Packers vs Lions in a NFC North Brawl on Thanksgiving 

The Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions are set to collide this Thanksgiving in what might just be the most consequential game of the entire 2025 slate so far. It’s hard to ignore the tension in the NFC North right now—it’s electric, it’s messy, and it’s exactly what you want with your turkey and stuffing. We’re staring down the barrel of a three-way dogfight for the crown. The Chicago Bears are currently sitting pretty at 8-3, but don't let that fool you; their December schedule is a gauntlet. That leaves the door wide open for Green Bay, sitting weirdly at 7-3-1, and Detroit, nipping at their heels at 7-4.

Detroit is coming off one of those heart-attack games that make you question everything, scraping by the Giants 34-27 in overtime. It wasn't pretty. Jared Goff looked rattled at times, taking heat from a New York pass rush that isn't even top-tier. But a win is a win, right? 

Meanwhile, the Packers just stomped the Vikings 23-6, looking terrifyingly competent on defense. Their pass rush was living in the backfield, which has to be a massive concern for Dan Campbell’s crew heading into Thursday. The big question mark all week has been Josh Jacobs. The knee issue is lingering, and while reports say he’s "expected" to play, anyone who watched him hobble off last week knows he isn’t at 100%. If Jacobs is limited, the load falls on Jordan Love to dissect a Lions secondary that has been generous, to say the least.

Ford Field is going to be deafening. It always is on Thanksgiving, but with the division hanging in the balance, the atmosphere will be hostile. The Lions have that "grit" narrative, but they've been inconsistent against the spread at home this year. Green Bay already took the first meeting back in Week 1, 27-13, and they seem to have Detroit's number defensively. Can Goff stay upright? Can the Lions' O-line hold up against a Packers front that just wrecked Minnesota? That's the ballgame right there.

Betting Picks & Predictions

The oddsmakers aren't giving us much breathing room here. Currently, the Lions are 2 1/2-point favorites, which feels like a classic "home field advantage" line rather than a reflection of recent play. The total is hovering around 48.5, suggesting a shootout, but these divisional grudge matches often turn into grind-fests.

Detroit's defense has been leaky, giving up points in bunches, but their offense usually bails them out at home. However, Green Bay’s defense is peaking at the right time. The half-point hook on the 2.5 is tempting for Lions backers, but the Packers getting points feels like the sharper play given how they manhandled Detroit in September. Expect a tight one, maybe coming down to the final possession. I like the Packers to cover the +2.5, and honestly, don't be shocked if they steal it outright to muddy the NFC North waters even further.