PACKERS ROAST LIONS ON THANKSGIVING DAY

It’s a long standing NFL tradition for the Detroit Lions to play on Thanksgiving Day, and the franchise used to put a high priority in performing well in front of the national spotlight.  Before Matt Millen arrived in 2001, the Lions had won four straight and nine of twelve on Thanksgiving Day.  They’ve been on a downward spiral since then, losing six straight and eight of ten on ‘Turkey Day’.  This time it was the Green Bay Packers who did the deed, dropping the Lions 34-12 at Ford Field.  The Packers improved their record on the NFL season to 7-4 while the Lions dropped to 2-9.

NFL football betting enthusiasts who took the Packers as -11 road favorites had much to give thanks for as Green Bay easily covered the number for a pointspread victory.  The Packers improved to 6-4-1 against the NFL pointspread while the Lions dropped to 2-8-1 versus the number.  The 46 combined points scored went UNDER the posted total of 48.  Both teams have gone OVER in six of their eleven games this year.

Longtime Lion center Dominic Raiola described the mood in the team’s locker room:

"It's a different feeling in this locker room -- especially on national television to come out like that.”

The Lions opened a 7-0 lead in the first quarter, but Green Bay took control in the second and forced Detroit QB Matthew Stafford into four interceptions.  He explained the difficulty in playing from behind:

"When you've got to throw the ball every down to try to get back into it when you're behind, guys are going to be all over it.”

Packers’ QB Aaron Rodgers spoke of the importance of his team's response to the early deficit:

"We had to dig deep. There's a lot of resolve in this team and I'm confident in our team moving forward."

Former University of Michigan standout Charles Woodson had two interceptions, including one for a touchdown.  He was clearly pleased at the opportunity to shine before his old fans:

"Being here in Michigan with all the fans I know I still have here. I just wanted to remind those guys what it was like back when I was in school."

He also had some words of praise for Lions’ QB Stafford who played despite an injured non-throwing shoulder:

"I told him after the game, 'Around the league, we respect a guy who will come in hurt.”

The Packers will now host the Baltimore Ravens next Monday night before hitting the road for games against the Chicago Bears and Pittsburgh Steelers.  The Lions play at Cincinnati next Sunday and at Baltimore one week later.  They’ll return home on December 20 to host the Arizona Cardinals.