Final
Packers, Lions renew Thanksgiving tradition
Nov 22, 2007 - 11:22 AM Green Bay (9-1) at Detroit (6-4) 12:30 pm ESTDETROIT (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.
- NFL
FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
GREEN BAY 0 17 14 6 37
DETROIT 6 3 3 14 26 FINAL
SCORING SUMMARY
1ST QUARTER: DET - FG, JASON HANSON 47 YD, 7:49. Drive: 12
plays, 52 yards in 7:49. Key plays:
Jones 13-yard run to Detroit 34;
Kitna 13-yard pass to Jones to
Detroit 47; Duckett 10-yard run to
Green Bay
Nov 22 4:00 PM - NFL
TD DET
KEVIN JONES 1 YD RUN
(JASON HANSON KICK)
GREEN BAY 34
DETROIT 26 6:34 LEFT, 4TH QTR
Packers vs. LionsNov 22 3:40 PM - NFL
TD DET
CALVIN JOHNSON 6 YD PASS FROM JON KITNA
(JASON HANSON KICK)
GREEN BAY 34
DETROIT 19 9:58 LEFT, 4TH QTR
Packers vs. LionsNov 22 3:28 PM - NFL
FG GNB
MASON CROSBY 20 YD
GREEN BAY 34
DETROIT 12 13:08 LEFT, 4TH QTR
Packers vs. LionsNov 22 3:15 PM - NFL
END, 3RD QTR 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
GREEN BAY 0 17 14 31
DETROIT 6 3 3 12 END, 3RD QTR
SCORING SUMMARY
1ST QUARTER: DET - FG, JASON HANSON 47 YD, 7:49. Drive: 12
plays, 52 yards in 7:49. Key plays:
Jones 13-yard run to Detroit 34;
Kitna 13-yard pass to Jones to
Detroit 47; Duckett 10-yard run to
Gre
Nov 22 3:08 PM - NFL
TD GNB
RUVELL MARTIN 3 YD PASS FROM BRETT FAVRE
(MASON CROSBY KICK)
GREEN BAY 31
DETROIT 12 1:48 LEFT, 3RD QTR
Packers vs. LionsNov 22 3:01 PM - NFL
TD GNB
GREG JENNINGS 4 YD PASS FROM BRETT FAVRE
(MASON CROSBY KICK)
GREEN BAY 24
DETROIT 9 11:13 LEFT, 3RD QTR
Packers vs. LionsNov 22 2:36 PM - NFL
FG GNB
MASON CROSBY 20 YD
GREEN BAY 17
DETROIT 9 0:00 LEFT, 2ND QTR
Nov 22 2:08 PM - NFL
TD GNB
RYAN GRANT 5 YD RUN
(MASON CROSBY KICK)
GREEN BAY 14
DETROIT 6 7:41 LEFT, 2ND QTR
Packers vs. LionsNov 22 1:36 PM - NFL
TD GNB
GREG JENNINGS 11 YD PASS FROM BRETT FAVRE
(MASON CROSBY KICK)
GREEN BAY 7
DETROIT 6 14:43 LEFT, 2ND QTR
Packers vs. LionsNov 22 1:20 PM - NFL
END, 1ST QTR 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
GREEN BAY 0 0
DETROIT 6 6 END, 1ST QTR
SCORING SUMMARY
1ST QUARTER: DET - FG, JASON HANSON 47 YD, 7:49. Drive: 12
plays, 52 yards in 7:49. Key plays:
Jones 13-yard run to Detroit 34;
Kitna 13-yard pass to Jones to
Detroit 47; Duckett 10-yard run to
Gre
Nov 22 1:16 PM
Related News
- Dan Campbell Comes Under Fire Following Lions Loss Jan 29
- Brock Purdy Proves Merit for 49ers Jan 29
- Lions Defeat Buccaneers, Advance to NFC Championship Game Jan 21
- Baker Mayfield Corrects Trash Talk from Lions Jan 18
- Matthew Stafford's Wife Claims Lions Fans Booed QB's Children Jan 16
- Jordan Love Validates Packers’ Decision to Move On From Aaron Rodgers Jan 14
- Matt Stafford Taking on Lions Is a Primetime Matchup Jan 8
- Detroit Lions Are Eligible for Criticism Jan 3
- Week 17 Opening Odds: Packers are underdogs to Vikings on New Years’ Eve Dec 26
- Detroit Lions Week 16 grades: Offense passes big test vs. Vikings Dec 26
- Week 17 opening odds: Lions significant road underdogs vs Cowboys Dec 26
- Recently-cut Lions kicker Riley Patterson quickly finds new team Dec 26