5 keys to Packers beating Lions on Thanksgiving in Week 13

The Green Bay Packers (7-3-1) can extend its win streak to three games, defeat last year’s division champion in the NFC North and earn a valuable victory in the playoff race if Matt LaFleur’s team can enter Ford Field and Detroit Lions (7-4) on Thanksgiving Day.

Dan Campbell’s team remains talented and formidable on both sides of the ball, but the Lions also needed a comeback win at home during the match. New York Giants on Sunday to avoid a 1-3 stretch.

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Can Jordan Love and Matt LaFleur win Thanksgiving Day for the third time in a row and become the favorites to win the NFC North?

Here are the five keys for the Packers to beat the Lions on Thanksgiving in Week 13:

1. Re-tackling

The Packers handled defense extremely well in the first meeting, which was a big reason why Jahmyr Gibbs produced just 19 rushing yards on nine attempts and 31 receiving yards on 10 catches. A defense must tackle consistently against Gibbs, who is often just one miss away from an explosive play, and Amon-Ra St. Brown, who ranks fourth in yards after the catch among receivers this season. And the guess here is that the Packers want Jared Goff to get the checkdowns under, just like in Week 1, but the key to the plan is to get the ball and limit YAC. Consistently making tackles may be the biggest factor in limiting Gibbs and eliminating explosive plays against the Lions.

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2. Make some explosive passing plays

Speaking of explosive play, this could be the week to attack down the field in the passing game. The Lions prefer to play man coverage and will aggressively send blitzers on the pass to supplement the rush. If things are blocked, there will be opportunities to throw the field into space. Additionally, the Lions like to play heavy along the defensive front and aren’t afraid to charge up to defend the run, so getting rid of heavy personnel or in run situations can be a way to generate explosive play opportunities. Christian Watson, the team’s best man-beater, has the best chance of making one or two big plays.

3. Start fast and survive late

In the 2023 Thanksgiving Day win at Detroit, the Packers scored on the opening drive and raced to a 20-6 lead in the first quarter. In Week 1, the Packers scored on the opening drive and led 10-0 after one quarter and 17-3 at the half. Starting fast is critical, not only to instill confidence on the road in a hostile environment, but also to create the right flow of play for the Packers. Matt LaFleur’s team is at its best when it can jump on a team early and put them away late with the pass rush. The finish will be fascinating to watch on Thanksgiving Day – the Packers defense played all 44 snaps against the Vikingswhile the Lions defense played nearly 80 snaps and was on the field for over 37 minutes in an overtime game against the Giants. Will the Lions wear out late? By grabbing an early lead, the Packers could ride the run game in the second half and test the Lions in a short week.

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4. Press Goff

Few quarterbacks have a greater separation between clean/under pressure than Jared Goff, who has completed 79 percent of passes, averaged 8.6 yards per attempt and thrown 23 touchdown passes from clean pockets and completed 45.5 percent of passes, averaged 6.0 yards per attempt and thrown 0 touchdown passes while under pressure this season. The Packers defensive front must control the game, not only in terms of limiting the alleys for Jahmyr Gibbs in the run game, but also by pressuring Goff in passing situations. The Lions battered offensive line offers an avenue for pressure: center Graham Glasgow is out, guard Christian Mahogany is on injured reserve and the three other starters (Penei Sewell, Taylor Decker and Tate Ratledge) are questionable due to injuries. This is no longer an elite pass blocking offensive line. Win the battle up front, keep the pressure on Goff and the Packers will likely win the game.

5. Block Hutchinson and avoid the game-breaking giveaway

Aidan Hutchinson is one of the game’s most disruptive pass rushers, but he lacks a true pass-rush sidekick, and others along the Lions defensive front have struggled to consistently apply pressure. Much like the plan in Week 1, expect the Packers to pay close attention to No. 97 in hopes of limiting his impact on the game. Force someone else to beat you ahead of time, just like teams with Micah Parsons and the Packers. Blocking Hutchinson is the key to avoiding a big turnover, especially with All-Pro Kerby Joseph not expected to play. Entering Week 13, Hutchinson is tied for first in turnover pressure (4). Block 97, keep Jordan Love clean and avoid the big mistake. Easier said than done, but so many of these Packers-Lions tilts have led to a single takeaway (see: Evan Williams red zone interception in Week 1, Jordan Love pick-6 at Lambeau Field last year, Christian Watson’s fumble at Ford Field last year).

This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: 5 keys to Packers beating Lions on Thanksgiving in Week 13