The last time the Packers played the Lions, Detroit came to Lambeau and did pretty much whatever they wanted to all game.

They ran for over 200 yards, sacked Jordan Love 5 times, and easily won by two touchdowns.

Unfortunately, there's not a lot of evidence to suggest a different outcome today. 

WHEN THE PACKERS HAVE THE BALL

Jordan Love was in a serious groove against the Chargers and snapped the franchise's two year drought of 300 yard passers with a career-high 322 yards.

However, that was against a terrible Chargers defense in a game when he had a full complement of weapons.

Today, they face a much more capable defense (the Lions rank 9th in the league in fewest yards allowed) and their skill players are seriously ailing. 

Luke Musgrave has what Matt LaFleur referred to as "a pretty significant injury," and pretty much every wide receiver outside of Romeo Doubs (Reed, Watson, and Wicks) is dealing with some sort of injury.

Throw in injuries to every running back on the roster (Jones with a knee injury, Dillon with a groin injury, and Wilson with a shoulder injury), and you should really be asking why the NFL had to go to a 17 week season while neglecting to schedule byes before all Thursday games.

There is really no excuse for this, NFL, you can make the same amount of money with a schedule that gives players bodies more than a few days between games.

Musgrave and Wilson have been placed on IR, and it looks like Jones and Wicks are not gonna be able to go. Many of the guys who play will be less than 100%. Given that blocking has been relatively poor, it doesn't look good for this offense.

The Lions front features Aidan Hutchinson, who has a history of wrecking the Packers and Alim McNeill, who is very disruptive up front. Defensive tackle Benito Jones is an anchor in the middle, and will be a tough assignment for Josh Myers and Jon Runyan.

On the back end, rookie safety Brian Branch has been an instant impact player who lines up all over the field and has to be accounted for as a cover man, a run defender, and a blitzer.

The Lions last loss came against the Ravens, who passed aggressively right off the bat and got a lot of running production from quarterback Lamar Jackson. The Ravens scored 4 touchdowns before the Lions even managed a 1st down.

If the Packers want to have a chance here, they may have to put it all on Jordan Love's shoulders. Matt LaFleur needs a brilliant gameplan today, with whatever players he has on offense, to get a quick passing moving. A fast-paced approach, with a lot of quick passes, and some decisive Jordan Love scambles, may be the Packers's only hope.

WHEN THE PACKERS ARE ON DEFENSE

Don't look now, but the Packers have a top 10 scoring defense!

Just in time to face a Lions offense that ranks 6th in points and 2nd in yards.

The Lions offense has only been held under 20 points once this year. Jared Goff threw three interceptions last week against the Bears, but they still flew up and down the field to win the game in the 4th quarter.

Rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs has been a dynamic complement to David Montgomery. Both average around 5 yards per carry and they've already combined for nearly 1,100 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns.

The Packers will need a heroic effort from their defense front to slow this rushing attack. If De'Vondre Campbell's neck injury keeps him out, it may get ugly.

The Lions aren't just a ground-and-pound team, though. Their passing attack is fearsome, too. Amon-Ra St. Brown is a superstar who has already gained more receiving yards than the Packers top two receivers combined.

Rookie tight end Sam LaPorta has been an instant stud and has more catches and yards than anyone on the Packers. Supporting receivers Josh Reynolds, Khalif Raymond, and Jameson Williams are explosive role players and the Lions also pass to their running backs a lot (Gibbs has more catches than Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon combined).

The Packers backup defensive backs held up ok against the Chargers passing attack last week, but they can't count on the Lions to drop that many passes at home in a dome.

The Lions has racked up 1,350 yards and 98 points in their last three outings (Raiders, Chargers, and Bears). They turned it over 7 times in those games, but it didn't matter as Detroit's offense kept coming right back.

The Packers need to brace for an onslaught and a passive scheme is not going to help them today.

FINAL THOUGHTS

The Lions are a better team than the Packers.

The came to Lambeau a couple months ago and absolutely spanked the Packers.

Now, they're 8-2 for the first time since the league expanded beyond 14 teams, and they are thoroughly enjoying having the upper hand on their big brother. Playing at home, on Thanksgiving, fresh off a big come from behind win, they are primed and motivated to embarrass the Packers on national television.

More than likely, they will.

A healthy Packers team would have a hard time keeping up with this Lions squad, but as banged up as they are, even with some momentum, they don't have much of a chance here.

The old saying says "Any given Sunday."

But today is a Thursday.

Lions 38, Packers 20