The Detroit Lions have the eighth ranked pass defense. 

Detroit also has a talented front line that has the ability to get to the quarterback quickly.

There will be less time for Rodgers to throw, and the receivers are going to have to get open quickly.

If the receivers cannot find open areas on the field in good time, chances are Rodgers will not have a successful day.  

Calvin Johnson

Calvin “Megatron” Johnson is having a great year.

Although his production has started slowing down from the beginning of the season, his stats are still worthy of praise.

So far he has amassed 974 yards and caught 11 touchdown passes from quarterback Matthew Stafford. 

The Packers know how to put up points, so Johnson and Co. will have to match them on offense.

Matthew Stafford

Quarterback Matthew Stafford has thrown for a total of 2,843 yards while throwing for 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. 

He will be playing against the league's second worst passing defense.

This could not have played out any better for Stafford, as he can lead an upset bid by finding receiver Calvin Johnson to torch that weak secondary. 

Look for Stafford to have one of his best games of the season this Thanksgiving day.  

Packers Run Game

The Packers run game will be vital.

They are playing one of the leagues best defenses and one of the best teams they will play all year.

Detroit’s pass defense is ranked in the top 10 in the league, however, the run defense is a lowly 27th in the league, allowing 134.7 yards per game. 

Although most of the Packers offense is based on Rodgers’ arm and receivers, Starks and Grant will have to be effective against this weak run defense in order for Rodgers to enjoy success through the air.

Lions Run Game

Aside from the weak passing defense of Green Bay, the Detroit Lions also have to find a way to take advantage of the No. 12 ranked rush defense of the Packers.

With the Packers being 10-0, their defense has shown that it can stop whatever comes their way.  This is why the run game has to be equally efficient as the passing attack.

Unfortunately, the Lions rushing offense is ranked 22nd overall, gaining 101.1 yards per game running. 

If the Lions want to win on Thanksgiving, they are going to have to show a balanced attack both in the air and on the ground.  

Packers Offensive Line

One of the key strengths that the Packers have shown is the ability to protect Aaron Rodgers from any defense.

Although Rodgers does help with his scramble ability, he still has managed to stay upright for most of the season. 

Rodgers has been sacked a total of 25 times this season which equates to 2.5 a game. 

With a tough front line of Suh and Kyle Vanden Bosch, it will be almost impossible for the Packers O-line to stop them forever. 

The success of the team (offensively at least) is going to be heavily reliant upon the protection that this line can offer.  

Lions Offensive Line

The Detroit O-line will be tasked with keeping A.J. Hawk and Clay Matthews away from Stafford.

The Packers are earning around 2.4 sacks per game while the Lions are only giving up two. 

Statistically, the Lions offensive line has been doing better than the Packers line.  This is also shown in the efficiency of the run from Detroit.

As long as they keep up the good work, the Lions have a good shot at putting points on the board.  

Coaching

Jim Schwartz vs. Mike McCarthy. 

Both are fabulous coaches who have a lot of knowledge of the game. 

McCarthy has recently enjoyed the ultimate success, while Schwartz is trying to get his once-proud franchise back to their winning ways.

McCarthy loves putting up points and running a balanced attack while Schwartz finds ways to incorporate his players using their strengths. 

Because these teams are both great, the coaches making tough calls may be what separates these two teams.