For the first time in a long time in Lions history, they will actually be playing for something this Thanksgiving week that they haven't done in a while: competing for a playoff spot.
The Detroit Lions are 7-3 this season and tied for second in the NFC North division. Having a record over .500 before Thanksgiving is not relevant to players on this team. In 2008, the Lions finished 0-16, the first time an NFL team has gone winless the whole season. And in the 2009 and 2010 season, the team had a combined 8-24 record.
You may ask yourself, why are the Lions playing so well this season? The answer is because the culture in the locker room and the city has changed. The Lions are heading in the right direction, by drafting their franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford and superstar defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh. GM Martin Mayhew has put together the right pieces in the puzzle to create a football powerhouse.
The Green Bay Packers are eyeing their first ever perfect season and a second straight Super Bowl title. The Pack are 10-0 so far and don't have any signs of slowing down. Aaron Rodgers is looking like an MVP caliber candidate, throwing for 3,168 passing and 31 touchdowns. The Packers are 3rd in the NFL in passing yards per game with 305 yards. Things are sitting pretty for the players and fans of Green Bay.
The last time the Packers were 10-0, they suffered their first loss against the Detroit Lions in 1962 during the Thanksgiving game. The last time the Lions and the Packers faced off on Thanksgiving was in 2009 when the Pack steam rolled the Lions 32-14. The Lions are hoping to rewrite the history books as they are looking to become 8-3 and secure their chances in the playoffs and to end the Packers winning streak.
