Possibly the best matchup of the week in an exciting NFC North fixture as the high-flying Lions travel across Lake Michigan to Lambeau Field to take on the Green Bay Packers in a fierce rivalry.

The Rivalry

Existing since 1930, the rivalry  did not begin until 1934 when the ‘Portsmouth Spartans’ from Ohio moved to Detroit. 

This rivalry is particularly strong in the state of Michigan as people who live in the upper peninsula of Michigan would root for the Packers, whereas people in the lower peninsula closer to Detroit would support the Lions.

With the teams meeting at least twice a season since 1932, this is the Longest continuously running rivalry in the NFL.

These two teams have met a total of 189 times, with the Packers leading the series 106-76-7. The Packers have also beaten the Lions twice in the NFC wild-card playoffs.

Between 1992 and 2014 the Lions did not beat the Packers on the road. Green Bay had won 24 times in a row at Lambeau. The last Lions victory before the streak began was a 21-15 win in 1991 but 22 years later the Lions finally won again in Wisconsin. The score was 18-16 as Green Bay’s kicker missed a 52-yard attempt which got the Lions over the line.

Recently

The Lions currently lead the NFC North with a 6-1 record, although it is extremely close. The Packers have a 6-2 record, only losing to the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil and division rivals, the Minnesota Vikings.

The Lions have been explosive on offense so far this season and in the last four weeks they have destroyed the Seahawks, Cowboys and Titans whilst also securing a narrow victory against the Vikings who were 5-0 at the time.  In these four games, the Lions have scored 172 points in all sorts of ways.  

Against the Tennessee Titans last weekend they scored 52 points as David Montgomery scored the opening touchdown, then Jahmyr Gibbs rushed for 70 yards to score with style. Receivers Amon Ra St-Brown and Khalif Raymond both scored touchdowns, as well as Raymond’s punt return touchdown from Detroit’s own 10. 

On National Tight end day, Brock Wright and Sam Laporta were both found in the End-zone to score. Although it wasn’t Jared Goff who threw it to Laporta, it was running back David Montgomery throwing for three yards and then Jacob Bates field goal from 51 yards ended the game for the Titans.

The Green Bay Packers found themselves in a closer-than-expected game against the 2-6 Jacksonville Jaguars as Malik Willis replaced Jordan Love after his second injury of the season. Brandon Mccannus’ 24-yard field goal with two seconds to go won the game 30-27 for the Packers.

Before Injury, Jordan Love threw for 196 yards but was unable to find any targets in the end-zone. Josh Jacobs made the impact rushing for 127 yards and scoring two touchdowns. Malik Willis came on and found Tucker Kraft – another tight end scoring on National Tight End Day.

Team News 

Green Bay Packers

Some concerning news for Packers fans from the most recent injury report as Quarterback Jordan Love, Running Back Josh Jacobs, and Cornerbacks Corey Ballentine and Jaire Alexander have all been listed as questionable for Sunday’s game. 

All of these players have had impacts on the Packers season as Jordan Love has thrown 15 passing touchdowns and has accounted for over 1500 passing yards. Josh Jacobs has been great, rushing for 667 yards and scoring three touchdowns. Whilst on defense Ballentine and Alexander have 18 combined tackles and Alexander having two interceptions.

Jacobs was injured late in the fourth quarter last week and was limited to participation in practice on Thursday and Friday, likewise with Jordan Love who also exited the game early due to a groin injury  but is still expected to start.

Detroit Lions 

Defensive Tackle Brodric Martin participated in practice but is out for the game, along with Defensive End Joshua Paschal and  Linebacker Malcolm Rodriquez. Running Back Sione Vaki and Defensive Tackle Mehki Wingo both did not participate in practice on Friday and are both doubts for Sunday.

Great news for the Lions, in terms of their Quarterback Jared  Goff after missing practice on Wednesday due to an ankle injury, he has been all cleared and will be able to get back to his best. 

This season Goff has thrown for 13 touchdowns, 1695 yards and also caught one touchdown pass in the end-zone thrown by Amon Ra St-Brown.

Players to watch 

Two players that are both fantastic and one of the best dynamic duos in the league. ‘Sonic and Knuckles’ just can’t stop scoring touchdowns.

Despite the great receiving options on the Lions, their offense runs through these two. 

So far this season they have both scored seven touchdowns, whilst more or less sharing the snaps between themselves.  Montgomery has rushed for 415 yards, received 138 yards and thrown one touchdown whilst Gibbs has rushed for 591 yards and received 154 from 19 receptions, scoring one touchdown.

Montgomery, the former Chicago Bear,  is in his 6th season in the NFL and knows what it means to play the Green Bay Packers as he has been involved in some iconic NFC North Match-ups, also scoring four touchdowns between the two games played last season.

With Gibbs being only 22 years old he is quickly becoming the Lions running back one, although with a high-end number two, it will help his progression as a player and a top talent. 

Josh Jacobs 

After a five-year career at the Las Vegas Raiders, this summer Josh Jacobs joined the Green Bay Packers. Jacobs had a slow start to life in Wisconsin as it took him until week five to score his first touchdown in his new colors. 

He has rushed for over 650 yards so far this season from 145 attempts scoring three rushing touchdowns and one receiving touchdown.

Most recently in their victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the offense quite literally ran through Jacobs as he scored two touchdowns. During that game he stood out as a threat and was looking like his former self, making it three touchdowns in his last two games.

If he is cleared to play, he will have a tough challenge on Sunday against the number two-ranked rush defense in the NFL.

Last time at Lambeau 

The Lions were victorious earlier on last season. After Anders Carlson’s field Goal early on for the Packers , the Lions offense went crazy leading 27-3 at half time with a touchdown from St-Brown , two from Montgomery and two field goals scored by Riley Patterson. 

In the third quarter , Green Bay managed to get themselves back in the game with a touchdown caught by Christian Watson , then at the beginning of the fourth it got a little bit closer with Jordan Love’s nine-yard rushing touchdown. David Montgomery then scored again , giving the Lions a comfortable lead.

Anders Carlson scored another field goal but it wasn’t enough for the Packers as it made the score 34-20 in favor of Detroit.

Detroit Lions 31 – 30 Green Bay Packers