Wednesday Cheese Curds: Ground games in the spotlight for Packers’ Thanksgiving matchup

Tune into any NFL broadcast and you’re likely to hear someone with access to a microphone tell you that this is a passing league. And it’s true; elite offenses are built around throwing the ball well. But the Packers ’ Thanksgiving matchup with the Lions features one team bound and determined to run the ball well, and another team with almost literally no healthy running backs.

The Lions are a top-five rushing attack by both total yards and yards per attempt, and they make it their business to grind opponents to powder behind one of the league’s best offensive lines. Oh, and they also happen to have one of the NFL’s more efficient passing attacks, just in case you thought they were slacking in that respect.

The Packers, meanwhile, will enter Thursday’s game with the very definition of a motley crew at running back. AJ Dillon will lead the charge, helming the ground attack as the only Packers back likely to play on Thursday who was on the active roster last week. Accompanying him will be Patrick Taylor, who returns to the Packers after a stint on the Patriots’ practice squad. They’ll likely be joined by one of two practice squad backs, either James Robinson, who hasn’t played in an NFL game in nearly a year, or undrafted rookie Ellis Merriweather, who hasn’t played in an NFL game at all.

On the Packers’ side, this boils down to little more than a curiosity, a historical footnote exacerbated by a short week. “Hey, remember when all the Packers’ running backs were injured for their 2023 Thanksgiving game?” I’ll ask people years from now, and my well-adjusted, normal friends will look at me and say “no, of course not.” But as far as the Lions are concerned, the Packers will have their work cut out for them.

Bad for the Packers: the run defense has been underwhelming this year. Worse for the Packers: the Lions have a great offensive line and a couple of good backs.

Taylor admits he left Green Bay with a sour taste in his mouth, but three weeks’ worth of game checks will help soothe any hurt feelings.

Speaking of noteworthy running backs, here’s a look back on Barry Sanders’ shocking decision to walk away from the NFL.

The full rundown of the Thanksgiving Day slate.

I wish someone would make a mistake that would get me $25,000 a year for life.