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Packers, Lions renew Thanksgiving tradition

Nov 22, 2007 - 11:22 AM Green Bay (9-1) at Detroit (6-4) 12:30 pm EST

DETROIT (Ticker) -- Excluding a break for World War II, the Detroit Lions have hosted a game on Thanksgiving every year since 1934. The Green Bay Packers have been a part of that tradition more than any other team.

Thursday's clash between the NFC North Division rivals marks the 18th time they have played on Thanksgiving. The Lions have a 11-5-1 edge.

Two weeks ago, this year's battle was shaping up as a showdown for first place. But since then, the Packers (9-1) have taken control of the division while the Lions (6-4) are looking to stop the bleeding.

With a win, Green Bay can virtually wrap up the division, as it would own a four-game lead with five to play.

The Lions, who have dropped two a row following a 6-2 start, may need a win to hold on to a playoff spot. They are one game ahead of the Arizona Cardinals, Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles in the battle for the second wild card.

Thursday's contest is the second of three games in a 12-day span for the Packers, who will try to avoid looking ahead to next week's showdown against the Dallas Cowboys (9-1). That game, also to be played on a Thursday, could decide home-field advantage in the NFC.

Playing like the quarterback of 10 years ago, 38-year-old Brett Favre has led the Packers to their first 9-1 start since 1962, when Green Bay finished 13-1 en route to its eight NFL title. The one loss that season came to the Lions on Thanksgiving.

The Packers defeated the Carolina Panthers, 31-17, last week for their fifth straight victory. Favre tossed three touchdown passes for the 62nd time in his career, tying Dan Marino's NFL record.

Tight end Donald Lee is becoming a viable part of the Packers' offense, catching a pair of TD passes against Carolina, which gives him three in the last two games.

Also, Ryan Grant has sparked Green Bay's rushing attack, which no longer ranks last in the league. Grant ran for 88 yards last week, falling just short of his third 100-yard game in three weeks.

"If everybody continues to grind, work, continue to prepare themselves for the very next game and not worry about anything else after that, this team can go as far as we want to go," Packers cornerback Charles Woodson said.

Suddenly, the Lions' rushing attack has become non-existent.

In last week's 16-10 loss to the New York Giants Detroit's first defeat at home this season the Lions rushed for only 25 yards.

That came one game after they rushed for a net of minus-18 yards in a 31-21 loss at Arizona, the lowest total in the modern era.

"We didn't execute," Lions coach Rod Marinelli said "I show them (his players) that. When we execute, when we do the things we are supposed to do on a consistent basis, we'll win."

Detroit still needs one victory to avoid double-figure defeats for the first time since 2001.

The Lions have dropped three in a row on Thanksgiving to fall to 33-32-2 overall on the day. Their last Thanksgiving Day win was a 22-14 victory over the Packers in 2003.