The Detroit Lions have matched the franchise record for most consecutive wins and are currently in first place in the NFC standings.
However, there are still challenges ahead for them to stay on top. Even the NFC North division is still up for grabs, and the Lions will look to create more distance when they host the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night.
The Lions (11-1), who have won 10 games in a row, haven’t managed to separate themselves from Minnesota (10-2) or Green Bay (9-3). Detroit will face Minnesota, which has won five straight games, in the regular season’s final game next month.
The Packers have stayed competitive by winning seven of their last eight games, with their only loss coming at the hands of the Lions. Detroit led by 21 points early in the third quarter and held on to win 24-14.
Lions coach Dan Campbell says the real challenge begins now.
“The best part of all this — we’re in playoff football right now, that’s where we’re at,” he said. “We’re in December, and our schedule reflects that. We’re facing tough opponents one after another, so this is the kind of challenge that prepares you for the playoffs. We’re a tough team, and nothing’s going to change that. We just need to focus on the next game in front of us.”
Detroit is coming off a 23-20 win over Chicago on Thanksgiving Day, where they almost blew a 16-point lead. The Bears’ poor clock management prevented them from tying the game, which led to coach Matt Eberflus being fired.
The Lions have been dealing with several injuries, especially on defense. They signed four players over the past week to strengthen their roster.
“I know the big topic is all the injuries on the defensive side,” defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn said. “But our personnel staff does a great job of bringing in players who fit our style. It’s not the playbook that matters most for these guys to learn. It’s the style of play we have, and that’s easy for them to pick up.”
Jared Goff has thrown six touchdowns and no interceptions in the last three games after throwing five picks against the Houston Texans on November 10.
The Packers also played on Thanksgiving, beating Miami 30-17. Green Bay built a 24-3 halftime lead with two touchdown passes from Jordan Love to Jayden Reed.
Now, the Packers face a Detroit team that has won five of the last six matchups between the two teams.
“With most good teams, they play the game the right way,” Green Bay coach Matt LaFleur said. “Detroit has been doing that for the last few years. That’s who they are, and that’s who we are too. It should be a great game Thursday night.”
The Packers may need to win in a high-scoring game, as the Lions lead the league in scoring with an average of 31.9 points per game (Green Bay ranks eighth at 26.5 points). Stopping the Lions’ running game will be important, according to LaFleur.
“They’ve got two very dynamic running backs. (David) Montgomery is a physical runner, and (Jahmyr) Gibbs can break off long runs,” he said. “Jared (Goff) is playing at an MVP level, so they have a really powerful offense.”
Lions offensive tackle Taylor Decker (knee) and three defensive linemen — DJ Reader (shoulder), Josh Paschal (knee), and Levi Onwuzurike (hamstring) — missed practice on Tuesday.
For the Packers, offensive guard Elgton Jenkins (knee), linebacker Edgerrin Cooper (hamstring), and cornerback Corey Ballentine (knee) also missed practice.
