The Green Bay Packers were expected to run away with the NFC North, but going into Week 13, they sit in second place behind the Minnesota Vikings. Green Bay had the division lead heading into a Week 7 bye, but dropped three consecutive games and got passed by the Vikings.
‘Thursday Night Football’ 2015 live stream: How to watch Packers vs. Lions online
Aaron Rodgers will try to get the Packers back on top of the NFC North against the Lions on Thursday.
Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
They did win one important game, though: a head-to-head showdown in Minnesota to briefly take over the NFC North again. But a loss to the rival Chicago Bears in their last game has the Packers once again behind the Vikings. With a Week 17 rematch against Minnesota still on the schedule, Green Bay can't afford to drop any more games, including a primetime Thursday Night Football game against the Detroit Lions.
It seems like a two-team race in the division but anything can happen at this point. If the 4-7 Lions have any hope of competing, they have to win Thursday night against the Packers. Green Bay sits at 7-4 on the year and has games against the Dallas Cowboys and Oakland Raiders still on the schedule.
Detroit has a similarly easy remaining schedule against teams such as the San Francisco 49ers, New Orleans Saints and Bears, but beating the rival Packers is the top priority.
Thursday's game will feature Detroit's No. 19 offense led by Matthew Stafford and Green Bay's No. 20-ranked offense led by Aaron Rodgers. They are two of the most prolific passers in the game, but both offenses have struggled for various reasons this season.
The Lions won the first matchup between these two teams in Week 10, their first win at Lambeau Field since 1991. If they win again Thursday night, it will be the first time the Lions have swept the Packers since that same year.
How to Watch
When: 8:25 p.m. ET
Where: Ford Field, Detroit
TV: CBS, NFL Network
Announcers: Jim Nantz, Phil Simms, Tracy Wolfson
Online: NFL GamePass
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