Inbox: Nothing beats Thanksgiving football

Tom from Southfield, MI

Not a question, but a Thanksgiving message: Thankful for Insider Box and both of you. Two class acts. Have a good one today, and after the game, hurry home to your respective feasts.

I'm enjoying lovely Troy, Mich., at the moment but very much looking forward to a little turkey and a lot of dressing later this evening. Happy Thanksgiving to you all.

Ryan from Milwaukee, WI

The Lions are a tough out this year, but these games in Detroit are always weird, and I think we've got a shot. Who's your player to watch for the Packers? Thank you both for your work to keep us informed and entertained, and I hope you get to enjoy some time with your families after the game. Happy Thanksgiving and Go Pack Go!

I've covered eight games in Detroit, and I don't think a single one could be categorized as "normal." All three of the Packers' wins I've covered at Ford Field were memorable, though – Richard Rodgers' Hail Mary in 2015, running the table to win the NFC North in 2016 and clinching the No. 1 seed during the improbable 2019 campaign. We'll see what kind of magic this Thanksgiving meeting holds. I've made 35 trips around the sun, and I know one absolute truth: Nothing beats Thanksgiving football.

Scott from Palos Park, IL

Thank you for the WYMM this week . On the Rashan Gary  sack, watching Kenny Clark push the left guard like he was a blocking sled was a thing of beauty. How often do you chance upon a play like that and just marvel at the strength some of these young men have?

Constantly. But plays like that also remind me how football is a team game. Sometimes this sport is as simple as a guy beating his man and making a play (e.g. Karl Brooks ' sack of Justin Herbert), but often it's the culmination of several players doing their job. Gary and Clark played off each other throughout the fourth quarter and were each rewarded for their effort. Evidently, Clark also has a steak coming his way from Gary in the near future.

Matt from Allouez, WI

What are the Lions' weaknesses?

There aren't many, which is why they're off to their best start in 60 years. The Packers have to win in the red zone, though. That's the one area where Detroit hasn't been prolific on either side of the ball this season. The Lions are 17th in red-zone offense (52.9%) and 19th in goal-to-go (68.2%). Detroit's defense is vastly improved but is still 30th in red-zone defense (67.7%) and 28th in goal-to-go (86.7%).

Brian from Columbia, MO

I wish Patrick Taylor could get an absolutely ear-splitting cheer tomorrow...

I was thrilled to **see Taylor come back** . I really felt like his story here was unfinished. To Taylor's credit, he has the perfect mentality. As a former undrafted free agent, Taylor knows the only guarantee is the opportunity in front of him and he jumped at it. The Packers need him now more than ever with Aaron Jones and Emanuel Wilson out, and AJ Dillon  dealing with the groin injury.

James from Panama City Beach, FL

Prayers for Luke Musgrave ! He's one tough dude playing the whole game with a lacerated kidney, just wish some of the other players would play with heart like he does but I guess they're taking a business approach to their career. I watched the replay of Bears vs. Lions on NFL Network last night and noticed every time the Bears only rushed four, they got gashed with the run or pass! But when they rushed more and pressured Goff, the end result was good for the Bears!

Luke Musgrave is a very tough individual. Coming back from that Kareem Jackson hit is one thing but to play through what he reportedly did against the Chargers is borderline legendary. I wouldn't use Musgrave's situation as a proxy to slam others for making business decisions, though. There is a big difference between injured and hurt. Musgrave suffered a serious injury on Sunday and I'm just glad everything seems to be in a good place now. Wishing Luke well in his recovery.

David from Milwaukee, WI

How do the players feel about playing on these short weeks?

You won't find many NFL players who love playing on Thursdays, but Thanksgiving always hits a little different. Most players grew up NFL fans with their own memories of watching football while enjoying Thanksgiving dinner with family. I think they welcome this opportunity.

John from McHenry, IL

Jayden Reed is a keeper! I love what he brings to the offense. Randall Cobb clone?

I get why folks want to make that comparison – and it is a very positive one – but Reed is his own man and the perfect playmaker for the Matt LaFleur offense. Schematically, it's becoming difficult for defenses to pinpoint where Reed lines up on any given down. With Reed a full participant on Wednesday, I expect LaFleur to turn the dial to 10 on his creative utilization today against the Lions with all the injuries on the offensive side of the ball.

Dennis from Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Did I see what I thought I saw in the Packers/Chargers game . . . T.J. Slaton  doing Gilbert Brown's "gravedigger" move?

Yeah, T.J. has made that his celebration. I love it.