It would have been very hard to see this halftime score coming, but the Green Bay Packers lead a low-scoring, defensive affair 7-0 over the Detroit Lions in the first game of the NFL's annual Thanksgiving slate. If it weren't for a great interception by Clay Matthews on a tipped pass, which set up an Aaron Rodgers to Greg Jennings touchdown, this game would be scoreless.
Packers Vs. Lions: Green Bay Takes 7-0 Lead Into Halftime
The two dominant units of the game have been the Lions’ defensive line and the Packers’ defensive backfield. The Lions which has pressured Rodgers consistently, preventing him from getting in any sort of extended rhythm. He’s just 9/15 for 64 yards, with that touchdown on a 10-yard drive, nine of which came via penalty.
The Packers have stifled Calvin Johnson, holding him to just one catch and preventing him from scoring one of his trademark "jump over everyone" touchdowns. Tramond Williams has been terrific, and the rest of the defensive backs have been silently effective.
The linebackers for the Packers, Clay Matthews excepted, have been atrocious, because the Lions have been eating them up underneath. If it weren't for a Kevin Smith injury — and Jason Hanson's missed field goal right before halftime — this score would likely be different. The Lions have rushed for 90 yards, including a 22-yard Matthew Stafford scamper where no one was protecting the middle of the field, and Smith and Morris have combined for eight receptions and 65 receiving yards.
Expect both offenses to make adjustments at halftime and there to be a lot more points scored in the second 30 minutes of this contest.
Check out our Packers blog, Acme Packing Company, for more on the Packers and head on over to Pride of Detroit for more on the Lions. Here’s the entire Thanksgiving day football schedule and all the NFL odds and lines for the Week 12 games.
See More:
