Lions vs. Packers: Thanksgiving preview, picks and best bets

Thanksgiving is here, which means the Detroit Lions (8-2) will host a game on Thursday. This year, it is the 4-6 Packers who come to town. The Lions have won three straight against Green Bay, including a 34-20 victory in Week 4. But the Packers have won four of six Thanksgiving matchups between these two squads since 2000.

Betting on NFL football is a fun but tricky endeavor. In this article, we will preview this longtime NFC North rivalry game that will set the table for the rest of Thanksgiving. Be sure to check out the top sportsbooks in Michigan to find the place that best suits your betting needs.

The Packers suffered multiple hits to their backfield in Week 11′s win over the Chargers. Both Aaron Jones and Emanuel Wilson were carted off late in the second quarter. Additionally, A.J. Dillon is dealing with a groin ailment but is expected to play on Thanksgiving. Jones, however, is expected to miss at least this game with an MCL sprain.

In corresponding moves, the Packers re-added J.J. Taylor and James Robinson, and either or both could have roles on Thursday.

Jordan Love had arguably his best game of the season last week, and he may be leaned upon even more against the Lions.

In what has been one of the best seasons so far in franchise history, the Lions had yet another emotional win just a few days ago. Detroit is 8-2 for the first time since 1962 and the eighth win came in dramatic fashion, overcoming a 12-point deficit with less than five minutes to play to win in regulation to beat Chicago.

The Lions, led by their run game, will look to extend their win streak to four games. In the Week 4 victory over Green Bay, David Montgomery had three rushing touchdowns. Since then, first-round draft pick Jahmyr Gibbs has emerged as another excellent weapon out of the backfield. Against a mediocre Packers defense, those two will be key.

Despite Love’s impressive showing last week, it was just one game, not to mention one against one of the NFL’s worst defenses. And while Dillon has been a nice complementary back, he has struggled in a featured role. The Lions are simply on a different level, despite their disappointing start against the Bears last Sunday. With the Packers as banged up as they are, the Lions should cover with ease.

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Goff averages 274.3 passing yards per game, well above this set total. But he has five (out of 10) games where he’s failed to reach this number, including against Green Bay when he managed a season-low 210. The Lions should be able to control the game on the ground, and the Packers’ pass defense is far more stout than their offense, making them less likely to rely on Goff’s arm.

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