Lions-Packers predictions: Detroit expected to feast against Green Bay

With the exception of two games this season — one they won (Kansas City) and one they didn’t (Baltimore)— the Detroit Lions have been favored to emerge victorious in nearly every game they’ve played so far. So, when it comes to hosting the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving Day, a game they’ve lost the last six times, you might think NFL journalists would predict a Lions loss, right?

Well, if you did, you’d be wrong.

In their 84th annual Thanksgiving Day game, NFL writers across the country are not only picking the Lions to snap their dreadful holiday streak but also predicting they’ll do it in a big way.

Despite the Packers showing some improvement in the past few weeks under quarterback Jordan Love, journalists predict that the Lions have finally settled into their spot as one of the two best teams in the NFC, and they’re not looking to relinquish that position. They aim to continue their dominant showing this season, improving to 9-2. A large part of the reason for this mindset revolves around the Lions’ high-powered offense, according to one site.

Heading into the yearly Turkey Day game, here are some predictions from journalists across the country:

NFL.com

Prediction: Lions

“The Packers showed some pep in their win over the fading Chargers, while the Lions had to fight to keep from being the fourth team to lose to the Bears this season. But I think Detroit has settled well enough into its role as divisional bully to weather whatever additional pluck Green Bay might bring on Thanksgiving. The Lions are now the heavies in this rivalry, with the veteran savvy to extend their win streak against the Packers to five - which would be their longest run of dominance in the series since taking 11 in a row between 1949 and 1954.”

CBS Sports

Prediction:

Prediction: “This is a big game in the division for both teams, a survival test for Green Bay and a big one for the Lions if they want to try and get home-field advantage in the conference. The Lions have had defensive issues as of late and Jordan Love has played well the past two weeks. That will keep the Packers in this game, but the Lions win it.”

PFT (Pro Football Talk)

Prediction: Lions

“The Lions are usually the punching bag on Thanksgiving. This year, they’re the punchers.”

Bleacher Report

Prediction: Lions (majority)

“The Lions were tested by the Bears in Justin Fields’ return in Week 11, but I don’t see Jordan Love and the Packers coming into Detroit and doing the same. Detroit is 2-1 when favored by at least seven points and beat Green Bay by two touchdowns in Week 4. The Packers have struggled mightily to stop the run this season, which doesn’t bode well against a Lions squad that now boasts a true two-headed monster with Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery.

“Green Bay holds the edge in this rivalry series historically, but Detroit has won the last four meetings. The Lions control this game on the ground and win by 10 on Thanksgiving.”

USA Today

Prediction: Lions

“Jordan Love had a career-high 322 passing yards against a hapless Chargers defense. However, the Lions should pose a much stiffer challenge. Detroit’s won four straight games over Green Bay. The Lions high-powered offense has scored 72 points the last two weeks. It’s hard to imagine the Lions losing at home on their annual Thanksgiving Day game.”