Lions ready to roar as Packers come to town on Thanksgiving – NFL Preview
This Thanksgiving will see one of the most highly anticipated fixtures of the National Football League with Green Bay Packers defending their unbeaten run against the last team to defeat them Detroit Lions at the Ford Field in
Detroit. The game has been sold out months ahead and Lions offer of 1500 extra standing tickets for the game was taken up by eager fans in just 30 minutes.
Green Bay Packers are the only undefeated team this season with a 10-0 record and reigning Super Bowl Champions but they will face off against the last team to beat them before their current unbeaten run.
Detroit Lions won the last encounter between these two sides on December 2nd, 2010 7-3 as Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was taken off the field with a concussion.
The match will put together two teams with highly contrasting styles. Packers are more calculating and streamlined in their play which is personified by the NFL’s leading quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers who has a pass completion
rate of 72.3% and just four interceptions in the season is at his most devastating with his eye for the pass critical for Packers offensive plays.
Rodgers performance on Sunday was not his usual best but it was more than enough to see the Packers win against Tampa Bay Buccaneers as he provided the final passing touchdown of the game with a beautiful 40 yard pass to Jordy
Nelson in the end-zone.
Lions on the other hand play a more physical game trying to bully teams off the park and get them out of their comfort zone while pushing rules to their limit which has led to accusations from analysts and fans alike of dirty play.
Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford combines his offensive tendencies with physical prowess to contain the opposition. Lions are 7-3 in the league this season and will provide Packers with their most difficult test yet.
Stafford was at his finest as Lions came from behind to win 49-35 on Sunday against a Panthers side struggling with injuries, with Stafford being the focal point of Lions amazing second half performance.
Green Bay Packers are sweating over the recovery of running back James Starks in time for the game. Starks has been a vital cog in Packers side this season and is currently doubtful for tomorrow’s game with a sore knee as he did
not take part in practice today. Packers are also missing wide receiver Gregg Jennings with a knee injury but he is more likely to take part in tomorrow’s encounter.
Packers Coach Mike McCarthy will be taking it easy on his players in training with more work on tactics rather than on-field practice as he conserves his team for the main game.
Detroit Lions have not won a Thanksgiving Day game in seven years but this time they are up for the challenge and in good knick as they look forward to take on Green Bay Packers at home.
The match will be televised live on National TV and the excitement is rising among NFL fans as these two juggernauts look to battle it out on the field
"It's going to be a pretty crazy environment," Green Bay right guard Josh Sitton said. "Thanksgiving, Packers coming to town, it's going to be wild."
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