The Green Bay Packers will look to avenge a loss to the Detroit Lions when they head to Ford Field to take on the NFC North division leaders in a Week 14 rematch.
At 9-3, the Packers have already matched their win total from last season, while the 11-1 Lions are aiming to secure the NFC's top seed and a coveted first-round bye.
This game is more than just a rivalry—it's a pivotal clash with playoff implications for both teams. The Packers are looking to close the gap in the division, while the Lions aim to solidify their dominance.
Here are three reasons why Green Bay will come out on top in Detroit for the second straight season.
Reason 1: Packers Start Fast
The Lions have been a juggernaut when playing from ahead, using their early leads to unleash a balanced offensive attack that keeps defenses guessing. With a dynamic running game led by Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery and a passing game captained by Jared Goff, Detroit can dictate terms once they seize control.
That’s precisely why the Packers need to flip the script early. During their current three-game win streak, Green Bay has outscored opponents 31-3 in the first quarter. This fast start has allowed them to set the tempo, forcing opponents to abandon their game plans and play catch-up.
Against the Dolphins on Thanksgiving, the Packers' opening drive set the tone, with Jordan Love orchestrating a methodical march down the field to put points on the board. That’s the blueprint for success against Detroit. The Packers need to strike first and force the Lions out of their comfort zone, where they’ve struggled to execute as cleanly when trailing.
Reason 2: Lions’ Defensive Injuries
Sometimes, it’s better to be lucky than good—and the Packers have been both this season.
Green Bay has largely sidestepped the injury bug, especially among their core players.
Sure, Jaire Alexander’s lingering health issues have been a storyline—he’s played in just seven of 12 games—but beyond that, the Packers’ key contributors have mostly stayed on the field. Even Jordan Love, who battled early-season bumps and bruises, is now fully healthy as the Packers gear up for their playoff push.
The same can’t be said for the Lions, who have been ravaged by injuries on the defensive side of the ball.
Aidan Hutchinson, their star pass rusher and the engine of Detroit’s defense, suffered a season-ending broken leg in October. Fellow defensive end Marcus Davenport has joined him on the shelf, and rookie Mekhi Wingo also went down last week.
The Lions’ linebacking corps isn’t faring much better—Malcolm Rodriguez, Derrick Barnes, and Alex Anzalone are all dealing with significant injuries. Even cornerback Carlton Davis might miss this matchup.
That’s a devastating toll on the Lions’ defensive front seven, a group that thrives on physicality and toughness. The Packers, meanwhile, have emerged as a bruising, physical team themselves, anchored by an offensive line that has been downright nasty during their three-game win streak.
This is the perfect time for the Packers to lean into that identity. They should attack a Lions defensive line that’s now short on both talent and depth. Ground-and-pound with Josh Jacobs. Mix in some downhill play-action passes. Keep Detroit on their heels and make them pay for their misfortune.
The Packers shouldn’t apologize for their good fortune. Instead, they should capitalize on it. Against a shorthanded Detroit defense, Green Bay has the opportunity to punch them in the mouth and take control of the game early.
Reason 3: A Healthy Jordan Love
The last time the Packers and Lions faced off, Love wasn’t himself. Just a week removed from suffering a lower-body injury against the Jacksonville Jaguars—a game he exited early—Love returned to face Detroit, but it was clear he wasn’t at full strength.
His mobility was limited, and his timing seemed off, likely lingering effects of his injury. The result was a pedestrian stat line: 23 completions on 39 attempts for 273 yards, no touchdowns, and a back-breaking pick-six.
But that was then.
Following that game, Green Bay’s bye week gave Love a much-needed break, allowing him two weeks to heal and reset.
Since then, he’s looked like a completely different quarterback—and the results speak for themselves. In the three games since the Lions’ loss, Green Bay has gone undefeated, with Love playing his best football of the season. Over that span, he’s completed 69.2 percent of his passes (47-for-68) for 698 yards, five touchdowns, and just one interception. Even more impressive, he’s gone two straight games without a pick, a first for him this season.
A healthy Love isn’t just a more accurate passer—he’s a more dynamic playmaker. His ability to extend plays with his legs and keep defenses honest has been a game-changer for Green Bay’s offense.
Heading into the Week 14 rematch, the Lions are facing a fully healthy Love for the first time this season. And that should be a significant concern for Detroit. A sharp Love not only elevates Green Bay’s passing attack but also makes life easier for their running game, as defenses can no longer afford to stack the box.
Love’s progression since the bye isn’t just a storyline—it’s a reason the Packers’ offense is firing on all cylinders. And it’s the single biggest factor that could tip this matchup in Green Bay’s favor.
If he continues to play at this level, Love could be the difference-maker that helps the Packers not only avenge their earlier loss but also assert themselves as legitimate contenders in the NFC.