Thanksgiving has almost arrived, and the Detroit Lions are hoping to eat some celebratory turkey with the FOX Sports crew. The Green Bay Packers stand in their way of making that happen, with both squads looking to keep pace with the Chicago Bears in the NFC North during their holiday showdown.
Detroit has to win this one to also tie things up between themselves and the Packers in their head-to-head record for this season. As fans likely recall, the Lions lost to the Packers in Week 1, albeit begrudgingly. They'll need to get this one back at home to remain firmly in the postseason race and to erase some major critiques in relation to their ability to deal with top-tier defenses.
There are a few matchups that can help the Lions make their way to the Thanksgiving table a bit happier this year.
3 matchups to watch for between Lions and Packers
Penei Sewell vs. Micah Parsons
Parsons managed to get only one sack on Jared Goff in Week 1, but it was a struggle for Sewell and company to keep the rest of the Packers' defensive line contained with so much attention on Parsons. It was their first look at him as a Packer, so you'd have to imagine they're going to gameplan a bit better for this week.
Sewell won't be the only offensive lineman who has to be ready to take on Parsons. They'll need big games from Taylor Decker, Tate Ratledge, and Kayode Awosika to keep Parsons, Edgerrin Cooper, Rashan Gary, and others back from Goff.
Jahmyr Gibbs vs. Packers' defensive line
In that same vein, the Lions have to be honing in on their run game as a mark of success for them moving forward. In games where they manage to rush for less than 100 yards, they are 0-4. When they rush over that mark, they're winning out. Week 12's game against the New York Giants was won on the back of Gibbs almost entirely, but Green Bay presents a much tougher opponent in terms of their run defense.
READ MORE: Jahmyr Gibbs is the Lions' offense - are the Lions leaning on him too much?
If Gibbs - and the O-line - can take advantage of even the smallest of windows opened, it would go a long way towards wearing the Packers' defensive line out and opening up Detroit's passing game to balance out with Gibbs' legs.
Aidan Hutchinson vs. Jordan Love
Love has been up and down for the Packers as they struggle to find a balance between their run game and passing game. A familiar issue to the Lions, to be sure. His passing numbers haven't been all that electric, but he's at the very least been solid for Green Bay in the pocket. Hutchinson can change that if he manages to take advantage of an injured Packers offensive line headed into this one.
The Lions' best bet would be getting more snaps for Hutchinson against the Packers' right tackle, Zach Tom. He's dealing with a back issue headed into Thanksgiving day, and Green Bay's only other option on their depth chart behind Tom is Darian Kinnard. Hutchinson finally broke through New York's stalwart offensive line in Week 12 for a game-sealing sack, and perhaps he can keep that going to get Love on the move and into the arms of the Lions' defensive line and linebacker unit.